The Parkway Sentinel - Volume 2, Issue 2 - March 2006
FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway
linda_kassar at friendsbrp.org
Mon Mar 13 15:30:38 EST 2006
The Parkway Sentinel - News from the FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway
FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway Newsletter
Volume 2, Issue 2
March 2006
This Month's Features-
Parkway Message
Saving Parkway Views
Trails Forever Program
Volunteers In Parks
Volunteer Jobs Available
Adopt-a-Trail Dates
Preserving the Hemlocks
Our Online Store
Greetings!
Dear Friend,
I believe the Blue Ridge Parkway is in grave danger.
After reading a New York Times editorial on the funding shortages and politicizing of the National Park Service, I want you to be aware of the crisis brewing for the Blue Ridge Parkway. (read more)
Petition Drive for FRIENDS Blue Ridge Parkway Funding Crisis
Please forward this e-newsletter to anyone you feel would be interested! If this message was forwarded to you by a Parkway friend, you can receive your own subscription by visiting our web site.
Parkway Message
As president of FRIENDS, I invite you to reflect on how you can be of service in 2006. This issue of the Parkway Sentinel provides lots of ways you can become involved.
Simply encouraging a friend to join FRIENDS can make a big difference to grow our membership of Blue Ridge Parkway supporters!
Saving Parkway Views
YOU ARE INVITED TO HELP FRIENDS PLANT SEEDLINGS
SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway is an environmental nonprofit organization based in the Roanoke Valley where we began over 16 years ago. With over 7,000 members nationally, we are growing, BUT we need your help to SAVE the Blue Ridge Parkway VIEWS!
FRIENDS needs adult and youth volunteers to help plant approximately 300 Seedlings on the Blue Ridge Parkway - milepost 125.5
Together, we can restore the views to the Blue Ridge Parkway for future generations! It is exciting to have a significant project that the community can support and that will impact future generations. Youth can say to their children, "I helped plant that tree to save the Parkway twenty years ago".
On March 25th, all holes for the seedlings will be dug in advance. The fun part will be simply placing the seedlings in the holes and filling in the dirt around each planting. Families are invited to participate. Children of all ages have participated in previous plantings.
a.. The location of the site is at milepost 125.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Roanoke County.
b.. The Planting will begin at 9 AM with a formal welcome and will end around 1 PM. Refreshments will be provided, but you may prefer to bring a "bag lunch".
c.. Wear your favorite work clothes and join us for this special time. Due to possible muddy conditions, please wear boots or appropriate shoes (no sandals), and bring your work gloves.
d.. An exciting environmental education program will be presented by Virginia's Explore Park.
e.. A special booth for volunteers to express themselves with "art" will be directed by Polly Branch.
f.. Parking at the planting site will be limited and suitable only for 4-wheel drive vehicles. For your convenience, please park at Clearbrook Elementary School and a shuttle van will take you to the planting site.
g.. The Blue Ridge Parkway requires all participants to complete a volunteer form before participating in the planting. All volunteers under age 18 must bring a signed parental consent form. Please contact the FRIENDS office for more information and to request these forms in advance.
The Viewshed Planting Project is spearheaded by a community-based steering committee. The committee includes representatives from Creative Nursery & Landscapes, Virginia Department of Forestry, The Kiwanis Club of Roanoke, Virginia's Explore Park, Merrill Lynch, Western Virginia Land Trust, Roanoke Department of Parks and Recreation and Michael Wray, County of Roanoke Board of Supervisors. The steering committee is responsible for planting over 100 trees at Milepost 125.5 on November 5, 2005, more than 150 seedlings in April 2005, and 100 trees in October 2004. November 5, 2005 was a beautiful, warm fall day and a great time to enjoy the outdoors. On this day, approximately 150 participants of all ages participated.
If you are unable to be with us on March 25th, but you would like to participate in the planting, please mail your donation to: FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, P. O. Box 20986, Roanoke, VA 24018.
Call our office at (540) 772-2992 or (800) 228-7275 if you have any questions.
I would like to donate to help save parkway views.
Trails Forever Program
National Trail Day is Saturday, June 3rd!
FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway is in the process of registering Adopt-A-Trail events with the American Hiking Society. If you wish to join in the celebration on June 3rd consider Adopting -A-Trail or join another group! If you wish to schedule an event for this special day -- please contact FRIENDS as soon as possible so we can sign you up!
We will need to include the following information:
a.. A name for your "event" on June 3rd (you can be basic - it will be listed on National Trail Day with the American Hiking Society)
b.. The "event city"
c.. Directions to the site
d.. An estimate of how many miles of trail work is expected that day and
e.. Contact person's information: name, email and telephone number.
This is exciting, and a way to spread word about the Blue Ridge Parkway trails. FRIENDS Fishers Peak Chapter has already registered for this event. Volunteers will be meeting at 9:00 AM at the Trail Head Parking lot near the Blue Ridge Music Center - milepost 213. The first of a series of Summer Concerts at the Blue Ridge Music Center begins on June 3rd, and the trail work performed on that day will be in preparation for the Saturday evening concert. Also, other volunteer work is welcomed and needed at the Blue Ridge Music Center in preparation for the first Saturday evening concert of the season.
The slogan for National Trail Day 2006 is "Experience Your Outdoors"! This slogan speaks to all Americans and encourages them to get outside, get active, and experience the wonders of trails in their own communities and throughout the country. Become involved and make a difference to help our Blue Ridge Parkway Trails! The Parkway has over 100 trails and over 350 miles of trails!
"Experience Your Outdoors" is a personal message to all individuals and includes all varieties of recreational uses. National Trail Day events:
a.. Develop awareness and understanding for one's self and relationships with others.
b.. Encourage responsibility and stewardship.
c.. Build a sense of community.
d.. Develop consciousness and respect for the environment.
e.. Increase the desire for recreation.
f.. Enhance quality of life.
g.. Provide exercise, relaxation, and enjoyment.
To find out more information about the National Trail Days, go to: National Trails Day Page
Adopt-A-Trail Groups' Trail Dates
Mountains-to-Sea Trail work March 18, 2006
(from Piet Bodenhorst)
Just a note to let you know that we are planning a work day on March 18, 2006
We will meet at Cracker Barrel Exit 44 of I-40 at 9:00 AM.
Car pool to Woodfin/Cascades Overlook on the BRP South - mile #447.
MST going South!!
Regards,
Piet
A list of the trails appears on our website - check out this link. FRIENDS requires a 3 to 5 year commitment - before you apply to adopt a trail we encourage you to walk the trail you are interested in - then apply or call FRIENDS to request an application. The Blue Ridge Parkway and FRIENDS need YOU!
I would like to donate to help preserve parkway trails.
Volunteers In Parks
FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway is looking for ambassadors-
FRIENDS' Ambassadors Program is a way for you to get involved, to be of service or to make a difference!
Ambassadors will:
a.. Recruit volunteers for specific Parkway needs along the Parkway corridor, or
b.. Recruit 3-5 people in Parkway communities to establish a FRIENDS Steering Committee or FRIENDS Chapter that focuses on carrying out the Parkway project needs in your backyard, or
c.. Help coordinate a small group of volunteers, or
d.. The possibilities are endless to how you can make a difference!
Ambassadors will serve at FRIENDS' special events or hiking/trail festivals in your community to help promote the organization and FRIENDS' Parkway programs. Currently we are focusing on the following areas:
1.. Waynesboro, Virginia
2.. Roanoke, Virginia
3.. Blowing Rock/Boone, North Carolina
4.. Asheville, North Carolina
Call Linda Kassar at 800-228-7275
View current volunteer job openings by region.
Volunteer Needs
Bird Surveys: Volunteers are needed to help with three different bird surveys.
1.. Northern Saw-whet Owls from about April 1 through May 31 from Milepost 298 - 430
2.. Grassland bird surveys from May 1 through June 15 between Mileposts 75 - 300
3.. Cerulean Warbler surveys mid-April through mid-July from Milepost 80 - 365
If you wish to learn more about the Northern Saw-whet Owl, visit this link.
We prefer to have one volunteer who can do all three projects in North Carolina and one person for Virginia, but will consider using a group if necessary. Housing and stipend may be available for a limited number of volunteers. application
Contact:
Bob Cherry - Resource Management Specialist, Blue Ridge Parkway
5580 Shulls Mill Road
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
828/295-7591
Fax 828/295-0337
Bob_Cherry at nps.gov
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Natural Resource Assistant job positions in the Ridge District - 2 volunteers needed.
Contact:
Jim Basinger - Natural Resource Management, Blue Ridge Parkway
133 Whetstone Ridge Road
Vesuvius, VA 24483
540-377-5147
I would like to donate to help the Volunteers in Parks.
Our Online Store
FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway Cap (view now)
Shade your eyes while you show your support for the Blue Ridge Parkway. The FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway logo is embroidered on this beautiful hat. Adjustable - one size fits all. Visit Store
Preserving the Hemlocks
I would like to donate to fight the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid and help save the Hemlock trees.
Donate or HELP support FRIENDS
You can make a difference by helping the FRIENDS preservation movement today to protect the Blue Ridge Parkway for the future! Join now or make a donation.
If you have any questions, please contact us
Copyright © 2006 FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway
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