We Support Friends of Virgin Islands National Park, You can too!
St. John is such a very special place, with more than 60% of the 19 square miles that comprise this beautiful paradise, are protected as the Virgin Islands National Park. The non-profit organization that works directly with the Park with educational and conservation efforts is known as the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park (Friends).
Friends of Virgin Islands National Park helps to fund critical programs in the Park. From Sea Turtle Nest Protection and Monitoring or Juvenile Fish Populations in Hurricane Hole to Recovering Ancient Taino Burial Sites and Stabilizing the Annaberg Sugarmill Ruins, there is not an aspect of the Park’s mission they do not work to support.
Friends maintains all 27 miles of trails in the Park, through robust volunteer and youth programs that run year-round. They support ongoing coral, mangrove, native plant restoration projects, research projects (often to monitor the impact of hurricanes on wildlife populations) as well as archeology, cultural programs, and education outreach.
Friends does all of this with the help of their donors, members, business sponsors and foundation partners who understand the critical needs of the Park and trust the Friends organization.
Friends raises approximately 1 million per year in philanthropic dollars to help protect and preserve the Park. In years past they have raised big money to install the moorings, making the park anchorless, to further protect marine life. Friends has also come to the Park’s aid in difficult times, such as hurricanes, government shutdowns, and during the current ongoing pandemic.
In this way, Friends is the Park’s best friend. Friends uses fundraisers, like Villas for the Park, and other special events as a way to engage people with their mission while promoting the businesses that make our St. John island community a great one!
“Many of us ask what can I, as one person, do, but history shows us that everything good and bad starts because somebody does something or does not do something.” – Dr. Sylvia Earle
