FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a non-profit, volunteer
organization that is dedicated to preserving, promoting and enhancing the
Blue Ridge Parkway, a national treasure.
FRIENDS programs focus on preservation, protection and education.
FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
corporation, organized and existing under the laws of the State
of North Carolina and the Commonwealth of Virginia, whose current
principal business address for identification purposes is P.O.
Box 20986, Roanoke, Virginia 24018.
FRIENDS of the
Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc.
A National Park Service Blue Ridge Parkway approved
partner organization dedicated to preserve, promote
and enhance the Blue Ridge Parkway, a national treasure,
for future generations.
"Volunteering is an American tradition that has made an immeasurable contribution to communities, organizations, and individuals throughout the country. In 2002, 44% of American adults over the age of 21 volunteered. Today's volunteers are active, dynamic, creative individuals who possess the skills, desire, patience, and time to accomplish a wide variety of tasks.
Volunteers-In-Parks are Very Important People (VIPs)! In a recent year, 140,000 volunteers donated 5 million hours to your national parks at a value of $85.9 million. VIPs come from all over the world to help preserve and protect America's natural and cultural heritage for the enjoyment of this and future generations. Volunteers of all ages give of their time and expertise to help achieve the National Park Service mission."
~National Park Service
FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway was asked by the Blue Ridge Parkway/National Park Service (NPS) to take a lead role in moving the VIP program forward at a time when the need for volunteerism in national parks was greater than ever. The NPS goal is to increase the number of volunteers and FRIENDS' objective is to help our park exceed its goal. We are certain we can do this but only with your help.
The primary mission of FRIENDS is to mobilize and provide leadership for volunteers who assist with a wide variety of Parkway projects. FRIENDS' initiatives include viewshed protection, Volunteers-In-Parks, trail maintenance and construction through the Adopt-A-Trail program and overlook upkeep through the Adopt-An-Overlook program.
Viewshed protection is the signature project of FRIENDS. To help protect the views that have made the Parkway "America's Favorite Scenic Drive," FRIENDS provides professional site plans, recruits and works with volunteers from local communities and gathers private funding support for tree planting projects to buffer views that are being compromised by nearby development.
FRIENDS plays a leadership role in developing and administering the Parkway volunteer program. Recognizing the importance of volunteers, FRIENDS recruits, trains and supervises volunteers along the Parkway's 469-mile length.
FRIENDS establishes Chapters to provide volunteer support to the Parkway. We currently have eight chapters that span all 469 miles of the Parkway. You can read more about our Chapters, including how to join one close to you, on our Chapter page. If you have additional questions, please email us.
