Blue Ridge Parkway
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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. |
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Winning the Litter WarWinning the Litter Warby Tom Morgan, FRIENDS' Board of Directors and Co-chaiarman, Asheville Chapter For many, motoring the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Asheville (NC) area is just a brief breather to or from a busy work day. Visitors to the area marvel at the beauty of the Parkway during a first-time look. A second look reveals a repository of countless fast food wrappers, papers, Styrofoam cups, and other trash. Last May the National Park Service, suffering the misery of woeful budget cuts, reached out for help with this growing litter problem. Michael J. Ryan, a facility manager on the Parkway, approached FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Particularly vexing was the growing amount of litter in this commuter zone – roughly mileposts 382.3 to 396.8, where the under-manned Park Service seemed to be losing the litter battle. Last June, FRIENDS volunteers put on their orange safety vests, rubber exam gloves, hoisted their mechanical pickers and went to work.
High Vistas caught up with Mike Ryan at his maintenance office on the Parkway recently and asked just how the FRIENDS litter project was going, specifically what they had achieved. “In a word – outstanding!” he said enthusiastically. “We’ve really noticed a large decrease in the amount of litter.”
FRIENDS Asheville Chapter organized litter teams who have adopted various intersections and overlooks. Hugh Stephens, Asheville Chapter Co-Chair, recently said, “We have almost every section of the Parkway in our area adopted by a litter patrol team.”
Melissa Koppenhaver, a FRIENDS litter Team Captain said that “The 74A intersection is a popular starting point for hikers, bikers, and dog walkers. I am proud that I can make a difference in their Blue Ridge Parkway experience by helping to keep that area litter-free. On several occasions people have even slowed down to thank me as they drive by.”
Want to help? Become part of the growing Asheville Chapter FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visit our website at www.BlueRidgeFRIENDS.org today to find out how you can help preserve the beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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