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NPS Director Fran Mainella Announces Resignation

National Park Service July 26, 2006

WASHINGTON National Park Service Director Fran Mainella, the 16th NPS director, announced that, after nearly six years of service, she will leave her position to devote more time to her family. In her resignation letter, Mainella wrote, Thank you, Mr. President for allowing me to serve you and the American people as the Director of the National Park Service. Thank you for your support and confidence in my ability as the first woman to serve as Director.

URL: http://www.doi.gov/news/06_News_Releases/060726.htm

posted on Tue Aug 01, 2006 11:31 AM by

FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway Wins 2 " Videographer Awards"

"Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway" has won two international awards for its recent television Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign on "Saving the Blue Ridge Parkway." The PSA series won an "Award of Distinction" for public service announcements, having competed against television and cable companies, television stations, production companies, and advertising agencies across the United States and international countries. The PSA series also won an "Honorable Mention" for the series in "creativity/writing."
A special thanks to Dick Byrd, BRPTV, Richard Wells, and Pat and Chuck Blackley, for our first effort as a multiple award winner.

PSA Awards News Release follows:

May 5, 2006

Dick Byrd, a Forest, VA. based television and video producer, has won an international award for television production. “The Videographer Awards,” based in Arlington, TX. has honored his work on a series of public service announcements for “Friends of The Blue Ridge Parkway.” Byrd is receiving an “Award of Distinction” for the series. “The Videographer Awards” this year had 2,327 entries from throughout the United States and several foreign countries. Only approximately 14 percent of the entries received an “Award of Distinction” in 186 categories. Byrd competed against television stations, cable companies, video producers and production companies. He is the owner of a new company in this area, Dick Byrd Productions. Besides work for “Friends of The Blue Ridge Parkway” he is currently working on productions for “The Blue Ridge Parkway Association” and Lynchburg College and has future commitments for work with several Virginia tourist attractions and convention and tourist bureaus. He also videotapes history interviews for families, churches, companies and organizations.

www.dickbyrdproductions.com
121 Sailview Dr.
Forest, VA 24551
434-525-2083

"The Videographer Awards" basic information, is available at:

URL: www.videoawards.com

posted on Mon Jun 12, 2006 3:53 PM by

Price Lake Lowered for Sediment Removal

(Blowing Rock, NC)—The water level at Price Lake, located on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock, is being lowered so that sediment can be removed.

Parkway officials said that the sediment from Boone Fork has created a small island adjacent to the public boat launch and rental area, threatening to isolate that section from the main body of the lake and clogging the mouth and adjoining upstream section of the stream.

Work will begin once the lake has been drawn down about five feet and should be completed and the lake returned to full pool by late June. Fishing will still be permitted but the boat launch and rental area will be closed.

In addition, Boone Fork parking area will remain open on weekends but will be subject to weekday closures while the approximately 6,000 cubic yards of sediment is removed.

Parkway Facility Manager Ray Shaw said that much of the siltation occurred when the remnants of Hurricane Frances deluged the region in September 2004.

Phone: (828) 271-4779 ext. 242

Email: Phil_Noblitt@nps.gov

posted on Tue May 16, 2006 1:58 PM by

National Parks and Volunteers

Each year a week is set aside by presidential proclamation to celebrate National Park Week. In addition, a week is set aside each year to recognize public spirited volunteerism. In 2006, these two traditions are both set for the last week in April.

More than hotdogs and apple pie, our national parks are an American original. Setting aside lands for the entire nation’s citizens was a radical idea in 1872 when the first national park unit, Yellowstone, was created. Many nations followed suit and our Park Service workers have served as advisors and collaborators for many of the world’s park systems. Today, there are more than 390 diverse US NPS units connected by the 1916 landmark act “to promote and regulate the use of the…national parks…which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment … by such means as will leave them unimpaired for …future generations."

There are many volunteers whose contributions are essential to accomplishing the mission of the National Park system. Not merely a stop-gap, the volunteer program allows talented and dedicated citizens to participate in work for this great American institution. On the Blue Ridge Parkway, volunteers in the Park work in Visitor Centers, as historical demonstrators, story tellers, musicians, campground hosts, and even librarians, to name a few. They assist in constructing and maintaining trails, monitoring natural and cultural resources, and rehabilitating historic buildings.

The newest Parkway facility, the Blue Ridge Music Center near the NC/VA border, is currently undergoing growing pains. Ranger Janet Bachmann, the music center Ranger, said, “Last year we concentrated on getting the new Visitor Center up and running. This year, we are working along with our partner the National Council for the Traditional Arts to increase programming. We have volunteer groups working at the center doing terrific things with trails and helping with concerts. What we really need right now are a few folks with the gift of gab to work at the information desk assisting tourists.” Ranger Bachmann also said that training and uniform would be provided. Potential volunteers can reach her at the Blue Ridge Music center, 276 238-9042.

What better way to celebrate both National Park Week and National Volunteer week than by signing up to be a National Park Service volunteer.

Phone: (276) 238-9042

Email: Janet_Bachmann@nps.gov

posted on Tue May 09, 2006 5:50 PM by

Parkway Rangers Receive Special Recognition

(Asheville, N.C.) Blue Ridge Parkway Rangers recently received a National Park Service Southeast Region Unit Citation for their law enforcement initiatives. These efforts utilized saturation patrols and DUI road checks conducted with other agencies as part of a larger traffic safety and criminal interdiction effort.

For the year, Parkway Rangers conducted 31 special operations that resulted in 233 controlled substance cases. In addition, they made 75 arrests for driving under the influence, apprehended 17 fugitives from justice, and investigated 70 illegal weapons violations. At the same time traffic accidents were reduced for the forth straight year.

Chief Ranger John Garrison praised Virginia State Police and the Patrick County Sheriff's Office for their leadership in marijuana eradication from Parkway land at Rocky Knob, near Floyd, Virginia. The Rocky Knob seizure, over 9,000 plants, was the largest recorded on National Park Service lands last year.

Garrison noted that the Park Rangers often work closely with neighboring law enforcement agencies and that such cooperation "multiplies our effectiveness not only in apprehending and prosecuting criminal violations but in carrying out our full range of public safety responsibilities."

Phone: (828) 271-4779 ext. 240

Email: John_Garrison@nps.gov

posted on Wed Apr 12, 2006 11:21 AM by

Parkway Section Reopens

(Spruce Pine, NC)-The last section of the Blue Ridge Parkway that was closed when remnants of two hurricanes passed over the region in 2004, causing more than a score of rockslides, has reopened.

Parkway Superintendent Phil Francis said the eight mile stretch from US 221 at Linville Falls to just north of Spruce Pine opened this morning at 10. "We're delighted that this work was completed in time for the Easter weekend and appreciate the hard work of the contractor, Richard Goettle, Inc., and the close cooperation and support of the Federal Highway Administration."

Francis noted that there were multiple rockslides along the section that reopened today, including a short section that collapsed when one of the September 2004 storms dumped upwards of 20-inches of rain on the region. "These repairs posed considerable engineering challenges, and we're more than pleased to have this work behind us and to be able to focus on more routine maintenance."

The Parkway section between NC 80 and Mt. Mitchell (mile 344-355), which is currently closed for schedule tunnel maintenance, will reopen no later than April 29.

In addition, a short section of the Parkway near Blowing Rock will be closed for scheduled bridge repair May 1 to August 25, but all facilities and services in Price and Cone Memorial Parks will remain open and accessible. The short detour between US 221 at Sandy Flat and Holloway Mountain Road will be posted.

Phone: (828) 271-4779 ext. 242

Email: Phil_Noblitt@nps.gov

posted on Tue Apr 11, 2006 12:1 PM by

Parkway Begins Spring Openings

(Asheville, NC) Visitor facilities along the Blue Ridge Parkway have begun to open for the season and will continue to do so until all are open by late May. Concession operations at Mt. Pisgah and the Parkway Craft Center at the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park commenced earlier this month and the Linville Fall Campground will begin operations Friday (March 31). In an announcement today, Superintendent Phil Francis noted that the picnic area at Peaks of Otter begins operation Saturday (April 1), while those at Humpback Rocks and Linville Falls open April 14, in time for the Easter weekend. These are in addition to the picnic area at Price Park, which is open year-round.

All other Parkway campgrounds and picnic areas open May 12. The daily camping fee for 2006 is $16, except $18 at Mt. Pisgah, which now has shower facilities. Some sites there and at Linville Falls and Price Park Campgrounds can be reserved. For more information, visit www.ReserveUSA.com on the Internet or call toll-free (877) 444-6777. A separate contractor fee is charged for reservations. A number of individual sites at these campgrounds and all sites at the remaining six Parkway campgrounds will still be available as first-come, first-served.

These seasonal openings announced today are in addition to year-round operations at the Peaks of Otter lodge and restaurant near Bedford, Va., the Folk Art Center at Asheville, N.C., and the Museum of North Carolina Minerals near Spruce Pine, N.C.

Most visitor centers will open April 28, some on a 5-day-a-week schedule through late May. As an exception, the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center will operate from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, April 14-23, and seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., beginning April 28.

As far as road conditions, all the Parkway motor road in Virginia is now open. Excluding temporary weather-related closures, in North Carolina there are two closed sections-an eight-mile stretch just south of US 221 at the Linville Falls Community, and an 11-mile section between NC Highway 80 and Mt. Mitchell State Park. Repair of the section south of US 221 is projected to be completed and the road reopened by April 16. The Mt. Mitchell to NC 80 section will open no later than April 29.

A short detour near Blowing Rock is scheduled to begin May 1 and continuethrough August 25 for repairs to the Sims Creek Bridge. All facilities at Price Park will be open and accessible from the south. The Moses H. Cone Memorial Park will also be open and fully accessible.

The Parkway is subject to springtime snow and ice, and temporary closures are still possible. For information on current road conditions, call (828) 298-0398.

Beginning in June, Ranger-led campfire programs, nature walks and other interpretive services will be offered at campgrounds, visitor centers and selected locations along the Parkway. Weekly schedules will be posted. In addition, the summer concert series at the Blue Ridge Music Center will be offered on Saturday evenings June to early autumn. The series is provided through the partnering organization, the National Council for the Traditional Arts. For information about specific performances, visit www.ncta.net on the Internet.

Additional information about the Parkway is also available at www.nps.gov/blri.

Rangers are continuing to emphasize traffic patrols, especially on weekends, to reduce accidents. Motorcyclists are urged to exercise special caution.

Phone: (828) 271-4779 ext. 242

Email: Phil_Noblitt@nps.gov

posted on Sun Apr 09, 2006 11:32 AM by

Last Chance Landscape Seedling Planting Project

FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, an environmental nonprofit organization based in the Roanoke Valley with over 7,000 members nationally, is spearheading this community-based project. The National Park Service (NPS) requested FRIENDS’ help in restoring the viewshed along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway exists and is visited by millions of people because it is the most convenient, valued and unique way of viewing the Appalachian mountain historic landscape, in its most unspoiled state, by automobile transportation. FRIENDS is building supportive relationships with developers to become a part of the restoration of the viewsheds by helping to fund the projects, to plant the trees or simply to call and work on a landscape plan to buffer their development from view. “It will take all of us working together to be a part of the solution to preserve the Parkway views,” says FRIENDS’ executive director Susan J. Mills, Ph.D. There are many examples of where modern development has changed, and in some cases spoiling the historic landscape scene from the Parkway. “FRIENDS is encouraging developers and community groups to consider how they can develop in harmony with the Parkway landscape or get involved to provide a service to preserve our national treasure,” says Dr. Mills.

Other organizations involved in planning this seedling planting are Creative Nursery & Landscapes, The Kiwanis Club of Roanoke, Virginia’s Explore Park, Virginia Department of Forestry and Western Virginia Land Trust

• The location of the site is at milepost 125.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near the Clearbrook area in Roanoke County.

• The Planting will begin at 9:00 AM and end around 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 25, 2006. Refreshments will be provided, but volunteers may prefer to bring a “bag lunch”.

• Parking at the planting site will be limited and suitable only for 4-wheel drive vehicles. Volunteers are asked to park at Clearbrook Elementary School, 5205 Franklin Road, S. W., Roanoke (Route 220) and shuttle vans will take volunteers to the planting site between 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM. Return shuttle service will be provided from the planting site to Clearbrook School between 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM or as necessary.

• Due to possible muddy conditions, volunteers are asked to wear boots or appropriate shoes (no sandals) and bring work gloves. Some equipment will be available, but volunteers are encouraged to bring shovels, rubber mallets, small sledge hammers and 5-gallon buckets for water to carry seedlings in while they are being planted.

• Exciting activities include an environmental education program presented by Rachel Parsons with Virginia’s Explore Park, and a fun time with art coordinated by Polly Branch.

• 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. Forms will be available on site or can be requested by calling FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway at 772-2992.

This is a very visible community-based project that encourages volunteers of all ages.

The Virginia Department of Forestry is donating the seedlings, mats, stakes, tubes, and bird netting to FRIENDS for this planting.

The National Park Service is pre-drilling holes for the seedlings. Blue Ridge Parkway officials expected to participate in the planting include Phil Francis, Superintendent; Martha Bogle, Deputy Superintendent and Patty Lockamy, Chief of Interpretation. Together we make a difference to preserve and protect the Blue Ridge Parkway!

Funding is still needed for this and future viewshed plantings in the Roanoke area. Call Susan Mills at 540-389-6804 to discuss your contributions. Make a difference – act today!

Phone: 540-389-6804

Email: susan_mills@friendsbrp.org

posted on Thu Mar 16, 2006 10:49 AM by

Natural Resource Assistant job positions in the Ridge District

Natural Resource Assistant job positions in the Ridge District – 2 volunteers needed.

Volunteers are needed to assist Natural Resource Management staff in diverse range of duties such as water resource inventory, exotic plant inventory, invertebrate collection, wildlife monitoring, and other resource related projects around the Peaks of Otter, Virginia. Volunteers must be able to work independently 50% to 75% of the time, and work will involve trail and backcountry hiking. All equipment and training necessary to perform assigned duties will be provided. Skills in plant identification, insect identification, digital photography, GPS, etc. may be helpful but not necessary. Mileage reimbursement, campground space, or housing may be provided as available. Couples and 2 person teams are welcome to apply. Duties may be tailored to individuals’ interests, and may be counted toward college internship credit if desired.

Contact: Jim Basinger - Natural Resource Management, Blue Ridge Parkway 133 Whetstone Ridge Road Vesuvius, VA 24483

Phone: 540-377-5147

posted on Thu Feb 23, 2006 11:20 AM by

Volunteers Needed for Northern Saw-whet Owl Surveys

Volunteers Needed for Northern Saw-whet Owl Surveys on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Location: Surveys will be conducted on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina between Spruce Pine and Cherokee. Dates needed April 1, 2006 - May 1, 2006.

Project: The Blue Ridge Parkway runs through high-elevation spruce-fir forests containing Northern Saw-whet owls. This Southern Appalachian population of saw-whet owls is a Species of Concern both federally and in NC. This project involves night-time surveys along sections of the Parkway using tape playback of owl calls. The surveys are weather-dependent (light winds , no rain/snow) but have been typically conducted 1 to 3 nights a week, though if we had a volunteer committed to this program it may be up to 4 nights each week. Surveys are conducted with a park employee or with another volunteer and begin half hour after sunset, continuing until about midnight. Stops are made every 1/3 mile with a taped owl call being played at each site. The location of any owl responding is noted. Survey locations are from 1 hour up to 2-1/2 hours driving time from the office so on some nights we don’t get back to the office until about 2am.

When: Surveys begin around April 1 and continue until the end of May.

Commitment: In order to qualify for free housing in a government house the volunteer(s) would need to work at least 32 hours per week. After May 1 a free campsite for an RV should be available at the Price Park Campground, about 3 miles south of Blowing Rock. Private campgrounds are available nearby and funding may be available to reimburse the volunteer for camping fees prior to the Parkway campground opening. The three projects can either be done by one person or broken up for more than one volunteer, but volunteers would be needed for the length of whichever project(s) they do. We would prefer to use one volunteer for all three projects if possible. Available funding may limit how much housing we will have to offer.

Skills: No special skills are needed. Volunteer will need to use a compass, GPS unit and computer but all of this can be taught if necessary. The only bird calls needed to know are Saw-whet, Barred, Great Horned and Screech Owls. During the survey we may walk up to 2 miles along the Parkway. A driver’s license is needed and ability to drive a manual transmission vehicle may be required.

Logistics: Government housing may be available on the Parkway. An RV campsite would be available at the Price Park Campground on the Parkway beginning around May 1. We probably will be able to reimburse for camping fees outside the park prior to May. There is a Greyhound bus stop in Boone (about 8 miles away) and airport in Charlotte (about 90 miles away). Blowing Rock and Boone have many food stores and all services typically found in small towns. If more than one volunteer is selected there may be a need for additional volunteer to use their personal vehicle. Mileage reimbursement would be available. A daily stipend should be available to help with meal costs.

Equipment: Volunteer will only need to provide for their personal needs for working in cold weather. All equipment needed for the surveys will be provided.

Contact: Bob Cherry, Resource Management Specialist, Blue Ridge Parkway, 5580 Shulls Mill Rd., Blowing Rock, NC 28605-9453

Phone: 828/295-7591

Email: Bob_Cherry@nps.gov

posted on Thu Feb 23, 2006 11:8 AM by

Park Service Appoints Superintendent

National Park Service Southeast Regional Director Patricia Hooks announced today the selection of Philip A. Francis, Jr. as Superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Phil, who has been acting in the position since August, comes to Blue Ridge from his position as Assistant Superintendent at Great Smoky Mountains National Park where he served for 11 years. Phil's extensive knowledge, skills, and experiences gained from a 33 year career with the National Park Service (NPS) have provided him with outstanding leadership skills and an impressive record of accomplishments in a wide variety of areas.

A native of Grover, N.C., Phil began his career with the NPS at Kings Mountain National Military Park as a seasonal park ranger and later as Administrative Assistant. In 1978 he entered the two-year NPS Administrative Officer training program. Phil went on to serve as Administrative Officer at a sequence of parks of increasing size and complexity. Prior to his arrival at the Smokies in 1994, Phil was the Associate Regional Director, Administration for the Southwest Region for three years. He is a graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor's degree in Administrative Management, and he has completed the Department of Interior Senior Executive Service Training Program, a year-long series of training and detail assignments designed to prepare graduates to be appointed to the most senior positions in government bureaus.

"Phil's leadership in cooperating and collaborating with partners embodies the true spirit and intent of civic engagement and management excellence. I am certain his inclusive approach will serve the Parkway well." said Regional Director Hooks.

Phil commented that, "It's both a great honor and a tremendous responsibility to be the Superintendent of a park with such outstanding scenery and diverse natural and cultural resources. I'm looking forward to working with our many supporters, park neighbors and partner organizations to further public appreciation and the long-term preservation of this special place."

The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway, sometimes called "America's Favorite Drive," is the most visited unit of America's National Park System. A drive down the Parkway provides stunning, long range vistas and close-up looks at the natural and cultural history of the southern Appalachian Mountains.

Phone: (828) 271-4779 ext. 242

Email: phil_noblitt@nps.gov

posted on Tue Nov 22, 2005 10:33 AM by

Bogle Named Parkway Deputy Superintendent

(Asheville) Martha Bogle, currently superintendent of Congaree National Park near Columbia, South Carolina, has been named Deputy Superintendent for the Blue Ridge Parkway and will begin managing operations for the 469-mile scenic road in early October.

In making the announcement earlier this week, Superintendent Daniel W. Brown noted that Bogle has 25 years of government service. In addition to her nearly 10-year stint as superintendent of the 26,800-acre Congaree National Park, her government work experience spans 10 National Park Service sites and one National Wildlife Refuge. She began her career as a seasonal Park Ranger at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1978. Other seasonal assignments took her to Everglades National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Monument.

Her first permanent job came in 1982 as a dispatcher at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In 1984, she moved back into the field as a Park Ranger at Obed Wild and Scenic River, followed by a position as an Assistant Outdoor Recreation Planner at Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. In 1987, she returned to the National Park Service as an Interpretive Specialist at the Blue Ridge Parkway. Beginning in 1992, she served as the Chief of Visitor Services at Carl Sandburg National Historic Site before accepting her current assignment in November 1995. Martha recently completed a four month detail as Acting Assistant Superintendent at Independence National Historical Park. She also has served as Acting Assistant Superintendent at Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Mammoth Cave National Park.

Bogle said she is thrilled to be returning to the Parkway. “The Parkway has such diverse resources, and the southern Appalachians are where I have spent much of my career. I look forward to the challenges that a great resource like the Parkway provides and to coming home to the mountains.”

Brown noted that Bogle’s extensive experience and knowledge of the Parkway and region “will serve us well in both the on-going operation of the park and as we begin planning the Parkway’s 75th anniversary.”

URL: www.nps.gov/blri

Phone: (828) 271-4779 ext. 242

Email: Phil_Noblitt@nps.gov

posted on Tue Aug 09, 2005 10:22 PM by

Blue Ridge Music Interpretive Center Grand Opening

Virginia Congressman Rick Boucher cut the ribbon opening the Blue Ridge Music Interpretive Center, located on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Galax, Virginia. Speakers at the dedication ceremony included, from left, musician and nationally-known stringed instrument maker Wayne Henderson; Dr. Susan Mills and Mary Guynn, executive director and founding board member, respectively, of the Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway; Superintendent Dan Brown; Congressman Boucher; Galax Mayor C.M. Mitchel;, Joe Wilson, chairman, National Council for the Traditional Arts; Pat Hooks, SER Regional Director; and Virginia Delegate Bill Carico. The City of Galax donated more than 1,000-acres of land for the music center, while NCTA will provide programming for the center, including producing the summer concert series in the adjacent outdoor amphitheater.

The entire article may be read as included in the August edition of the National Park Service Southeast Region newsletter. (Adobe Document - see link below.)

URL: www.blueridgefriends.org/newsletter/August1newsletter.pdf

posted on Tue Aug 02, 2005 6:48 PM by