The second annual Friends Paddle the Park stand up paddleboard race was held on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014. Spirits were high and paddlers enjoyed beautiful weather at picturesque Maho Bay as they gathered to paddle in celebration of the Virgin Islands National Park’s beautiful beaches and waters.

The race consisted of three courses: a 1-mile Short Course from Maho Beach to the floating NPS pay station and back; the 3-mile Open Course from Maho Beach to Whistling Cay and back; and the challenging 5.5-mile Elite Course which took the most adventurous paddlers from Maho Beach around Whistling and Cinnamon cays and back. Wind and sea conditions were favourable, with some gusty winds which gave competitors quite a challenge. In the Men’s Elite division, Bill Kraft of St. Croix took first place with the fastest time, 1:05:51, followed closely by John (Nat) Ford of St. John, and third place went to Lee Donovan of Las Flores, California. Isabelle Picard of St. Croix dominated the Women’s Elite race, finishing in 1:16:56. Thais Taylor of St. John came in second and Jude Woodcock of St. John placed third. In the Open race, the first-place men’s finisher was John Linnborn of St. Thomas with a time of 00:38:47. Second place went to Todd Clements of St. Thomas, and coming in third place was Nathan Hatfield of St. Thomas. The Women’s Open race was won by Nikki Samuel of St. Thomas, who finished in 1:02:52. Gail Walters of Rocky River, OH finished second, and Alisa Niehuser of St. Thomas finished third. For the Men’s Short race, Mark Lonski took first place with a time of 0:12:55, second place went to Wyatt Bracy of St. Croix, and Manny Horsford of St. Thomas took third place. For the Women’s Short race, Sharie Smyth of St. Thomas paddled her way to first place with a time of 0:14:47, followed by Louanne Schechter (second place) of St. Thomas, and Sandra Loeffler of St. John (third place).

The race was followed by a buffet lunch provided by North Shore Deli and High Tide restaurants with plenty of cold beer and soft drinks courtesy of St. John Brewers. An awards ceremony in which winners in each race were presented with beautiful glass and mahogany trophies, paddle sails, and tote bags.

december 2014

www.friendsvinp.orgprinted on recycled paper

Friends of Virgin Islands National

Park is dedicated to the protection

and preservation of the natural and

cultural resources of Virgin Islands

National Park and promotes the

responsible enjoyment of this

unique national treasure.

Please remember to reuse and recycle whenever possible.

Preserve. Protect. Educate.

Racers at the start of this year’s Paddle the Park SUP race at picturesque Maho Bay. (Photo: Steve Simonsen)

KEEP CALM & PADDLE THE PARK!!

what’s inside! Paddle the Park

Tidings Notes

Message from the Superintendent

2015 Seminar Series

2014 Donor Thank You

Daniel Qualls’ Adventure

New Volunteer Coordinator

Program Accomplishments 2014

New Passing the Torch Program

Program Plans 2015

President’s Message

Coming Events

CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE

2 december 2014

MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT BY BRION FITZGERALD

In December Virgin Islands National Park will hold an open house to dis-cuss a proposal to increase the fees we charge at Trunk Bay and for the use of our overnight moorings. These are referred to as Expanded Amenity

Fees (formerly Use Fees) under the Federal Lands Recreational Enhancement Act (FLREA). As many of you know, we began charging use fees at Trunk Bay in 1998 and we have not asked for an increase since then. The Friends was our primary partner in installing the mooring fields throughout the park. We made a commitment to use mooring fees to maintain these fields for the continued protection of our marine resources. As is the case with Trunk Bay, there has been no increase in the mooring fees since they were initiated in 2004.

The park retains 80 percent of the fees collected. These fees are used here for a variety of purposes. First, we have to cover the cost of collections including the salary of the fee collection staff, cash registers, bank and credit card fees, and other associated expenses. The balance of the 80 percent can be used for proj-ects associated with resource protection, information, orienta-tion, maintenance of park facilities and interpretation.

This summer we finished a major renovation of our Visitor Center restrooms using FLREA funding. As I write this we are submitting bid documents to our contracting office for renova-tions to the Trunk Bay shower and restroom facilities. Mooring maintenance is ongoing and costly. We have more needs than funding and sincerely hope that you will support the proposed increase. Please keep an eye out for the public comment period and don’t hesitate to ask questions if you have any.

Notes

NotesJoin our Volunteer Work CrewJoin our volunteer field coordinator Anna Adams and her dedicated volunteer team as they help maintain park trails and ruins, remove debris from beaches and coastlines, and assist with general maintenance projects in Virgin Islands National Park. You will be able to work on projects that vary weekly, and we have opportunities for volunteers of all skill levels. If you are interested in helping out, just show up any Tuesday or Thursday through April 16 at the national park maintenance parking lot at 8 a.m. or at the Cinnamon Bay taxi stand at 8:15 a.m. Please be sure to bring water and a snack, wear brush-appropriate attire and bring gloves if you have them. Call 340-779-4940 for more information.

NEW Island Inspirations BookThe Friends Store recently began selling a beautiful new book, Island Inspirations, featuring the breathtaking photography of Steve Simonsen paired with inspirational quotes. This is a

great holiday gift idea! To pick up your copy, simply stop by the Friends Store in Mongoose Junction or shop online at http://www.friendsvinp.org/ friends-store.

Brion FitzGerald

A page from “Island Inspirations”, featuring the breathtaking photography of Steve Simonsen.

Linda Wright of St. Thomas was the lucky winner of the Paddle the Park Raffle and took home a beautiful new Naish Nalu paddleboard and travel bag, provided by Ocean Potion sun and skin care.

The Friends would like to congratulate all competitors who came out to “paddle the park,” and a huge thank you to ALL of the generous sponsors and volunteers who made this event possible. Until next year!

PADDLE THE PARKCONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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Donate your gently used items to charity.

JANUARYFULL MOON HIKE • Jan. 2, Fri. • 5:00pm – 8:30pmSeminar Fee: $25 Mem / $35 Non Mem • Max Group: 20

PASTELS WITH LIVY HITCHCOCK• Jan. 11, Sun. • 10:00am – 1:00pmSeminar Fee: $75 Mem / $85 Non Mem • Max Group: 6

HASSEL ISLAND KAYAK & HIKE • Jan. 16, Fri. • 2:00pm – 5:00pmSeminar Fee: $69 Mem / $79 Non Mem • Max Group: 8

TROPICAL GARDEN TOUR I • Jan. 17, Sat. • 10:00am – 3:00pm Seminar Fee: $55 Mem / $65 Non Mem • Max Group: 20

HIKE WITH THE “SUPER” • Jan. 21, Wed. • 9:30am – 1:30pmSeminar Fee: $40 Mem / $50 Non Mem • Max Group: 16

KAYAK THE MANGROVES OF HURRICANE HOLE • Jan. 25, Sun. • 10:00am – 3:00pm Seminar Fee: $65 Mem / $75 Non Mem • Max Group: 11

EXPLORE THE SHORE • Jan. 29, Thurs. • 10:00am – 12:30pmSeminar Fee: $25 Mem / $35 Non Mem • Max Group: 20

ADVANCED CANEEL/MARGARET HILL NATURAL HISTORY TREK WITH GARY RAY • Jan. 31, Sat. • 9:00am – noon; Seminar Fee: $30 Mem / $40 Non Mem • Max Group: 20

FEBRUARYST. THOMAS MANGROVE LAGOON, CAS CAY KAYAK, HIKE, SNORKEL• Feb. 1, Sun. • 12:45pm – 4:00pm; Seminar Fee: $59 Mem / $69 Non Mem • Max Group: 30

FULL MOON HIKE • Feb. 3, Tues. • 5:00pm – 8:30pmSeminar Fee: $25 Mem / $35 Non Mem • Max Group: 20

BIRDS OF THE PARK • Feb. 5, Thurs. • 9:00am – 1:00pmSeminar Fee: $55 Mem / $65 Non Mem • Max Group: 20

EAST END KAYAK TOUR • Feb. 8, Sun. • 10:00am – 2:30pmSeminar Fee: $65 Mem / $75 Non Mem • Max Group: 10

MEDICINAL HERBS • Feb. 11, Wed. • 12:30pm – 2:30pmSeminar Fee: $35 Mem / $45 Non Mem • Max Group: 25

PEPPER SAUCE MAKING • Feb. 15, Sun. • 11:00am – 3:00pmSeminar Fee: $55 Mem / $65 Non Mem • Max Group: 20

ARCHAEOLOGY BY SEA • Feb. 18, Wed. • 9:45am – 3:00pmSeminar Fee: $65 Mem / $75 Non Mem • Max Group: 28

EXPLORE THE SHORE • Feb. 19, Thurs. • 10:00am – 12:30pmSeminar Fee: $25 Mem / $35 Non Mem • Max Group: 20

COASTAL ECOLOGY • Feb. 21, Sat. • 9:00am – 3:00pmSeminar Fee: $75 Mem / $85 Non Mem • Max Group: 18

BOOBY ROCK SNORKEL/SUNSET SAIL• Feb. 22, Sun. • 1:45pm – 6:30pmSeminar Fee: $65 Mem / $75 Non Mem • Max Group: 6

TRADITIONAL BROOM MAKING• Feb. 25, Wed. • 12:45pm – 2:45pmSeminar Fee: $45 Mem / $55 Non Mem • Max Group: 10

SEA TURTLE SAIL • Feb. 26, Thurs. • 1:00pm – 5:00pmSeminar Fee: $65 Mem / $75 Non Mem • Max Group: 50

BOTANY HIKE • Feb. 27, Fri. • 9:00am – 1:00pmSeminar Fee: $45 Mem / $55 Non Mem • Max Group: 25

MARCHMARINE BIOLOGY SAIL • Mar. 1, Sun. • 8:45am – 3:00pmSeminar Fee: $85 Mem / $95 Non Mem • Max Group: 27

FULL MOON HIKE • Mar. 5, Thurs. • 5:00pm – 8:30pmSeminar Fee: $25 Mem / $35 Non Mem • Max Group: 20

LOVANGO SUSTAINABLE LIVING & DESIGN TOUR • Mar. 7, Sat. • 9:00am – 1:30pm; Seminar Fee: $55 Mem / $65 Non Mem • Max Group: 20

PADDLEBOARD, HIKE, & SNORKEL • Mar. 8, Sun. • 9:30am – 12:30pmSeminar Fee: $60 Mem / $70 Non Mem • Max Group: 10

LAMESHUR BAY/VIERS TOUR • Mar. 9, Mon. • 10:00am – 2:00pmSeminar Fee: $45 Mem / $55 Non Mem • Max Group: 20

TRADITIONAL BROOM MAKING • Mar. 11, Wed. • 12:45pm – 2:45pmSeminar Fee: $45 Mem / $55 Non Mem • Max Group: 10

CANEEL BAY KAYAK, HIKE & SNORKEL ADVENTURE • Mar. 13, Fri. • 9:00am – noon; Seminar Fee: $60 Mem / $70 Non Mem • Max Group: 10

MANGROVE SNORKELING BOAT TRIP • Mar. 14, Sat. • 9:00am – 3:00pm Seminar Fee: $85 Mem / $95 Non Mem • Max Group: 18

PEPPER SAUCE MAKING AT HANSEN BAY • Mar. 15, Sun. • 11:00am – 3:00pmSeminar Fee: $55 Mem / $65 Non Mem • Max Group: 20

TROPICAL LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY • Mar. 16, Mon. • 8:00am – noonSeminar Fee: $45 Mem / $55 Non Mem • Max Group: 15

MEDICINAL HERBS • Mar. 18, Wed. • 12:30pm – 2:30pmSeminar Fee: $35 Mem / $45 Non Mem • Max Group: 25

ARCHAEOLOGY BY SEA BOAT TRIP • Mar. 25, Wed. • 9:45am – 3:00pmSeminar Fee: $65 Mem / $75 Non Mem • Max Group: 28

TAINO POTTERY • Mar. 27, Fri. • 10:00am – 1:00pmSeminar Fee: $55 Mem / $65 Non Mem • Max Group: 8

TROPICAL GARDEN TOUR II • Mar. 28, Sat. • 10:00am – 3:00pmSeminar Fee: $55 Mem / $65 Non Mem • Max Group: 20

MAHO/WHISTLING CAY KAYAK & SNORKEL ADVENTURE • Mar. 29, Sun. • 9:45am – 1:00pm Seminar Fee: $55 Mem / $65 Non Mem • Max Group: 8

APRILHIKE WITH THE “SUPER” • Apr. 1, Wed. • 9:00am – 3:00pmSeminar Fee: $55 Mem / $65 Non Mem • Max Group: 6

FULL MOON HIKE • Apr. 2, Thurs. • 5:00pm – 8:30pmSeminar Fee: $25 Mem / $35 Non Mem • Max Group: 20

LEINSTER BAY GUIDED SNORKEL & HIKE • Apr. 11, Sat. • 9:00am – 3:00pmSeminar Fee: $40 Mem / $50 Non Mem • Max Group: 15

LIONFISH BOAT ADVENTURE • Apr. 12, Sun. • 9:30am – 3:00pmSeminar Fee: $55 Mem / $65 Non Mem • Max Group: 10

2015 SEMINAR SERIES Please visit www.friendsvinp.org/seminars or pick up a brochure for full details. Call 340-779-4940 for bookings.

4 december 2014

DONOR THANK YOUOur success, this and every year, is made possible through the generous support of the many individuals, businesses and organizations whose gifts, both cash and in-kind, contribute to help protect and preserve the natural and cultural resources of Virgin Islands National Park and to promote the responsible enjoyment of this unique national treasure.

Recognition of donors would not be complete without first thanking Rosalie Stahl and Donald Sussman, whose past donations fundamentally transformed the Friends and our support of the park. The impact of their contributions continues to be felt every day.

The Friends has more than 3,000 members, and your contributions, whether annual dues, donations to special appeals, bequests, participation in our events, the sponsoring of individual projects, or patronage of the Friends of the Park Store, all help to support the park. We are thankful for your support and humbled by your generosity. We are especially grateful to the following individuals, businesses and organizations for their support this past fiscal year:

Donors of $10,000 or morePaul M. Angell Family FoundationAnonymous DonorBlack Diamond Holdings, LLPDavid BloomLana Vento Charitable TrustCharles & Monica McQuaidAndy & Joy Stillman

Donors of $5,000–$9,999Jim AngellRobert BettencourtJean & Stephen CottrellDisney Cruise LineLinda & Patrick GallagherHugh & Shana GriffithsInnovative TelephoneErika & Greg KellerhalsFerguson LLPNational Park FoundationDana & Martha RobesApril Simpson-DarrVI Department of TourismWeldon & Ellie WassonDavid Witham

Donors of $2,500–$4,999Karen BaranowskiCruz Bay WatersportsErnest FavaJim & Carol FurneauxInternational Capital &

Management Co.Art JoyceDr. Jerome & Elizabeth LevyMongoose JunctionR&I PATTON GoldsmithingLow Key WatersportsMelanie & John ShainSt. John Community

Land TrustElizabeth SteeleThe West Indian CompanyTOPA Properties, LTDVirgin Islands Council for

the ArtsWestin St. John Resort

& Villas

Donors of $1,000–$2,499Angel Electric Inc.Ralph & Cindy AntolinoArawak ExpeditionsClaude & Melody BernsteinMyron BlumenfeldRafe & Kimberly BoulonPat & Hal BrownMichael & Charlene BurgamyRichard & Kathleen Kathlen

CampbellCaneel Bay ResortCaravan GalleryCaribbean Paddle CompanyPeter & Anna May CharringtonChoice WirelessCimmaron Property ManagementConcordia Eco PreserveDenny & Gail CresapJoseph & Inge De MaioSteve & Pamela DeckoffDavid DombertFirst BankJanet FooteToya Frazer-EllisJames & Sharon GallivanLarry GalloBarbara & Randy HerveyHoliday Homes of St. JohnKekoa Sailing ExpeditionsKirby Family FundKoonce Foundation Inc.Ted & Kathee KrammTom & Anna LawsonJohn & Deborah MacfarlaneRichard & Lynn MathenyRhonda & David McCayDavid & Cheryl McDanielPhilip & Jane MoreschiMyerson Wagner Family

Charitable FundPhilip NormentDr. Steve & Jan PaulJim & Diane PrevoNeil and Trudie PriorProperty King Inc.Christine RansleyAllen ReardonSuzy ReinhardtRotary Club of St. JohnSouthland Gaming of the VI

Glen & Radha SpeerSt. John HardwareSt. John InnMiles & Susan StairTheodore Tunick & Co.United Healthcare Service Inc.UVIJim & Anne WestCecily Young

Donors of $500–$999Alfredo’s LandscapingJack & Wendy AndrewsCharles & Sharon AngellAnonymous DonationsBad Kitty/Calypso ChartersMarvin BarndtTeresa BeamStephen BernieRonald & Jacqueline BologneseJohn BraniganJan & David BraswellBrave Carrot Inc.Joelle & Jeff BrockCarlson Construction Co. LLCEd & Lorrie ColesPierre & Connie CrosbyRoy & Kathleen CurnowDiane DanielsonRalph & Linda Davis Jr.Elaine & Joe DillonRuth DoanJeff & Chris DresherBarbara EmersonBrion FitzGeraldJohn & Lee FullerGallows Point ResortYvonne & Charles GoldSam & Diana HallMary & Timothy HayesJames & Carol HenryHigh Tide Bar & Seafood GrillNikolay & Denise HotzeIsland Time Watersports Inc.Brett JeffersonHyland & Beth JohnsSonya KeeneMimi & Larry KuppinGretchen LabrenzMargaret LabrenzPat & Ronnie LeeMark & Julie Lonski

Susan & Phil LoydAndrew LusczPeter LuterekJoAnn & Berisford LynchBrittney MacNealyJune McCarthyMerchants Commercial BankFernando & Dorothy MichelettiDale MillerMichael MoreyLarry & Linda MoskowitzRaf & Thia MuilenbergDavid & Barbara MurrayPaul MyersonPhilip NormentChristie O’NeilJohn & Denise ObbagyPGU InsuranceJoe & Mary Lou PetersJay & Charlotte PisulaGreg & Robyn PodanyFernando & Ruby RamosChristine RansleyMarjorie Rawls RobertsJudith StoikovTaloo-ard PaddlesailRosa ThomasSybille Sorrentino (VI EcoTours)Nick VanasscheVirgin Islands OrthopedicsHarvey & Glenda WerbelWest Indies WindsurfingWet Woody’s LLCAlbert & Lonnie WillisWindspree Vacation HomesEfrem Zimbalist III

Donors of $250–$499Abul & Ann AbbasDr. Brian Bacot, Adam BangsMichael BanzhafChris BatchelorJoan BerminghamJim BierkampRobert & Pamela BittnerSuellen & Larry BlackwoodGail & John ChesterChristie’s Contemporary ArtistSteven & Donna CohenConnectionsKoke & Cheryl CumminsJoseph DeJames, MDDr. Cool Inc.

James Ellis Jr., MDElaine EsternMark & Christine FanoMartha FarmerBob & Carol Ann FaucettPat & Bill FiskGinger & John GarrisonHelen GjessingBruce & Jane GoodStephen & Ruth GrantAndrea GrimmEugene & Denise HaignereDebbie HayesChase HerroJohn & Sarah HodgesGordon HumphreyAmy Johnson, MDLeonard KiernanKiote SailsRobert & Anne KlenkeMartin LilienthalBob & Caren LindenStephen LittleMelissa LondonCharles LongPatricia & Jay LorschJames & Christy McManusLisa MennaAllen MillerDr. Deborah NelsonSteve & Fran O’DayMichael & Laney OxmanCurtis & Myrtle PennMarianna PfiffnerTed ProsserFred & Margaret ProvenzanoMartin & Ingrid ReedRogers Rissler FoundationBud & Judy RoseSadie SeaJesse SalyerJerry Lynn & Roller ShipplettHelen SimonJohn SlocumBranden SmithThe Sophisticated GemsCarolyn ThoemmesVali TschirgiRex TulliusKaren VahlingRobert & Susan VoigtJanice & Steve Wood

Please note that the above includes donations made between Oct. 1, 2013, and Sept. 30, 2014. THANK YOU for all those donations not listed here. All contributions are important and make our work possible!

what can you do?

www.friendsvinp.org 5

Use cloth or reusable plastic bags for shopping.

The Friends is happy to announce that we have a new volunteer trails coordinator, Anna Adams. Anna comes to her new position with a passion for volunteering and for the Friends. Her most recent post was in Maine where she was the senior field crew leader with Friends of Acadia National Park. Anna’s qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in environmental recreation and tourism management, and numerous NPS certifications ranging from operational leadership to chainsaw safety. With her familiarity with Friends groups, solid technical skills and strong volunteer program management experience, Anna is a welcome addition to the Friends. She will lead the volunteer walk-up program on Tuesdays and Thursdays and will coordinate service trips for 14 groups and universities this season. With all these volunteers to organize, Anna is going to be one very busy lady! To get involved in our trails and volunteer programs, contact Anna at anna@friendsvinp.org.

Last summer, as part of its Summer Trail Crew program, the Friends sponsored Daniel Qualls, a local high school student, as a participant in a Student Conservation Association program at Mammoth Cave National Park.

I am very grateful to the Friends of VI National Park for sponsor-ing my participation in the SCA national program at Mammoth Cave National Park.

SCA fielded a crew consisting of eight high school students, myself included, and two trained leaders.

We worked on rehabilitating 12 backcountry campsites through-out the park, as well as filling potholes on a majority of cave tour routes.

We rehabilitated the 12 backcountry campsites throughout the National Park by redefining campsite boundaries, cleaning out fire pits, and disassembling any social trails and sites in the vicinity of the backcountry sites. While hiking to sites, the team would brush the trail to open it up for future hikers and workers. We also assisted with removing fallen trees from the trail.

We stayed in tents at a campsite in the park. On workdays we would wake up at 6 a.m. and everyone was assigned a different chore each day, such as breakfast duty or dishes or dinner. After breakfast, we would drive to the trails and hike to the worksite, doing trail maintenance inside and outside of the caves, lopping vegetation along the way. We also spent a day helping with catching and tagging birds such as finches and warblers. At the end of each day we enjoyed dinner and camp fires.

Our days off included swimming in a nearby lake, exploring the park’s caves, and mountain biking. We were even given special tours of the caves and went to some parts that most people don’t get to go to! There is really nothing else in the world quite like the Mammoth Cave system. Only 400 miles have been explored, but it is believed that much more remains unseen.

The last four days of our adventure were spent camping at Cumberland Falls. During the full moon we saw a moonbow over the falls at night. The best way to describe it is that it looks like the ghost of a rainbow.

The month I spent at Mammoth Cave NP was a great experience. It showed me that there is a pretty cool world outside of the VI. I would again like to thank the Friends for making this possible. It was a great experience, as I got to work with some great people in a beautiful part of the country that I had never seen before.

SAVE THE DATE! Beach-to-Beach Power Swim, May 24, 2015: The 12th annual Memorial Day weekend Beach-to-Beach Power Swim will be Sunday, May 24th. Join us for this challenging and fun open-water swim in the pristine and protected waters of VI National Park. There are three courses to choose from, all of which start at Maho Bay Beach: to Cinnamon Bay (1 mile); to Trunk Bay (2¼ miles); to Hawksnest Bay (3½ miles). Form a relay team or swim it by yourself. Visit www.friendsvinp.org/swim for complete details and course descriptions. We also will need nearly 100 volunteers to make this a safe and successful event, so be sure to contact us.

Friends Volunteer Coordinator Anna Adams talks tools at Cinnamon Bay.

One of the many magical and mysterious caves Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky.

FRIENDS HELPING FRIENDS! AN ADVENTURE TO REMEMBERBY DANIEL QUALLS

6 december 2014

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2014

This year has been an exciting and productive one for the Friends. We had a successful year, meeting or exceeding most of our fundraising targets. Our major events exceeded our expectations in terms of fundraising and outreach, and we even added a new event, Paddle the Park, a stand-up paddleboard race. A record number of participants enjoyed all the events, which were well-received.

We are especially proud of our program accomplishments. These really best define what we do.

We continued our work nurturing the next generation of con-servation citizens largely through our School Kids in the Park (SKIP) and Summer Camps projects By the numbers: 156 kids attended our eco-camps and science camps this summer; 15 classes received grants for projects using Virgin Islands National

Park as a living classroom; 1,319 students went on ranger-led field trips; 550 St. John youth attended our Earth Day Environmental Fair; and 850 students from St. Thomas and St. John attended the Folk Life Festival. In addition, nine high school students were part of our Summer Trails Crew Project and three university students received Friends scholarships. In a new program called “Passing the Torch,” about 200 kids in eight elementary school classes learned about traditional crafts from culture bearers.

Support of the Archeology Program continued with impor-tant discoveries at historic sites on St. John, particularly at the Rustenberg sites and on Hassel Island. Collaboration with the University of Copenhagen continued with excellent results. This year Friends-sponsored interns provided more than 15,000 hours of assistance to the project. This resulted in more than 5,000 objects being washed, sorted, analyzed and catalogued, and much, much more. Exhibits in the Archeology Museum at Cinnamon Bay are nearing completion.

Other important projects implemented this year include Annaberg Cultural History, Beach Restoration, Cultural Evening at Cinnamon Bay, Folk Life Festival, Learn to Swim, Lionfish Response Capabilities, Snorkeler and Boater Awareness, as well as several projects making hiking trails throughout the park safe and enjoyable, including the comple-tion of a trail rating system and analysis of all park trails.

The Friends’ successes and accomplishments could have been achieved only with the generous support of members and donors like you. Your support, both financial and in volunteer time, and your encouragement sustains us and inspires us to do even more.

A student shows off his carved calabash, part of the Friends’ new “Passing the Torch” program.

Everything old is new again! This year VINP, Friends of VINP and the St. John Historical Society part-nered to obtain an America’s Best Idea grant from the National Park Foundation. The grant continues the work that is done each year at the annual Folk Life Festival. The festival highlights Virgin Island cul-ture and is attended by hundreds of school children.

Since September, local culture bearers have been providing demonstrations at Gifft Hill School and Julius E. Sprauve School. Not only are the culture bearers showcasing traditional local crafts, they also are instructing the

students on how to make the crafts themselves. The students have made palm frond brooms, coconut boats, bush tea, johnny cakes and musical instruments out of calabash and branches. More dem-onstrations and lessons are planned through December and will include doll and jewelry making.

The students and the teachers at both schools are enjoying interact-ing with the cultural demonstrators and are excited at getting some hands-on lessons in Virgin Islands history. The students will be going on a bus tour guided by members of the St. John Historical Society, and the students also will be demonstrating some of their new skills at Annaberg and the Cinnamon Bay Campground.

This program is intended to light a spark in the students to inspire a new generation of culture bearers who will continue the rich leg-acy of Virgin Islands culture.

NEW KIDS PROGRAM: PASSING THE TORCH

Mr. Justin Todman.

what can you do?

www.friendsvinp.org 7

Support VINP – Shop for the holidays at the Friends Store!

The Friends’ board of directors has approved an ambitious $600,000 program plan for 2015. The plan includes many of our traditional projects as well as some new ones. We are still seeking funding for a number of these projects and would welcome your support in making them a reality.

Cultural Resource Preservation Projects• Archeology & Heritage Program ($105,000, funded):

Continued support for the archeology and cultural heritage pro-gram. This includes the support for interns and the associated costs for implementing the program.

• Cultural Evenings ($7,200, funded): Provide visitors with a his-tory of the African drum, such as its use as a communication tool and the different beats used in music. Visitors will be encouraged to participate, thus making this a truly interactive program.

• Cultural History Demonstrations ($1,500, funded): Provide supplies for the Living History program that enhances visitor education and understanding. This program consists of a baker baking bread on a Dutch oven and a gardener maintaining and interpreting a subsistence garden plot.

• Folk Life Festival ($12,000, funding needed): The Folk Life Festival is typically conducted in conjunction with Black History Month and will be at Annaberg the last two days of Feb., 2015. The 2015 festival will focus on the islands’ culture and will feature traditional music, storytelling, arts and crafts, and other art forms.

• Hassel Island Ethnographic Documentary ($30,000, funded): Produce a documentary capturing information about the history of the island from individuals who have worked and lived on Hassel Island.

• Hassel Island Workshop Reconstruction ($66,000, funded): Reconstruct the workshop at the Creque Marine Railway site at the original foundation to house metal artifacts that have been conserved.

• Historic Structure Stabilization ($13,200, partially funded): Stabilize the watermill at Leinster Bay and the historic oven in the parking lot at Maho Bay.

Education & Environmental Awareness• Coral Reef Education & Protection ($37,000, funded):

Educate visitors to the park and monument on the status, trends, significance and threats facing our corals and coral reefs. Educational materials will be combined with roving interns at critical sites to educate visitors and to document impacts to corals because of visitor use.

• Earth Day Environmental Fair ($4,800, funded):Provide supplies, materials and organization for the annual Earth Day Environmental Fair including Reef Fest activities.

• Friends App ($4,400, funding needed): Develop an app to serve as a “Virtual Ranger” guide to VINP as well as access to the Friends.

• Learn to Swim ($1,500, funded): Provide supplies, equipment and volunteers for the park’s summer Learn to Swim Project at Trunk Bay.

• Scholarship Fund ($4,800, funded): Provide up to four scholar-ships to students studying in natural science fields at the univer-sity level.

• School Kids in the Park (SKIP) ($26,400, funded): This project, the flagship of our environmental education program for kids, funds small ($500 max) grants for teachers to use VINP as a teaching/learning resource and provides transport for ranger-led field trips in the park.

• Snorkeler & Boater Awareness ($1,800, funding needed): Provide stickers, posters and information tags to bareboat charter companies and companies that rent snorkel gear to help educate their customers on proper anchoring and snorkeling practices.

• Summer Camps ($66,000, funding needed): Provide funding for at least 120 school children to attend the three-day Eco camps, 24 children to attend the five-day Science camp, and 24 children to attend the five-day Ranger–in-Training camp at VIERS. Kids experience staying in the park and learn about marine and terres-trial eco-systems.

• Summer Trail Crews ($46,500, funding needed):Improve park trails by employing eight St. John/St. Thomas high school stu-dents for six weeks during the summer to work on trail improve-ments and maintenance. In addition, facilitate participation of two former local crew members in Student Conservation Association national programs elsewhere.

Natural Resource Protection Projects• Dinghy Tethers ($3,200, funded): Install dingy tethers at

Hawksnest/Gibney and Maho Bay.

• Lionfish Response & Outreach ($5,400, funded): Provide con-tinued support for efforts to reduce lionfish populations inVINP and VI Coral Reef National Monument by enhancing lionfish capture capabilities and increasing public outreach.

• Maho Bay Beach Protection ($6,600, partially funded): Construct protective fencing and plant native vegetation at Maho Bay to protect shoreline, pavilion and roadway.

• Star Coral Study in Huricane Hole ($19,500, funding needed): The two-year study focuses on mapping and characterizing the population of Star Coral (Orbicella annularis complex) found grow-ing in Otter and/or Water Creek, two of the four major bays within Hurricane Hole. This species is expected to be listed as endan-gered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act within the next few months, and its current distribution within this area is unknown.

• Trails Program ($31,200 funded): Covers the stipend for the volunteer field coordinator and provides supplies, tools and materials for the trail and beach cleanups and the walkup/service group volunteer program.

PROGRAM PLAN FOR 2015

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE BY JOE KESSLER

The Friends board of directors recently adopted a new strategic plan to guide the organization for the next five years. I am personally very excited about this new plan and what it means for the Friends’ support of VINP.

The new plan starts with a revised mission statement:

The Friends of Virgin Islands National Park advances the protection and pres-ervation of the natural and cultural resources of Virgin Islands National Park and promotes the responsible enjoyment of this unique national treasure while educating and inspiring adults and children to be stewards of the environment.

To accomplish this mission, we:• Fund, support and implement projects and activities that further the protection of natural resources,

preservation of cultural resources and enhancement of environmental awareness, especially among Virgin Islands youth

• Promote volunteer and community involvement in the park• Advocate for the users of the park• Advocate on behalf of the resources of VINP to advance these interests before Congress and the Territorial

Government, within the National Park Service, and among the general public.

This revised mission statement has two significant changes from the past. First is that we “advance the pro-tection and preservation.” This implies a more proactive role for the Friends. Second is including the state-ment “educating and inspiring adults and children to be stewards of the environment” to bring this issue front and center.

Four strategic directions set the overarching goals for the organization: • The Friends will be able to consistently and confidently meet challenging fundraising targets• Volunteer opportunities and Board and Advisory Council participation will be increased• Friends will be seen as an advocate for both the resources and users of VINP, and will increase under-

standing and awareness of the environment and issues related to the park’s resources• Friends projects will assist the park in protecting and preserving critical natural and cultural resources.

I hope that you share our excitement in the new plan. You will see it reflected in our plans for the new year. I look forward to seeing you out in the park and I hope that Virgin Islands National Park and the Friends remain one of your philanthropic priorities.

december 2014

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDCRUZ BAY, VI

00831 PERMIT NO. 07

PO Box 811 St John, Virgin Islands 00831

Coming events! Annual Meeting, Jan. 18, 2015: T’ree Lizards restaurant, 2 p.m., Cinnamon Bay. This year’s keynote speaker is Stan Austin, Southeast Regional director of the National Park Service. VINP Superintendent Brion FitzGerald will give the State of the Park address, and Friends of VINP President Joe Kessler will present the Friends Annual Report and other business. Light refreshments to follow.

Friends 11th Annual Gala, Feb. 7, 2015: We invite you to join the Friends to celebrate our accomplishments and partnership with VINP in style. Our elegant gala will be held at Pamela and Steve Deckoff’s stunning villa, Presidio del Mar, in Peter Bay. Enjoy exquisite food, libations, interesting people and dancing under the stars. Raffle tickets will be sold in advance and at the event. Prizes include jewelry, art, excursions, dinners and more. Call 340-779-4940 or email kvahling@friendsvinp.org for reservations and tickets.

Folk Life Festival, Feb. 26-27, 2015: Once again, Friends of VINP and the NPS will present the Annual Folk Life Festival. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 26–27 at the Annaberg Sugar Plantation ruins on St. John. The program will feature local historians and culture bearers making presentations about the cultural history of our islands. Call 340-776-6201 x 252 for more information.

Earth Day Environmental Fair, April 24, 2015: Through hands-on teaching, story-telling and environmental demonstrations, the youth of St. John will learn about ways to respect and preserve both the land and marine environments around them. In celebration of Earth Day, all individuals and groups who have adopted a beach or trail will clean up their adopted locations.

DIRECTORY — FRIENDS OFFICE: 340.779.4940 FRIENDS STORE: 340.779.8700 FRIENDS EMAIL: info@friendsvinp.org VI NATIONAL PARK FRONT DESK: 340.776.6201 ext: 238

www.friendsvinp.org

Joe Kessler

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED