Greetings!
The stunning beauty of the view from the Trunk Bay overlook is a reminder of the sheer joy and relaxation that comes from being in the moment in nature. Whether its breathing in the smell of rain which we have finally had lots of hence the lush green of our hills and valleys, or standing in silence in a ruin absorbing the sense of history of people and place, we remain mindful of the gifts in our park. It is an honor to work in the present to protect and preserve this place, give honor and learn from the past, and plan for the future of conservation. Thank you for being a part of our journey!
This month we invite you to renew or become a member and be entered to win a lovely turtle necklace, to join us in keeping out coasts clean, and to congratulate the recipients of seven university level scholarships! In addition, the catalog for Villas For the Park is now available for viewing, and registration for Paddle The Park is open!
You can expect to see a full lineup of events for the season from November to June including everything from drumming at Cinnamon, baking at Annaberg, exploring Leinster Bay and the Network To Freedom, hiking Ram Head, and turtle talks at Maho--and the popular Reef Bay Hike that includes a boat pickup at the bottom will be back this season! The schedule will be published at the end of October. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to get the news first!
We are excited for a new season and look forward to seeing you at our events and on our trails and beaches!
Warmly,
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Tonia Lovejoy
Executive Director
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Inspired by International Coastal Cleanup Day we join millions around the world because every bottle, every straw, every piece of trash we clean up can lead to a cleaner, healthier ocean. Join us for a week of beach and ocean clean-ups; an open house, and student education opportunities!
Open House
Meet the turtle team and other experts in the life beneath our waters on Tuesday October 18 from 9AM to 11AM at the Park Visitor Center Pavilion in Cruz Bay.
Drunk Bay Cleanup
Join us on Saturday, October 22. Meeting point is Salt Pond Parking Lot at 9AM.
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Coral Bay Shoreline Cleanup
Join Coral Bay Yacht Club, KATS and Coral Bay Community Council on Saturday October 15 at 8AM at Coral Bay Dinghy Dock and get dirty in Coral Bay!
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Adopt A Turtle Membership Drive |
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October is Adopt a Sea Turtle Membership Drive month! As a special thank you for renewing or signing up this month, you will receive a turtle adoption certificate as well as be entered into a drawing for a beautiful larimar turtle pendant kindly donated by Caravan Gallery.
For just $30 as an individual, or $50 as a family, you will be helping protect and preserve the natural and cultural resources in Virgin Islands National Park.
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Turtle Protection Season Update |
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Total nest counts so far this season: Hawksbill: 10; Leatherback: 2; Green: 2. That means that all three species found around St. John have nested on our shores this season.
A lot of work was done in preparation for the recent storms last month resulting in all incubating nests remaining in place and appearing to be unharmed. All plastic predator screens on currently incubating nests were replaced with previously used metal screens to help decrease the potential for plastic marine debris and all nests were fortified with additional rocks, locations triangulated, and extra flagging tape placed.
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Be A Turtle Friend!
🐢Do wear rash guards and reef safe sunscreen.
🐢Don't touch a sea turtle! Aside from harming them, it's the law!
🐢Keep six feet away when snorkeling and don't chase them.
🐢Slow your boat down when in mooring fields or close to shore.
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Investing in our youth is integral to our mission and our role in our island community! |
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Pictured: Kaj Gerard is studying Environmental and Marine Science at the University of Virgin Islands and is a recipient of the Noble Samuel Scholarship.
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Lots happening on the youth front:
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Friends is happy to announce that this year seven university-level scholarships have been awarded to Virgin Island youth. The $5000 awards fall under the auspices of the Friends’ two scholarship programs: the Noble Samuel Scholarship and the Jeffery Matheny Scholarship. Read release here.
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Work on the children's playground in front of the Park Visitor Center has begun and phase one will be complete by the end of the year. Read release and donate to this project here.
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The School Kids In The Park (SKIP) program back in full swing welcoming students into the wonderful outdoor classroom on our doorstep. Learn more here.
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Teaching aids and materials on subjects as varied as turtles, coral, storytelling, and St. John history can be found on our website here.
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Thanks to the volunteers who came out on Arbor Day (September 30) and helped plant more trees on Cinnamon Bay Beach to address erosion and replace foliage lost in the 2017 storms. In the past four years, Friends has planted some 600 trees on North Shore beaches with your help!
Read the 2021-22 Season report from the team that works hard to maintain trails and ruins and protect and nurture vegetation. If you are interested in volunteering and helping out, our volunteer season starts in November.
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Vacation And Support Our Work
Villas For The Park 2022
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Escape to the Virgin Islands and help protect and preserve the natural and cultural resources in our island park! Take a look at the fabulous auction catalog for the our 6th Annual Villas For The Park auction and fundraiser!
The catalog includes options to vacation on St. John, St. Thomas, St. Croix, and Lovango! Bidding opens on Friday, November 11 at 9AM EST and closes on Friday, November 25 at 3PM EST. So get ready!
This event is made possible thanks to the generosity of villa owners who donate stays! All proceeds from the auction make a difference in helping protect and preserve Virgin Islands National Park!
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Sign Up To Paddle And Join In The Fun
Paddle The Park 2022
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Sunday, November 13
Ready for some fun on the water and a BBQ party on the beach! Register now for Paddle The Park!
All three SUP courses will start and end on Maho Bay Beach. All ages and all skill levels are welcome! Boards are available for rent.
This event gets our season off to a fun start and raises funds for marine and other programs like turtle protection, mangrove research and restoration, coastal planting and coral reef protection. Join us for the fun and support our beautiful park!
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Hikes, Seminars, Boat Trips Coming Soon |
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We are working on a full schedule of events for the season from November to June! The schedule will be published on our website and social media at the end of October and will be featured in our next newsletter. We look forward to spending time with you!
Events include drumming at Cinnamon, baking at Annaberg, exploring Leinster Bay and the Network To Freedom, hiking Ram Head, turtle talks at Maho, and much more! And the popular Reef Bay Hike that includes a boat pickup at the bottom will be back this season!
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NPS Seeks Caneel Feedback |
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The National Park Service (NPS) has released the Draft Engineering Evaluation and Cost Analysis (EE/CA) Report Addendum for the Caneel Bay Resort site at Virgin Islands National Park, beginning a 30-day public comment period that ends on October 12.
Members of the public may review all the EE/CA Addendum documents and submit comments by visiting
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Useful Numbers for Park Stewards |
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