Greetings!

The smiles on the faces of this group from the Christian Academy learning about turtles at Hawksnest says it all: Ocean Week was a good week. In October we take time to focus on keeping our coasts clean and talking about the impact of debris on our marine life. Every lesson learned and every piece of plastic picked up makes a difference. Our thanks to the businesses and organizations who hosted five cleanups around the island, and to the volunteers who showed up to get dirty! In the words of the renowned oceanographer, Sylvia Earle: "Knowing is the key to caring, and with caring there is hope that people will be motivated to take positive actions."

The season kicks off this month with Paddle The Park, Villas For The Park, and a full schedule of some 275 hikes, seminars and boat trips from now through June of next year aimed at encouraging people to learn, explore and experience Virgin Islands National Park. There is something for everyone! I invite you to join us.

The success of conservation work is so much about working together. Be it in partnership with our hard working colleagues in the National Park Service, with island teachers who corral groups of students on field trips with us, or with service groups in our campsite who spend a week volunteering on our beaches and trails, thank you for sharing our passion for this park today and tomorrow. We look forward to a wonderful season with you!

Warmly,
Tonia Lovejoy
Executive Director
Seminars, Hikes, & Boat Trips
2022/23 Season Schedule
Something for everyone to explore, experience and enjoy! We have a full schedule of some 275 events, seminars, hikes and boat trips from November to June!

Events include archaeology at Cinnamon, exploring Leinster Bay and the Network To Freedom, hiking Ram Head, and more! And the popular Reef Bay Hike that includes a boat pickup at the bottom is back this season!

Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to get regular updates on happenings and events!
Ready For An Island Vacation?
Villas For The Park 2022
Bidding opens on Friday, November 11 at 9AM EST and closes on Friday, November 25 at 3PM EST.

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 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! This event is made possible thanks to the generosity of villa owners who donate stays! 
Join Us For Paddle The Park 2022
Sunday, November 13

Join us for some fun on the water and a BBQ party on Maho Bay 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!
Sea Turtle Talk
Total nest counts so far this season: Hawksbill: 11; Leatherback: 2; Green: 2. In all 836 hatchlings have made it to the ocean!
There are currently 5 hawksbill nests incubating.

Stop by and meet the sea turtle team at Maho. As of November 8, they will be under the pavilions every Tuesday from 9AM to 11AM talking all things turtle.
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.
Volunteer On Our Trails
Our ability to maintain the 27 miles of trails and 30 ruins in the park is possible thanks to an amazing group of volunteers. If you have some free time, we invite you to join the trails crew for a morning!

The walkup trails volunteer program runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting November 22 through the end of June 2023.
Huge thanks to Virgin Islands Expedition Company, Low Key Watersports, Cruz Bay Watersports, and Rotary Club of St John for hosting cleanups around the island, as well as to all the volunteers who showed up to get dirty at those cleanups and the Friends cleanup at Drunk Bay.

We organize coastal cleanups twice a year. We hope to see you in April for Earth Week!

Inspired by International Coastal Cleanup Day we joined millions around the world because every bottle, every straw, every piece of trash we clean up can lead to a cleaner, healthier ocean.
Adopt A Turtle Membership Drive Raffle Winner
As a special thank you for renewing or signing up during October, members were entered into a drawing for a beautiful larimar turtle pendant kindly donated by Caravan Gallery.

And the winner is Martin Bojesen. Congratulations Martin! Thank you for helping protect and preserve the natural and cultural resources in Virgin Islands National Park.
Useful Numbers for Park Stewards