Greetings!

Each one of us has a story to tell about how we came to fall in love with Virgin Islands National Park. Whether your first visit was 10 years ago or 2 days ago, it is our shared sweet memories that bring us together with a promise to protect our happy place.

These days our park is seeing record visitation, which means thousands of new people are making special memories in Virgin Islands National Park each week! This has our team, park staff, and volunteers asking tough questions about what it means to protect and preserve the natural and cultural resources of the park while promoting its responsible enjoyment.

There are no easy answers. Yet, if we have learned anything in the past year it is that we must constantly be evolving to continue to be effective. The breadth of our work on St. John highlights just how deeply connected conservation work is to the human experience.

I am proud that we are able to advocate on your behalf and bring together the power of our collective positive experiences in Virgin Islands National Park. Right now, I ask that you please reply urgently to the National Park Service's call for community input on Caneel Bay. The deadline is May 7th.

Our efforts and ability to communicate with our legislative leaders with conviction and wisdom may just be heard by the newly appointed Secretary of the Department of Interior, Deb Haaland.

Thank you for your continued support. Together, we remain Virgin Islands National Park's best friend.

Warmly,
Tonia Lovejoy, Acting Director
Caneel Bay Call to Action
As someone who cares about the Park and the community on St. John, your opinion matters! Make your voice heard and share your views! There is an important May 7 deadline for community feedback on Caneel to the National Park Service!  

Friday, May 7
Deadline
2021 Beach To Beach Power Swim
Over 200 swimmers are already registered for this important fundraiser and community event! Register now as space is limited.

Can't be here in person! Sign up to fundraise and join us virtually wherever you are!

We are very excited to kick off the Learn To Swim program after a one year hiatus! On Saturday, May 29 there will be a Community Swim at Oppenheimer Beach to evaluate skill levels and start a summer of free lessons thanks to the participants and supporters of the Power Swim!

Our thanks to all the amazing business sponsors who make this event possible. In particular, thanks to our flagship sponsors: 340 Real Estate, St John Insurance Agency, St. John Hardware, and USVI Tourism.
Sunday, May 16
Third Practice Swim

Friday May 28
Registration Deadline

Saturday, May 29
Pre-Race Meeting

Sunday, May 30
Race Day 
May Membership Drive & Raffle
Membership dues are vital to helping protect your park! Become or renew your membership during the month of May and you will be eligible for a drawing to win one of three great prizes including a cool Vibe turtle pendant necklace, a trip on Salt Deck to Lime Out, and a Friends swag bag.
Leinster Bay Joins Network To Freedom
Congratulations to the VI National Park team that did the work to make this happen! The Leinster Bay waterfront joins nearly 700 other sites, programs, and facilities on the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, a National Park Service program that honors, preserves, and promotes the history of resistance to enslavement through escape and flight.
Friday With Friends
Explore and learn about Virgin Islands National Park through a series of hikes, cultural walks, paddles, and turtle talks.

May schedule:
  • May 7 - Traditional Cultural Uses of Plants in the Virgin Islands Walk
  • May 14 - Paddle & Explore Honeymoon Beach
  • May 21 - Talk Turtles & Paddle Maho
  • May 28 - Hike Annaberg to Murphy Great House

Free for members!
Thanks to these sponsors for hosting the paddle tours: Virgin Islands Expedition Company, Virgin Islands Ecotours, and Reef2Peak.
The Friends Team
Ever wondered who we are? Meet the team! Supported by a volunteer Board of Directors, a small, versatile team of full-time, part-time, and contracted staff is responsible for fundraising, event management, trails management, natural and cultural resource protection programs, education programs, and the day to day operations of the organization. Please feel free to get in touch!