Greetings!
We are reminded again and again of the joy and importance of nurturing our young be they our children, trees and plants, or sea turtle hatchlings. With Mother's Day coming up this weekend, we celebrate the first leatherback nest on our shores since 2016 and we hope to see her hatchlings in about two months! The photo above shows her massive tracks on the beach.

Last month hundreds of students from all three schools on St. John marched together in a joyous litter stomp parade for our Annual Earth Day Celebration. In the town square, Franklin Powell Park, their older peers, now college students attending the University of the Virgin Islands, shared their research into solutions for a healthier environment, growing food, and saving sea turtles and coral reefs. Local businesses and organizations such as the St. John Rotary Club and Audubon Society participated and sponsors lined up to offer prizes as teachers prepared their students for the big day.

The joy we experience engaging kids in conservation and learning in the Park is the result of your commitment and support to help protect and preserve Virgin Islands National Park. If you aren't already a member, please consider joining our community! Everyone who renews or becomes a member during May will be entered into a raffle. Thank you for being a Friend! 

We run a number of events to raise funds for the work we do and the biggest is our 19th Annual Beach to Beach Power Swim. We look forward to a fabulous race day this Memorial day Sunday. Thanks for swimming and volunteering with us!

Thank you for helping protect and preserve the extraordinary natural and cultural gifts of this island and building a future with us! To Mothers everywhere, thank you!

Warmly,
Tonia Lovejoy
Executive Director
Membership Raffle
Be a Friend! Renew or become a member during the month of May and you could win a cool raffle prize:

First : Stunning larimar and peridot silver link bracelet and larimar silver ring (size 6) kindly donated by Vibe Collection. Valued at $846.

Second: Stylish champagne abalone silver cufflinks plus a money clip donated by Vibe Collection. Valued at $298.

Third: A gift bag of a selection of Virgin Islands National Park goodies from the Park store.
Beach to Beach Power Swim
Sunday, May 29

Registration for this year's Beach To Beach Power Swim on Memorial Weekend is closed as we are at capacity. We do need volunteers on land and in the water so please get in touch if you can help. 

This fun event raises funds for kids swim programs and marine conservation and outreach. Our thanks to all the sponsors and volunteers who make this event possible.
Logo design: Kavone Wyatt.
Archaeology Intern Logs
The Friends supports and funds the Park's archaeology projects, including the placement of interns to assist the Park Archaeologist. The interns concentrate on archeological research, and assessment of archaeological sites. This includes washing artifacts, creating technical drawings, attribute analysis, databases, vessel reconstruction, and field work to assess and monitor sites.

Read the latest intern logs for an update on what's been going on in the Park.
Preserving The Art Of Moko Jumbie
We know that to continue to witness living traditions, we must invest in engaging, teaching, training, and showcasing our youth so they can take on the valuable stewardship of their cultural heritage. To that end, Friends provides support for weekly youth classes on St. John taught by Yisrael Allan Petersen thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands.
Explore, Experience, And Learn In The Park
Unique Sea Turtle Boat Trip
Sunday May 8 & June 12
Hosted by Sea Turtle Program Co-ordinator, Willow Melamet, this unique experience departs both St.Thomas and St.John. Learn from an expert and make two snorkel stops in the Park. BOOK HERE.

Coral Reef Seminar
Our coral reef ecosystem faces a number of challenges! Watch this informative virtual seminar recorded during Earth Week on the state of our coral reefs, why coral reefs matter, and what each of us can do to help save our coral reefs. WATCH HERE.
Summer Trail Crew Applications Open
The Friends’ Summer Trail Crew is a 6 week program running from June 27 to August 5, 2022 that provides a professional job opportunity to Virgin Island high school students (ages 15 to 18) interested in conservation. This is an opportunity for students to gain professional experience, develop leadership skills, work outdoors as part of a team, and learn about Virgin Islands National Park. Applications for this year are now open.
Useful Numbers for Park Stewards