FRIENDS Award from Preservation Group
FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway
Recipients of First-Ever Founder's Award
The Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA) has recognized nonprofit FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway as the first recipients of the Founder's Award for their effort related to the preservation of this tremendous asset, the Blue Ridge Parkway. The award was presented at the APVA's legislative reception on January 18.
"We were very pleased to honor the good work FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway has achieved," said Louis J. Malon, Director of Properties for APVA. "The Founder's Award was instituted this year to honor a preservation group or effort that best reflects the ideals and commitment of PRESERVATION that the founders of the APVA in the late 19th century represented. Using only idealism, passion and an indomitable belief in their cause, our founders formed an organization that thrives 115 years later. We see the same qualities in this Friends group and their viewshed work along the Parkway."
In addition, last October FRIENDS was presented an award by Scenic Virginia -- Second Annual Scenic Award for Best Preservation of a Scenic Viewshed.
FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2004. With a membership of more than 6,000, the group has worked to preserve the human and environmental history and assets of the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the country's most-visited national parks. The Blue Ridge Parkway stretches 469 miles from Afton, Va. to Cherokee, N.C.
Over the past decade and a half, FRIENDS has focused its efforts on education and volunteerism. FRIENDS has provided the impetus behind the Last Chance Landscape efforts, a collaborative project among the National Park Service, the Western Virginia Land Trust and Roanoke County, Virginia, an attempt to save endangered viewsheds along Roanoke County’s 28 miles of parkway.
FRIENDS administers the Parkway's volunteers program for the National Park Service. The group has contributed toward trail maintenance, preservation of historic structures and Save the Hemlock Projects as well as new projects including the Blue Ridge Music Center at Fishers Peak trail construction project – through fundraising, volunteer coordination and collaboration with other regional nonprofits with similar missions.
"I am proud to accept this award on behalf of FRIENDS members and the board," said FRIENDS Executive Director Susan Mills. "It validates the work FRIENDS is accomplishing toward viewshed restoration and other preservation efforts. We encourage the public to become involved with FRIENDS preservation mission. There are many ways to help – be a Parkway volunteer, join FRIENDS or fund Parkway projects – but most importantly get involved to preserve this national treasure!"
FRIENDS is still seeking another $59,000 to complete its signature project, three viewshed plantings in response to Scenic America's designation of 28 miles of Roanoke County parkway as a Last Chance Landscape. Businesses, organizations and individuals can donate to FRIENDS by calling 1-800-228-7275 or going online to Blue Ridge FRIENDS.
For interviews or to request more information on FRIENDS and its projects, contact Susan Mills, Executive Director, at 540-389-6804.
