CLICK HERE FOR THE PARKWAY SPRING OPENING SCHEDULE !

Two Viewshed Plantings this Spring!

Dear Friend,

FRIENDS will hold seedling plantings on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Roanoke, VA and Asheville, NC in an effort to preserve the scenic views from encroaching development. The National Park Service has designated both of these plantings as Junior Ranger Days in observance of National Park Week—proclaimed by the President for celebration and recognition of our national parks.

FRIENDS’ executive director, Susan Mills, says “FRIENDS and the National Park Service have a mutual goal – to connect the next generation to our park. In our case, to connect children/youth to the Blue Ridge Parkway is critical to empower the next generation to value our park, to learn from our work today to make it part of their commitment for tomorrow. These viewshed restoration programs held in both Virginia and North Carolina will exemplify the program motto ‘explore, learn, protect’, and FRIENDS is focusing on this connection. BUT we cannot do this without community support both in time and funding.”

Roanoke (VA) Planting

FRIENDS and the National Park Service evaluated potential planting sites on the Parkway this past fall, and FRIENDS wrote the urban viewshed master plan with their recommendation that the next seedling planting should be held at the N&W Railroad Overlook, milepost 106.9.

Join FRIENDS on Saturday, March 29 for a day of planting, and enjoy live bluegrass music, refresh-ments, art and environmental education activities for the children, and fellowship with other FRIENDS volunteers.

For more information on the Roanoke Planting click on the planting flyer and download the NPS volunteer form.

Asheville (NC) Planting

Asheville will host its first-ever seedling planting April 5 at 8:30 a.m. at milepost 383.4 which was chosen by the National Park Service as their number one priority. Asheville’s program will work with partner groups such as the Cradle of Forestry to focus on environmental activities.

For more information on the Asheville Planting click on the planting flyer and download the NPS volunteer form.

Register for the Planting Events

FRIENDS will open the registration table at 8:30 a.m. with a welcome announcement at 9:00 a.m. The planting event is scheduled to end at 1:30 p.m.

To register for the seedling planting, please call the FRIENDS office at 540-772-2992. The National Park Service requires that every volunteer complete a Volunteer Service Agreement form which can be downloaded from the FRIENDS website, completed and brought to the registration table at the planting.

Junior Ranger Days

[top ]

Ukrops Golden Gift Program

Don't forget to use your Ukrops Valued Customer Card in March to collect Golden Gift Points for FRIENDS! The program ends March 29, and Ukrops will send you a certificate with a tally of your points. You can then donate these points to FRIENDS for help with Parkway programs and projects that are ramping up this spring. Please don't forget FRIENDS when you shop at Ukrops! View Ukrops' website for more information.

Visit FRIENDS' Online Store!

Congratulations to author, Karen J. Hall and FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway for the APPL Media and Partnership Award in recognition of excellence in Non-Association Published Books. Images of America: Building the Blue Ridge Parkway was honored at the APPL conference in Denver in February 2008.

The Blue Ridge Parkway began as a dream in the late 1800s and became reality in 1983 when the 469-mile scenic highway was completed. Construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway began in September 1935 at Cumberland Knob. Heavy construction was done by contractors who won bids for the different projects along various sections of the Parkway. Civilian Conservation Corps troops took care of the roadsides, landscaping, and structure building. As part of Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal, this project was intended to provide jobs throughout the region.

Images of America: Building the Blue Ridge Parkway contains approximately 200 construction photographs of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Purchase Karen Hall's newest Blue Ridge Parkway book, and help FRIENDS at the same time! Visit our online store today.

[top ]

Volunteer at the FRIENDS Office!

Do you have adminstrative skills? FRIENDS needs office volunteers who are able to devote 2 - 4 hours per week at the Roanoke office at 2214 Electric Road, Suite 1. Some of the skills we are looking for are:

Data Entry
Database Research
Web Management
Grant Writing
Phone Calling
Filing
Mail Preparation
Letter Writing

If you would like to volunteer, please contact Kitty Coleman at 540-772-2992 or email, Catherine_Coleman@friendsbrp.org.

[top ]

[ top ]

Draining Abbott Lake at Peaks of Otter

Bob Cherry, resource management specialist at the NPS, contacted FRIENDS for help with saving the fish at Abbott Lake. Draining the lake to make repairs at the dam, the NPS hoped to transfer the fish to nearby Otter Creek. FRIENDS sent out an e-Blast to all members and volunteers within driving distance of the Peaks of Otter. Twelve volunteers braved the cold, muddy lake over a period of three days. Alongside Bob Cherry and some of the contractors draining the lake, the crew saved about 600 fish that would otherwise have died.

With visits to the Parkway increasing, it makes sense to support FRIENDS' programs such as Saving Parkway Views and Volunteers in Parks (VIP). Help us keep the Blue Ridge Parkway a beautiful vacation destination for tens of thousands of visitors each year! Click on the button below to make a contribution.

[ top ]

Parkway Announces Area Closure Due to Slide

In an announcement today, Superintendent Phil Francis said that the concerns are growing for the structural integrity of the road just south of the Craggy Garden Visitors Center (Milepost 364.5).

Due to unstable road conditions associated with the retaining wall failure at the steep slope across the road from Craggy Gardens Visitor Center, Parkway officials are implementing an area closure to all traffic, not only vehicles, but bicycle and foot traffic as well.

“The road section above the failure has become unstable and is not safe for travel, and we feel it is in the best interest of all Parkway users to close that section to all vehicle and recreational activity.”

Engineering reports are still coming in, and today an inspection by a Supervisory Park Ranger revealed that the area closest to the slide is particularly unstable. Thus, as of today, there are orange barrels and cones to prohibit hikers, bicyclists or any activity to go into that area. Signs will be posted there as soon as possible.

At the present time, the actual roadway is closed because of debris on the road from Bull Gap at Milepost 355 all the way to MP 375, just south of Mount Mitchell State Park. After weather related issues (ice and debris from fallen trees) are removed, and after the Parkway officials receive and review the options for repairing the slide area, a decision will be made regarding road closure for the section from Craggy Gardens just north of the Craggy Gardens Picnic Area access road (MP 364.5) to just south of Mt. Mitchell State Park.

It is likely that access to Mt. Mitchell State Park for 2008 will continue to be from the north only.

Craggy Gardens Visitor Center will be closed for the 2008 season.

From Asheville, barring any weather related closures, a visitor driving north on the Parkway will be able to travel at least as far as the Craggy Gardens Picnic Area, once the area is cleared of debris all the way to MP 367.6. The Craggy Gardens Picnic Area will open on Friday, May 9.

[ top ]

Environmental Assessment (EA) for improvements to SR 1514 (Bamboo Road) in Watauga County, NC

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), Division 11, in conjunction with the National Park Service-Blue Ridge Parkway (NPS-BLRI), is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) for proposed roadway improvements to approximately 0.72 mile of SR 1514 (Bamboo Road) between the end of pavement near SR 1511 (Little Laurel Road) and SR 1514 (George Hayes Road) in Watauga County, North Carolina. The EA is being prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 1500 to 1508), and the NPS NEPA compliance guidelines (Director's Order-12).

Public participation is a critical element in the planning and environmental analysis for the proposed project. The Parkway is seeking public input related to the proposed project through April 21, 2008. Public input will assist the BLRI with identifying issues of concern and interest and ensure that the EA thoroughly addresses potential effects of the proposed project.

[ top ]

New Trail from Destination Center

FRIENDS volunteers worked with the Carolina Mountain Club (CMC) to build a new trail from the Destination Center to the 74A exit on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is accessible at the far end of the parking lot, and completes a loop which runs from the Destination Center parking lot down to the 74A exit where it crosses the Parkway and connects with the existing Mountain-to-Sea Trail section which then takes the hiker back on the MST to the existing access trail which goes under the BRP back to the Destination Center. The whole loop is about 1.5 miles and this new piece of trail is about .4 miles in length.

[ top ]

Carolina Mountain Club Clears Barbwire from Fence Posts

A joint effort between the CMC maintenance crew and the Blue Ridge Parkway maintenance staff resulted in the removal of barbwire from 100 fence posts with eight strands of barbwire between each. The barbwire had to be removed by hand using tools essentially designed to remove the staples holding it in place. Once that was done the posts were pulled out, some by hand and some by the Parkway maintenance crew who used a front-end loader. The biggest problem was large clumps of briar, bushes, vines and other vegetation which was growing at spots along the fence post line.

[ top ]

Volunteers Needed for Trail work in March

MOUNTAIN TO SEA TRAIL

March 22, 2008 - CMC workday to extend the MST south to the Scott Creek overlook, south of Balsam Gap (milepost 449)

Meeting Places
Moose Café at 9:00 AM for car pooling,
Parkway Maintenance Office, Balsam Gap intersection with Rt. 74/23 south of Waynesville or BRP Mile 447 Overlook @ 9:30

According to Piet Bodenhorst of the CMC, "Tools will be available, but if you have digging tools of your own, please bring them. Please call all your friends and acquaintances and invite them. The bigger the group, the more the fun!!!"

March 29, 2008 - Bald Knob workday - Marion, NC - Click here for all of the details!

[ top ]

Appalachian State University Chapter - If you are interested in getting involved with this chapter, contact Caroline Thompson at caroline.g.thompson@gmail.com.

The Asheville Chapter - The Asheville Chapter Viewshed Steering Committee is holding meetings every Wednesday in preparation for the first viewshed planting in Asheville on April 5th at milepost 383.4 location site 1. The meetings are held at 10:00 a.m. at the Girl Scout Office on Weaver Blvd. in Asheville. If you would like to join the Steering Committee, please email Tom Morgan, co-chair of the Asheville Chapter, at tmorgan51@bellsouth.net.

If you would like to contribute to this and other Save Parkway Views' projects CLICK HERE. Details for the Viewshed Planting will be updated on the Asheville Chapter webpage.

For more information about the Asheville Chapter contact Tom Morgan at tmorgan51@bellsouth.net.

Fisher Peak Chapter hosted seven students from Notre Dame University (South Bend, IN) the week of March 3-7. This group of students worked over their spring break with the chapter on trail maintenance and landscape maintenance at the Blue Ridge Music Center. They cleared trees and limbs that came down during the winter winds and ice. At Cumberland Knob, in the rain, the students dragged and carried 5' long, 12" diameter logs to the trail and installed seven water dams.

Dottie Bramley notes, "Isn't it wonderful that students would choose to do something like this over their spring break rather than party on a beach somewhere!"

For more information regarding Fisher Peak Chapter or any of the above volunteer opportunities contact Dottie Bramley at pdbramley@valink.com or call (276) 236-7658.

Roanoke Valley Chapter - The Roanoke Valley Chapter is busy finalizing details for a viewshed planting on Saturday, March 29, 2008 from 9 am to 1:30 pm at Milepost 106.9 (N&W Railroad Overlook). For more information visit the Roanoke Chapter webpage. You can download a flyer HERE. Individuals and groups who are interested in participating should contact FRIENDS at 800-228-PARK (7275) to pre-register.

The next planning meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 10 am at the FRIENDS' office - 2214 Electric Road, Suite 1 Roanoke.

For more information regarding the Roanoke Valley Chapter, contact Mark McClain 540-387-0930 or e-mail Mark at mcclainmark@comcast.net for more details.

Rocky Knob Chapter - For more information about this chapter, contact Gloria Hilton at gjhilton1@yahoo.com

[ top ]

Willow Grove to Celebrate Earth Day

Willow Grove, a retail business in Roanoke (Va.) has selected FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway as their charity of choice. Willow Grove is celebrating its one-year anniversary during the month of April. With Earth Day falling on April 22 and the strong movement toward a more environmentally friendly society, Willow Grove is supporting the efforts of FRIENDS by carrying a donation box in the store and donating 10% of all sales that week to FRIENDS. Willow Grove also will give FREE packages of flower seeds, vegetable seeds and herb seeds to every customer during the month of April for donating to FRIENDS. They are also giving a free fluorescent bulb and a free tree seedling with every lamp purchase.

Click here for PDF of ad.

[ top ]

Garden Clubs Donate to FRIENDS

The Blue Ridge District, Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs presented FRIENDS with a check for $1,000 to purchase an EnviroScape educational tool to be used at FRIENDS viewshed plantings on the Parkway. The EnviroScape is a great way to demonstrate to the youth volunteers the impact of water pollution, runoff, wetlands, and watershed management on the environment. FRIENDS and the Garden Clubs both share a sense of youth environmental stewardship and agree that education is the key to preserving our natural resources.

Susan Mills, executive director, FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway noted that, "The Garden Club in the Blue Ridge District will make an incredible impact on the spring viewshed planting."

[ top ]

Donate or HELP Support FRIENDS

Help Us Preserve the Legacy

FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway offers young and old, together, the opportunity to connect with friends and family to save the Blue Ridge Parkway for their continuing enjoyment - and for future generations. The Blue Ridge Parkway connects the Shenandoah National Park with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is America's most scenic drive encompassing 469 miles traversing 29 counties in Virginia and North Carolina. Over 20 million people touch its borders annually - making it America's most frequented park treasure!

By joining Preserving the Legacy you will be supporting projects that will protect this extraordinary Parkway and adjacent land and views for yourselves and for future generations. FRIENDS is an official National Park Service partner. Please join us by choosing one of our deserving Programs today!

[ top ]

Take Pride in America® is a national partnership program aimed at increasing volunteer service on America’s public lands.  Take Pride in America Seeks Nominations for Outstanding Volunteers and
Volunteer Projects for 2008 National Awards.

Take Pride in America is seeking nominations of individuals, companies or civic groups that have demonstrated a commitment to stewardship of America’s public lands. Every year, Take Pride in America presents the National Awards to individuals and groups who have volunteered their time and talent to our federal, state, and local public lands and waterways.

Recognizing volunteers for their service is a fundamental component of Take Pride in America and they need your help to say ‘Thank You’! Do you know someone who organized a roadside clean up? Or anyone who works as an interpreter at a park visitor center? They may be eligible for an award in the Individual Category. What about a company that rewards participants in a beach clean up or donates seeds for a garden planting? They may be eligible for an award in the Business Category. There are 10 categories, including Youth, Schools, Public/ Private Partnerships and Local or State Governments. Anyone may submit a nomination; self-nominations are accepted and encouraged!

Nominations are due May 1, 2008 at 12 noon EST. Nominated projects and efforts must have been started and/ or completed between May 1, 2007 and April 20, 2008. Winners will be chosen by a selection committee and are invited to attend an awards ceremony in Washington, DC on July 17, 2008.

Please consider nominating a volunteer or group for a 2008 Take Pride in America National Award. And take a moment to pass this along to others who work with volunteers on a regular basis; they may have award-winning volunteers on their team.

Visit www.TakePride.gov to complete the National Awards application form and for detailed information. Applications must be submitted on-line. If you need additional information on how to nominate an individual or group in one of the 10 award categories, contact Lisa Young,
Assistant Director, Events & Awards,Take Pride In America®, 1849 C Street NW, MS 3559, Washington, DC 20240, or phone 202-208-5848.

[ top ]

Please forward this e-newsletter to anyone you feel would be interested! If this message was forwarded to you by a friend, you can receive your own subscription contacting us here. If you have any questions, please Contact Us.

Copyright © 2008 FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway