Message to Virginia State Parks Friends, Volunteers and Supporters

We have 235,500 reasons to thank you. That's how many volunteer hours were reported in 2009. We thoroughly enjoy working for you in one of America's best state park systems. Talented staff, well kept facilities, and entertaining and educational programs earn us high marks from visitors. 2009 brought us more visitors than ever. Camping was up more than 8%.

As we look ahead to what will surely be a challenging year, we have a wish list to share with you:

10 ways to support Virginia State Parks

  1. Spend more time in state parks. Visit at least one new park in 2010.
  2. Join the Virginia Association for Parks by going to www.virginiaparks.org - the associate membership is free. Get five friends to sign up as well. Check the site at least once a week for updates.
  3. Also, plan to visit www.virginiaoutdoors.com at least once a week. Your visits to this site will keep you informed and entertained - and it will make it easier to recruit sponsors. Check out and comment about the articles and podcasts posted to the site.
  4. Get 5 friends or family members to sign up for the Virginia State Parks eNewsletter at http://bit.ly/vspenews. Visit our Virginia State Parks blog at http://blog.virginiaparks.org. Use the "Share Your Story Now" option to enter interesting stories about your volunteer experiences or your visits to our state parks. If you're on Facebook become a fan of the Virginia State Parks page: (http://www.facebook.com/virginiastateparks). If you're on Twitter, follow @vastateparks and @virginiaparks. Feel free to contribute information about your work for the parks on those sites.
  5. Write your congressman and Senators Webb and Warner and thank them for supporting full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund state side grant program that has helped fund local and state park projects in every congressional district in Virginia. Many local park systems were established thanks to this LWCF Act.
  6. Write your state delegate and senator and let them know you appreciate their support for state parks. Let them know you also support state parks because they enhance the quality of life for Virginians, they provide stewardship over many of Virginia's natural, cultural and recreational treasures and they have a positive economic impact on the state and local economy. For less than $16 million in taxpayer funds invested in 2010 we predict more than $175 million in economic impact.
  7. Always remember that when a park visitor comes to visit they are using some of their very valuable leisure time and are expecting to have a good time. By greeting them with a smile and being helpful you can help us deliver.
  8. Take time to thank our staff and volunteers for doing so much with so little.
  9. Help us promote conservation of our valuable natural and cultural resources so future generations will be able to enjoy what we have today. Practice conservation in your daily life.
  10. Volunteer to help with one of our youth corps programs as we develop future stewards of our great country.

Wishing you a happy and healthy 2010,

Joe Elton, Director, Virginia State Parks
Johnny Finch, President, Virginia Association for Parks