THE VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION FOR PARKS

FALL CONFERENCE

SEPTEMBER 29 – OCTOBER 1, 2005

--SYNOPSIS—

The conference site was Fairy Stone State Park – John Grooms, Park Manager. Most attendees arrived late Thursday afternoon and enjoyed a lengthy conviviality session featuring food and drink at the Fairy Stone Lodge.

On Friday morning, several attendees departed early to spend the morning at Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Those remaining at Fairy Stone spent the morning enjoying a birding outing and hike, canoeing on the lake, and a hunt for the elusive Fairy Stones.

After lunch, we convened at the Fairy Stone Conference Center for the educational component of the conference. Holly Walker, State Park System Environmental Program Manager, spoke about the State Park System’s “Backyard Classroom”, a set of 40 activities keyed into the Standards of Learning for grades K-12. Next, she talked about the System’s Interpretive Program, pointing out that specific programs vary from park to park and are conducted by seasonal/part time employees.

Holly also told us about the Park System’s “Master Naturalist Program”, a new initiative. This program, patterned after the “Master Gardner Program”, requires both training and volunteer service. The first year requirements are 40 hours of area specific training and 40 hours of volunteer service. The second year requirements are eight hours of advanced training and 40 hours of volunteer service. The program is a joint venture by five State agencies –Department of Conservation and Recreation, Farm Extension Service, Department of Forestry, Museum of Natural History, and Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Gaston Rouse briefed us on the Park Visitor Passport Program that will soon be implemented. Gaston also spoke about the past accomplishments of the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Program and his related expectations for the coming year.

Jim Klakowicz shared with us background on the Virginia Law Officers Retirement System (VALORS) and the history as to why State Park Law Enforcement Officers are not included in that system. Jim will do some more research to assure himself that the requirements for those law enforcement officers who are a part of VALORS are the same requirements that Park law enforcement officers must also meet. If this proves to be the case, we’ll see if VAFP can mount an initiative to get Park law enforcement officers included in VALORS.

The final speaker in the educational component of the conference was Andy Garrett, a developer with a vested interest in “Widewater”. He shared with us his proposal for related development, including the acreage that would become a new state park.

The educational component adjourned at 4:30 p.m. and we reconvened at the lodge at 5:30 p.m. for “happy hour” and a cookout.

On Saturday morning, we held the conference business meeting. Our first speaker was Joe Elton, State Park System Director. Joe brought us up to speed on the work throughout the Park System that is being accomplished with bond referendum money and discussed the plans being made for the Jamestown 2007 celebration. He closed by thanking VAFP for our work in support of increasing the Park System’s annual appropriation. Recapping the end result from the 2005 General Assembly session, he characterized VAFP as being “…the most successful advocacy group in the history of Virginia’s State Park System.”

After a break, the Secretary, Treasurer, and President presented their respective “officer report”. Johnny then turned the gavel over to Roy Allan Dudley, Nominating Committee Chair. Roy conducted the officer election and by-law change sections of the meeting. The by-law changes were unanimously approved. Johnny Finch was re-elected President, Jo Finch was re-elected Secretary, and Ann Lipp was re-elected Treasurer.

Lynn Davis, Chair- National Park Issues, briefed the group on the development issue at Booker T. Washington National Monument and VAFP’s related efforts, including letters to the local Board of Supervisors and personal appearances with prepared comments at public hearings, Roy Allan Dudley spoke about the Powhatan Master Plan Committee’s decisions, and Gaston Rouse spoke on the volunteer efforts within the Park System.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 noon.