Virginia State Parks is a conservation agency. Conservation is not all we do, but it is a big aspect of our mission.
Last year, we received a grant from AmeriCorps that allowed for each park to have one member. The purpose of this interpretive program is to help the park provide more programming during the summer season. Environmental education is one way we strive to enhance the conservation effort in Virginia. Matthew Williams, a student at Emory and Henry College, has served as an AmeriCorps Intern for the past two summers at Hungry Mother State Park.
Volunteers are essential to Virginia State Parks
On program that Matthew spearheaded was on Saturday, September 22. It proved to be a successful day at Hungry Mother State Park. The reason is because 18 volunteers showed up to support the volunteer program at Hungry Mother State Park. The volunteers are part of a group of four organizations that participate in the adopt-a-trail program at Hungry Mother. The two groups were the Blue Ridge Job Corps and Troop 117. These two groups worked on their sections of trail on Saturday at Hungry Mother State Park. Troop 117 spent their three hours working on the Lake Trail Loop. Then the Blue Ridge Job Corps spent their three hours working on the Old Shawnee and the Raider's Run trails. Finally, both groups were fed lunch by the staff at Hungry Mother State Park in appreciation for their hard work. The volunteers spent a total of 54 hours of their time for the day as they continue to help make Hungry Mother’s trails some of the best in Virginia.
Groups and individuals are welcome as volunteers at Virginia State Parks. If you are interested in volunteering at a park, click here or contact your park directly.
The award-winning Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
For more information about Virginia State Parks activities and amenities or to make reservations for one of more than 1,800 campsites or 300 climate-controlled cabins, call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 800-933-PARK or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov
