GLEN JEAN, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Friends of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are excited as the park moves toward a normalized operating schedule. New members are being recruited to assist in their efforts to ramp up activities for the 2021 season.
Although activities are still being monitored, and in some cases modified due to COVID-19, Friends’ group members and National Park Service staff have planned some exciting events and projects including:
- Wildflower Weekend (Spring Fling) events such as invasive species eradication.
- Four Grandfamilies (grandparents raising their grandchildren) day camps at the Camp Brookside Environmental Education Center, funded by the National Park Foundation and administered by the Friends group. These camps provide grandparents and grandchildren with a free, half-day program that includes a meal, fishing clinic, equipment, and the opportunity to catch a fish in the New River.
- Fundraiser events like a Photo Contest, and Wine and Brewfest are in the works to support future approved programming to take place in the park.
- Water Festivals for local school groups to participate in educational programming on the Gauley River.
Stay tuned for other programs, fundraisers, and events in the upcoming months.
For more information on the Friends of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve including how to become a member, visit the group website at www.friendsofnewriver.org and follow on Facebook at Friends of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Facebook. For more information on New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, visit the park website atwww.nps.gov/neri and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Photo caption: Friends of NRGNPP board members display newly arrived shirts with the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve logo on the front. Left to right: Adam Stephens, Paul Brewer, Treasurer Danielle Stewart, Executive Director Dave Bassage, Kathryn Streletzky, President Deb Lamey, Secretary Beth Epperson