Shared by Jess Seaver, volunteer coordinator, Fairy Stone State Park, as Guest Blogger.

Some of the members of Friends of Fairy Stone State Park

Since their formation in March 2025, the Friends of Fairy Stone State Park has deepened its impact across the park by supporting conservation, expanding educational programs and strengthening community connections.  

In that same year, the group earned its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, strengthening its ability to support park projects and secure grant funding.  

The group is composed of around 40 members who have already contributed over 2,000 volunteer service hours to the park. Many members are certified Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners, bringing environmental expertise to projects and programs. 

Stewardship has been at the heart of the Friends group since its founding. Here are some of their accomplishments so far: 

• Volunteers adopted the Oak Hickory Trail and continued monthly workdays. 
• Grant funding supported the installation of multiple pet waste stations throughout the park. 
• At the beach, members funded, built and installed new bat boxes to support local bat populations. 
• Several members completed Virginia Save Our Streams training and now monitor water quality at various sites throughout the park. 
• Additional members completed Virginia State Parks paddle training, enabling them to assist with guided paddle programs on the lake. 
• A major milestone during this period was the planning, construction and full funding of the park’s outdoor box turtle enclosure, a safe and enriching habitat for Bernie, the park’s beloved turtle ambassador. 

Member of Friends of Fairy Stone State Park along Oak Hickory Trail

Educational outreach flourished throughout 2025 and 2026. Highlights include: 

• Weekly wildlife-themed craft tables at the Monday Markets and special programs like the VA250 tie-dye craft, which brought hands-on learning to visitors. 
• Volunteers developed new nature programs, including Salamander Meander and Insect Discovery Night, offering immersive after-dark exploration. 
• Members assisted park staff with Junior Ranger Camp activities, helping young adventurers build outdoor skills and connect with nature. 
• A grant from Keep Virginia Beautiful provided new interpretive materials to support these growing programs. 

Friends of Fairy Stone State Park table at the Monday Market

The Friends group helped make park events memorable: 

• The New Year’s Eve celebration at Fayerdale Hall remained one of the park’s most popular traditions. 
• Volunteers provided meals for Kids Fishing Day, BARK in the Park events, the Youth Conservation Corps Welcome Cookout and the Virginia Association of Parks Annual Conference. 
• Throughout 2025 and 2026, the group supplied materials to help boost ranger morale, especially during the hottest summer months. 

Looking ahead, the Friends group is already planning exciting projects: 

• A fall 5K race. 
• Construction of an outdoor classroom. 
• Preparations for the next New Year’s Eve celebration. 

The Friends of Fairy Stone State Park continue to demonstrate how volunteer passion can transform a park: enriching habitats, supporting staff and creating meaningful experiences for visitors. 

Members of the Friends of Fairy Stone State Park volunteering at a community event

If you’re looking to get more involved in park projects, many parks have “Friends of” volunteer groups that make a big impact. These groups help with events, fundraising, workdays and community outreach. 

To learn more or find a Friends group at a park near you, please go to https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/friend-groups. 

Friends groups operate under the Virginia Association for Parks, a nonprofit that supports parks across the commonwealth. VAFP advocates for park needs at every level, offers guidance for forming new groups and hosts regional conferences with training and networking opportunities. For details or to get involved, visit their website: https://www.virginiaparks.org/.