Shared by Crystal Hughes, as Guest Blogger.

In 2025, volunteers provided over 196,000 hours of service to Virginia State Parks. That’s the same number of hours as 94 full-time employees, an incredible contribution for a division of only 332 full-time staff.

Each year park staff are welcome to nominate any individual park volunteer or group to receive statewide recognition and an award for outstanding service. In Virginia State Parks we look forward to celebrating and acknowledging these incredible people and their accomplishments each year.

Virginia State Parks 2025 Volunteer of the Year winners

Individual Volunteer Significant Achievement

Dr. Bob Baxter – False Cape State Park 

Dr. Baxter has been working on a book that will detail the intricate history of False Cape. In his time volunteering with state parks, he has compiled some of the most thorough historical records and information. Dr. Baxter enjoys sharing new facts he has learned and undoubtedly has had an impact on park visitors and other volunteers. Without him, False Cape would not be able to describe the region's history in the way they do today.

Individual Volunteer Interpretive Programming

Kim Manion – Douthat State Park

Kim’s primary volunteer contribution is delivering exceptional interpretive programming at Douthat State Park.

She has led the annual First Day Hike for several years, ensuring this important tradition continues.

Each summer, Kim fills critical staffing gaps by leading engaging programs, including her signature “Basic Tree ID” walk, which attracts hundreds of visitors annually. She also provides specialized presentations, such as a “Living With Black Bears” program for camp hosts, equipping them to share vital safety information with campers.

One of Kim’s biggest achievements is how she champions Douthat State Park and gets the community involved.

As president of the local Virginia Master Naturalist chapter, she’s brought in new volunteers, promoted conservation projects and built strong connections between the park and the community. Thanks to her efforts, the park has seen more people step up to help with programs and resource protection.

It’s clear that she truly loves Douthat State Park and values environmental education. Her passion shines through in everything she does, and it has a ripple effect that reaches far beyond our park boundaries.

Individual Volunteer Exceptional Service

Aaron Novak – Pocahontas State Park

Aaron volunteers with the Pocahontas Gardener group, maintaining the gardens around the park. He also volunteers as a Docent in the Pocahontas Civilian Conservation Corps Museum. 

Aaron has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication through his extensive volunteer service to the park. In 2024, Aaron led the Pocahontas Gardener Group in planning for the 2025 season, ensuring that the ideas and input of all 10 volunteer members were incorporated into a cohesive and actionable plan.

In addition to his leadership with the gardener group, Aaron also volunteers as a docent at the CCC Museum, where he regularly staffs weekend shifts. During slow periods, he took the initiative to research historical documents and developed a new interpretive display highlighting camp newspapers. This display offers visitors a valuable glimpse into daily life during the CCC era and significantly enhances the museum’s educational experience.

Aaron’s initiative, leadership and commitment have had a lasting positive impact on both the park and its volunteer program. His contributions exemplify outstanding volunteer service, making him highly deserving of this award.

Host of the Year

Kenny Wakefield – Machicomoco State Park

Kenny has served for several years as a camp host at Machicomoco. Kenny also has an eye for detail. His careful raking of gravel at the campsites leaves visitors wondering if they are the first ones to ever set foot on that site.

Kenny assisted with opening operations in the campground and took the plunge as the park’s first maintenance host in November 2025. He is the kind of volunteer that you can provide the tools and a list, and he will accomplish anything.

Kenny has helped install boardwalk treads, built raised beds to protect septic areas and has done numerous site improvements in the campground. He also helped install a new staircase at the ranger residence and a new door at the yurts.

Kenny is a very laidback and hardworking individual. He loves to support the state parks and goes where he can work with like-minded individuals in beautiful places. Kenny is a great advocate and steward for parks and the camp host program.

Group Volunteer

Alleghany Highlands Trails Alliance - Douthat State Park

The Alleghany Highlands Trail Alliance has been actively aiding Douthat in trail maintenance for several years. In addition to monthly workdays, regular AHTA members spend, on average, several days a month within the park performing the same duties alongside park rangers. With dozens of facilities to maintain it can certainly be a challenge to maintain 43 miles of trails without groups such as AHTA. Their dedication doesn’t just help the park, it makes the experience better for visitors, racers and the whole community. The AHTA is a perfect example of what volunteer teamwork can accomplish.

Friends Group of the Year

Friends of Machicomoco State Park

The Friends of Machicomoco have been leading data collection on terrapins, along with performing bio-blitzes and shoreline clean ups. The data collected is essential for the park manager and agency to make science-based decisions with resource management.

Their efforts led to the creation of several habitat restoration areas. These areas were cleared by a contractor and FOM came out to sow wildflower seeds to establish meadows for terrapin nesting and bobwhite quail. This habitat restoration also supports other species at the park and our mission.

FOM is a young friends group with a lot of good energy that when combined with field staff efforts, leads to great accomplishments.

Lifetime Achievement

Bruce Julian – False Cape State Park

Bruce has devoted more than 40,000 hours of volunteer work over the course of almost 40 years! He is an inspiration to all False Cape’s volunteers and park visitors.

With the amount of time Bruce has been volunteering with DCR, it is not uncommon for visitors to share stories about how he has had a positive effect on their life.

Bruce is a shining example of what Virginia State Park volunteer is. He is a driven leader, and the park wouldn't function the same without him.

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At Virginia State Parks we are truly grateful for all the incredible volunteers, camp hosts and Friend Groups in Virginia State Parks who dedicate their time and service to the parks!

We hope you get to meet some of these wonderful volunteers on your next visit to a Virginia State Park and get a chance to say thank you.

Thinking about becoming a volunteer? Apply Now!