Happy New Year!

From the desk of Friends President, Todd Sampsell

From all of us at the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park, we wish you and your loved ones a healthy and happy New Year!

When I first joined the Friends, the Virgin Islands was in recovery mode following the devastation caused by the hurricanes of 2017. As a staff, we often spoke about resiliency, and how we ‘weathered’ storms as an organization.

Fast forward to 2020! This past year you have donated, volunteered, advocated, and participated in protecting and preserving Virgin Islands National Park in-person, with others, by yourself, on your phone, on your computer, from your home, from your boat, during quarantine – the list goes on! We made special appeals and pleas, and you answered our calls with contagious positive energy.

So, now when we talk about resiliency, we talk about YOU! It is because of thoughtful and caring individuals like you that the unique natural and cultural resources found in the Virgin Islands stand a chance. They exist in a constant state of crisis, from coral disease to climate change. Our job as humans is to level the playing field just a bit, to give our endangered, protected, and endemic and rare species a shot at showcasing their intelligent design for another generation. 

You help make that possible! Thank you! If you haven’t already made your end-of-the-year gift, please take a moment and donate today! We have the seed money to start mangrove restoration and have already invested in fighting coral disease in the park, but each of these critical projects needs additional funding to continue. These are just two examples of how your support now makes a brighter future. 

Again, on behalf of the Friends staff, board, and myself, we wish you a Happy New Year!

Your Friend in Conservation, 

Todd Sampsell, President