Volunteer in the Park Program

Coming Home

by Valinda Dyer

After 40 years as an RN in NC, I retired to my home state, Virginia. I always planned to return to Virginia for retirement and spent about 10 years exploring and considering where to go. I settled in Floyd County near Meadows of Dan as The Blue Ridge Parkway was always what came to mind when asked, "where is home". In retirement, I now have my real "home" thanks to the SWP Master Naturalist Program, Ed Coleman for telling me about the Volunteer in the Park, (VIP) program, and Libby Wilcox, Coordinator for VIP. I now work as a volunteer to help clean up and maintain the Blue Ridge Parkway, my dream job!

I can’t say enough good things about this rewarding VIP program and will gladly offer my assistance if anyone is interested in Parkway volunteer time in the Rocky Knob area. Libby communicates with Parkway Leadership for work assignments and sends out an email to her list of VIPs. We then gather, work the assignment, have a packed lunch and socialize. VIP assignments include painting picnic tables, painting over graffiti, raking debris to the road for pick up, trail assessment, painting trail markers, weed whacking, chainsaw work, if certified, and helping to register visitors at the Rocky Knob campground or the Rocky Knob Visitor Center. We usually gather around 9:00 am and work until midafternoon. The more volunteers, the faster the work is completed. VIPs come from surrounding counties including Floyd, Carroll, Franklin, Patrick, and Henry. We even have a member from High Point, NC. It is wonderful to work with and befriend such dedicated individuals who share my love of our natural resources and parks.  

Painting over Graffiti under the bridge at Round Meadow Creek Trail.

What is required to be a VIP? Simply sign a Park Service waiver and serve for a minimum of one event per year! Any Master Naturalists can log volunteer hours under Stewardship – local, state and national park maintenance. I feel confident that your passion for caring for the region’s natural resources will be fulfilled through these experiences as mine has been.   

Master Naturalist and VIP's, Kathleen Dawe and Valinda Dyer planting ferns at the Austin House, Rock Castle Gorge.