Congratulations to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s Community of Stewards on 25 years of supporting the National Park Service mission at work on the Blue Ridge Parkway!
It is easy to point to so many examples of Foundation support that have both protected park resources and provided for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of park visitors—hallmarks of the National Park Service mission.
From new exhibits at Waterrock Knob featuring Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians syllabary and history to hosting thousands of visitors at the Blue Ridge Music Center, Foundation support benefits the Parkway and the many communities through which it passes. These communities are the backbone of the Parkway experience for 16 million visitors in the last year, and we are looking forward to deepening our connection with these communities in the months ahead.
Along the Parkway, the National Park Service is making historic investments in our critical infrastructure, thereby allowing us to provide another generation of services and experiences for visitors. As we look back on 25 years of meaningful contributions to the park, I am even more excited for where the Parkway and the Foundation will go during the next 25 years.
We have much to be proud of together, and much to look forward to. I remain deeply grateful to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation for its continued support. Through its hard work, and the generous spirit of our shared stewards, our partnership can sustain the Parkway as a place of meaning and deepen our impact on our communities for generations to come.