One of the best ways Virginia State Parks has excelled in spite of budget challenges is through partnering with other organizations. In order to improve programming we have partnered with the Federal government, other State government entities, local governments, non-profit organizations and businesses.
Last Spring we hosted the first joint meeting of Virginia State Park Managers and Virginia’s National Parks Superintendents at Westmoreland State Park. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways we could work together to improve children in nature programming. This event strengthened existing partnerships and formed new ones.
Other great partnerships, to name only a few:
Partner at Sky meadow State Park with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab and the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club for monthly Astronomy Nights
Macy’s Turn Over A New Leaf fund raising program partnership with the Virginia Association of Parks and local Park Friends Groups.
State, local and non-profit organizations partnering to commemorate the Civil War Sesquicentennial.
These are only a few of the partnerships that enable us to do a better job of educating our visitors about the environment and the history and culture of Virginia and local communities within the state. Many of our big festivals and events in Virginia State Parks are partnerships with community organizations like the Grayson Highlands Fall Festival.