Making a difference in our community — and beyond
Members of two local volunteer organizations at Pocahontas State Park—Friends of Pocahontas State Park and the Virginia Master Naturalist Pocahontas Chapter—are partnering to create an accessible sensory nature trail that will benefit people with disabilities, their families, and those who provide services and support. In addition, senior citizens, recovering military veterans, and anyone seeking a welcoming place for learning, recreation, and reflection can enjoy this intentionally designed, easy-to-navigate trail.
Demographics show that the need for accessible trails is large and exists in every Virginia locality. The accessible sensory nature trail will have substantial positive impacts for people in local communities as well as travelers from across the state and nation. As host to more than one million visitors every year, Pocahontas State Park is the ideal place for a trail that is welcoming to every person.
FRIENDS OF POCAHONTAS STATE PARK
Friends of Pocahontas State Park (FoPSP) is a 501c3 non-profit organization that specializes in providing volunteer assistance to Pocahontas State Park through labor and funding for recreational and instructional programs and events that are in accordance with the mutual interests of both the Friends of Pocahontas State Park and Pocahontas State Park.
VIRGINIA MASTER NATURALIST, POCAHONTAS CHAPTER
The Virginia Master Naturalist (VMN) program is a statewide corps of volunteers providing education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas in the Commonwealth. Interested Virginians become Master Naturalists through training and volunteer service offered by any of the nearly 30 chapters statewide.
Chartered in 2009 and based at Pocahontas State Park, the VMN Pocahontas Chapter offers annual training to individuals who are interested in Virginia’s woods, water, and wildlife. Chapter members work alongside local organizations to increase education and awareness of the community’s natural resources. They also provide services such as environmental education, water monitoring, wildlife data collection, and habitat restoration.
ASNT Steering Committee members include Jeff DeHoff (ASNT project manager), Lesha Berkel, Lynn Crump, Owen Waltman and Jeanne Walter. All committee members volunteer their service and expertise to support the development of the Accessible Sensory Nature Trail project.