Whether funding environmental and resource protection, cultural heritage preservation, educational programs, or new visitor facilities, the Foundation is the nonprofit partner that meets the widest variety of needs on the Blue Ridge Parkway every day. Since 1997, more than $22 million has been provided for projects and programs.
You can also explore a map highlighting projects accomplished thanks to donor support!
Ensuring Natural Resource Preservation & Protection
Ensuring Blue Ridge Parkway lands remain a haven of biodiversity is a cornerstone of the Foundation’s mission. We help fund National Park Service projects that protect endangered and threatened species and fight poaching and invasive species. We undertake initiatives that prevent environmental degradation and preserve the fragile ecosystems that make the Parkway one of the most biodiverse places in the temperate world.
Past projects include:
- Research and Management of Elk and Wild Boar
- Ecological Restoration of High-priority Wetlands
- Conversion of Agricultural Fields to Native Grasses and Wildflowers
- Threatened and Endangered Species Inventory
Protecting Historical and Cultural Resources
Our protection initiatives focus on historical and cultural landmarks to ensure Blue Ridge traditions are recognized and safeguarded for future generations. We invest in historic preservation projects at iconic sites, including Mabry Mill, Mount Pisgah, Peaks of Otter, and Linville Falls. We help collect and archive historical maps, oral histories, photographs, and planning documents that tell the story of the Parkway.
Past projects include:
- "Moses Cone: The Denim King," a play depicting the Moses H. Cone Story
- Mabry Mill Waterwheel and Flume Restoration
- Historic Structures Integrity Assessment
- Music Programming at the Blue Ridge Music Center
Transforming Lives through Education & Outreach
The education and outreach projects funded by the Foundation build a connection between visitors and this magnificent place and help cultivate future stewards for the Blue Ridge Parkway. Our award-winning, nationwide Kids in Parks program gets kids active to combat childhood obesity and introduce them to nature. By partnering with communities, we have already established more than 200 TRACK Trails at parks, school campuses, and public lands across the country. We also contribute maps and wayside exhibits that educate visitors.
Past projects include:
- Construction of Linville Falls Education Pavillion
- Linville Falls Interpretive Signage
- Printing of the Parkway Strip Maps
- Cumberland Knob and Buck Spring Lodge Interpretive Panels
Enriching Visitor Experiences
The well-being and comfort of visitors on the Parkway is a special concern and many of our projects are undertaken to support exceptional and safe experiences. We fund projects to make trails accessible, provide emergency services training for rangers, and construct restrooms.
Past projects include:
- Expansion of Linville Falls Overlook
- Construction of Bass Lake Comfort Station
- Rough Ridge Trail Enhancements and Boardwalk Construction
- Construction of Graveyard Fields Comfort Station and Parking Lot Expansion
- Rehabilitation of Craggy Bald Trail
- New exhibits at Craggy Gardens & Waterrock Knob visitor centers
