Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation

The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is welcoming a slate of community ambassadors to guide the next steps of its Blue Ridge Rising initiative. The group of leaders will help implement strategies to unify gateway communities surrounding the Blue Ridge Parkway for the betterment of the region. The group is composed of one representative from each Parkway community. The ambassadors will voice the unique needs of their communities, help prioritize and guide projects, foster partnerships, and identify appropriate funding sources. “I’m thrilled to be a Blue Ridge Rising ambassador, supporting the mission to strengthen relationships and boost economic growth in our gateway communities,” said Amie Newsome, Social Media and Content Manager for Visit Haywood. The ambassadors in North Carolina are Wes Greene, Ashe County; Mark File, Avery County; Thomas House, Buncombe County; Danielle Stilwell, Burke County; Jason Chaffin, Caldwell County; Amie Newsome, Haywood County; Carlos Martinez, Henderson County; Bernadette Peters, Jackson County; Shannon Odom, McDowell County; Spencer Bost, Mitchell County; Jessica Roberts, Surry County; Paul Wolf, Swain County; Carolyn Ashworth, Transylvania County; Ryan Robinson, Watauga County; Linda Cheek, Wilkes County; and?Brywn Philips, Yancey County. The ambassadors in Virginia are Randy Nixon, Amherst County; Dwayne Jones, Waynesboro, Augusta County; Nicole Johnson, Bedford County; Jonathan McCoy, Botetourt County; Brooke Love, Carroll County; John McEnhill, Floyd County; Daniel Pinard, Franklin County; Tracy Cornett, Grayson County; Mercedies Ramstead, Lynchburg; Maureen Kelley, Nelson County; Rebecca Adcock, Patrick County; Pete Peters, Roanoke County; Sheryl Wagner, Rockbridge County; and Larry VanHoose, Galax, and Alleghany County, N.C. “It’s important to me that we continue strengthening the connection between the Blue Ridge Parkway and the other tourism assets in our community,” said Nicole Johnson, Director of Tourism for?Destination Bedford Virginia. “Together, we can make this beautiful region even better for both visitors and locals alike.” Blue Ridge Rising?marked the first time in the national park’s history that all 29 Parkway-adjacent counties worked together to determine strategies that will have wide-ranging benefits for the region’s communities. Input from communities led to the creation of the Blue Ridge Rising Action Plan. The key themes of the plan are marketing, visitor experience, unified regional voice, resource protection, workforce education,?and capacity building. Blue Ridge Rising was launched in part by two grants from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. The initiative earned the Public Lands Alliance’s 2025 Outstanding Public Engagement Award. To learn more and review the Action Plan, visit?BlueRidgeRising.com.

We are honored to be recognized by the Public Lands Alliance with the 2025 Outstanding Public Engagement Award for the Blue Ridge Rising initiative. Blue Ridge Rising marked the first time in the Blue Ridge Parkway’s history that all 29 park-adjacent counties in North Carolina and Virginia worked together to create strategies that will have wide-ranging benefits for the region’s communities. “We are honored to share this award with all the community members who offered their ideas and expertise to help identify strategies to enhance and unite the region surrounding the Blue Ridge Parkway,” said Foundation Development Director George Ivey. “We look forward to executing these ideas to create ties that strengthen the relationship between our national park and its neighbors.” After a series of more than 35 local and regional meetings and the inaugural Blue Ridge Rising Two-State Summit, the initiative is working to implement the Blue Ridge Rising Action Plan, a guide that highlights the next steps in the collaborative process. To learn more, visit https://lnkd.in/eyB4gfpV. Photo: Foundation Development Director George Ivey addresses the audience during the Public Lands Alliance’s annual convention and trade show in Las Vegas, Nev. #publiclandsalliance #blueridgerising #blueridgerising #blueridgeparkway #wnc #swva #visitnc #visitvirginia

As the nonprofit partner for the most visited national park unit in the country, we stand firmly behind the Blue Ridge Parkway and those who make it an incredible journey. Welcoming visitor centers, safe campgrounds and picnic areas, and clean bathrooms are just a few of the critical visitor services made possible through the hard work and dedication of our park’s public servants. National Park Service employees also respond to accidents and emergencies and even ensure there is safe drinking water available in the park. The impact of their contributions to this amazing place go far beyond the borders of the national park. Drawing more than 16 million visitors per year, the Parkway generates $1.7 billion in economic support for the hundreds of small mountain communities that dot the ridges of the Blue Ridge Mountains. For every federal dollar invested in the Blue Ridge Parkway, more than $100 is generated for surrounding communities. We are proud to work with those who care for this treasured landscape that belongs to the people of the United States. Thank you for standing with us.

We're hiring! We're looking for an entry level Staff Accountant to work with a team dedicated to safeguarding the future of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This person must be detail-oriented and will assist in completing all bookkeeping functions from source documentation to financial reports. Responsibilities include recording transactions, maintaining financial records, and ensuring efficient day-to-day operations of the office. This is a new position and is ideal for someone seeking to learn all aspects of nonprofit accounting. To learn more and apply, visit https://bit.ly/402DH0w.

NC State University recently spotlighted George Ivey, the Foundation’s North Carolina Development Director! George is a graduate of PRTSM Online Masters Degree at NC State. Through his expertise and love for the national park, he is making a lasting impact for the Blue Ridge Parkway. Learn more about George’s role with the Foundation: https://lnkd.in/eJN8TNwz #NCStateOnline #PRTOnlineMasters #WolfpackSuccess #BlueRidgeParkway #BlueRidgeMountains #BlueRidgeRising

We are hiring for a Staff Accountant! This person will assist in completing all bookkeeping functions from source documentation to financial reports. Responsibilities include recording transactions, maintaining financial records, and ensuring efficient day-to-day operations of the office. This is a new position.?Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eSyyghbx!

We're proud to announce that George Ivey, the North Carolina Development Director for the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, is one of 40 fellows selected for?Appalachian Regional Commission’s Appalachian Leadership Institute! During this nine-month program, he’ll be working alongside other #AppalachianLeaders?to exchange ideas, expand his leadership skills, and make connections to move the Blue Ridge region forward!?

Our dear friend and photographer J. Scott Graham is donating $5 from the sale of each of his Blue Ridge Parkway 2025 Calendars sold between today, Wednesday, Sept. 11, through Sunday, Sept. 15. The funds will support our Trails & Views Forever program. These gorgeous calendars make wonderful gifts for friends, family, and coworkers, plus they will help revitalize hiking trails, campgrounds, and picnic areas, while also restoring views at Parkway overlooks. Order today at https://lnkd.in/gq5k99U5

We’re thrilled to partner with Waypoint Adventure North Carolina to offer adaptive kayak adventures for individuals with disabilities at Price Lake on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock, N.C. On Friday, Aug. 16, kayaking sessions will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The cost for each excursion is $20 per person; scholarships are available. The outing is accessible to people with a range of disabilities thanks to a variety of adaptive kayaking equipment and instruction designed to meet individual needs. Trained staff and volunteers will provide adaptive equipment and personalized instruction tailored to meet adventurers needs. These adventures are made possible by support from the National Environmental Education Foundation.

We're hosting a free 45-minute online presentation on the topic Unlock Your National Park Service Career: Insider Tips with USAJOBS at 12 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 6. Tune in to?learn how to unlock career opportunities with the Blue Ridge Parkway and National Park Service. Join Shannon Buckmaster, Blue Ridge Parkway Administrative Specialist, and Dr. Joy James, Recreation Management Professor at Appalachian State University, as they share insider tips on landing your dream job through?USAJOBS.gov, a free web-based job board enabling federal job seekers access to thousands of job opportunities across hundreds of federal agencies and organizations. It is the Federal Government’s official source for federal job listings, job applications, and employment opportunity information. Register at https://lnkd.in/eXgW5Rp9