The Blue Ridge Parkway is blessed with a number of formal partner organizations that support essential services and projects needed along the 469-mile route. Through the work of the following organizations, they are joining hands to protect, preserve, and celebrate this very special place. These partner organizations envisioned the 75th Anniversary and are providing invaluable to support in ensuring its success.

Blue Ridge Parkway Association

For more than 50 years this association of travel businesses and chambers of commerce has provided information about accommodations and visitor services along the entire Parkway corridor. Its annual Blue Ridge Parkway Directory, distributed free at Parkway visitor centers, contains the most extensive single listing of hotels, attractions, and other travel services in the region. 

Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation

The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is the primary and professional fundraising organization for the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway in western Virginia and North Carolina. The Foundation’s authority to request and receive funds on behalf of the Blue Ridge Parkway is vested in a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service and Department of Interior. The Foundation funds a variety of important parkway programs and projects.

FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway

FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a non-profit, volunteer organization that is dedicated to preserving and protecting the Blue Ridge Parkway. For more than two decades, FRIENDS has been true to its mission: Preserve, Promote, and Enhance. FRIENDS volunteer programs focus on preservation, protection, and education. FRIENDS are actively involved in viewshed protection programs, volunteers in parks, and adopt-a-trail programs.

Western Virginia Land Trust

WVLT works to preserve the region’s unique scenic, historic, agricultural, recreational, and natural features focusing efforts on the 10 Virginia counties of Bedford, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, and Roanoke. By educating landowners, elected officials, businesses, and the general public, WVLT encourages respect for the environment and arranges voluntary conservation easements that protect land forever. WVLT’s educational activities help landowners make informed decisions about how various land conservation options can affect their estate planning, taxes, and the future of their land. 

The Conservation Trust for North Carolina

The Conservation Trust for North Carolina is a non-profit conservation organization. Their mission is to protect NC’s land and water through state-wide conservation and cooperative work with land trusts to preserve the state’s natural resources as a legacy for future generations. The Conservation Trust works directly with landowners, local land trusts, and government agencies to protect land and water resources most important to local communities throughout the state. One of the Trust’s most important goals is to work closely with the Parkway staff to identify and save key properties that contribute to the scenic views and natural resources of the Parkway.

Eastern National

Chartered in 1948, Eastern National is an association operating in more than 130 national parks and other public trusts. EN currently operates educational retail outlets in 30 states, from Maine to the Caribbean. All of the products, programs, and publications offered to visitors have strong educational value and assist the educational programs of the National Park Service. In fact, the profits from EN activities are donated to the National Park Service. Since 1947, EN has donated over $89 million to the Park Service. 

Southern Highland Craft Guild

The Blue Ridge Parkway’s Folk Art Center and the Parkway Craft Center at the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park are host to the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Since 1930, the Guild has been recognized as the region’s premier non-profit craft organization. Second in age only to the Boston Society of Arts and Crafts, the Guild now represents over 900 craftspeople in 293 counties of nine southeastern states. The Guild educates Parkway visitors about Appalachian craft traditions through a variety of demonstrations, festivals, exhibits, and programs.

The National Council for the Traditional Arts

For nearly 70 years, NCTA has produced and supported a variety of traditional arts programs in national parks across the United States. By formal agreement with the Parkway, NCTA is the Park’s partner in developing and operating the Blue Ridge Music Center located at Milepost 213 near Galax, Virginia. The Center’s mission is to preserve and present the traditional music of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Blue Ridge National Heritage Area

Designated by Congress in 2003, the Heritage Area serves to protect, preserve, interpret, and develop the unique natural, historical, and cultural resources of 25 Western North Carolina counties and the Qualla Boundary (Cherokee) for the benefit of present and future generations and, in so doing, to stimulate improved economic opportunity in the region. Heritage Area staff and volunteers also have a significant role in providing visitor services at the new Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center (milepost 384).