Sign up soon for the Friends of V.I. National Park seminars because spots on some of the more popular events fill fast and space is limited.
“It’s a great way to investigate the local culture, history and terrestrial and mangrove environment and experience the park in ways you usually aren’t able to,” Friends program manager Audrey Penn said.
The seminars begin Dec. 18 and run through April 23. Friends members receive a discount on the price.
To sign up, call the Friends at 779-4940 or email seminars@friendsvinp.org.
Here’s a list of offerings:
Dec. 18 – Lionfish 101 runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. aboard the motor vessel Low Key. Head out with Karl Pytlik, who heads the island’s Lionfish Response Program, to look for lionfish and learn more about the damage the invasive species can do. Meet at the park Visitor Center in Cruz Bay with snorkel gear, swimsuit, towel, and lunch. The fee is $75.
Dec. 20 – Caribbean Creole runs from 10 a.m. to noon with local linguist and retired teacher Gilbert Sprauve explaining the language’s origin and use. Meet at the St. John School of the Arts in Cruz Bay with a notebook. The fee is $35.
Dec. 22 and Feb. 15 – Native Arts and Crafts features runs from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. with Delroy “Ital” Anthony showcasing his collection, demonstrating how they’re made and explaining their historical uses. Meet at the St. John School of the Arts. The fee is $35.
Dec. 28 – Eco Spa runs from 2 to 4 p.m. with park ranger Deanna Somerville. Participants will bask in healing mud and learn about its properties. Meet at the Salt Pond parking lot wearing an old swimsuit. Bring a towel, water and a snack. The fee is $35.
Jan. 5 – Reef Ecosystem Exploration runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with park ranger Jessica Hornbeck. Participants will explore the flora and fauna of seagrass beds, mangroves, sand and algal plains, and coral reefs. Meet at the park Visitor Center with lunch, sunscreen and snorkel gear. The fee is $85.
Jan. 8 – Kayak the Mangroves of Hurricane Hole runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with scientist Barry Devine and Arawak Expeditions. The trip includes a kayak exploration of Coral Reef National Monument. Meet at Skinny Legs Bar and Restaurant with snorkel gear, water, towel, and sunscreen. The fee is $75 and includes lunch.
Jan. 9 and Feb. 20 – The Pastels Workshop runs from 10 a.m. to noon with artist Livy Hitchcock helping participants create landscapes using pastels. Meet at the Caneel Bay Resort parking lot with drinking water and a snack and wearing old clothes. The fee is $75.
Jan. 12 and March 22 – Medicinal Herbs runs from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Delroy “Ital” Anthony explores the benefits of native herbs. The seminar includes the chance to taste beverages brewed from the herbs. Meet at the St. John School of the Arts with a notebook. The fee is $45.
Jan. 15 – Beach Cat Adventure Sail runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a trip on a Sail Safaris Hobie Cat. Participants will sail to Congo and Lovango Cays with nature guide Karl Pytlik. Meet at the Cruz Bay ferry dock with snorkel gear, sunscreen, hat, water, and lunch. The fee is $80.
Jan. 19 – Full Moon Hike runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. with park ranger Don Near. The trip explores the Ram Head area. Meet at Salt Pond parking lot with hiking shoes, flashlight, snack, and water. The fee is $35.
Jan. 21 – Petroglyph Hunt runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Reef Bay Trail. Park archeologist Ken Wild explains the meaning behind the petroglyphs and looks for a lost one. Meet at the park Visitor Center with a notebook, water and lunch. The fee is $55.
Jan. 22 and March 18 – Kayak Caneel Bay from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with V.I. Ecotours. The trip ends with a hike through Turtle Point. Meet at Caneel Bay Resort parking lot with swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, dry bag, and hiking shoes. The trip runs $90.
Jan. 23 – Botanical and Historic Hike runs from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with botanist Eleanor Gibney as the guide. Hike through L’Esperance to Sieben and Mollendahl Estates. Meet at the entrance to L’Esperance trail with sunscreen, hat, lunch, water, and hiking shoes. The fee is $45.
Jan. 26 – Park Critter Crawl runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with reptile expert Renate Plattenberg. She’ll identify hidden creatures along the Reef Bay Trail. Meet at the park Visitor Center with notebook, water and lunch. The fee is $55.
Jan. 28 and April 8 – Sea Turtle Sail runs from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 28 and 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on April 8 aboard the Castaway II. Participants head to Buck Island to swim with green and hawksbill turtles. Meet at the Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas waterfront with sunscreen, hat, snack, snorkel gear, and swimsuit. The fee is $75.
Jan. 29 – Native Plant and Bird Hike runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with botanist and plant ecologist Gary Ray. The seminar includes a hike from Lameshur Bay to Europa Bay. Meet at V.I. Environmental Resource Station with sunscreen, hat, water, lunch, and binoculars. The fee is $45.
Jan. 30 – Stories of the Winter Sky runs from 7:30 to 9 p.m. with mythologist Kelly Hunter and amateur astronomer Rich Greengold. Meet at Annaberg Plantation with a blanket, flashlights, pillow and binoculars. The fee is $45.
Feb. 7 – Batik Class runs from 1 to 4 p.m. with textile artist Annalisa Jensen. Participants will learn how to make items using recycled cloth. Meet at Maho Bay Camps art center wit close-toed shoes and an apron or old clothing. The fee is $75.
Feb. 9 – Cinnamon Bay Historic Tour runs from 9 a.m. to noon with historian Chuck Pishko. Meet at Cinnamon Bay Archeology Lab at the beach. The trip runs $35.
Feb. 12 – Kayak the Mangroves of Hurricane Hole runs from noon to 4:45 P.M. with Hidden Reef Eco tours and scientist Barry Devine. The trip takes place in Hurricane Hole. Meet at Skinny Legs Restaurant with snack, water, snorkel gear, sunscreen, and towel. The fee is $75.
Feb. 13 – Marine Biology Boat Trip runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. aboard the Kehoa with marine biologist Jeff Miller. The trip will go to Waterlemon Cay, Congo or Lovango Cays or Honeymoon Bay. Meet at the park Visitor Center dock with snorkel gear, lunch, water, towel, and sunscreen. The fee is $85.
Feb. 19 – Coastal Ecology runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. aboard the motor vessel Low Key with Rafe Boulon, the park’s chief of resource management, explaining about mangroves, sea grass beds and coral reefs. Meet at the park Visitor Center dock with snorkel gear, lunch, water, towel, and sunscreen. The fee is $85.
Feb. 23 – Birds of the Park runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with park ranger Laurel Brannick. The trip includes a tour of the North Shore by safari bus. Meet at the park Visitor Center with binoculars, water and a notebook. The fee is $65.
Feb. 26 and March 12 – Hassel Island Tour runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It includes a kayak and hiking trip with V.I. Ecotours. It runs from Frenchtown to Hassel Island. Meet at Frenchtown, St. Thomas with swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, dry bag, and hiking shoes. The fee is $90 and includes drinks and lunch.
Feb. 28 – A Glimpse into St. John’s Past runs from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with Guy Benjamin, who is now 97. He’ll join some childhood friends to share memories of the island in the early 1900s. Meet at Concordia Preserves’ pavilion. The fee is $30.
March 2 – Treasures of the Virgin Islands runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and provides a chance to learn jewelry making at Rare Earth Studios. Meet at R&J’s Latte on the Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas Waterfront with a notebook. The fee is $60.
March 5 – Underwater Photography of Project Tektite II runs from 11:30 A.M. TO 4 P.M. with photographer Jamie Irving. Learn more about Project Tektite as well as develop underwater photography skills. Meet at V.I. Environmental Resource Station with an underwater camera, snorkel gear, sunscreen, notepad, and water bottle. The fee is $50.
March 7 – Pepper Sauce Making runs from 2 to 4 p.m. with Trinidad Charlie. Make your own hot sauce. Meet at the Bethany Moravian Church parking lot with a note book. The fee is $35.
March 9 – Fish Identification Sail runs rom 10 a.m. to 3 .m. aboard the sailing vessel Calypso with park ranger Laurel Brannick. Meet at Margarita Phil’s restaurant in Cruz Bay with snorkel gear, lunch, water, towel, and sunscreen. The fee is $85.
March 19 and April 2 – Tropical Garden Tour runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tour four very different island gardens with gardening enthusiast Irene Patton. Meet at the Friends store in Mongoose Junction shopping center with lunch, water, hat, and notebook. The fee is $35.
March 23 – Archeology Boat trip runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. aboard the motor vessel Sadie Sea with park archeologist Ken Wild. Meet at the park Visitors Center dock with snorkel gear, lunch, water, towel, and sunscreen. The fee is $85.
March 26 – Tropical Light Photography runs from 8 a.m. to noon with photographer Steve Simonsen. The seminar includes travel through the park. Meet at the Friends store in Mongoose Junction shopping center to carpool. The fee is $50.
April 3 – Snorkeling Adventure in the Mangroves runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. aboard the motor vessel Low Key with marine ecologist Caroline Rogers. Explore Otter Creek and Water Creek in Hurricane Hole. Meet at the park Visitor Center with snorkel gear, towel, sunscreen, and snack. The fee is $85.
April 7 – Park Archives Tour runs from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with museum curator Milagros Flores. Meet at the Friends store in Mongoose Junction. The fee is $35.
April 14 – Spirit Doll Workshop runs from 9 a.m. to noon with artist Annie Caswell. Meet at Skinny Legs Restaurant with ideas or found items and a snack. The fee is $95.
April 16 – Taino Pottery Making runs from 1 to 4 p.m. with artist Gail Van de Bogurt. Meet at Maho Bay Camps art center with close-toed shoes and an apron or old clothing. The fee is $65.
April 17 – Tropical Gardening runs from 9 a.m. to noon with gardening enthusiast Irene Patton. She’ll provide advice on starting your garden. Meet at the Friends store in Mongoose Junction shopping center to car pool with a hat, sturdy shoes, ideas, experiences, and lunch. The fee is $35.
April 23 – Build Green runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to learn green building and landscaping techniques. Meet at the Friends store in Mongoose Junction to car pool with a notebook, building plans and ideas. The fee is $35.
