Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park

Are you interested in learning about or becoming part of group whose mission is promoting, protecting, and preserving Smith Mountain Lake State Park? Well there is a fabulous non-profit charitable organization that gets together on the third Monday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at the Discovery Center in the Park. The Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park represent a significant resource to the Park and the community.

Since the establishment of the Friends, over 62,414 volunteer hours have been donated. In addition to the hours of work, the Friends contribute cash, public relations, and program assistance such as the Winter Lecture Series and Music in the Park Program.

The next lecture will be held on Sunday, April 8th at the Discovery Center from 3:00-4:00 p.m. Ben Shrader, a private practicing civil engineer/land surveyor/soil scientist, a life long outdoor enthusiast, a Virginia Master Naturalist, and board member of Cougar Rewilding Foundation, will be presenting the lecture, “Camera Trapping at Claytor Nature Study.” Ben comes to share some of the joys of nine years of wildlife trail camera data and how it may be used; while inserting tidbits of interesting facts and trends in our local wildlife. Which of the local wildlife are enjoying success and which are under stress and why?

A single ticket is $7 which includes the parking fee. All tickets are purchased at the door. Come out and see what wildlife is around you!