Friends Of State Parks Inc

Friends of state parks provides for the youth in parks - environmental education (yip-ee) programs to engage students to participate in park educational programs, encourage outdoor learning of geology, ecology and cultural history, and encourage stewardshp of natural resources. 30 yip-ee grants were awarded in 2024. In addition, friends of state parks supports the year-long, statewide program called schools in parks, which introduces teachers to all of the learning opportunities within our state parks. Friends of state parks pays for a yearly trip to a state park for each teacher who completes the program as well as for their educational supplies. Teachers who complete the program have a free trip to a park every year until they retire.

Friends of state parks provides support and services to all of north carolina's state parks, and reports and manages the individual funds for 15 local chapters. These friends of state parks chapters support their respective parks with funding for volunteer projects that include educational, recreational, hostorical, conservation, maintenance, and beautification activities.