The Volunteers and Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands is a non-profit environmental and educational organization that encourages public use of the islands, balanced with the need to protect their fragile ecosystem and historic environment. Our diverse membership provides services to the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area through volunteer programs, public education and advocacy efforts.

Meet the Board

2008 Annual Meeting Awards

Awards for the Organization

Background & History

The Volunteers and Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands Inc. evolved out of the efforts of the Boston Harbor Islands Volunteer Corps. The Corps was organized in 1979 by Suzanne Gall Marsh to supplement the program services of the Boston Harbor Islands State Park staff.

When the organization incorporated in 1982 the title was changed to include a variety of members - some who volunteer on land, sea, or the islands, and others who support the Friends mission and love the islands but do not necessarily have time to be volunteers. There is a three-fold mission: direct service to the park, public education programs including boat trips and advocacy efforts, all of which are done by volunteers.

The Friends predate the national park which was authorized by Congress in November 1996. During the years leading to the creation of the national park the Friends were deeply involved in the behind-the-scenes efforts of the feasibility study, the drafting of the legislation, and the advocacy efforts with the Massachusetts Congressional delegation.

Over the years the Friends have been recognized by local, state, and national organizations for their dedicated grassroots efforts to promote the appreciation and preservation of this unique recreational resource, located so near to a major metropolitan area.

Awards

The Friends have earned the respect of environmental agencies and the public for their work in protecting and promoting recreational use of the islands. Founded in 1979 by Suzanne Gall Marsh, the organization is celebrating its 28th year of service to the Islands.
During these years the Friends volunteers have provided thousands of hours of service assisting park visitors and managers. They greet and guide visitors, help to maintain island structures and environmental sites, work with youth through specialized programming and work on boat cruises that introduce passengers to the islands of the park. They are ardent advocates promoting the park in the political arena and the larger community. Through these efforts they help ensure that visitors to Boston Harbor can enjoy one of America's unique places, a park of natural beauty just a short boat ride from the city's edge.

In recent years the excellence of the Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands has been recognized by state, local and national organizations. FBHI was recognized by the National Park Service as an outstanding volunteer program in 2002 when the organization received the George B. Hartzog, Jr. Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service
Named for a former National Park Service director who was instrumental in bringing volunteers into the service of the National Parks, the Hartzog award honored the Friends volunteers as the country's most vibrant and dedicated Volunteers-in-Parks Program.

The Friends also received the President's award from the National Association of State Park Directors. The (NASPD) award is given annually to a nominee who has demonstrated a commitment to furthering the mission of a host state park agency. In their nominating letter, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management, (now merged with the former Metropolitan District Commission to create the current Department of Conservation and Recreation) said "We, and other partners in the Boston Harbor Islands park partnership are lucky to be able to rely on an independent, adaptable and well-managed volunteer program".

The Friends now serve the national park with its 34 islands spread over 50 square miles of Boston Harbor. It is truly one of America's Great Parks with its panoramic vistas, sweeping beaches, historic forts, schools and hospitals, miles of walking trails, and acres of natural landscapes. The organization takes great pride in serving this historic treasure.