The Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs volunteer and partners’ mission is to build widespread support for the programs, facilities and resources and to foster philanthropic traditions through recognition of this support.

Friends groups provide a unique support system for Indiana’s 24 state parks and eight reservoirs. Members are made up of people who love the properties and want to keep them healthy for future generations. Friends members volunteer to help with events, work on trails, fundraise for specific projects and offer other financial support for the purchase of equipment, supplies, or other materials as needed. In the process, the people who belong to these groups meet new people, have opportunities to learn and grow, and gain the satisfaction of helping support the magnificent lands we call Indiana!

Why get involved? As a volunteer you get to…

*Support the conservation and enhancement of the natural and cultural resources that are the foundation of the parks and reservoirs.

*Support interpretation and education that enriches visitor experiences and encourages land use ethics and appreciation for the unique natural and cultural resources of Indiana.

*Support the design, construction and maintenance of facilities that enhance visitor experiences at state parks and reservoirs.

*Support scientific research that leads to a better understanding of the natural and cultural resources of state parks and/or reservoirs.

*Generate funding, separate from revenue and legislative appropriations, to be used for conservation of resources, facilities, and interpretation through memberships, grants, gifts, bequests, or other means.

*Provide volunteer service for Indiana’s citizens that enriches their lives.

IT FEELS GREAT!

Friends members help maintain the Lusk Home gardens.

COME PLAY!

The Friends Group that supports Turkey Run and Shades State Parks (FTRSSP) have big plans and we need your help! After the years of pandemic slow downs, members are looking for ways to expand programming and fundraising to enhance visitor experiences throughout the parks. We’ve got new naturalists with great ideas as well as enthusiastic new members and our list of ideas is growing. Where will you jump in? Love to garden? Are you a researcher? Wanna lead an informative hike? Music or art your thing? We NEED social media influencers! All ideas are welcome. Tell us where you’d like to get involved

Our biggest fundraiser to date is our Eagles In Flight weekend in February that includes a silent auction.