Friends of Rock Bridge Memorial State Park

Friends of Rock Bridge Memorial State Park (FoRB) has helped the park with special events, stewardship, highway clean-up, infrastructure, protection of resources, and education. We provide nature programs to kids aged 2-18 through our Nature Detectives (ND) and Under-served Populations Outreach Program (UPOP).  This year ND served 67 participants while UPOP  served 414 by working with multiple agencies in Boone County.

We’ve helped with litter pick up, exotic species removal, stream monitoring, rebuilt Hickam Cabin and provided for other infrastructure needs. Most importantly, we’ve taught basic camping skills and provided essential outdoor education, which can have a measurable beneficial impact, to over 6000 youth.

To preserve nature and the vital services it provides, it is essential that people be connected to it. The best time for that is from early childhood to late adolescence. Establishing that connection is the central goal of our programs. When these children and youth reach adulthood, they will have the will and the skills to take care of our community and the larger world to which it is connected.