From FOER President, Robert Deming:
 
Dear Friends,
 
While 2020 has been quite a different year for all of us, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area has been busier than ever. As people sought opportunities for outdoor experiences, the park had capacity crowds even during the heat of the summer! As a regular hiker in the park, I have consistently seen an abundance of families with children, many experiencing it for the first time. E Rock is a State Natural Area, and the management focus is different from other state parks; at the top of the list is preservation.  
 
Preservation is at the top of the list for the Friends of Enchanted Rock, too; preservation of the place we love for future generations of children. Water is perennially short in the park. Did you know that the Friends replaced all the bathroom fixtures with modern low-flow devices? Put water bottle filling stations at the restrooms? Built a rainwater-filled storage tank for firefighters? And, we have just completed a rainwater collection system for the park headquarters.
 
The infrastructure outside of the buildings are trails, and they take a lot of wear and tear from hikers and the occasional rain and flooding events. Your contributions have funded a complete re-build of the trail system, beginning with a redesign by the country’s pre-eminent trail designer. After COVID-related delays, a crew from the Texas Conservation Corps is now working on this project. Park staff and volunteers have been repairing damaged sections of the Loop Trail this year as well, using gravel purchased by the Friends. A Dark Sky viewing area is in the planning stages and when you come to the park, check out the FOER store in park headquarters, where we carry some interesting guides and books, and now take credit cards.
 
We had to cancel our Star Fest and campfire educational programs this year, as well as Granite Gripper, the country’s oldest granite climbing competition. I am not a climber, but the Gripper is inspiring to me. Why? Because half of the 115 contestants last year were kids between 10 and 16, and for many this was their first climbing experience outside of a gym.
 
Your generous donations allow us to complete those projects! We hope you can become an annual member, renew your membership, or give an additional year-end gift. An annual contribution of $35 or $60 for a family membership qualifies you as a Member. We ask our corporate/business supporters to consider a $100 gift, and your logo will be added to our website.

To make a donation, click here on our website: 
https://friendsofenchantedrock.com/donate-now/

Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season!

Robert