Press Release from the National Association of State Park Directors: 

The National Association of State Park Directors has announced honorees for contributions and support of state parks and state park systems across the United States. “It is always great to recognize the amazing supporters that give of themselves to America’s State Parks, commented Dominic Bravo, NASPD President." 

From left to right: Kris Marek, Oklahoma State Parks Director; Linda Lanterman, Kansas State Parks Director and newly installed President NASPD; Margaret Julian, wife of Bruce and dedicated volunteer in her own right; Bruce Julian, honoree; Craig Seaver, Virginia State Parks Director; Clyde Cristman, DCR Director

At its annual meeting in Missoula, Montana, on September 7, 2017, the NASPD formally recognized the contributions of individuals as well as groups or agencies, this year bestowing a President’s Award to Bruce Julian of the Virginia State Parks.

Since 1992, Bruce Julian has donated a staggering total of 17,000 hours volunteering with Virginia State Parks, while serving at False Cape State Park.  Through his efforts over the past 25 years, Bruce has forged a profound connection between the park and its surrounding community by recruiting and inspiring a volunteer support base that donates over 7000 hours annually. 

Julian made sure the state parks’ environmental education program is both available and of a quality to ensure a lasting difference to the countless young minds he has touched, while creating memorable experiences for those students.  Many of these speak of Bruce as the “ranger” they met on the road, who helped them with information and relief from exhaustion or lack of water.

False Cape is significantly different from other Virginia State Parks in that visitors cannot easily access the park without hiking at least six miles, because the park is landlocked by a national wildlife refuge lying between the Sandbridge area of Virginia Beach and the park.  This increases the need for one-on-one contact to ensure a safe experience. Bruce has always filled this role and, without his service, many guests may not have tried to visit the park. 

Also, his willingness to earn and maintain his Commercial Driver’s License provides the park with transportation to get people through the park in a school bus or the “Terragator,” a beach drivable vehicle needed between November 1 and March 31, during the refuge’s sensitive nesting period when the interior roads through the refuge are closed.  There are no paved roads; rather, dirt and gravel, which make for a long journey just to get to the park boundary.  Bruce’s dedication to the park has provided a means of access to visitors who may otherwise never enjoy the unique beauty of False Cape State Park.

Celebrating the Great American Campout (GAC) in 2014, Julian took participants to the Visitor Center and Gift Shop so everyone could sign in, then traveled the 2 miles down to False Cape Landing to camp for the night.  After the equipment orientation, everyone went to their sites and assembled their tents. While volunteers were preparing dinner, he took guests to the beach, where everyone went “Wild” over their first-time view of the beach for a swim. The next morning they went on a Bird Hike on the Maple Leaf Trail west toward Back Bay, with an osprey looking for his breakfast flying above. The hikers found their breakfast ready when they returned.

“Why False Cape?” someone asked. “Where did that name come from?” Bruce told his story about how the site got its name, way back when.  At one time, when ships coming to the New World passed this area thought it was Cape Henry because its cape looked somewhat like the famous one. They began heading in and many times they would run aground, so it earned the name “Graveyard of the Atlantic.”  Sailors up in the crow’s nest of a ship looking for this false cape would yell, “False Cape stay clear!”  After reaching Norfolk the first thing most sailors did was to head for the nearest pub, where other sailors would ask, “Did you make it past the False Cape ok?”  The name stuck and the cape is still named False Cape on every map today.  

Bruce has also been instrumental in developing community support through his tireless efforts to recruit volunteers, to talk to the local community, and to generate resources.  He has worked with local boy scout troops on Eagle project, and has served as zone captain for Clean the Bay Day, International Coastal Cleanup and other large scale projects in the park. He has been instrumental in developing a partnership with the Tidewater Chapter of the Appalachian Trail Club, which provides volunteer services to the park, ranging from concentrated work weeks with 10-15 volunteers, individuals who help with kayak programs and with staffing the Visitor Center. 

In addition, Bruce has been a primary force in overseeing the annual hunts at False Cape and Chippokes state parks.  While he was volunteering in the Heritage hunt several years ago, he was wounded, definitely going beyond what he expected to happen.

Called the most dedicated volunteer at False Cape State Park, Bruce’s wife Margaret, another dedicated park volunteer, has even joked that she is the second love of Bruce’s life—after False Cape.  He has found peace in the remoteness of the park, and loves to share his love of the most unique park in Virginia.

Lewis Ledford
NASPD Executive Director
P.O. Box 91567
Raleigh, NC 27675
919-218-9222
lewis@naspd.org

Editor's Note: Bruce and his wife Margaret drove to Montana so he could accept his award in person.