The Friends of Island Beach State Park, Inc. (FOIBSP) was formed in 1996 under the New Jersey guidelines for Friends organization and is a non-profit organization as defined by the US Internal Revenue Code 501-C-3.  Our purpose and objectives are to serve as a volunteer group to enhance interpretive, educational, recreational, and research programs and events at Island Beach State Park and to encourage protection of the barrier island ecosystem.

Our accomplishments are many and our role is vital to the support of this beautiful natural resource.  The Friends publish and distribute 30,000 copies of a Visitor Guide.  This publication describes tours and events carried out by park staff, fauna, flora, and history of the park.  A major early Spring project is planting American Beach Grass to promote stabilization of the primary dunes.  Hundreds of volunteers join in this important activity.  Through the years our organization has made many donations to the park that enrich park visitors experience in the park. We purchased a large salt water fish tank for the Nature Center, a large (4′ x 8′) model of a hotel and grounds that were on the island in the late 1800s, well before it became a park, was placed in the Interpretive Center. Last year new wall to wall carpeting and furniture were installed in the Interpretive Center.  This year the FOIBSP installed a state-of-the-art camera with night vision above an osprey nest.  Live images are shown in the Interpretive Center and broadcast over the internet day and night throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons.  Watch the life of these wonderful park residents on www.friendsofislandbeach.org