Friends of Dragon Run currently has 401 members. Of these, 93 are life members, currently defined as members who have given $250 or more.

The seeds for Friends of Dragon were sown in 1985 when Jerry Stokes (Chesapeake Bay Foundation) approached Jimmy Morgan about a tract of land known as Big Island. It was being offered for sale by Louise McKenna with the stipulation that it be preserved in perpetuity. Being the holiday season, Jimmy, co-owner of Gloucester Pharmacy, was attending many Christmas parties. He found it easy to raise the money from the many doctors and friends that he encountered at these functions. These original 28 people, now known as Charter Founders, were instrumental in helping Jimmy raise the money for the tract. Because Friends of Dragon Run was not yet a 501(c)3 organization, Virginia Outdoors Foundation initially purchased the property with the money Jimmy raised, closing on the property in early April of 1986. Initially the land was open only to these original 28 people, but after Friends of Dragon Run became incorporated, the property was opened to all members.

Today the size of our membership is very important. Our standing with grant sources, local governments, and state agencies grows with larger membership numbers. Thus, your membership is important to us. If you see a red date by your name on the label, it means that your membership has expired. Please renew NOW!