Promoting life-long learning is a key component of the Virginia Master Naturalist program.  Our VMN volunteers are eager and enthusiastic learners.  In 2019, 2,200 volunteers reported spending more than 30,000 hours participating in Continuing Education!

Even in the current COVID-19 crisis, VMN volunteers are seeking ways to remain connected to nature and to keep learning more.  Plus, many of them may have children or grandchildren for whom they are facilitating learning opportunities while schools are closed.  At the same time, our sponsoring agencies want to continue connecting to constituents and to provide research-based information about Virginia's natural resources.

With those needs in mind, we have collected below at-home nature learning resources from each of our sponsoring agencies.  These include videos, webinars, curriculum for youth, and more.  

VMN volunteers, please note that some of the content may be appropriate for Continuing Education hours and some may not be.  Please consult your chapter leaders for guidance if you are wondering about a particular webinar.

Sponsoring agency representatives, if you have additional resources from your agency that you would like us to share here, please contact the VMN program office.

Virginia Cooperative Extension

• Providing educational resources related to COVID-19 to the public.  Although it is not nature-focused, it is a good compilation for consumers, food-growers, parents, etc., and it does include at-home STEM learning activities for youth from 4-H.
• Sharing content on Facebook and Twitter
• Virginia Master Naturalist program's Continuing Education Webinar Series

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

• Providing interpretive and educational programming from Virginia State Parks through their social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram.

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

• Sharing environmental education curricula and standards-based activities on their Education Page
• Sharing environmental information on social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn

Virginia Department of Forestry

• Conservation Education resources, including nature activities for youth at home
• Sharing content on Facebook and Twitter

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

• Resources for Teachers with lessons and activities for youth to do at home
• Sharing content on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube
• View nature in action on the DGIF Falcon Cam or Shad Cam.  

Virginia Institute of Marine Science - Center for Coastal Resources Management

• Multimedia Resource Center with marine education materials, OspreyCam, recorded lectures and short talks, and livestream events
• Sharing content on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube as VIMS, and also on Facebook as CCRM

​Virginia Museum of Natural History

• Educational Resource Page with links and science activities for families
• Daily nature posts and occasional videos on Facebook

2019 Virginia Master Naturalist Impact Statement:  Virginia Master Naturalists contribute to natural resource education, citizen science, and stewardship across the Commonwealth in 2019

Relevance
Americans’ interest in nature is growing. There is a large constituency of people, both urban and rural, engaged in non-consumptive uses of natural resources such as birdwatching, and studies show this population is growing.  Research also shows, however, that Americans still face a significant gap between their interest in nature and their ability and opportunities to pursue that interest.  Individuals need opportunities to be actively involved in exploring, caring for, and observing nature in their local communities.  Furthermore, because the most impactful experiences in nature are deeply social, opportunities to connect people with nature through social groups are needed.

At the same time, the Commonwealth of Virginia is facing difficult natural resource challenges, such as loss of forestland, sea level rise, and invasive species impacts. State and local natural resource agencies need help to accomplish their missions, address these natural resource challenges, and reach more sectors of our population. Public engagement is critical to successful conservation and management of Virginia’s woods, wildlife, and waters.

Response
The Virginia Master Naturalist (VMN) program addresses these needs by supporting a statewide corps of volunteers providing education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities. With 30 chapters across Virginia, the program aims to extend the capacities of both state and local natural resource agencies and organizations to be able achieve their missions in new ways, engage new audiences, and work towards creating a citizenry more informed about and involved in natural resource conservation and management.  The program, because of its chapter-based structure, also promotes learning about, exploring, and stewarding natural areas through social groups.  

Every year, more than 400 Virginians become new VMN volunteers through training and service. The process for becoming a Certified VMN typically takes 6 to 12 months. One starts by completing a 40-hour basic training course offered by one the local chapters of the program. An additional 8 hours of continuing education and 40 hours of volunteer service are also required to become certified or recertified. Volunteer service hours are recorded in four primary areas: education, stewardship, citizen science, and chapter administration. At the statewide level, the program is sponsored by seven state agencies, and on the local level, chapters partner with dozens of conservation and education organizations.
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​Pocahontas Chapter Celebrates 10th Year in 2019
 
The Pocahontas Chapter Virginia Master Naturalists celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2019 with special recognitions, education, service and an overnight camp-out. The anniversary campaign, “10 Years, 10,000 Hours” was launched in May to recognize a milestone year and to encourage members to reach and sustain an annual goal of 10,000 volunteer service hours as the chapter continues to create and support new projects and increase its membership.
 
The anniversary year kicked off with a t-shirt contest where members were invited to submit designs related to the theme. Laurie McAleenan’s entry was chosen as the winner. On May 5, a formal celebration was held for members and special guests at the park. Speakers included Michelle Prsyby, Virginia Master Naturalist statewide coordinator; Keith Morrison, former Pocahontas Chapter advisor with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation who helped charter the chapter; Josh Ellington, former Pocahontas State Park manager, now District Manager with DCR overseeing six state parks (including Pocahontas); Christen Miller, Visitor Experience Manager with Virginia DCR, a 10-year instructor, and a charter member of the Pocahontas Chapter; and Lisa Quigley, first President of the Pocahontas Chapter and a Class of 2009 graduate. Attendees enjoyed project displays, cake and had the chance to view and sign the chapter’s 10th anniversary photo book with pictures and reflections from members throughout the years.
 
A weekend of continuing education and service opportunities took place May 10-11 that began with an evening campfire (s’mores included) and live music by the band WitchDuck (led by VMN Carmen Rabago). Group cabins were generously provided by Pocahontas State Park for members to stay overnight—which could only mean an after-dark hike to Swift Creek Dam was a must for star gazing!
 
Saturday activities began with continuing education programs that included bird identification in the park led by John and Caroline Coe, a herpetology survey led by Michael Clifford, and presentations on the State of the James by JRA Riverkeeper Jamie Brunkow, and animal rehabilitation by Colleen Harlow with Alliance of Wild Animal Rehabilitators and Educators (AWARE).
 
After a catered barbecue lunch, members could join small groups for volunteer activities that included clean-up for park trails and waterways, invasive species removal, and maintenance at several native plant gardens.
 
The chapter is grateful to all those who participated on the anniversary planning committee to coordinate these events. In all, more than 50 Pocahontas Chapter members participated in our anniversary year activities!

A New State of the River Report for the Nansemond

Members of the VMN-Historic Southside Chapter contributed to the collection of data and writing for the newly released Nansemond River Preservation Alliance State of the River Report.  VMN volunteers involved included Geoff Payne (chair of the Alliance's Water Quality Committee), John Wass, William Old, Ken Dugan, Wayne Martin, Leora Porter, and Donald Porter.

Old Rag Master Naturalists are Conservation Educators of the Year

The 2019 Conservation Educator of the Year Award was given to the Old Rag Master Naturalists, a group of volunteers in Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock counties.  Members of the group take a basic training course of lectures and field trips. To remain active they complete a minimum number of continuing education and volunteer hours. According to CSWCD, “the district’s Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) program would not be possible without the volunteers of the Old Rag Master Naturalists. In particular, Bill Clark and Ken Cranston were recognized at the banquet. They have volunteered more than 300 hours with CSWCD.”

Ten Years of Capturing Wildlife on Camera at Claytor

Ben Shrader, VMN-Central Virginia Chapter, recently compiled results from more than ten years of camera trapping at the Claytor Nature Center.  This nature center in Bedford, Virginia, is owned and managed by the University of Lynchburg for environmental conservation and education.  

A wide diversity of wildlife has been observed through the camera trapping study, including deer, bears, fox squirrels, raccoons, opossums, groundhogs, wild turkeys, striped skunks, beavers, otter, mink, muskrats, coyotes, both red and gray foxes, Great Blue Herons, bobcats, and bald eagles!  Ben has used the long-term data set to describe trends in abundance and seasonality of these species at the site.

View a small selection of the photos Ben has captured at Claytor Nature Center.  Click on each photo for the caption with identification information.

The Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program, the Virginia Department of Forestry, Trees Virginia, and other organizations are offering many opportunities to learn about forest management, urban forestry, alternative forest products, trees, and other forest topics this winter and spring.  

Thanks to Adam Downing, Virginia Cooperative Extension Northern District Forestry and Natural Resources agent for compiling these opportunities in his Tree Cookies Etc. newsletter (click on Agriculture and Natural Resources for his newsletter archives or to sign up to receive it yourself.) 
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Woodland Stewards Webinar Series
February 6, 13, 20, 27.  Gather in groups to watch in person Warrenton, VA and 5 other locations throughout VA
Program Content information: https://sref.info/woodland-stewards/2020
Locations & Registration: https://forestupdate.frec.vt.edu/
 
Trees as Green Stormwater Infrastructure
February 7  - Arlington, VA
More information and registration at:  https://treesvirginia.org/events
 
Landowner’s Woods & Wildlife Conferences
February 15  – Roanoke, VA  (2nd annual)
February 29 – Culpeper, VA (16th annual)
This popular event is different every year and at each location with diverse topics and speakers throughout the day for you to choose from.  Geared toward large and small acreage woodland owners, and great for citizen scientists desiring to expand their applied knowledge base!  

Details and registration at:  https://forestupdate.frec.vt.edu/landownerprograms/ConferencesandWorkshops2/WoodsandWildlifeConferences.html
 
On-line Woodland Options for Landowners
March 2 – May 22  - from anywhere you can “connect”
Self-paced, with “coach/mentor” interactions.
More information and registration at:  https://forestupdate.frec.vt.edu/landownerprograms/shortcourses/online.html
 
Montpelier’s Nature Exploration: Magnificent Trees of Montpelier
March 14  - Montpelier Station, VA
Led by Virginia Master Naturalists in cooperation with Montpelier
Details and registration available: https://www.montpelier.org/events/nature-exploration-series-magnificent-trees-of-montpelier
 
Roanoke Tree Workshop: Urban Tree-Sources Safety, Stormwater & Tough Trees
March 18  - Roanoke, VA
More information and registration at:  https://treesvirginia.org/events
 
Virginia Forestry Summit
April 30 – May 1  – Harrisonburg, VA
For Forestry professionals and Forest landowners organized by VFA, SAF (Virginia Division) and ACF (Virginia Division)
Details and registration forthcoming:  https://www.vaforestry.org/2020-virginia-forestry-summit
 
Shitake Mushroom Growing Demonstration
May 9  – Madison, VA
An open-house demonstration occurring at Madison Farmer’s Market
Contact Madison VCE for more information & directions:  540-948-6881, kjenk@vt.edu

The Virginia Natural History Society (VNHS) was formed in 1992 to bring together persons interested in the natural history of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The VNHS defines natural history in a broad sense, from the study of plants, animals, and other organisms to the geology and ecology of the state, to the natural history of the native people who inhabit it. The goals of the VNHS are to promote research on the natural history of Virginia, educate the citizens of the Commonwealth on natural history topics, and to encourage the conservation of natural resources.

Share Your Citizen Science Results though the VNHS Journal

Dissemination of natural history information occurs through publication of the journal Banisteria, named for John Banister (1650-1692) who was the first university-trained naturalist to work in Virginia. The first issue was published in 1992, and the journal is published twice per year in spring and fall. Articles cover a wide array of subjects, and members of VNHS are encouraged to submit manuscripts on any aspect of natural history in Virginia; book reviews and biographies of relevance to natural history in Virginia are also welcomed. Manuscripts are peer-reviewed for suitability and edited for inclusion in the journal.

In the past, most submissions to Banisteria have been from authors in academia. VNHS would like to include a special section of the journal for citizen science projects which would provide a formal publication outlet for the results of the many projects carried out by members of the Virginia Master Naturalist chapters.  Many chapters have projects which include long-term data sets that would likely be of interest to readership of Banisteria and would be a welcome addition to the literature dealing with the natural history of Virginia.  

Papers submitted to the citizen science section would be expected to follow a similar format to regular papers with respect to journal style and would be subject to review and recommendations for revision by the editorial board.  The editorial board of the journal will assist authors in the preparation of their papers with respect to both content and style.

Any comments or questions on this proposal for a special section from Master Naturalist chapters or individual members is welcome.  Please contact the Editor, Todd Fredericksen, at tfredericksen@ferrum.edu.  

​You may visit the VNHS website at  https://virginianaturalhistorysociety.com/index.html for information on the society and/or Banisteria.

Save the Date for the VNHS Annual Meeting

Virginia Master Naturalists are invited to attend the Annual Conference of the Virginia Natural History Society on Saturday, 31 October 2020 at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia.
 
General Schedule

• 9 AM to 10 AM refreshments, registration, and poster set-up
• 10 AM to 3:30 PM invited and contributed presentations and lunch
• 3:30 PM to 4 PM general members meeting

                                               
Student oral presentations and posters are welcome.  Note that the number of slots for contributed oral presentations is limited.  Registration will open in early September.  Presenters must register and provide a title by 8 October.  Please visit https://virginianaturalhistorysociety.com  for updates.