Hello, VMNs. It’s a beautiful spring day outside and I can hear the birds chirping through the open window. I hope you can get out and enjoy the day! When you make it back home, you can catch up on the VMN program’s Bi-weekly emails.
This email includes:
Conference Updates
We’ve added a theme for this year’s 2024 Virtual Statewide Conference! Our conference programming will center around Connections: Humans, Nature, and Their Mutual Impacts and the many roles VMN volunteers play in those connections.
Registration dates have been posted on the conference webpage and fee information and session descriptions will be added in early summer. The fee will include access to all session recordings.
Continuing Education Opportunities
VMN CE Webinar Series: It’s Not Just About Counting Trees: The How, Why, What, Who and Where of a Tree Inventory
Date/Time: April 18, 2024, 12:00-1:00 pm
Registration: Pre-registration required
Description: Explore how a campus tree inventory project grew not only in size, but in its impact on individuals in their knowledge of tree identification, their appreciation of a tree’s subtle seasonal changes and on the relationships built beneath the canopies of these trees. Learn how to conduct a tree inventory, where a tree inventory could be conducted, who can be involved, what data could be collected, why a tree inventory is important and the possibilities for how the inventory data could be used. Learn how to connect with or start a tree inventory project in your own city or nearby college or university. Explore how a campus landscape can turn into a multitude of collaborative citizen science and environmental education projects. Our urban forestry training is supported by a USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry grant administered by the Virginia Department of Forestry, one of our VMN sponsoring agencies.
Presenter: Alison (Ali) Sloop is the Stormwater Coordinator in the Facilities Management: Engineering and Construction department at James Madison University. In addition to managing the stormwater program for the University, Ali also supports various sustainability projects, like the Campus Tree Inventory and the University’s certifications in the following programs: Tree Campus Higher Education, Bee Campus and Virginia Pollinator-Smart Solar Sites. She recently became a certified arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Her previous roles with Lord Fairfax Soil & Water Conservation District, Manassas National Battlefield Park and Fire Island National Seashore have shaped her into a natural resource professional with a diverse range of experiences, knowledge, and appreciation for the systems, processes and beauty of the natural world and how collective efforts will always foster the greatest impact.
As always, the VMN CE Webinar will be recorded and posted to the VMN CE Webinar Series webpage. You do not need to register to access the recording.
Water Quality Monitoring and Protection with the Virginia Department of Water Quality
Tuesday, April 30, 2024, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
We all know that water is vital for the health and wellbeing of the people, wildlife, and ecosystems of Virginia. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is responsible for monitoring, protecting, and improving the quality of the water in the Commonwealth. This webinar will teach you the basics of clean water laws and regulations, water quality standards, water quality monitoring, and how we can all work together to protect and improve Virginia’s waters. This free webinar is open to the public and is designed for anyone who is interested in learning more about water quality.
Link to Register
Life’s Extra Birding Celebration at Hungry Mother State Park
May 3-5, 2024
Honoring the life of educator, coach, naturalist, and birder Randy Smith (1951-2023). Join Hungry Mother State Park as they celebrate the life of one of their finest and most dedicated volunteers, Randy Smith, with a festival dedicated to his passion: birds. This festival will take place over the weekend and will feature many talented and passionate presenters, experts, and hobbyists within the birding field. Randy was a VMN volunteer as well, and VMN volunteers will be helping out as instructors and in other roles at the festival.
Get more details, including registration
This email includes:
- Conference Updates
- Continuing Education Opportunities
Conference Updates
We’ve added a theme for this year’s 2024 Virtual Statewide Conference! Our conference programming will center around Connections: Humans, Nature, and Their Mutual Impacts and the many roles VMN volunteers play in those connections.
Registration dates have been posted on the conference webpage and fee information and session descriptions will be added in early summer. The fee will include access to all session recordings.
Continuing Education Opportunities
VMN CE Webinar Series: It’s Not Just About Counting Trees: The How, Why, What, Who and Where of a Tree Inventory
Date/Time: April 18, 2024, 12:00-1:00 pm
Registration: Pre-registration required
Description: Explore how a campus tree inventory project grew not only in size, but in its impact on individuals in their knowledge of tree identification, their appreciation of a tree’s subtle seasonal changes and on the relationships built beneath the canopies of these trees. Learn how to conduct a tree inventory, where a tree inventory could be conducted, who can be involved, what data could be collected, why a tree inventory is important and the possibilities for how the inventory data could be used. Learn how to connect with or start a tree inventory project in your own city or nearby college or university. Explore how a campus landscape can turn into a multitude of collaborative citizen science and environmental education projects. Our urban forestry training is supported by a USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry grant administered by the Virginia Department of Forestry, one of our VMN sponsoring agencies.
Presenter: Alison (Ali) Sloop is the Stormwater Coordinator in the Facilities Management: Engineering and Construction department at James Madison University. In addition to managing the stormwater program for the University, Ali also supports various sustainability projects, like the Campus Tree Inventory and the University’s certifications in the following programs: Tree Campus Higher Education, Bee Campus and Virginia Pollinator-Smart Solar Sites. She recently became a certified arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Her previous roles with Lord Fairfax Soil & Water Conservation District, Manassas National Battlefield Park and Fire Island National Seashore have shaped her into a natural resource professional with a diverse range of experiences, knowledge, and appreciation for the systems, processes and beauty of the natural world and how collective efforts will always foster the greatest impact.
As always, the VMN CE Webinar will be recorded and posted to the VMN CE Webinar Series webpage. You do not need to register to access the recording.
Water Quality Monitoring and Protection with the Virginia Department of Water Quality
Tuesday, April 30, 2024, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
We all know that water is vital for the health and wellbeing of the people, wildlife, and ecosystems of Virginia. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is responsible for monitoring, protecting, and improving the quality of the water in the Commonwealth. This webinar will teach you the basics of clean water laws and regulations, water quality standards, water quality monitoring, and how we can all work together to protect and improve Virginia’s waters. This free webinar is open to the public and is designed for anyone who is interested in learning more about water quality.
Link to Register
Life’s Extra Birding Celebration at Hungry Mother State Park
May 3-5, 2024
Honoring the life of educator, coach, naturalist, and birder Randy Smith (1951-2023). Join Hungry Mother State Park as they celebrate the life of one of their finest and most dedicated volunteers, Randy Smith, with a festival dedicated to his passion: birds. This festival will take place over the weekend and will feature many talented and passionate presenters, experts, and hobbyists within the birding field. Randy was a VMN volunteer as well, and VMN volunteers will be helping out as instructors and in other roles at the festival.
Get more details, including registration