Central Piedmont Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists
Central Piedmont Master Naturalists helped youth get outdoors in nature through a Junior Naturalist club.
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Right in the middle of the Heartland of Virginia is the central piedmont. This area includes the counties of Cumberland, Buckingham, Prince Edward, Amelia, Charlotte. We might also be convenient to anyone living further to the south, southwest or southeast as well. The beauty of the central piedmont is that it is an area that has a complicated history of human use and exploitation. It is also an area rich in examples of how the earth can heal itself with our help. Plant and animal species are rediscovered here.
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Vernal Pool Project Training
Training for the Virginia Vernal Pool Project (the subject of a webinar recorded on October 24, 2014) will be held on April 1, 2017, at Bear Creek Hall at Bear Creek Lake State Park in Cumberland County. The training, which will run from 10 am to 2 pm, includes classroom lecture and a trip to explore a nearby vernal pool. There are several in the surrounding Cumberland State Forest.
Anne Wright, Director, VCU Rice Rivers Center Outreach Education, and Susan Watson, terrestrial wildlife biologist with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, will conduct the training which covers species identification, sanitation protocols, and permit requirements.
If you are interested in attending the training, please contact Anne Field, 434 -983-2659 or annemason@kinex.net
Training for the Virginia Vernal Pool Project (the subject of a webinar recorded on October 24, 2014) will be held on April 1, 2017, at Bear Creek Hall at Bear Creek Lake State Park in Cumberland County. The training, which will run from 10 am to 2 pm, includes classroom lecture and a trip to explore a nearby vernal pool. There are several in the surrounding Cumberland State Forest.
Anne Wright, Director, VCU Rice Rivers Center Outreach Education, and Susan Watson, terrestrial wildlife biologist with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, will conduct the training which covers species identification, sanitation protocols, and permit requirements.
If you are interested in attending the training, please contact Anne Field, 434 -983-2659 or annemason@kinex.net
Bird House Building at Bear Creek Lake State Park
It's bird house building time again at Bear Creek Lake State Park! Saturday February 18, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Bear Creek Hall.
This annual community event will help you prepare for the upcoming spring season. Bluebirds will soon be staking out their territories and choosing a home to raise their young. The Central Piedmont Virginia Master Naturalists, in partnership with Bear Creek Lake State Park, welcomes you to learn about bluebird habitat and how to attract bluebirds to your yard, as well as how to maintain and predator-proof your houses. The house kits are made of high quality cedar and are ready to assemble. There will be some tools on hand, but feel free to bring your own Phillips head screwdriver. This is a great activity for the whole family. A parent or responsible adult should accompany children.
Pre-registration is required. There will be a limited number of kits available and couples/families may reserve a maximum of two kits. The workshop is free, but a donation of $10.00/kit will be accepted at the workshop.
Registration may be made by contacting JoAnn Jones at 434-547-9180 or joajonz1@gmail.com.
It's bird house building time again at Bear Creek Lake State Park! Saturday February 18, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Bear Creek Hall.
This annual community event will help you prepare for the upcoming spring season. Bluebirds will soon be staking out their territories and choosing a home to raise their young. The Central Piedmont Virginia Master Naturalists, in partnership with Bear Creek Lake State Park, welcomes you to learn about bluebird habitat and how to attract bluebirds to your yard, as well as how to maintain and predator-proof your houses. The house kits are made of high quality cedar and are ready to assemble. There will be some tools on hand, but feel free to bring your own Phillips head screwdriver. This is a great activity for the whole family. A parent or responsible adult should accompany children.
Pre-registration is required. There will be a limited number of kits available and couples/families may reserve a maximum of two kits. The workshop is free, but a donation of $10.00/kit will be accepted at the workshop.
Registration may be made by contacting JoAnn Jones at 434-547-9180 or joajonz1@gmail.com.
Central Piedmont chapter to hold its 2017 Training Class
The Central Piedmont VMN will hold its 2017 Training Class beginning on Wednesday March 1, 2017. Classroom sessions are currently scheduled to be held on March 1, 8, 22, 29 and April 5, 12, 19, 26, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. Each evening class will last about 2 hours. Additional class may be held as “make-up” classes in early May. Field Trips will be held primarily on selected weekends. Class room sessions will meet primarily in Farmville, VA at the Prince Edward County Extension Office, 100 Dominion Drive Farmville Virginia 23901. Some classroom sessions may be held at Bear Creek Lake State Park in Cumberland County, or another venue in Farmville. The fee for the course covers all class materials, and your first year membership in CPVMN. The standard fee is $100.00 per person. Partners may pay a “2 for 1” fee, but will share materials. There is a 25% off discount rate for students, and for employees of any of the VMN program’s sponsoring agencies. There will be no additional fees for the course. You will need to provide your own transportation to classes and field trips. A course syllabus will be available soon. Class room topics will include: Mammals; Citizen Science; Basic Ecology; Ornithology; Geology; Forest Management, and Interpretation and Education, and more!. If you plan on taking the first steps to being a Certified Virginia Master Naturalist, or are simply interested in taking the class, a Volunteer Enrollment Form can be found HERE. The first form will be your enrollment form. If you need to have one sent to you through the post or electronically, just let us know. If you chose not to attend, please spread word about the opportunity to family, friends and colleagues. Thank you.
Here’s hoping that you’ll be able to join us in 2017!
For more information on our next Training Class or about the chapter, contact: Email Tom Kneipp or call 804-629-2194; Email Catherine Fleischman or call 804-382-6321.
The Central Piedmont VMN will hold its 2017 Training Class beginning on Wednesday March 1, 2017. Classroom sessions are currently scheduled to be held on March 1, 8, 22, 29 and April 5, 12, 19, 26, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. Each evening class will last about 2 hours. Additional class may be held as “make-up” classes in early May. Field Trips will be held primarily on selected weekends. Class room sessions will meet primarily in Farmville, VA at the Prince Edward County Extension Office, 100 Dominion Drive Farmville Virginia 23901. Some classroom sessions may be held at Bear Creek Lake State Park in Cumberland County, or another venue in Farmville. The fee for the course covers all class materials, and your first year membership in CPVMN. The standard fee is $100.00 per person. Partners may pay a “2 for 1” fee, but will share materials. There is a 25% off discount rate for students, and for employees of any of the VMN program’s sponsoring agencies. There will be no additional fees for the course. You will need to provide your own transportation to classes and field trips. A course syllabus will be available soon. Class room topics will include: Mammals; Citizen Science; Basic Ecology; Ornithology; Geology; Forest Management, and Interpretation and Education, and more!. If you plan on taking the first steps to being a Certified Virginia Master Naturalist, or are simply interested in taking the class, a Volunteer Enrollment Form can be found HERE. The first form will be your enrollment form. If you need to have one sent to you through the post or electronically, just let us know. If you chose not to attend, please spread word about the opportunity to family, friends and colleagues. Thank you.
Here’s hoping that you’ll be able to join us in 2017!
For more information on our next Training Class or about the chapter, contact: Email Tom Kneipp or call 804-629-2194; Email Catherine Fleischman or call 804-382-6321.
Snakes in the Heart of Virginia
Herpetology Presentation
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
6:00 pm
Farmville-Prince Edward Community Library
The Central Piedmont Virginia Master Naturalist chapter is pleased to sponsor a community program on “Snakes in the Heart of Virginia”. The presenter, Mike Clifford, has an extensive background in this area and will share specific information related to a variety of live snakes!
The Virginia Piedmont is home to over twenty species of native snakes, most of which are harmless to humans and pets. Some are brightly colored, while others are masters of camouflage. Some climb high in trees, while others live underground. Many help us to control rodent and invertebrate pests. All are important members of our natural ecosystems. Snakes generate curiosity, fear, and amazement. For folks of all ages, this herpetological presentation will use colorful slides, live specimens, replicas, and other visuals to help the audience understand, recognize, and appreciate these misunderstood members of our natural fauna.
Please join us for this wonderful opportunity to learn about Central Piedmont’s snakes from our local expert! Mike will have copies of his book available and refreshments will be served.
The presenter, Mike Clifford, is the educational committee chairman and past-president of the Virginia Herpetological Society. He co-authored the book Snakes of Virginia and has worked as Virginia Tech Extension 4-H Agent in Amelia and Nottoway counties for 32 years. Mike continues to work with the Virginia 4-H Natural Resources & Environmental Education Curriculum programs, particularly with wildlife, GPS, and shooting education programs. He also operates Frog Holler' Outdoor Education, an educational service that provides workshops for teachers, natural resource professionals, youth groups, and other audiences. Mike and his wife Pat live at Frog Holler' in rural Amelia county, along with their several pets and assorted wild creatures. He can be contacted at mjc4h@vt.edu.
Herpetology Presentation
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
6:00 pm
Farmville-Prince Edward Community Library
The Central Piedmont Virginia Master Naturalist chapter is pleased to sponsor a community program on “Snakes in the Heart of Virginia”. The presenter, Mike Clifford, has an extensive background in this area and will share specific information related to a variety of live snakes!
The Virginia Piedmont is home to over twenty species of native snakes, most of which are harmless to humans and pets. Some are brightly colored, while others are masters of camouflage. Some climb high in trees, while others live underground. Many help us to control rodent and invertebrate pests. All are important members of our natural ecosystems. Snakes generate curiosity, fear, and amazement. For folks of all ages, this herpetological presentation will use colorful slides, live specimens, replicas, and other visuals to help the audience understand, recognize, and appreciate these misunderstood members of our natural fauna.
Please join us for this wonderful opportunity to learn about Central Piedmont’s snakes from our local expert! Mike will have copies of his book available and refreshments will be served.
The presenter, Mike Clifford, is the educational committee chairman and past-president of the Virginia Herpetological Society. He co-authored the book Snakes of Virginia and has worked as Virginia Tech Extension 4-H Agent in Amelia and Nottoway counties for 32 years. Mike continues to work with the Virginia 4-H Natural Resources & Environmental Education Curriculum programs, particularly with wildlife, GPS, and shooting education programs. He also operates Frog Holler' Outdoor Education, an educational service that provides workshops for teachers, natural resource professionals, youth groups, and other audiences. Mike and his wife Pat live at Frog Holler' in rural Amelia county, along with their several pets and assorted wild creatures. He can be contacted at mjc4h@vt.edu.
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Central Piedmont Outreach Activities
The CPVMN Outreach Committee focused its efforts in 2014 on developing a variety of displays to showcase chapter projects and to educate the public in selected areas. We chose local festivals, such as Cumberland County’s Patriot Day, as our primary venues We also displayed in the September Heart of Virginia Master Gardener Symposium to share information about pollinators, dragonflies, wildflowers, bluebirds, and our chapter’s young naturalist day camp. |
At the annual Five County Fair held in Farmville, VA, different chapter display won First Prize!
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Chapter Projects
In 2012 MN members began planning with Cumberland County 4-H and Bear Creek Lake State Park staff to develop a young naturalist day camp for 9-13 year olds. In 2013 and 2014 a combined total of 30 youngsters enrolled in our camps to receive exposure and instruction relating to mammals, reptiles and amphibians, insects, owls and other birds, fishing and canoeing, dip-netting for critters, tracking, and keeping a naturalist field journal. We feel the success of the camp can be measured by camper feedback, which has been overwhelmingly positive!
In 2012 MN members began planning with Cumberland County 4-H and Bear Creek Lake State Park staff to develop a young naturalist day camp for 9-13 year olds. In 2013 and 2014 a combined total of 30 youngsters enrolled in our camps to receive exposure and instruction relating to mammals, reptiles and amphibians, insects, owls and other birds, fishing and canoeing, dip-netting for critters, tracking, and keeping a naturalist field journal. We feel the success of the camp can be measured by camper feedback, which has been overwhelmingly positive!
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In September and October, 2014, several chapter members met with Virginia State Parks staff to participate in a Japanese Stilt Grass Removal project at Bear Creek Lake State Park. They were issued cards identifying them as members of the Stiltgrass Removal Squad (or SRS). They certainly made a dent in defending our public lands. Central Piedmont members look forward to more partnerships and presentations in 2015! |
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Central Piedmont Partner Organizations
Central Piedmont chapter members volunteer at locations such as Cumberland State Forest and Bear Creek Lake State Park. They conduct educational programs, citizen science projects, and stewardship efforts at these and other locations.
Central Piedmont chapter members volunteer at locations such as Cumberland State Forest and Bear Creek Lake State Park. They conduct educational programs, citizen science projects, and stewardship efforts at these and other locations.
Documents for Central Piedmont Chapter Volunteers
Volunteer Application and Enrollment Form
Volunteer Policy Handbook
Project Proposal Form
Volunteer Time Sheet
Volunteer Application and Enrollment Form
Volunteer Policy Handbook
Project Proposal Form
Volunteer Time Sheet
