Leaders of the Virginia Master Naturalist program have been partnering with leaders in Virginia State Parks for several years with a goal of increasing VMN volunteering in the parks, especially related to park interpretive programs. We hope to have VMN volunteers increase the capacity of the parks for offering talks, walks, paddles, special events, school programs, and other educational programming. We have made great progress so far; in 2022, VMN volunteers contributed 2,734 hours of education and outreach across 25 different parks. 

To help increase volunteers' skills and confidence as natural resource interpreters, Virginia State Park staff have offered interpretation workshops at several VMN state conferences, as well as at other times of the year. In addition, there are opportunities for highly motivated and involved VMN volunteers to attend the Virginia State Parks Spring Interpretive Training workshop, where they learn about interpretation alongside park staff. VMN volunteer Jeff DeHoff (Pocahontas Chapter) attended the 2023 workshop, and we interviewed him about his experience.

How did you find out about the spring interpretive training workshop with State Parks, and what made you want to attend?

I started assisting Rebecca Whalen, Chief Ranger of Visitor Experience at Pocahontas State Park, with educational programs for youth field trips. I was working with small and large groups of varying ages from schools and youth development organizations. I let her know I wanted to improve my skills at delivering impactful information in a short program. Rebecca suggested the Interpretive Training Workshop and she asked Christen Miller, who directed the statewide workshop for DCR, if there was room for a non-staff volunteer.  Fortunately, I was given a warm welcome.

What are a few things you learned or new skills you developed at the workshop?

Foremost, I learned that "Interpretation" is a skill and a vocation. I had certainly experienced some great programs in state and national parks, but never realized that the presenters were specifically trained and not just good speakers. Before the workshop, I took the online training "Foundations of Interpretation" and a new world opened up. Through the excellent training sessions at the workshop, I learned more about forging emotional and intellectual connections between the interests of the audience and the meanings inherent in the resources we are talking about.

Have you used what you learned yet for any interpretive programs? If so, what sort of programs have you done?

Yes, I started using these new skills right away in several programs. One program that is fun to deliver to all age groups is the adaptations of animals. Using the beaver as an example, we can engage the youth to investigate why this mammal has the physical features that it does and why beavers are important to the ecosystem. Also, we have a popular program on Wilderness Survival that I am now able to deliver to a variety of groups and make the content age appropriate and keep the audience engaged using the skills of Interpretation. Depending on what the audience needs, I have learned how to do a 15-minute program or a full hour on the same topics.

I am working on my "walk around" interpretation skills. I want to improve my ability to approach a family or individual or small group in the park and engage them meaningfully in a 5 minute conversation about the importance of conserving our natural resources that they are experiencing.  It is a joy to share a personal passion.

What do you like about doing interpretation in the State Parks?

The thing I like most is interacting with youth and starting or fanning the flame of interest in our natural world. Not just the facts and predictions about change, but mostly the spirit and rhythm of this marvelous complex natural creation that existed long before humans dominated the landscape. Mother Earth can be experienced in many ways and we can learn to live with her and accept her support without selfishly destroying her. The young people will save this world from the current destructive directions supported by misguided thinking and unsustainable priorities. Interpretation of the natural and historic resources at Pocahontas State Park is a way to point to the door to a better future.

I look forward to additional training in Interpretation through online and in-person programs. Perhaps I can become certified to assist in training others. It is good to keep learning and keep sharing as we walk through our later years.

Anything else you want to share about your experience as a VMN volunteer or a Virginia State Parks volunteer?

• Retired Architect and Land Planner
• Certified VMN in 2020
• Assist Basic Training Team of Pocahontas Chapter VMN
• Serve on the Board of Friends of PSP as Director of Conservation
• Enjoy hiking, biking and camping at Virginia State Parks
• Working on visiting every state park in Virginia
• Lifelong volunteer

If you are a VMN volunteer who, like Jeff, is already committed to volunteering as an educator in a state park near you and who wants to increase your interpretive skills, please contact a ranger at the park to discuss possibilities for additional in-depth training.

--By Jenna Villforth Veazey​, VMN volunteer, Central Rappahannock Chapter

Enjoying ospreys flying over the river is a pretty common pastime from my house. 
 
But the other day, when I caught sight of one circling over what I thought was a fish flopping on the surface of the water, I had to look twice! That was no fish...it was a second osprey! And it appeared to be struggling not to drown. With binoculars, I saw how it couldn’t lift its wings fully out of the water.
 
Not thinking there was much I could do at this point, I noted that the osprey was drifting downriver with the tide, but slowly. Knowing I had a tandem sit-on-top kayak near the riverbank I decided that I had to at least try to help.
 
First rule in any "rescue" on the water is to make sure you, yourself, do not become a liability. So, I called to my adult son, “Wanna go on a crazy adventure...like, now?" all while grabbing safety gear for ourselves, plus an old blanket in case we had to handle the bird. Even as we got the kayak into the river, I kept thinking…now what?!! Despite being an experienced kayaker and trained in self-rescue, I wasn't super eager to bring a floundering, adult osprey on board! But I thought, if nothing else, getting a closer look would help me assess the situation better.
 
Thankfully, the osprey appeared calm while it floated (despite the fact that it clearly couldn’t get itself out of the water). I noted that it’s attempts to fly were pushing it in the direction of the shore. Keeping our distance (so we didn’t cause it more distress), we just kept an eye on it and used our kayak to keep it from drifting out into the main channel of the river. This way the osprey was able to naturally float to shore without interference.
 
But once it made it to the beach, it just hunkered down, shivering. We continued to keep a watchful eye, hoping it could rest and recover. It was nearing dark and we have a resident great horned owl and family of fox that patrol the riverbank on the regular, no way was I leaving an exhausted, possibly injured osprey unprotected. But it wasn’t until I spotted blood on its feathers that I knew an intervention was absolutely necessary. 
 
I reached out to my fellow chapter Master Naturalists as well some State Park Ranger friends. After a flurry of texts and phone calls, I was put in touch with a wildlife rehab transporter. It was close to dark, so per the volunteer's directions, my son and I carefully cloaked it in a towel and set it in a box to rest in our quiet garage to await transport the next morning. 
 
The next a.m. we were contacted by yet another wonderful volunteer who picked up the osprey and drove it to the care of Belinda Burwell, D.V.M. with Wildlife Veterinary Care. 
 
After a few days, we got the news the osprey was able to be released! Dr. Burwell informed us that the osprey was a SHE, and that she'd suffered from a puncture wound.
 
A new set of wonderful volunteers drove her back to the same spot we'd recovered her from and were on hand to make sure her return to the wild was a complete success. I was thrilled that both my son and I were home to witness the release!
 
Getting to watch her fly from her travel crate (see video below), and eventually land safely up-river to preen and re-oil her feathers—what a happy moment that was!!
 
--Editor's note: The author, Jenna, has another neat project she organized, Poetry on the Trail, which offers users of the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail in King George County the opportunity to connect with nature through poems by Virginia writers. Learn more at http://www.poetryonthetrail.org/news. 

The volunteer who rescued the osprey was able to help release her at the same spot once she was recovered.
​[Alt text: Three individuals release an osprey from a crate, and it flies away over the water.]

​Each quarter, we invite VMN chapters to share stories of volunteers' awards and accomplishments.  Our Laurels posts are not only a way to provide recognition to those volunteers, but also an opportunity to inspire other volunteers.  If you are inspired by one of the projects or accomplishments mentioned here and want more information, please contact the VMN state office and we'll put you in touch!

Tidewater Chapter Connects with African-American Communities
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--Contributed by Beth Deir, VMN volunteer, Tidewater Chapter

The Diversity & Inclusion Committee of the Tidewater Chapter has been busy planning events that make meaningful connections with underrepresented communities. Our motivation is reflected in the phrase, "Nature is for everyone."

​Committee member Mickie Nance coordinated with Deacon Jerome Childs of The United Full Gospel Revival Center, Suffolk, to lead a hike for the congregation's young members into the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (GDSNWR). Although the Center is less than 2 miles from GDSNWR, none of the congregation's members had ever visited the refuge. Early on May 6, Mickie, accompanied by volunteers Allen Carter and Mary Jane Hall, met the youth group and its leader and embarked on an amazing journey! The hike not only allowed the group to explore the unique ecosystem and its natural beauty, but the volunteer leaders were also able to share a bit about the historical significance the swamp had to both African American and indigenous communities. Although the group was small, they are excited to continue their exploration of the GDSNWR and its rich history with the help of the Tidewater Chapter.
​
Committee member Polly Street took the lead in planning our first ever Bird Walk to coincide with Black Birders Week. Polly was able to connect with Cape Henry Audubon Society member Saundra Winstead, who led the walk. The event was a true collaboration between three local organizations. On May 27, members of the Tidewater Chapter, Cape Henry Audubon Society, and the Norfolk Branch NAACP met at Stumpy Lake Natural Area, Virginia Beach, for a glorious morning of birding! The bird walk was well-attended by first-timers, novice, and experienced birders. Even though the weather was less than ideal, we spotted a plethora of birds. Pairs of Scarlet Tanagers and Prothonotary Warblers were lifers for many in attendance!
Both events were firsts of what will be recurring series for our chapter.  

Old Rag Chapter - The Naturalist Is In

--By Emily Byers, VMN volunteer, Old Rag Chapter
​
American author, Sidney Sheldon said that “libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open windows to the world and inspire us to explore, achieve, and contribute to improving our quality of life.” The Fauquier County Library intends to emulate this ideal through the offering of engaging community programs at its three branches (Marshall, Bealeton, and Warrenton) that will offer patrons a one-on-one interaction with a Master Naturalist. This new program is called “The Naturalist Is In”.

The “Naturalist Is In” is the “brainchild” of library patron and Old Rag Master Naturalist, Robert Bessette. Robert uses his library card and love of nature to help educate others. A favorite activity is showing others how and where to find the information about nature. Robert said that “it is an amazing experience to share information about the natural world and even more exciting when you see people become excited about nature.” His passion for helping others was the conduit for the creation of the “The Naturalist Is In” library program. While exploring the library’s resources, Robert realized that some important nature books and resources that the Virginia Master Naturalists use in their study course and fieldwork were missing from the collection. The realization led to the creation of a “wish list” of nature books.  Robert knew that to make the program effective, the three local library branches at Warrenton, Fauquier, and Marshall, would all need to receive copies of the books and that funding would be needed to purchase them. Finally, each library would be assigned a dedicated Old Rag Master Naturalist volunteer to man an information table once per month. The Master Naturalist would be available at the library for 3 hours, giving library visitors time to ask questions about nature and the available resources that the library had in its collection. Patrons of the library would then have the unique opportunity to ask questions about nature and get help to find and use the newly acquired environmental books and resources. 

 “The Naturalist Is In” program came to fruition because many individuals worked to make the program a reality. Robert said that “the volunteer Friends of Library group was great to work with. The staff is knowledgeable, helpful, and excited about the project.”  The Friends of the Library wrote the application for the Make it Happen Grant through the PATH Foundation to obtain funds for the purchase of the program materials. Once approved, the materials were purchased and the program start date was set.

Robert said that he felt “that one-on-one human interaction can be important in the research process. It is a great feeling when you can help someone find the answer to a question and ignite the passion for learning about the natural world.” And that anticipation has been achieved from the very first session. Library patrons have expressed appreciation for the opportunity to talk with a trained Master Naturalist, get their questions answered, and have access to new and interesting books on nature. ORMN intends to explore the possibility of replicating this program in some or possibly all of the other five counties in its catchment area.

Maria Del Rosso, Director, of the Fauquier Public Library, said that she “appreciated that Robert enthusiastically took the time to put together and pitch the program to the library.” She also stated that “I am excited that the Old Rag Master Naturalists wanted to donate their time and talents to help educate patrons of library” and that “she felt that the program is a real service to the community”. The staffing for the program with just one volunteer would add at least one hundred and forty-four volunteer hours at the libraries.

Libraries play a vital role in the community because they serve as community hubs that connect people to information and to individuals that can help answer questions, and also house materials that can be used by all. The addition of these resources is important because many rely on the library for research and to complete homework. A central goal of the program is to help library patrons and community members who seek information and answers about the natural world. The hope is that the program will work to ignite imaginations and promote a love of nature.

Peninsula and Historic Rivers Chapters Collaborate on Tree Stewards Training

--By Daina Paupe Henry, VMN volunteer, Peninsula Chapter

Laurels to Historic Rivers and Peninsula Chapter for their work in creating the first class of Master Naturalist Tree Stewards. A small group of 8 volunteers created a 10 week course on trees that used resources from Trees of Virginia and the Master Gardener Tree Steward program along with many other resources. The classes included talks on benefits and disadvantages of trees and forests, botany, taxonomy, soil, tree id, common tree problems, ecology, among others. It also offered two field experiences. Over 40 members from the two chapters completed the series successfully and received badges on Better Impact.  Many thanks to the coordinators Ricklin Brown (Historic Rivers) and Jim Francis (Peninsula) for their leadership. Attached is a photo of the graduating class.

Shenandoah Chapter - Museum of the Shenandoah Valley Tree Survey
--By Susan Galbraith, VMN volunteer, Shenandoah Chapter

Within Winchester City boundaries are 214 acres of land owned by the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley (MSV)  The MSV recently opened trails for public use on this property. The trails run through old cow pastures, wetlands, and forests. The Shenandoah Chapter of VMN has adopted the trail system as a project. Part of the project, along with invasive species removal, was to identify all the trees within the trail system and to write up the results as an educational product.
 
The survey is extraordinary and singlehandedly was created by Paul Guay, even though he gives some of us credit. Paul’s tree survey is beyond the ordinary; within this comprehensive survey he has melded humanity with nature. Not only are detailed descriptions including photos of each tree and its parts provided, but Paul included art, literature, poetry, history, wildlife, and medicinal connections in his survey. Paul took most of the photographs or searched for just the right photo and yes, gave credit to the photographer. In the on-line version of the survey, Paul has provided numerous internet links for the curious to find further information. Paul estimates that he spent over 8,000 hours or one full year’s worth of time on this project, and it is obvious.

The Chapter was fortunate to have Paul show a brief overview of his recently completed survey at the June Chapter meeting, and anyone can download it from the chapter's website. 
 

Holston Rivers Chapter - Brush Up on Nature at Hungry Mother

--Contributed by Monica Hoel, VMN volunteer, Holston Rivers Chapter

This summer you can find one HRVMN volunteer leading a painting class that begins with binoculars.

As part of her service hour commitment to VMN, Renee Wienecke is offering free painting classes at Hungry Mother State Park, but you can expect something a little special about these classes. In addition to learning about color-mixing and brush work, students also learn about nature.

Some classes offer participants a chance to paint a bird, others allow an opportunity to paint a salamander. But in either case, they look at the natural world before they stare at a canvas.

For instance, a recent class focused on a red-bellied woodpecker. But before anyone ever dipped a brush into that bright red paint, Renee and one of the Hungry Mother State Park rangers handed out binoculars and Peterson’s bird books and led folks off into the trees.

They listened and stared and hoped for a chance to see the woodpecker they were about to paint. As it often goes with birding, and Rolling Stones songs, they didn’t get what they wanted, but they absolutely got some great moments with wild birds, including a Baltimore oriole, a northern parula, and some bouncy little chipping sparrows who seemed very pleased to have an audience.

They made their way back to the picnic tables and began to paint while enjoying the fresh air of early spring, good conversation, and eventually they even heard that chirpy chur of a red-bellied woodpecker.

This is Renee’s summer service project, and she is not only accumulating great service hours, but she is also creating a great group of new nature enthusiasts.

Roanoke Valley Chapter Volunteer Wins a Scholarship

Emma S. Land, a VMN volunteer in the Roanoke Valley Chapter and a recent graduate from Roanoke College, is the recipient of the inaugural Environment Scholarship from the Kiwanis Club of Roanoke. Emma plans to use the scholarship to help with her pursuit of a Master's degree in forestry and natural resources at the University of Georgia. As a Virginia Master Naturalist volunteer, Emma has helped with trail maintenance on the Appalachian Trail and connected with the public at outreach events, where she shared information on topics such as black bears and pollinators. Congratulations, Emma!

Peninsula Chapter Offers a 5th Summer Continuing Education Series

--By Daina Paupe Henry, VMN volunteer, Peninsula Chapter

Laurels to the Peninsula Master Naturalist Chapter for offering for the 5th year in a row a summer continuing education series highlighting different topics. It is a series of 5 evenings with lectures every other week. Speakers were professionals and experts in their respective fields. The first year class was offered live (pre-pandemic) was on Trees and Forests. With the start of the pandemic, the series was offered over zoom. The following years provided series of talks on Moths and Butterflies; Mushrooms and Fungi; Climate Change, Soil Subsidence and Se Level Rise. This years topic is on Species and Habitat Conservation in Virginia. For the past two years, the series has been open to all chapters in Virginia and numerous members from other chapters have participated in the series. Links to the older series are available – most sessions were recorded (contact Daina Henry, CE chair for the chapter, for information.) Thanks to Melody Avery, Shirley Chirch, Daina Henry, and the many presenters over the past 5 years for their work on creating this offering.

From Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources: Feral Hog Surveillance 
--By Jim Parkhurst, Associate Professor of Wildlife Science and Extension Wildlife Specialist, Virginia Cooperative Extension

Populations of feral swine have become established in several areas of Virginia (e.g., Lee, Wise, Culpeper, Orange, Chesapeake), often bringing devastating effects on agriculture and private property; however, these are the populations that we know about and have been working to reduce. It’s the ones that we don’t yet know about that have been springing up in new areas and often at some distance from the closet known spots that are most worrisome and of greatest interest in discovering. These new populations often are the result of individuals illegally trapping hogs and releasing a small number of founding hogs in secluded areas with the intent of establishing new populations to hunt. Although some of this illegal trapping is occurring in areas associated with a known population here in Virginia, it’s much more worrisome that animals captured outside of Virginia, ones that potentially may be carrying parasites or diseases not found here, have been brought into the state and released; this can have substantial economic and/or biological implications. Much of this recent nefarious activity has been suspected along our border counties with North Carolina, but there are other suspect “hotspots” of new activity elsewhere in the state as well.  Therefore, we are asking for the public’s help in bringing any new sightings of hog activity to our attention so that confirmation of presence can be confirmed and feral swine problems can be nipped before they become a threat to commodities, property, and public safety.
 
We are asking that you download copies of the attached flyer provided by Virginia’s USDA-Wildlife Services office and post them in prominent and highly visible locations where members of your community will see them.  Reporting is being conducted through the Virginia Wildlife Conflict Helpline and thus all reports are anonymous and do not require any identification … the priority intent is to identify new areas of hog activity that can be surveilled, either confirm or refute presence, and, where confirmation is determined, devise appropriate means to administer proper treatment. 

From the Virginia Institute of Marine Science Center for Coastal Resources Management - Catch the King 2023

--By Karen Duhring, Marine Scientist, VIMS CCRM

Catch the King is an annual volunteer event to collect flooding data during the highest tides of the year, known as the King Tides. The 7th annual Catch the King event will take place throughout coastal Virginia from Friday, October 27 to Sunday, October 29, 2023.  The information collected is used by emergency managers and others who need detailed flooding data at street level.  

Catch the King mappers include many Virginia Master Naturalists from coastal chapters. Some are veteran Tide Captains helping recruit volunteers, lead practice mapping sessions in their region, and serve as point of contact for their team before, during, and after the event. More Tide Captains are needed.

As the group of flood mappers continues to expand, so does a network of informed and active citizens who can crowdsource flooding events and bring a larger group into the conversation, helping move solutions to reality.  

How You Can Help:
•    Visit the Catch the King 2023 website, hosted by Wetlands Watch.  
•    Learn about the free Sea Level Rise app available for download 
•    For inquiries about Catch the King, contact Gabi Kinney, Wetlands Watch Community Engagement Project Manager  
•    Find out if Catch the King is an approved project for your chapter.  Assistance with a VMN project proposal is available by contacting Karen Duhring at VIMS.

Apply for Citizen Water Quality Monitoring Grants

DEQ is now accepting applications for Citizen Water Quality Monitoring Grants. Applications must be submitted by Aug. 31. Updates this grant cycle include changes to the application package format and an expansion of Coordination Grant eligibility. These grants can be used to purchase water quality monitoring equipment, train volunteers, pay for lab analysis costs, and promote stream monitoring efforts in locations where DEQ is not currently collecting water quality samples.

From 2015-2020, citizen monitoring data was used to assess 3,174 miles of streams/rivers, 64 square miles of estuary, and 33,347 acres of lakes!
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For more info, visit the citizen monitoring webpage, email citizenwater@deq.virginia.gov or call Meighan Wisswell at (571) 866-6494.

--By Bob Eidam, VMN volunteer, Eastern Shore Chapter

Tick-borne diseases are on the rise throughout the world. One of the major challenges to understanding the reasons for increases in incidence and shifting ranges of tick species is a lack of surveillance data. Dr. Holly Gaff from Old Dominion University’s Tick Research Team (TRT) has been leading long-term surveillance in the eastern part of Virginia since 2009.  Dr. Gaff and her lab use mathematical modeling and computer simulation to study infectious diseases, with a focus on ticks and tick-borne diseases. During the last 14 years, there have been many changes. For example, two species, Ixodes and Amblyomma maculatum, have moved in from the south. Increasing knowledge of the presence and phenology of these new species and previously established species adds important knowledge on how ticks may affect humans and pets.
 
On the Eastern Shore, the TRT collects ticks monthly from Kiptopeke State Park on the Southern part of the Shore. Every summer additional collections are made at various locations, including the Barrier Islands. Logistics prevent more regular collections from those additional sites throughout the year. As part of an ongoing effort to map and track these range expansions, the TRT is constantly in search of additional sources of tick data.
 
This is how the Eastern Shore Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists became involved. Kellie Piekarsky, lead volunteer, proposed the collaborative project to conduct tick surveillance on the Eastern Shore after being inspired by a presentation given by Dr. Gaff during a chapter meeting. Under Kellie’s leadership, the Chapter received approval to begin additional monthly surveillance at the Mutton Hunk Fen State Natural Area near Accomack. In addition to providing the TRT with additional data, collecting from Mutton Hunk Fen is significant because, historically, it is not reasonably accessible from Norfolk due to its location on the Northern part of Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
 
After training, chapter volunteers conduct active tick surveillance by flagging for ticks. This consists of dragging white flags in specified areas and then collecting any ticks that attach to the flag. Chapter members also conduct passive surveillance by collecting ticks found on themselves and pets. The ticks are stored in vials labeled with key data and placed in a volunteer’s freezer until transported and delivered to the ODU campus in Norfolk. They are transported to Norfolk in a cooler to keep them frozen by a volunteer or the chapter’s advisor, Shannon Alexander, where Dr. Gaff, or a member of the team, is given the samples. The Virginia Master Naturalist program will be added to all acknowledgments in the annual reports, scientific publications and presentations. The VMN will also be highlighted on the ODU Tick Team social media pages. 
 
Kellie sums up the value of this partnership: “a partnership between ODU and ESMN is a great opportunity for our volunteers to contribute to this globally impactful research and serve as a force multiplier to ODU’s staff. Our volunteers are in the field dragging flags monthly, weather permitting.”