Adopt a DWR Bird and Wildlife Trail
Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail signs mark trail sites.
About the Project
The Adopt-A-Trail (AAT) project is a way for the Virginia Master Naturalists to partner with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources to update, maintain and improve the Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail (VBWT). The VBWT is a statewide driving trail composed of 65 loops connecting the best sites in Virginia for watching birds and other wildlife. It was established in three phases between 1999 -2004, with the goal of increasing awareness, appreciation and conservation of Virginia’s wildlife and native habitats. When it was completed in 2004, it was the first statewide trail of its kind in the country! All sites are marked with signage and a guide to the trail is available in print and electronically on DWR’s website at http://www.dwr.virginia.gov/vbwt/.
The last major update to the trail guide was completed in 2007, which means it is time for another update, but with 637 trail sites located throughout the Commonwealth, DWR could sure use some help! DWR is inviting chapters of Virginia Master Naturalists to “adopt” loops of the VBWT through the Adopt-A-Trail project. Chapters will “adopt” one or more loops that fall within or near the counties of their chapter’s local area. Project participants will visit assigned sites on their chapter’s loop(s) four times a year to assess conditions at the site, communicate with the site’s owner/ manager, update site information in the VBWT guide, observe and record bird sightings using e-bird, and to record additional wildlife observations into their newly updated Wildlife Mapping program. Future plans include the completion of site evaluations and surveys that will help DWR to determine the top VBWT sites. All of the information collected will be used to make updates to the VBWT guide, build relationships with site owners/ managers, develop new marketing pieces for the VBWT, and improve the overall quality of the trail for visitors.
The Adopt-A-Trail (AAT) project is a way for the Virginia Master Naturalists to partner with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources to update, maintain and improve the Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail (VBWT). The VBWT is a statewide driving trail composed of 65 loops connecting the best sites in Virginia for watching birds and other wildlife. It was established in three phases between 1999 -2004, with the goal of increasing awareness, appreciation and conservation of Virginia’s wildlife and native habitats. When it was completed in 2004, it was the first statewide trail of its kind in the country! All sites are marked with signage and a guide to the trail is available in print and electronically on DWR’s website at http://www.dwr.virginia.gov/vbwt/.
The last major update to the trail guide was completed in 2007, which means it is time for another update, but with 637 trail sites located throughout the Commonwealth, DWR could sure use some help! DWR is inviting chapters of Virginia Master Naturalists to “adopt” loops of the VBWT through the Adopt-A-Trail project. Chapters will “adopt” one or more loops that fall within or near the counties of their chapter’s local area. Project participants will visit assigned sites on their chapter’s loop(s) four times a year to assess conditions at the site, communicate with the site’s owner/ manager, update site information in the VBWT guide, observe and record bird sightings using e-bird, and to record additional wildlife observations into their newly updated Wildlife Mapping program. Future plans include the completion of site evaluations and surveys that will help DWR to determine the top VBWT sites. All of the information collected will be used to make updates to the VBWT guide, build relationships with site owners/ managers, develop new marketing pieces for the VBWT, and improve the overall quality of the trail for visitors.
How To Get Involved
Chapters (not just individual volunteers) must agree to make a commitment to adopting a trail and select one person to serve as the main point of contact for the project in their chapter. Chapters willing to make this commitment should email Meagan Thomas, Watchable Wildlife Biologist with DWR, at meagan.thomas@dwr.virginia.gov to find out how to get started.
The project must be approved at the chapter level in order to be listed among the chapter's approved projects on the Volunteer Management System. We have a draft project proposal form below that may be tailored to the specific trail and locations for your chapter.
Chapters (not just individual volunteers) must agree to make a commitment to adopting a trail and select one person to serve as the main point of contact for the project in their chapter. Chapters willing to make this commitment should email Meagan Thomas, Watchable Wildlife Biologist with DWR, at meagan.thomas@dwr.virginia.gov to find out how to get started.
The project must be approved at the chapter level in order to be listed among the chapter's approved projects on the Volunteer Management System. We have a draft project proposal form below that may be tailored to the specific trail and locations for your chapter.
| Adopt-a-Trail Project Proposal Form (MS Word, revised February 2022) |
Training and Project Resources
Project Files
| Adopt-a-Trail Project Guide (updated 5 April 2022) |
| Adopt-a-Trail Initial Visit Checksheet (Print Version, updated 5.31.22) |
| Adopt-a-Trail Seasonal Visit Checksheet (Print Version, updated 5.31.22) |
| Adopt-a-Trail Guidelines and Tips for Coordinators (Updated 3 Feb 2021) |
| DWR Adopt-a-Trail Car Sign (Updated 3 Feb 2021) |
| Adopt-a-Trail Frequently Asked Questions (Updated 3 February 2021) |
Training Videos
See below for a series of training videos that will walk you through how to submit information to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resource’s Adopt-A-Trail project.
In some cases, data can be submitted to the project through either a website OR a mobile phone application. Videos providing instruction on how to use the mobile phone application are marked as such in the title.
Watch the videos using the playlist player below, or follow these links to watch each video at video.vt.edu.
Getting Started
Guide to Joining CitSci and the AAT Project
Initial Checksheet Training Videos
Submitting Initial Checksheets to CitSci from a Desktop Computer
Submitting Initial Checksheets to CitSci from a Mobile Device
Seasonal Checksheet Training Videos
Create Accounts on iNaturalist and eBird
Submitting eBird Checklists from a Desktop Computer
Submitting eBird Checklists from a Mobile Device
Submitting iNaturalist Observations from a Desktop Computer
Submitting iNaturalist Observations from a Mobile Device
Submitting Seasonal Checksheets to CitSci using a Desktop Computer
Submitting Seasonal Checksheets to CitSci using a Mobile Device
See below for a series of training videos that will walk you through how to submit information to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resource’s Adopt-A-Trail project.
In some cases, data can be submitted to the project through either a website OR a mobile phone application. Videos providing instruction on how to use the mobile phone application are marked as such in the title.
Watch the videos using the playlist player below, or follow these links to watch each video at video.vt.edu.
Getting Started
Guide to Joining CitSci and the AAT Project
Initial Checksheet Training Videos
Submitting Initial Checksheets to CitSci from a Desktop Computer
Submitting Initial Checksheets to CitSci from a Mobile Device
Seasonal Checksheet Training Videos
Create Accounts on iNaturalist and eBird
Submitting eBird Checklists from a Desktop Computer
Submitting eBird Checklists from a Mobile Device
Submitting iNaturalist Observations from a Desktop Computer
Submitting iNaturalist Observations from a Mobile Device
Submitting Seasonal Checksheets to CitSci using a Desktop Computer
Submitting Seasonal Checksheets to CitSci using a Mobile Device