Laurels – Winter 2026
Each quarter, we invite VMN chapters to share stories of their impacts, accomplishments, and awards. Take the time to read them all so that you may be inspired by these tremendous volunteers and their impactful projects! This quarter’s stories include:
- Historic Rivers Master Naturalists Make an Impact at Bassett Trace Nature Trail
- VMN Instructor, Advisor, and Sponsoring Agency Representative Karen Duhring Recognized Upon Retirement
- Old Rag Master Naturalists Help Improve American Kestrel Conservation
- VMN Volunteer helps free William & Mary’s College Woods from Invasive Plants
- New Website for Old Rag Master Naturalists
- Amazing Outreach Efforts by Historic Rivers Master Naturalist
- Virginia Parks and Recreation Society recognizes Judy Kinshaw-Ellis with 2024 Distinguished Service Award
Historic Rivers Master Naturalists Make an Impact at Bassett Trace Nature Trail
Contributed by Janet Harper, VMN Historic Rivers Chapter
The Historic Rivers Chapter (HRC) is actively involved in two ongoing initiatives centered on the Bassett Trace Nature Trail in Colonial Williamsburg. Over the past six years, a dedicated team of 30 Trail Stewards and 10 Trail Guides has worked to preserve the trail while educating guests about its rich history and the diverse trees, plants, and fauna they see along the way. Using regular “walks and talks”, the ten trail guides reported nearly 1,000 hours of volunteer time, offering tours three times a week from early March till Thanksgiving. Trail stewards hike the trail several times each week year round, reporting nearly 3,000 volunteer hours clearing paths, removing branches, picking up litter, and sharing information with other hikers. In addition, these forty committed HRC members curate a Google page showcasing stunning photos of the trail’s flora and fauna, helping to inform the public and attract more visitors to this hidden treasure. Kudos to both groups, as their Google page has now surpassed 400,000 views.
VMN Instructor, Advisor, and Sponsoring Agency Representative Karen Duhring Recognized Upon Retirement
Contributed by Susan Walton, VMN Middle Peninsula Chapter
The Middle Peninsula Chapter recognized retiring advisor Karen Duhring (Virginia Institute of Marine Science) at their annual meeting in December. For this honor Karen was presented with a unique remembrance – a collage that included representations of various chapter activities. The collage, created by past president Luann Johnson, included miniature items provided by chapter members, many of which were hand crafted. These included wood carvings, a tiny Secchi disk, seed pods, sea glass creations, a tiny replica of our 2025 display for VIMS Marine Science Day, and many others.
Old Rag Master Naturalists Help Improve American Kestrel Conservation
Contributed by Alan Edmunds, with details from the project report by George Gardner and Alex Bueno
The American Kestrel, the nation’s smallest falcon, is in trouble in our region due to a 78% decline in Virginia Piedmont population levels since the 1960s. and a 50% decline nationally.
In 2024 the Old Rag Master Naturalists Chapter’s Board approved the Chapter American Kestrel Conservation Project with a mission to help reverse the decline. The ORMN project is a multi-year citizen science program being undertaken under the direction and oversight of the Virginia Working Landscapes/Va Grasslands Bird Initiative Kestrel Project effort, in conjunction with the Smithsonian Biological Research Institute, to monitor (and install in suitable areas) artificial nest boxes throughout Rappahannock, Culpepper, Madison, Orange Green, and Fauquier Counties to help arrest the kestrel decline.
The overarching mission is twofold: First, Long-Term Monitoring and Data Contribution: To establish a sustained program capable of generating reliable, high-resolution demographic data that contributes to regional and continental studies necessary for identifying the specific factors driving the kestrel’s decline: And Second, Conservation Status Improvement: To actively collaborate with other local conservationists, residents, landowners, researchers, and government officials to implement best management practices that demonstrably improve the local conservation status and long-term viability of the species.
In late 2024 and this year 19 ORMN citizen science volunteers began program activities, installing 40 artificial nest boxes and initiating a 91-nest box monitoring and data collection effort that contributes to regional and continental studies necessary for identifying the specific factors driving the decline and, as well as contributing ORMN efforts to implement programs that demonstrably improves the conservation status and long-term viability of the species.
The monitored nest boxes are an integral subset of a regional network of 520 kestrel nest boxes. Monitoring data is fed into a national data management system which collects avian species information, including for kestrels. The data is then analyzed by scientists to study trends in bird populations over time.
This year ORMN Volunteers put in a documented 1,180+ hours of time into this project and made 3,183 data entries in the database. A total of 73 landowner properties were visited as part of the monitoring/reporting effort and contributing to landowner outreach efforts.
The program achieved an overall nest box occupancy rate of 49% and directly contributed to 92 kestrel nestlings fledging into the wild.
Monitoring protocols yielded important new information which documented a high rate of egg hatch failure, indicating a significant reproductive bottleneck concern requiring further casual scientific investigation.
The Old Rag Master Naturalists can provide a complete report on their 2025 American Kestrel Project activities upon request.
VMN Volunteer helps free William & Mary’s College Woods from Invasive Plants
Contributed by Janet Harper and Tracy Melton, VMN Historic Rivers Chapter
Historic Rivers Master Naturalist Tracy Melton is working with other volunteers and college personnel to manage and remove invasive plants on the William & Mary campus. And, she’s helping others understand the issue of invasives, too! Learn more about what they are up against and how they are tackling the program in these great articles by Tracy for the William & Mary magazine:
- Restoring Williamsburg’s Woods, One Plant at a Time
- Freeing the College Woods from Their Bamboo Prison
New Website for Old Rag Master Naturalists
Contributed by Cindy Curtis, VMN Old Rag Chapter
In 2025, the Old Rag Master Naturalists secured a grant to redesign their public website. The Communications Committee, led by Cindy Curtis, ORMN Communications Chair, worked collaboratively for several months on the project, and the new, improved site launched on December 22, 2025: https://www.oldragmasternaturalists.org/.
The redesigned website emphasizes public information and engagement, while member resources and internal information were transitioned to Better Impact to fully utilize its capabilities, along with a newly established Google Workspace for Nonprofits.
Amazing Outreach Efforts by Historic Rivers Master Naturalist
Contributed by Marie Robertson, VMN Historic Rivers Chapter
Since volunteering to co-chair Education and Outreach a year ago, Cynthia Ferentino’s ideas, thoughtful planning, and motivation have expanded and transformed our outreach programs. Cynthia brings fresh ideas to every meeting, communicates clearly and warmly, and has a remarkable gift for building relationships. In 2025 alone, seven of our 25 outreach events grew directly from her initiative to partner with area libraries to offer educational programs for both children and adults.
In addition to her work with our chapter, Cynthia serves as the volunteer coordinator for the Williamsburg Regional Library’s seed exchange program. In that role, she began conversations with youth and adult services librarians about collaborating with our Master Naturalist chapter. Using seeds and plants as the foundation, she created a series of programs: a winter sowing activity for children, a sunflower-themed spring program, a summer “gardening for butterflies” event, and a fall plant share. The fall event also featured a presentation by fellow HRC member Judy Kinshaw‑Ellis and provided tabling opportunities for the Master Gardeners, the Herb Society, the Seed Exchange, our chapter, and the Virginia Native Plant Society. Each of these programs offered meaningful ways to engage with the public and teach about native plants and their benefits.
Cynthia is also revitalizing the library’s “Ask a Master Gardener” table, reimagining it as a joint effort between Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists. A test run last June was well received by visitors and volunteers alike, and she is already planning additional sessions for the coming year, especially during the monthly festival that brings large crowds to the downtown library.
This past summer, Cynthia expanded an initial invitation from the Jamestown‑Yorktown Foundation into three major outreach opportunities at Historic Jamestown and the American Revolutionary Museum at Yorktown. Looking ahead to the opening of the new natural playground at the James City County library in April 2026, she has already initiated ways for our chapter to contribute—from recommending native plants for the landscaping to planning a tree identification program for scouts. Cynthia’s creativity, initiative, and collaborative spirit continue to open new doors for our chapter’s outreach and education.
Virginia Parks and Recreation Society recognizes Judy Kinshaw-Ellis with 2024 Distinguished Service Award
James City Parks and Recreation nominated Judy Kinshaw-Ellis for the Virginia Parks and Recreation Society (VPRS) Distinguished Service Award for 2024, which she received in October 2025 at the annual Society conference. Three main areas of volunteer work were highlighted in the nomination: Brickyard Landing Riparian Buffer Demonstration Garden, Freedom Park’s outdoor classroom, and the Williamsburg Botanical Garden and Arboretum at Freedom Park.
Since 2020, Judy—well known for her signature overalls and wide-brimmed hat—has been a driving force behind some of James City County Parks & Recreation’s most transformative stewardship projects.
From planting historic trees to leading the $30,000 Riparian Buffer Demonstration Garden initiative, Judy has consistently turned vision into reality. She secured critical grant funding, rallied hundreds of volunteers, and personally helped plant and care for more than 1,500 native species. Her dedication and leadership have generated over $60,000 in volunteer value for the County, leaving a lasting legacy of conservation and community engagement.
The Historic Rivers Chapter is deeply proud of Judy’s achievements, especially knowing she was also recognized with the James City County Volunteer Service Award in 2024. Her tireless efforts over the past five years have been celebrated at both the county and state levels—an acknowledgment as well-deserved as it is inspiring.