Laurels – Spring 2026
Each quarter, we invite VMN chapters to share stories of their impacts, accomplishments, and awards. Let these tremendous volunteers and their impactful projects inspire you! This quarter’s stories include:
Table of Contents
- Crowdsourced VMN Videos Win National Award
- Governor Spanberger Announces 2026 Environmental Excellence Awards
- Chapter Leadership by James River Master Naturalist Volunteers
- Kim Manion – Virginia State Parks Volunteer of the Year
- Exploring Hoffler Creek
Crowdsourced VMN Videos Win National Award
The VMN program’s collection of promotional videos received the Silver Award for Promotional and Marketing Materials from the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals (ANREP). The footage for the videos was entirely crowdsourced by our VMN volunteers. VMN State Office personnel also collaborated to conceive and produce the videos. The team MiniMatters, Inc. provided professional videography expertise. Check out the playlist with the main video and four shorts. Thank you to all the volunteers who contributed photos and video, interviews, and voiceovers!
Governor Spanberger Announces 2026 Environmental Excellence Awards
Adapted from the press release from the office of Governor Abigail Spanberger
Governor Abigail Spanberger announced the winners of the 2026 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards. These awards recognize environmental leadership through actions that strengthen the Commonwealth’s conservation, resilience, and preservation efforts.
“Protecting Virginia’s environment and promoting stewardship across the Commonwealth have impacts that will last for generations,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “I am honored to recognize this year’s winners for their efforts to protect Virginia’s environment and for inspiring others to do the same.”
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) coordinate the awards program. They recognize projects that reduce environmental impacts, programs that protect the environment and encourage sustainability, efforts to conserve land, and projects that demonstrate exemplary implementation of the Virginia Outdoors Plan.
Virginia Master Naturalist volunteers contributed to several of this year’s award-winning projects
- The Rockfish Valley Foundation (RVF) earned a gold medal for its ENLIT (environmental literacy) project that aims to help people engage more deeply with the natural world. As part of this project, RVF improved public trails, implemented a stream buffer to protect water quality, built an outdoor classroom, and developed educational modules. VMN volunteers have been especially involved in developing the educational modules and in the riparian buffer. They have managed invasive plants and planted hundreds of new trees and shrubs. Learn more about their contributions from our November 2025 article.
- The Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District’s (PWSWCD) Water Quality program earned a silver medal. The water quality program promotes water quality awareness and educates the community on how local waterways connect to the Occoquan Reservoir and the Potomac River. The program includes chemical monitoring of over 80 sites and biological monitoring of over 15 sites in Prince William County. Thirteen Merrimac Farm Master Naturalist volunteers contributed more than 200 hours of monitoring in Prince William County in 2025. Merrimac Farm Master Naturalist volunteers Tom Ligon and Shea Megale earned the Water Quality Special Team Award from PWSWCD in 2022.
- Trees Fredericksburg earned an honorable mention for their work to restore the urban tree canopy in Fredericksburg. More than a dozen Central Rappahannock Master Naturalist volunteers helped with these urban forestry efforts in 2025.
It’s terrific to see how VMN volunteers have had a hand in so many award-winning environmental projects and partnerships!
Chapter Leadership by James River Master Naturalist Volunteers
Contributed by Stephen Shepherd, James River Master Naturalist Chapter President
The James River Master Naturalist Chapter shares a shout-out to recognize two active chapter leaders who have made a difference.
Bruce Behringer has been working hard to let new VMN volunteers know about service opportunities and empower them to create new activities where there is a gap. “We’re still learning about what impact these efforts might have, but Bruce is really good at process and I’ve been extraordinarily grateful for his efforts. He’s nervous about his advancing age but has approached the challenge with vigor and competence that far outpaces what I could do. This is not photogenic work but is helpful and is a challenge all of our chapters face,” writes James River Master Naturalist Chapter President Stephen Shepherd.
Ros Reilly was the chapter’s previous outreach chair and is trying to step back to focus on more active citizen science. The chapter keeps pulling her back in to outreach because she has an incredible eye toward graphic design and pedagogy. She incorporates scientific accuracy about insects and how they contribute to Virginia environmental health. The chapter has countless photos of displays Ros has made. Her warm and welcoming presence at outreach events can’t be replaced.
Kim Manion – Virginia State Parks Volunteer of the Year
Contributed by Sara Bell, VMN Alleghany Highlands Chapter and Hannah Johnson, Virginia State Parks
In 2025, VMN volunteers contributed nearly 14,000 hours of education, science, and stewardship at 40 different Virginia State Parks. Some VMN volunteers play an especially integral role in a park. Kim Manion, an Alleghany Highlands Master Naturalist, is one of these key volunteers. Kim delivers exceptional interpretive programming at Douthat State Park. She leads First Day hikes, fills critical staffing gaps each summer, and delivers specialized presentations. “Our park regularly receives compliments about Kim and the programs she leads. Guests often tell us how much they enjoy her hikes and presentations—they leave feeling welcomed and inspired,” says Hannah Johnson, Chief Ranger – Visitor Experience at Douthat.
Kim also participates in stewardship events like National Trails Day and Clean the Bay Day. “One of Kim’s biggest achievements is how she champions Douthat State Park and gets the community involved. As president of the local Virginia Master Naturalist chapter, she’s brought in new volunteers, promoted conservation projects, and built strong connections between the park and the community. Thanks to her efforts, we’ve seen more people step up to help with programs and resource protection. Kim doesn’t stop there—she’s a local elementary school teacher who brings her students on field trips to the park and encourages other teachers to do the same.”
In April 2026, Virginia State Parks recognized Kim as a Virginia State Parks Volunteer of the Year. All 44 Virginia State Parks can nominate volunteers for these awards, and selection as a statewide winner is a remarkable achievement. Congratulations, Kim, and thank you for your service as a VMN and Virginia State Parks volunteer!
Exploring Hoffler Creek
Contributed by Allen Carter and Sara Howard, VMN Tidewater Chapter
Tidewater Master Naturalist and Historic Southside Master Naturalist volunteers came together at Hoffler Creek Nature Preserve in Portsmouth. Mickie Nance (Tidewater Chapter) arranged for the group to learn about the preserve’s history through a video presentation and then led a hike. The group participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count during their outing and recorded 316 individual birds from 28 species. Participants enjoyed spending time outdoors in nature and getting to know each other.
Katy Johnson – Woman of Influence
Adapted from the article by Jerry Nissley, VMN Fairfax Chapter
In April 2026, Fairfax Master Naturalist Katy Johnson earned the 2026 Woman of Influence Award by the City of Fairfax. She credits her involvement with FMN and her advocacy for the remaining wild spaces in Fairfax City for this recognition.
A VMN volunteer since 2021, Katy has contributed a major portion of her service to habitat restoration and stewardship in the City of Fairfax. She also contributes to stewardship with Blue Ridge PRISM and other conservation efforts in parks. She is also the Fairfax County Park Authority liaison for the Fairfax Master Naturalist chapter.
Ashby Pond Rescue – A Success Story
As an example of her active conservation in the field, Katy was influential in an effort to save native plants and turtles from the reconstruction (draining) of Ashby Pond in Fairfax City. We highlighted her work in the Fall 2024 VMN Laurels.
As a follow-on to the success of this project, Katy reported that on April 11th, 2026 approximately 30 of the rescued turtles were returned to the pond. In addition to the returning turtles, the pond and banks were restored with native vegetation.