Laurels – Summer 2026
Each quarter, we share Laurels to celebrate stories of VMN volunteers’ activities and accomplishments.
Table of Contents
- Happy Bird-day at Smith Mountain Lake State Park
- Growing Community Support for Native Plants Through Library Partnerships
- Three Fairfax Master Naturalists Earn Park Authority Recognition
- Southwestern Piedmont Master Naturalists Complete Aquatic Wild and LNT Instructor Trainings
- Two Arlington Regional Master Naturalists Earn Stewardship Awards
- Holston Rivers Master Naturalists Help Kids Study Creek Critters
- VMN Volunteer Becomes Virginia Association For Parks President
- Historic Rivers Master Naturalist Volunteers Graduate a New Crop of Tree Stewards
- Bright Hope Butterfly Garden Featured by MLMP
Happy Bird-day at Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Contributed by Jill Straight, VMN Blue Ridge Foothills and Lakes Chapter
VMN volunteer Sue Beeler brought together her Blue Ridge Foothills and Lakes Chapter, Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park, park staff, and an outstanding group of conservation partners to create a fun, educational event for the community called “Happy Bird-Day”. Volunteers led the event on July 11, 2026 in recognition of the state park’s anniversary. Visitors enjoyed hands-on activities and exhibits, learning about birds, wildlife, habitat stewardship, citizen science, and Virginia’s many conservation organizations.
The Expo welcomed more than 300 attendees, including many children and families. Despite the summer heat, the event was enthusiastically supported by volunteers and exhibitors. Sue’s advance preparation and positivity made a complex event look effortless.
The Nature Expo reflected the Virginia Master Naturalist mission by promoting education and stewardship. It highlighted opportunities for citizen science and strengthened collaboration among conservation organizations. Just as importantly, Sue built relationships that will continue well beyond this single event. And, she laid the groundwork for an even stronger Nature Expo in the years ahead.
Sue’s vision and ability to bring volunteers together make the event outstanding. Congratulations, Sue, and to all of the BRFAL volunteers involved in the Happy Bird-day event!
Growing Community Support for Native Plants Through Library Partnerships
Contributed by Cynthia Ferentinos, VMN Historic Rivers Chapter
As VMN volunteers, we appreciate the many benefits of native plants, but how do we convince those who are less familiar to give them a try? We looked to our public libraries, places open to everyone at no cost.
Through a partnership with Williamsburg Regional Library (WRL), we removed two common barriers:
- We’ve distributed free native plants and seeds since local ecotype sources can be challenging to find.
- We’ve provided educational programs to help adults and children learn how and why to grow native plants.
Seed Exchange
Through its “Library of Things” collection, designed to foster active learning, WRL established a “WRL Seed Exchange” at the James City County Library (JCCL) in 2023. Free vegetable, herb, and annual flower seeds were made available. In 2024, Cynthia Ferentinos, a Historic Rivers Chapter (HRC) master naturalist and the program coordinator for the WRL Seed Exchange, suggested adding native plant seeds as another option and requested donations from other VMNs.
Using photos of native flowers taken by chapter members, we created attractive labels that highlighted the beauty of native plants and provided planting instructions. Over 1,000 mini packets of native seeds were distributed between December 2024 and February 2025. Signs located on the seed cart explained that many native plant seeds require cold, moist stratification and should be planted at that time. During the past winter, we gave away over 1,400 mini seed packets, representing approximately 70 different species of native plants.
Educational Programs for Families
We’ve provided numerous programs for both adults and children on topics such as growing native plants from seed and the benefits of native trees. In addition, we have offered programs on a variety of beloved pollinators (e.g., butterflies, bees, and birds), explaining how to attract them by adding more native plants to their landscapes.
We have received a wonderful opportunity to show the public a variety of native plants and how to grow them since the library invited us to design and install a native plant demonstration garden on the JCCL grounds. We’re currently working on more visible labels to help people identify each of the native plants. The garden area includes a sign where we can tailor the content to topics related to nature. We’re also providing technical support to a scout troop’s project to label some of the native trees behind the playground.
Our opportunities to provide nature-related programs have further expanded with the opening of the JCCL’s Natural Playground in April. The playground now includes numerous locations that can serve as outdoor classrooms. The playground grand opening attracted over 1,000 adults and children, and hundreds of people stopped at our information table.
Scavenger Hunt
Many attendees participated in our nature scavenger hunt. They read clues about native Virginia wildlife and then explored the playground looking for photos of these. Once they found the correct photo, a VMN volunteer stamped their scavenger hunt map. After completing the scavenger hunt (or simply stopping by our table to say hi), they could take home a free native plant.
As a follow up to the nature scavenger hunt, we’re preparing programming and materials for children as part of a “nature passport.” As we offer classes on topics such as native trees, bats, spiders, and butterflies, we are creating more detailed pages for kids to take home after each program. We will include these in the nature passport, and children will receive a sticker or a stamp on each page as they attend the programs.
And finally, for the adults, we have combined providing plants, seeds, and an opportunity to learn at the WRL Fall Plant Share. In 2025, this included a presentation on “Neat Native Plants,” information tables by Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, the Virginia Native Plant Society, and the American Herb Society. We invited attendees to take home a free plant (or two). This year, the WRL Fall Plant Share program topic will be “Invasive Plants and Better Native Alternatives.” Once again we’ll have plant-related information tables and native plant and seed giveaways.
We look forward to continuing to work with our local libraries to reach a diverse population of adults and children in our community and to support them as they learn to appreciate and love native plants as much as we do!
Three Fairfax Master Naturalists Earn Park Authority Recognition
At its meeting on June 24, the Fairfax County Park Authority Board approved a resolution honoring 21 individuals as 2026 Outstanding Volunteers. This peer-nominated recognition honors individuals for their dedication to their community and their invaluable service to the Fairfax County park system: Among the honorees were three Fairfax Master Naturalists.
Avril Garland, Accotink Stream Valley Park, IMA Site Leader was recognized for her efforts in the IMA program. IMA is the Invasive Management Area program under Fairfax County Park’s Resource Division.
Above: FMN Avril Garland up to her elbows in Still Grass – photo courtesy of Avril Garland.
Jerry Nissley, Huntley Meadows Park, Educational Program and Special Event Assistant, was recognized for his work at Huntley Meadows Park. At the park, he leads group nature programs and is a trail monitor, special events assistant, and animal caretaker (their turtle of course). He also provides an interactive road show program, “Turtle Talk”.
Above: Fairfax Master Naturalist Jerry Nissley with his grandson at Huntley Meadows – photo FMN Jerry Nissley.
Carol Tretkoff, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Resource Naturalist, was recognized for all her work at Hidden Oaks, especially tackling invasive plants at the park.
Above: FMN Carol Tretkoff down in the weeds – photo FMN Kristina Watts
Learn more about these super volunteers from the full article on the Fairfax Master Naturalist site.
Southwestern Piedmont Master Naturalists Complete Aquatic Wild and LNT Instructor Trainings
Regina Flora and Valinda Dyer recently trained at Twin Lakes State Park to be Aquatic Wild Instructors. They belong to the Southwestern Piedmont chapter and serve as chairs for the Education Outreach Committee. They look forward to presenting aquatic wildlife and ecology sessions in the communities they serve.
Kevin Bezy was one of eleven participants from five states in a Leave No Trace Level 2 Instructor training at Camp Powhatan in Hiwassee, VA. The April training was a partnership with Landmark Learning (https://www.landmarklearning.org/ )and the Blue Ridge Mountains Council of Scouting America.
Participants spent five days in the mountains of Virginia learning about the seven principles of Leave No Trace. They hiked trails in scout camps and state parks as they practiced and honed their teaching skills. On their final day, they demonstrated the seven Leave No Trace principles to Claytor Lake State Park visitors.
At the course’s end, each participant presented an action plan describing how they will teach the skills to others. Kevin helps his VMN chapter incorporate the Leave No Trace principles into its basic training program. The principles are important to anyone who spends time outdoors. For more information on Leave No Trace see https://lnt.org/
Two Arlington Regional Master Naturalists Earn Stewardship Awards
Arlington Regional Master Naturalists celebrated the accomplishments of Russ Bailey and Noreen Hannigan during the June Chapter Meeting as the recipients of two prestigious local environmental stewardship awards.
Russ Bailey was honored with the 2026 Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award, presented by the City of Alexandria’s Environmental Policy Commission and AlexRenew. He was recognized for decades of leadership in habitat restoration, invasive species management, native plantings, tree canopy expansion, and community engagement. His work at sites including Beverley Park and Monticello Park, along with his advocacy for science-based conservation and environmental partnerships, has helped advance ecological stewardship throughout Alexandria.
Noreen Hannigan received Arlington County’s 2025 Bill Thomas Park Volunteer Award, which recognizes exceptional volunteer service supporting Arlington’s parks and natural resources. NoreenHannigan has contributed thousands of volunteer hours through habitat restoration, native tree plantings, invasive plant management, environmental education, and volunteer leadership. She currently serves as an ARMN Park Steward, helping lead restoration efforts along Four Mile Run.
These awards reflect the lasting impact that dedicated Virginia Master Naturalists have on conserving natural resources, restoring habitats, engaging communities, and fostering environmental stewardship across Northern Virginia. Congratulations to both Russ and Noreen on these well-deserved honors.
Holston Rivers Master Naturalists Help Kids Study Creek Critters
Submitted by Dona Jenkins
Holston Rivers Master Naturalists provided an annual modified Save Our Streams session with a local summer camp in Marion, Virginia. The facility for camp is Hungry Mother Lutheran Retreat Center. Each year the VMNHRC is asked to do a session for their Creek Biology activity. VMN Terri Atkins is the lead for this event. This year she had many volunteers to help guide 20 campers to examine creek contents and identify creatures they found. They found lots of mayflies and crawfish among other macroinvertebrates. After their learning and discovery session, they jumped in the creek–an awesome treat after a hot summer day.
VMN Volunteer Becomes Virginia Association For Parks President
Courtesy of the Virginia Association for Parks
This spring, the Virginia Association for Parks welcomed a new president, Kevin Divins.
Kevin grew up in Florida and has called Virginia home for the past 20 years. A longtime champion of parks and conservation, his journey began with visits to local parks. It evolved into a deep commitment to Virginia’s state parks—he has explored all but one.
Kevin is a certified Virginia Master Naturalist, a role that has only deepened his appreciation for the Commonwealth’s natural landscapes. He has served for nine years on the board of the Pocahontas Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist program. He also is a board member of the Friends of Powhatan State Park.
Kevin’s dedication extends to broader environmental advocacy through involvement with organizations such as the James River Association and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. He also has participated in advocacy at the General Assembly on behalf of these groups and the Virginia Conservation Network.
Kevin’s love for Virginia and its natural beauty is at the heart of his work. He is deeply committed to preserving and protecting the landscapes that make the state so special.
Historic Rivers Master Naturalist Volunteers Graduate a New Crop of Tree Stewards
Contributed by Rick Brown, VMN Historic Rivers Chapter
The Historic Rivers Chapter congratulates the newly-minted VMN Tree Stewards from our Chapter who finished the 10 week course on May 9th. This wonderful group attended 10 classroom sessions and 2 field training exercises to be able to plan, volunteer for and complete several forestry-related projects to improve our environment and increase our awareness of the fragility of our planet. Their enthusiasm and commitment was inspiring, infectious, and made it all worthwhile.
The training was coordinated by a steering committee of seven chapter members who trained to become the first Historic Rivers Chapter VMN Tree Stewards in 2023. Using resources from Trees Virginia and help from guest instructors, they created a ten-week course focused on trees and forests. The current graduates join the 20 graduates from 2023, for a total of 41 Historic Rivers Chapter members who have become VMN Tree Stewards. “May the forest be with you.”
Bright Hope Butterfly Garden Featured by MLMP
The Bright Hope Butterfly Garden at Pocahontas State Park was spotlighted by the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project (MLMP) in May. Pocahontas Master Naturalist volunteers created the garden more than a decade ago and continue to maintain it. Volunteers have monitored the garden following MLMP protocols for 11 years! The garden provides habitat for a diversity of insects, birds, and other species. The monitoring data contributes to a long-term monitoring study of monarch populations during their breeding season.
Below: Bright Hope Butterfly Garden.
