The VMN Blog
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Projects

two people planting a tree

Restoring Historic Tree Species

Volunteers plant trees to help restore historic species like longleaf pine and American chestnut to their native ranges.

large machine in a stream with a group of people posed behind it in the distance

The Neabsco Creek Bandalong

VMN volunteers visited Prince William County’s Bandalong Litter Trap, a highly effective tool for capturing floating trash and keeping it out of the waterways.

many small uprooted tree seedlings stacked together

Addressing the Significant Ecological Threat of the Chinese Parasol Tree

VMN volunteers engage in early detection and rapid response to stop the spread of a potentially invasive tree species.

person dragging a piece of white fabric along a forest edge

VMN volunteers help increase understanding of ticks and tick-borne diseases

Three Virginia Master Naturalist chapters stepped up to help with monthly tick surveillance to provide a better picture of tick activity across Virginia.

Six foot tall wire oak tree model covered with paper mache bark and with a small canopy of branches and leaves. An owl stuffed animal peers out of a hold in the tree and a blue jay stuffed animal perches on a branch.

Virginia Master Naturalist Volunteers Lead Treemendous Forest Stewardship

VMN volunteers embraced the #Treemendous20th theme and delivered forest-related service across the Commonwealth. Their efforts resulted in thousands of trees planted or rescued, dozens of educational events that raised public awareness of the importance of trees, and contributions to six different forest-focused scientific studies. 

April Workday Judy with intro on how to plant bareroot trees

Environmental Literacy Projects on the Rockfish Valley Loop Trails

–Contributed by Mary Voorhees (Rivanna Chapter) and Judy Oglethorpe (Central Blue Ridge Chapter) The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation awarded a grant for an Environmental Literacy (ENLIT) Project to…

four baskets full of oysters and Virginia Master Naturalists Eastern Shore Chapter sign

Eastern Shore Master Naturalists Support Oyster Restoration

–Contributed by Ann Quigley, VMN Eastern Shore Chapter On June 21, Eastern Shore Master Naturalists turned in the oysters they have tended for the last year as part of the…

The Birdability logo features a stylized illustration of a White-breasted Nuthatch, set against a bright blue circular background. Surrounding the bird in a ring are the words “Birding is for every body” and “Birdability” in dark blue text, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to inclusive and accessible birding.

Blind Birder Walk with the Old Rag Master Naturalists

–Contributed by Charlene Uhl, VMN Old Rag Chapter Over the last few years Old Rag Master Naturalists (ORMN) has actively worked to make our activities and events accessible to people who…

Historic Rivers Master Naturalist volunteers Judy Jones (left) and Rick Brown (right) with Virginia Master Naturalist Program Director Michelle Prysby (center) at the start of the Bassett Trace Nature Trail. Photo by Janet Harper.

The Friends of the Bassett Trace Nature Trail at Colonial Williamsburg

–By Rick Brown, VMN-Historic Rivers Chapter The Bassett Trace Nature Trail is a 1.4-mile out-and-back trail found within the 585 acre Bassett Woodlands at Colonial Williamsburg. The trailhead is located…

Paspahegh Demonstration Garden:  A Bridge to Harmony and Healing

By Linda Hughes, VMN-Historic Rivers Chapter Like our nation’s Native American peoples, Virginia Master Naturalists have a goal of building communities of people committed to harmony and healing our ecosystems.…