“Rules-of-Thumb” for Poison Ivy Identification by the ITCHY Project

Text by Dr. John G. Jelesko, Virginia Tech faculty​Images by Andrew Huang, Virginia Tech student      Summer is in full swing, and so is the risk of poison ivy…

Laurels – Summer 2017

From left to right: Ida Swenson (VMN-Rivanna Chapter, Kim Mayo, Cayla Stephens. New 4-H All Star​Ida Swenson (VMN-Rivanna Chapter) was inducted as a 4-H All Star on June 21 in…

Laurels – Spring 2017

Susan Powell (left) planting a habitat for bobwhite quail at New Quarter Park in York County, VA, alongside fellow VMN Alice Kopinitz. A 5,000 Hour Milestone In 2016, Susan Powell,…

Banshee Reeks Chapters Partners with Journey Through Hallowed Ground to Plant and Dedicate Ninety-Five Native Trees

Article by Susan Sims, VMN-Banshee Reeks Chapter Unloading the trees before planting. Photo by Susan Sims. Ninety-five native trees were planted at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve in Leesburg, VA in…

Laurels – Winter 2017

Visiting Bald Knob for the first time. Photo by Kathy Scott (VMN-BRFAL) Blue Ridge Foothills and Lakes Master Naturalists Make Plans to Help a New Preserve By Kathy Scott, VMN-Blue…

In Search of Spadefoots

Article submitted by Jason Gibson, Patrick Henry Community College Faculty at two  community colleges  are  collaborating with the Virginia Herpetological Society (VHS) and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries…

2016 Virginia Master Naturalist Year in Review

Multiple chapters planted new habitats for pollinators in 2016, including this one planted by our Pocahontas Chapter at Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield County. Photo by VMN-Pocahontas Chapter. The Virginia…

Butterfly Data Comparisons from Around the State: Surprising….or Not?

Rivanna Chapter volunteers surveying butterflies in Albemarle County. Photo by Rebecca English. By Terri Keffert, VMN Volunteer Coordinator and co-leader of the Rivanna Master Naturalist Chapter’s annual butterfly count Butterfly…

Superlative Virginia Master Naturalists

A few of the very dedicated volunteers of the Alleghany Highlands Chapter! All our VMN volunteers are contributing a lot to benefit their communities and Virginia’s natural resources, but we…

Laurels – Fall 2016

Art and Elizabeth Bailie (VMN-Roanoke Valley Chapter) man the chapter’s booth at Roanoke’s Go Outside Festival, teaching visitors about aquatic invertebrates. ​Connecting with the Public at GO FestThe VMN-Roanoke Chapter…