Just after sunset on July 1, HMNs Peggy Plass and Emily Fugate met at Lake Shenandoah to kick off our latest project—Acoustic Bat Monitoring! Our chapter purchased a handheld bat monitor earlier this summer, and Sunday night marked the first time that it was used to collect data in the field. This spring, the state…
By Cheryl Shull, Cohort V During a recent fishing trip at Elkhorn Lake, my husband and I observed what we believed to be a brown water snake swimming towards us. As I began shooting photos, we quickly realized that we had a timber rattlesnake in our midst. We enjoyed the afternoon watching the snake quietly…
Despite the cool and dry conditions prior to the 2018 Shenandoah Mountain Wildflower Walks on April 28th, three groups of walkers found many species and had a great time in the woods of George Washington National Forest. Prescribed burns scheduled for the Hone Quarry area required us to consider alternative walks, but in the end…
On the evening of Friday, May 4th a group of four Headwaters Master Naturalists and one guest journeyed to the Augusta Springs Wetlands Trail to try our ears at frog and toad call identification. Under the tutelage of HMN and Frogwatch Monitor Kate Guenther we listened to the recorded voices of the frogs and toads…
HMN Jerry Hopkins has an affinity for the Shenandoah National Park. Spending time there since he was a kid, he currently makes frequent trips to his adopted stretch of trail in the Park to keep it welcoming by clearing brush and obstacles which might impede travelers. On a recent beautiful sunny spring day, he generously…
Geology Field Trip in Shenandoah National Park April 12, 2018 After being snowed out in December and postponed in early April, this field trip was finally held on Thursday, April 12. Malcolm Cameron led the trip with Jerry Hopkins attending. Malcolm gave an overview of geologic history of the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah National Park…
It’s that time of year! The Headwaters Master Naturalists join the likes of the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum at JMU, Wild Virginia, and the Shenandoah National Park in offering guided Wildflower Walks to the public. With just a short season for these ephemeral beauties, the more opportunities to get out to experience their magic, the…
To Headwaters Master Naturalists (and all those who frequent National Forest land in Augusta County) from Sandy Greene, April 2, 2018 We have been following the permitting process for Dominion’s Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP), with 56 miles of 42” fracked natural gas pipeline through Augusta County. The final permits from the Virginia Marine Resource Commission…
The History of Forest Management in the United States Presented by Patti Nylander of the Virginia Department of Forestry Monday, March 19th | 5:00 – 7:00PM light snacks will be provided Augusta County Government Building Meeting Rooms, Verona We will be in the South Board Room. Use the Public Meeting Room Entrance at the Augusta…
Leslie Ashman recently transferred to the Headwaters Chapter from the Banshee Reeks Chapter in northern Virginia. To help introduce her to Chapter members, HMN Stephanie Gardner corresponded with Leslie to find out a bit about her and her work with the Master Naturalists program: How long have you been involved in the Virginia Master Naturalists…
Saturday, January 20, 2018, Headwaters Master Naturalists gathered at the Bridgewater Community Center at Arey Hall to socialize, reconnect over a pot luck meal, and support our bats through continuing education and outreach. It was an absolutely beautiful and yes, an unseasonably warm winter day, adding extra energy to conversations, as around 30 HMNs perused…
Headwaters Master Naturalist Byron Hukee took advantage of a unique opportunity to help scientists further our knowledge of the endangered California Condor. Many thanks to him for sharing his experience here. My affinity for the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) began in 2008 after moving back to Utah when I retired from the US Air Force.…
