The Nature Nuts 4-H Club is one of over 20 groups available to Augusta County youth through the Virginia Extension Service’s 4-H Youth Development program.  It serves as a project vehicle for several Headwaters Master Naturalists including Ann Murray giving us this 2013 review.

4H Nature Nuts cleaning their adopted stream, Lewis Creek, in Gypsy Hill Park in April

In 2013, the Nature Nuts have had a variety of interesting programs. We had a beekeeper open hives for us and teach us about bees. We had an educational tour and hike at the Wildlife Center of Virginia. We held an environmental game booth at Earth Day, Staunton, and then hiked in and cleaned litter out of the stream at Gypsy Hill Park. We had older kids teach us how to do presentations. We collected, identified and counted macro-invertebrates from Middle River. The kids learned how to build a fire and cook in the fireplace.

4H Nature Nuts on their 5 mile hike through North River Gorge in July

This season, Gretchen Achenbach (Master Naturalist) gave a fascinating power point presentation on bats. We toured and had a “turtle walk” at Grand Caverns. We identified and drew leaves and trees.  Early this year we’ll begin a unit on Virginia  woodland habitat and forest animals. Oh, yes! We camped over at Sandy Greene’s log cabin in tents and hiked 5 plus miles in the George Washington National Forest, North River Gorge! All these adventures and we haven’t lost a child, yet!  The leaders of this fine group have been Sandy Greene, Ann Murray and Judy Tammi, Master Naturalists. This year we added a new leader, Sheila Price, a Mom and past 4H-er. For more information about how to join our group call Ann Murray (540) 363-5304.