Don’t miss your chance to be part of this historic event!
The Virginia Birding Classic is a statewide birding competition in which teams of birders search the public lands of Virginia every spring for as many species as they can find in 24 hours.
How Does it Work?
Pick a Team Name & Register Online: Your team of a least 3 or up to 6 people register online through GoOutdoorsVirginia.com by April 1, 2024.
Pick When Your Team Goes Birding: Your team chooses a consecutive 24-hour period between April 15th and May 15th to go birding on federal, state, county, and municipal parks in the Commonwealth to identify as many species of birds as possible.
Share Your Team’s Results: Your team submits one official team eBird trip report for their tournament day to Virginia eBird. Final eBird trip reports must be submitted to the official Virginia Birding Classic eBird account by 11:59pm on May 17, 2024.
All registration proceeds will benefit the Virginia Wildlife Grant Program, which awards annual grants to non-profit programs focused on connecting youth to the outdoors.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) plays a crucial role in preserving the state’s natural resources and biodiversity. As part of its efforts, DCR highlights nine invasive species that pose significant threats to Virginia’s ecosystems. These include notorious invaders such as the emerald ash borer, which devastates ash trees, and the spotted lanternfly, known for its rapid spread and impact on agriculture. By raising awareness and implementing control measures, DCR aims to mitigate the harmful effects of these invasive species and protect Virginia’s natural heritage for future generations. Read more about these nine invasive species HERE!
Eunice “socializing” a litter of stray kittens her daughter found homes for.
Full name: Eunice Sill
Title or occupation: Floral Lead at Kroger
How long have you been a member and cohort number: I am a proud member of Cohort 8 and we graduated in November, 2023.
A fun fact or a quote (optional): “No more apologies for a bleeding heart when the opposite is no heart at all. Danger of losing our humanity must be met with more humanity.” –Toni Morrison
Please choose 6 questions from the list below to include one fun fact.
*Professional Member Spotlight Questions (Choose 6)
What company or organization do you work at right now?: I am the Floral Lead at the Kroger in Staunton.
Any tips or advice for new members?: Try everything! Don’t be afraid to go a little out of your comfort zone, you may find an amazing new interest.
What do you like most about being a member?: I love the sense of community with so many other like-minded people. The number of new friends that care about the things I’ve cared about my entire adult life is rewarding in ways I did not anticipate.
Who/what inspires you?: I am inspired to do everything I can to protect the environment for my granddaughter and give her the same chances to love the natural world.
What do you/did you love the most about your job?: I’m so happy to have found a position in retail where I can use my creativity and love of plants and flowers. I enjoy connecting with people, and putting together beautiful flower arrangements.
*Fun Member Spotlight Questions
Favorite place you’ve traveled?: Alaska! I went to Anchorage and spent time in Seward, the Kenai Peninsula, Whittier, Talkeetna, Willow and Whittier. The wildlife was so amazing; moose, bear, sea otters, bald eagles, a grizzly bear, orcas, humpbacks, puffins and so much more. I ran around taking pictures and ID’ing plants and flowers. I also discovered a deep, abiding passion for halibut. I can’t wait to go back!
In a concerted effort to preserve and restore Virginia’s natural landscapes, The Clifton Institute has embarked on an ambitious pilot project centered around native seeds. This initiative not only aims to bolster biodiversity but also serves as a testament to the organization’s commitment to sustainable conservation practices. This project focuses on collecting, cultivating, and distributing seeds of indigenous plant species. These seeds, carefully selected from local ecosystems, play a crucial role in restoring and maintaining the delicate balance of the region’s flora.
The pilot project involves collaboration with local communities, volunteers, and experts in the field of ecology. Together, they work to identify key plant species, collect seeds responsibly, and create a seed bank for future use. This community-driven approach not only empowers local residents but also strengthens the network of individuals dedicated to environmental stewardship.
As the project progresses, The Clifton Institute plans to expand its reach, collaborating with more communities and scaling up the production of native seeds. This phased approach reflects the organization’s dedication to creating a sustainable, replicable model that can be adopted in other regions facing similar conservation challenges.
– Rob Beaton and Native Seed Project Coordinator Isaac Matlock
Steven David and Anna Maria Johnson. Photo courtesy of Ann Murray
Embark on a captivating journey along the Shenandoah River as artists Anna Maria and Steven David Johnson unveil “Riverine,” an extraordinary art exhibition that seamlessly weaves together writing, photography, and design to celebrate the rich biodiversity of this cherished waterway.
Anna Maria and Steven David’s art exhibit is located on the main level of the Beverly Perdue Art Gallery in the John Kenny Forrer Learning Commons building at Bridgewater College. The exhibition opened with a reception in the gallery from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 12, with an artist’s talk at 5:30 p.m. It was hosted by Michael Hough, ceramic and metal sculpture artist, associate professor of art, Bridgewater College. Riverine will be showcased Monday, Feb. 12, through Wednesday, March 27. The opening was well attended and enjoyed by all.
The program displays photographs and writing from their property located along the north fork of the Shenandoah River and borders Linville Creek. Steven David’s amazing photos represent many hours spent observing and patiently waiting for the window of opportunity to capture the essence of wild creatures and their habitat.
Lynn Cameron enjoying the story about Ms. Beaver. Photo courtesy of Malcolm Cameron.
“I can’t describe what you see when you look at his photos of the beaver or fox or heron. They are nothing short of magic, so you will just have to see for yourself!” Anna Maria declares.
Anna Maria creates her stories and illustrations by illuminating his clips. She ventures out on the river in a kayak experiencing the lives of these animals. She describes her work as being influenced by mediaeval graphic design and whimsical illustrations. She creates mixed media and wonderful stories based on her experience with the natural world. One specific story is an essay based on the life of a mother beaver.
She relates this to her own life, where children are becoming adults and leaving the family home. It’s something that we can relate to and tugs on our heartstrings.
As you step into the “Riverine” exhibition, prepare to be transported into the heart of the Shenandoah River’s vibrant ecosystems. Let the words, images, and design guide you through a celebration of biodiversity, inspiring a deeper connection with the natural world and a renewed commitment to safeguarding the treasures that lie within our rivers.
Headwaters Master NaturalistAnna Maria is the Project Coordinator with a collaboration of many contributors including HMNs that brings a wealth of expertise and diverse perspectives to the creation of the recent book, “Plant Ridge & Valley Natives: A Gardener’s Guide to Virginia’s Ridge & Valley Native Plants”. It is a beautiful and useful tool for anyone interested in gardening with native plants.
– HMN Ann Murray
Click on an image below to make it bigger, see captions and start a slide show. Photos by Ann Murray, Elaine Smith, Adrie Voors and Malcolm Cameron.
Ms. BeaverMichael HoughAnna Maria enjoying her opening day.The story of Ms. BeaverThe story of Ms. BeaverSteven David presenting.Adrie enjoying the show!Fans enjoying the gallery.Michael introducing Steven David and Anna Marie.
