Did you know that in 2023, VMN volunteers contributed 11,804 hours of stewardship, education, and participatory science at 28 parks of Virginia’s 42 State Parks? Virginia State Parks would love to have more VMN volunteers assisting with their interpretive programs, stewardship projects, and other activities. By the way, it is fine to count service hours…
James Madison University (JMU) has achieved the esteemed Virginia Pollinator-Smart Certification, making history as Virginia’s first university to do so. This distinction reflects the university’s commitment to sustainability and biodiversity conservation. The pivotal role played by Ali Sloop, JMU Stormwater Compliance Specialist and project coordinator for various HMN activities, was instrumental in securing this significant environmental milestone. [Read more for details.]
Know a young adult seeking a deep nature experience? There is a new adult program to be aware of in our region for young adults seeking an alternative to traditional college. Living Earth School’s (LES) new program in Albemarle County is called Deeper Roots Immersion and is designed for (approximately) college-age persons. It is a…
On Saturday, December 17 the Rockingham Bird Club (RBC) conducted its annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC). The CBC was started in 1900 by Frank Chapman as an alternative to hunting birds. It is the longest running citizen science survey in the world. Locally the count has been happening since 1954. My participation, with my wife…
Thanks to HMN Elizabeth Pass, Cohort VI, for developing the connections that led to this project and letting us know about it! I read in the July newsletter about a volunteer opportunity for building bird boxes (kestrel and bluebird nest boxes) for Jill and Lance Morrow who coordinate the Kestrel Nest Box Monitoring project. I…
Virginia Master Naturalists Headwaters Chapter 