Virginia Master Naturalists Headwaters Chapter

Category: Projects

  • Saving the Earth…One Native Tree at a Time

    Saving the Earth…One Native Tree at a Time

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    Photo: by Sandy Greene
    Lacey Dean and new trainees Steve Talley and Tom Engle listen to Forester Charlie Huppuch.

    Saving the Earth…One Native Tree at a Time

    On February 28, Lacey Dean, new trainees Steve Talley and Tom Engle, and Sandy helped Forester Charlie Huppuch plant native trees (bristly locust, shortleaf pine) along the Marl Creek Trail at McCormick Farm.

    It snowed as we left and there were long icicles on the millwheel, but Skunk cabbage was blooming, and we could see the Virginia bluebells beginning to come up. Charlie showed us the marked ash trees that are being treated systemically against emerald ash borer.

    By Sandy Greene

  • Volunteer Opportunity: 8th Annual Shenandoah Mountain Wildflower Walks

    Volunteer Opportunity: 8th Annual Shenandoah Mountain Wildflower Walks

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    Photo: by The National Parks Experience

    Volunteer Opportunity
    8th Annual Shenandoah Mountain Wildflower Walks

    On April 25, Headwaters Master Naturalists will be hosting four wildflower walks in three different locations on Shenandoah Mountain. The purpose of these hikes is to introduce, familiarize and promote the diversity of wildflowers and wildlife on Shenandoah Mountain.

    Shenandoah Mountain stretches across Augusta and Rockingham Counties in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests (North River Ranger District). It is a biodiversity treasure, with native forestland for native species habitat, recreation, hunting, fishing, and clean water. The Shenandoah Mountain complex includes the largest roadless area east of the Mississippi (Little River roadless area), one of Virginia’s highest elevations (Reddish Knob at 4,397′), and over 170 miles of trails. This is the literal “backyard” of the Headwaters Master Naturalists and citizens of the counties we serve. It is important to know and appreciate the rich natural heritage we live beside and depend upon.

    Hike leaders will act as guides and liaisons between the public and wildflower experts who are enlisted to provide deeper knowledge of the identification, the cultural and ecological significance of the wildflowers of Shenandoah Mountain. Volunteers will follow all Master Naturalist guidelines and be reasonably prepared with safety procedures and first aid/communications devices.

    We are looking for 2-3 leaders and 1 wildflower “expert” per walk. Volunteer opportunities include helping to organize and advertise the walks, preparing for the walks (scouting trails, preparing a program, communicating with other team members), and leading the walks on the day of the event.

    The walks vary in difficulty and duration, so you can choose the trail and time that is best suited to you. There is even an afternoon session for those of you with prior commitments in the morning! This is a wonderful opportunity to spend some time with community members searching out the sylvan witnesses of spring.

    Stroll on over to the VMN-VMS website to sign up. See you on the trail!

    Questions? Contact Chip Brown at cbrown2001@gmail.com.

    by Jan Worthy

  • Help Save Lucy!

    Help Save Lucy!

    Help Save Lucy!

    Help Save Lucy! Headquarters is looking for summer help, well, anytime help really! Volunteers must be rabies vaccinated, 18 years or older, attend scheduled training sessions and secure a state permit (we’ll help). A small stipend is available for people who can commit to at least 10 hrs/ week for June and July. We’re in between Mary Baldwin and James Madison University, and just 15 minutes from Bridgewater College — students, come get some valuable hands-on experience. E-mail lucysbatmail@gmail.com

    LucyBat600

  • The Eastern Spotted Skunk Project

    The Eastern Spotted Skunk Project

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    Photo: by the trail camera
    Emily and Adrie caught on camera setting up the bait station.

    The Eastern Spotted Skunk Project

    The Eastern Spotted Skunk Survey Project is back for one more winter! Started and coordinated by Va Tech graduate student Emily Thorne, Virginia Master Naturalists have been adopting sites to set up baited trail cameras for this project since December 2016.

    Adrie Voors, Cohort II, and Lisa Klein, Cohort VI, have cameras up in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest in Rockingham and Highland Counties, respectively. The cameras are checked weekly to change out the memory cards, check batteries and restock the bait. This year the cameras will be up for the months of February and March. The “spotties” are more motivated to eat bait in the colder months when their preferred insect diet is less available to them.

    Adrie had cameras up in wooded areas around Harrisonburg in the winter of 2018 and some in surrounding areas in 2019. Despite finding lots of interesting wildlife, no spotted skunks were “caught” on these cameras. All data is useful to Emily and she says she still gets excited each time she checks out a fresh memory card to see what’s on it. Find out more about the project.

    By Adrie Voors

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    Photo: by the trail camera
    Raccoons commonly succeed in prying out the bait.

  • HMN New Volunteer Project: Underground Classroom

    HMN New Volunteer Project: Underground Classroom

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    Photo: from Headwaters SWCD

     

    Hi, Everyone–I’m writing today to let you know that we’ve recently approved a new project for volunteering in the chapter, and to give you a little information about what it entails! We had a request from the Soil and Water Conservation District for some assistance with their Underground Classroom. The UC is basically a big bus that travels around to schools (and other places) providing educational experiences about soils and the critters which live underground! For more about it, see our November newsletter.

    They’re looking for volunteers to help out with the presentations–they’ll do training and say that you don’t need any specialized knowledge to be part of the project. You can find information about the project on the VMS (it’s called   E – Underground Classroom Volunteer). The UC does business in Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta county, so I’m especially hopeful that some of our “southern” members will find this an interesting volunteer experience!  You can find more info on the Underground Classroom web site and/or contact me (plassms@gmail.com) if you want to know more!

    I also wanted to say that I’m stepping down as Projects Committee chair (finished my 2 terms–that was a fast 4 years!). Dave Forrer is stepping into the position starting this year, so be on the lookout for announcements and project information coming from him in the future!

    By Peggy S. Plass