In May, members of the Virginia Master Naturalists and the Friends of the Middle River teamed up to offer members of the current training cohort and other certified naturalists to have a hands-on experience learning about macroinvertebrates at the Sandy Bottom Park in Bridgewater. Andrea Dono (VMN) and Pete Cooper (FoMR), both certified water monitors, lead the outing and invited participants to trytheir hand at taking samples from the river and practice sorting. About a dozen people got to learn about how to use macros for water quality monitoring. We hope that this “macros petting zoo” was a step to inspire new people to one day become certified. Special thanks to Jeanine Botkin, John Bauman, and Lindsay Kilborne for joining Andrea and Pete and assisting the group with set up and identification. Contact Andrea if you would like to join a fall session. One is not currently planned but if there is interest, we could explore hosting another session again this year.
Elaine Smith and Dave Forrer assisting with the tree inventory at Edith J. Carrier Arboretum. Photo by Ali Sloop.
The tree inventory on campus this year will primarily focus on assisting the E.J.C. Arboretum with inventorying the trees (of a certain size) in the woods and gardens there. Over 1,000 trees were inventoried by master naturalists and JMU staff last season! Can we beat that number this year?
Training is provided – a smartphone is encouraged, but not required. Previous tree ID skills are not required, but a willingness to learn is!
Available dates for work:
July 16, 25
Aug 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Sept 5, 12, 19, 26
Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Tree Inventory starts at 8:30 am and goes until about noon (or whenever phone batteries get low).
If you are new to the JMU Tree Inventory volunteer team, please contact Ali (at least a week before you plan to volunteer) to get log-in information for the mapping application we use in the field.
For each work day, please meet at the Frances Plecker Education Center (780 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, VA 22801) at 8:30 am.
If you have any questions and/or if you plan to participate in any of the tree inventory work dates, please let Ali Sloop know via email (witmanad@jmu.edu), phone or text (540) 421-1105 so she knows who to expect.
Headwaters Chapter welcomed newly minted master naturalists to its ranks on Tuesday, November 14. Basic Training Committee Chair Lincoln Gray proudly passed out certificates of basic training completion at a celebratory gathering at his home, which he shares with Pam Gray, our Chapter’s Project Committee Chair.
Embracing Nature’s Classroom: A Journey to Graduation as a Virginia Master Naturalist
As the sun sets on another chapter of exploration and education, a group of passionate individuals proudly emerges as the newest graduates of the Virginia Master Naturalists program. These dedicated individuals have completed a rigorous training program, equipping themselves with the knowledge and skills needed to become stewards of Virginia’s rich and diverse ecosystems.
Over the past several months, myself, along with 19 other aspiring naturalists, delved into a comprehensive curriculum that covered topics ranging from local flora and fauna to conservation practices and environmental stewardship. Guided by expert instructors and led by a seasoned naturalist, Lincoln Gray, who facilitated our weekly classes, we engaged in hands-on experiences, honing our observational skills and deepening our understanding of the delicate balance that sustains our environment.
The graduation ceremony, a culmination of our hard work and commitment, marks the beginning of a new chapter in our journey. Armed with newfound knowledge and a passion for nature, we graduates are now poised to make a meaningful impact in our communities. Whether it’s leading guided nature walks, participating in citizen science projects, or promoting environmental education, we Virginia Master Naturalists are ready to contribute to the well-being of the natural world.
This milestone is not just a personal achievement for us but also a celebration of community collaboration and environmental stewardship. The Virginia Master Naturalists program emphasizes the importance of fostering a connection between people and nature, recognizing that informed and engaged individuals are key to preserving the beauty and biodiversity of our local ecosystems.
As we embark in achieving our new roles as certified naturalists, we join a network of like-minded individuals within our local chapter and across the state, creating a web of knowledge and dedication to the preservation of Virginia’s natural heritage. The impact of our work will ripple through generations, inspiring others to appreciate and protect the environment.
To the professionals who generously shared their time and expertise, your insights have been instrumental in shaping our understanding of the intricate web of nature and the importance of conservation. Your willingness to engage with us, answer our sometimes-wacky questions, and share your passion has been nothing short of inspiring.
To our class sponsor, Lincoln Gray aka “Trainer in training”, we are compelled to express our deepest gratitude for the invaluable guidance and unwavering support you have provided throughout our journey. Your commitment to cultivating a new generation of stewards for Virginia’s natural wonders has left an indelible mark on us. You deserve some time off and have every right to block all of our incoming emails! 😊
In a world where the need for environmental awareness and conservation is more critical than ever, the Virginia Master Naturalists program stands as a beacon of hope. Congratulations to all of my classmates, Cohort 8, for embracing their roles as ambassadors of nature, and may their passion for the environment continue to blossom, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.
With sincere appreciation, Rob Beaton, Newly graduated Virginia Master Naturalist, Headwaters Chapter, Cohort 8
Cohort 8 group portrait, first day of class, Tuesday, February 28, 2023. Photo by Carl Droms.
Images below are from Cohort 8’s graduation gathering on November 14. Click on one to enlarge it and start a slide show. Photos by Carl Droms and Adrie Voors.
Cohort VII was honored at a potluck-style picnic on Saturday, October 16, 2021, at a shelter in the park at Grand Caverns. Members of the Virginia Master Naturalists Headwaters Chapter demonstrated their culinary skills with an array of vegetarian and vegan soups, quiche, homemade breads, and delectable desserts. HMN Program Committee Chair Mary-Gatling Finks had even provided cloth napkins for a fancy, eco-friendly way to clean our hands! Peggy Plass, our fearless trainer, blew soap bubbles to celebrate, and several board members gave a few words of insight. Our Chapter Advisor Jason Hallacher reminded us that, with all the knowledge we’ve gained, it’s important to remember, “it’s not about the facts but about the people.” In other words, putting our relationships and respect for others ahead of our opinions and beliefs is the only way to make progress in conservation.
Sharon Landis making her way through the impromptu “gauntlet” formed by other Chapter members. Photo by Steven David Johnson.
A highlight of the evening was when the current members formed a gauntlet and raised their arms to create an arch for all the new members to walk beneath. It was wonderful to connect in three dimensions after so much of our training experience had to be online via Zoom due to COVID-19 safety protocols.
The members of Cohort VII are:
Jeanine Botkin
Trevor Chase
Angie Cromer
Tina Dove
Tom Engle
Art Fovargue
Anna Maria Johnson
Jay Landis
Sharon Landis
Diane Lepkowski
Karen Milne
Allison O’Brien
Zack Perdue
Maria Reynozo
Steve Talley
Prior to the potluck and graduation ceremony, Peggy led a Fungus and Mushroom Walk along a nearby path. Peggy provided a handout to all participants which illustrated 11 different forms that mushrooms can take so that everyone could categorize their findings even if it wasn’t feasible to make a species-specific identification for each type of mushroom or fungus we found. This demonstrated a method by which a trained naturalist can simplify the ID process to make it more accessible and less intimidating for general audiences.
Master Naturalists identifying the Orange Mock Oyster mushrooms (Phyllotopsis nidulans) on the tree bark in front of us … at Grand Caverns. A first for our mushroom guru, Peggy!
And proof of why it helps to have binoculars when you’re hunting mushrooms! 😉
– Elaine Smith, Cohort IV
Photo by Elaine.
Photographer Steven David Johnson (spouse of new member Anna Maria Johnson) accompanied the walk and took some lovely shots which he has shared with us. Thank you, Steven! Thank you also to other participants who were willing to share photos for the newsletter and website.
– Anna Maria Johnson, Cohort VII, October 2021
Photo at the top of this post shows Basic Training Committee Chair Peggy Plass addressing members of the graduating cohort. Photo by Elaine Smith, Cohort IV.
Moreof Steven David Johnson’s photos are directly below.Click on one to see it better and start a slide show.
Thanks to Steven David Johnson for sharing his expert eye with these photos!
More photos below! These are from Chapter members Carl Droms, Sandy Greene, Anna Maria Johnson, and Adrie Voors. Click on a photo to start a slide show and find titles.
For those of you who have been hesitant to get back into the social swing of things, now that many pandemic restrictions have been eased, come meet your favorite aerobic bacteria at Black Bear Composting at 4:00PM on Thursday, September 23.
This will be our first tour to the Black Bear site in Crimora since June 2019. Come see how food waste, soiled paper products, certified compostable bio-plastics, and other organics are transformed into dark, nutrient-rich, compost – an ideal soil amendment. If you’ve ever contributed organics to the Harrisonburg Community Compost Drop-off, this is where they end up. Black Bear Composting owner/ operator Eric Walter will lead us on a tour of his commercial-scale facility, demonstrating the different steps and methods used to turn organic waste into sweet-smelling, nourishing finished compost. You will also get to see his new compost compactor truck and screening equipment.
For directions, carpooling information, and other details, sign in at Better Impact and find this event on Sept 23 under the Opportunity Calendar.
As a bonus to learning all about this composting facility, you will get to stick your hands in the piles and feel the warmth of the bugs and bacteria processing the compost. Gloves provided. Even though the little critters outnumber us (more than a billion in every handful of stuff becoming compost), just remember, these microbes love to eat viruses for lunch.*
