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.
The Great Backyard Bird Count, is a global event that was first launched in 1998, and was the first online Community Science project to collect data on wild birds and display results in near real time. It is a crucial initiative for biodiversity monitoring, involves ornithologists, bird enthusiasts, and citizen scientists worldwide. Annually, these dedicated individuals collaborate to document and track bird species, helping assess population trends and distribution. Whether in urban landscapes or natural reserves, each observation becomes a valuable data point, aiding researchers in understanding bird populations and their dynamics.
When making your observations, you are asked to spend 15 minutes or more, at least once over the four days (Feb 16-19, 2024).
On February 13th, 1:00-2:00pm EST, organizers will host a live Tips Session, including Q&A time. Much more information and how to sign up to help count birds can be found at birdcount.org.
