Virginia Master Naturalists Headwaters Chapter

Category: Virginia Nature News

  • Nocturnal Neighbors at Shenandoah River State Park

    Thursday, June 5, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., experience an exciting and educational evening dedicated to our fascinating winged neighbors—bats! Held at Shenandoah River State Park in Bentonville, this event offers a unique opportunity to learn about and listen to live bats in their natural habitat.

    Erin Shibley from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute will guide us through the habits, histories, lifestyles, and challenges faced by bats in our region. Using a special device compatible with smartphones, we’ll also get to hear the often-unheard sounds of these incredible creatures.

    Bring your curiosity, family, and friends to explore your local state park in a fun and engaging way. Space is limited, so registration is required.

    Event Details:

    • Date: Thursday, June 5
    • Time: 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
    • Location: Shenandoah River State Park, Bentonville
    • Cost: Free (standard parking fees apply)

    Learn more and register at Virginia State Parks Event Page or visit Shenandoah River State Park’s Facebook page.

    Don’t miss this chance to discover the hidden world of bats—an evening of discovery and sound awaits!

  • Wildflower Weekend in Shenandoah National Park

    Wildflower Weekend in Shenandoah National Park

    Turks Cap Lily. Photo by Shenandoah National Park

    Spring wildflowers are at the heart of Shenandoah National Park’s 38th annual Wildflower Weekend celebration! Guided hikes and programs will focus on the diversity and importance of not only hundreds of species of flowering plants that are protected by the park, but other seasonal changes as well. 

    Additionally, winning artwork from Shenandoah’s annual Youth Wildflower Art Contest will be recognized during a ceremony at Byrd Visitor Center.

    All programs are free. No reservations are needed. Adults and children are welcome on all Wildflower Weekend programs. The 2024 schedule of programs for Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12 can be found linked here, along with this year’s program leaders.

    Wildflower Weekend is sponsored by Shenandoah National Park Association.

  • Spotted Lanternfly Monitoring (SLF) Update from Virginia Tech

    Spotted Lanternfly Monitoring (SLF) Update from Virginia Tech

    Chapters with volunteers interested in SLF monitoring with Circle traps or in doing education/outreach about SLF should contact their local Extension agents to find out what is needed locally, how they can best be involved, and how to obtain materials. The Insect Identification Lab at Virginia Tech has outreach materials such as stickers, factsheets, ID cards, etc., and ordering of these materials is coordinated through the local Extension agents.

    Augusta County

    Rockingham County

  • Inaugural Virginia Birding Classic Event!

    Inaugural Virginia Birding Classic Event!

    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?

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.

    Read more and register online HERE!

    Registration closes April 1, 2024. Don’t delay—Register Now!

  • DCR’s 9 Invasive Species to Know

    DCR’s 9 Invasive Species to Know

    Photo by DCR

    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!