Virginia Master Naturalists (VMN) are volunteer educators, citizen scientists and stewards helping Virginia conserve and manage natural resources and public lands. Our Chapter serves Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock counties.
CHAPTER NEWS
February ORMN Members Meeting
|
Monday, February 13, 2023, 6:30-8:30 pm
Parish Hall, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Culpeper, VA Join us for a presentation on snakes from Larry Mendoza, Masters of Science in Biology from Virginia Commonwealth University and Chair of the Regulatory Affairs Committee of the Virginia Herpetological Society. Larry travels all over the Virginia, giving talks, tabling at various events, meeting with educators, outreach coordinators and others to share his knowledge of snakes and to help more people appreciate the invaluable role they play in the natural world. Larry's talk will address:
To learn more about Larry Mendoza click here! 
Juvenile broad banded copperhead; Photo: Larry Mendoza
|
Larry Mendoza with Leucistic rat snake; Photo: Julianne Tripp
|
ORMN in the News
|
The Cleopatra Project - Poisonous and Venomous Animals in Virginia
On January 3, 2023, UVA Health announced the publication of The Cleopatra Project - Poisonous and Venomous Animals in Virginia, an on-line reference guide to 32 poisonous and venomous animals that live in the wild in Virginia. Written in non-technical language and filled with full color photographs, the publication is intended to be a reference for parents, educators, medical service providers, and the general public. This online resource represents a collaboration among the following groups: Virginia Master Naturalists – a statewide corps of volunteers providing education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities; the Blue Ridge Poison Center at University of Virginia Health; and the University of Virginia School of Medicine’s Division of Medical Toxicology – Department of Emergency Medicine. Each animal entry--ranging from Ants to Wasps & Bees--includes a description of the animal, its habitat and likely geographic range in Virginia, the source of poison or venom, potential physical symptoms and possible animal “look-alikes.” An understanding of the habitat and habits of these animals protects both animals in the wild and humans. The publication contains 106 pages of valuable information in a easy to read format, available on-line for educational use by master naturalists, educators, healthcare providers and Virginia’s residents and visitors. |
The cover image is a watercolor created by
Trish Crowe specially for this publication. |
The Cleopatra Project, initiated in early 2021, is a multi-chapter VMN project. Certified VMNs from six statewide chapters volunteered: 10 authors, one peer reviewer and seven photographers. Old Rag Chapter's contributors and project leaders included Kathleen Aucoin, Bonnie Beers, Brenda Clements Jones and Don Hearl, as well as past members Alfred Goossens and Peg Clifton.
The Cleopatra Project is now available for free download on the website of The University of Virginia Health's Blue Ridge Poison Center: https://med.virginia.edu/brpc/the-learning-center/the-cleopatra-project/
Also available is a companion document, published in 2020, which addresses poisonous plants that may be encountered in Virginia: The Socrates Project - Poisonous Plants of Virginia. The Socrates Project is available for free download on the website of The University of Virginia Health's Blue Ridge Poison Center: https://med.virginia.edu/brpc/socrates
The Cleopatra Project is now available for free download on the website of The University of Virginia Health's Blue Ridge Poison Center: https://med.virginia.edu/brpc/the-learning-center/the-cleopatra-project/
Also available is a companion document, published in 2020, which addresses poisonous plants that may be encountered in Virginia: The Socrates Project - Poisonous Plants of Virginia. The Socrates Project is available for free download on the website of The University of Virginia Health's Blue Ridge Poison Center: https://med.virginia.edu/brpc/socrates
For UVA's 1/3/23 Press Release, click here. For Charlottesville NBC 29 News report of 1/3/23, click here.
|
Recent MadRapp Articles:
Be Careful Out There -- Charlene Uhl, ORMN, February 2023 What Do Animals Do When It's Cold Outside? -- Charlene Uhl, ORMN, January 2023 ORMN gather for Christmas Bird Count -- Kris Jarvis More Things to do in the Winter With Kids -- Charlene Uhl, ORMN: December 2022 |
Recent Chapter Activities
|
Stream monitoring at Rush River; Lynne Leeper, Jere Willis, George Gardner; 12/22; Photo: Barry Buschow
|
Dorothy Tepper leads a group of 12 ORMN members and two Class XII trainees at the Rock and Mineral Garden in Charlottesville. 12/9/22 Click here to read more about fieldtrip.
|
Nature Photos by Members...
click here to submit photos--and be sure to include the date, caption, location and photographer!
Volunteer Activities by Interest
SEARCH VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES BY INTEREST USING ICONS BELOW
|
Pollinators
|
Our Sponsoring Agencies
Access Additional Content By Going to the Menu Bar at the Top of the Page
Virginia Master Naturalist programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age color. disability. gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.
The Old Rag Master Naturalists chapter is organized as a non-profit §501(c)(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Service Code.
The Old Rag Master Naturalists chapter is organized as a non-profit §501(c)(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Service Code.