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Virginia Master Naturalists are volunteer educators, citizen scientists, and stewards helping Virginia conserve and manage natural resources, and public lands. The Old Rag Chapter serves the counties of Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock.
Chapter NEWs
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Michelle asked us to share the link to Monarch Joint Venture, the top-recommended source for information on monarchs and monarch conservation and how you can get involved. Visit the community science page within their site to find links to all 5 of the projects she discussed.
Claire Catlett from PEC receives our Socrates Book for helping our chapter. The Meadows Farm, 6845 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA 20187. 
CLASS X CHALLENGE MET
Group field trips, the essential learning component that gives trainees hands-on experience in the natural world, had to be modified for Class X to conform to COVID-19 restrictions. Dorothy “Tepp” Tepper, Old Rag’s expert geologist worked with Alex Bueno, ORMN’s tech guru to develop a self-guided geology tour that combined slides, diagrams, satellite imagery and an audio overlay and transcript in the Shenandoah National Park. The photo above shows Kelly Prudhum, Class X member, completing her tour. Photo courtesy of Ray Prudhum. |
ORMN Annual General Meeting - June 14 Speaker: Amy Johnson, Virginia Working Landscapes Member Spotlight: Barry Buschow May Newsletter: click here ORMN MadRapp Nature Column: click here Become A Master Naturalist: click here New Blog on the Cost of Invasives: click here Got Ideas About Continuing Education Speakers or Events? Contact Charlene Uhl Wanted: Stream Monitors and Volunteers! Interested in Water Quality? Interested in Aquatic Bugs? Interested in Splashing in the Water? Contact Mike Wenger ORMN Members - Please Sign In to New Better Impact Website and Update Your Profile
Hi Fellow ORMNers! It's been two months since we've had access to Better Impact and, as of today, two-thirds of all our active ORMN members have signed in. That is a very impressive result....now we just need the remaining one-third of our members to do so as well. All of us need to make sure that we've signed in and updated our personal profiles. See my May 4th email for further instructions. VMN has indicated that everyone who signs in may book one "free" volunteer hour. If you are unable to locate your credentials or if you just want someone to help walk you through the process, just reach out to Alex Bueno or to me and we will be happy to help. Thank you for all you do for ORMN and the environment! Best regards, Dera Cooper Message from Michelle Prysby
Greetings! Please see our Call for Presenters for our 2021 Virginia Master Naturalist Statewide Conference and Volunteer Training, which will be held October 1-3 in a virtual format. There are opportunities for both synchronous Zoom sessions and pre-recorded sessions. We welcome VMN volunteers as presenters, and we also ask that you share this Call for Presenters with local partners and instructors, as well as others you know who might have something to offer our volunteers. Submissions are due June 14, 2021 via the online form. Information is also available on our website at http://www.virginiamasternaturalist.org/vmn-statewide-conference.html. Thank you! Michelle Prysby, VMN Program Director Take a climate solutions journey
Climate Solutions 101—presented by Project Drawdown—is 100% free, full of hope, and streaming today. Filled with the latest need-to-know science and fascinating insights from global leaders in climate policy, research, investment, and beyond, this video series is the world’s first major educational effort focused solely on solutions. This course, presented in a six-part video series along with in-depth conversations, combines our trusted resources with the expertise of inspiring thought leaders from around the world. Enjoy a brain-shift toward a brighter climate reality—and spread the word. |
Items of Special INterest
Volunteer Opportunities
The Projects committee has just approved a new Citizen Science activity that's part of the City Nature Challenge of Washington DC and environs. It will take place April 30-May 3 and involves observing and photographing flora and fauna and uploading the photos to iNaturalist. The Challenge encompasses the greater DC metro area including Fauquier, Culpeper and Rappahannock counties, and may be carried out on private or public land.
Here's what it involves: any time between April 30-May 3, 2021, you go outside and look for signs of wildlife to record. This can be a plant, animal, fungus, insect or even evidence of them such as scat, fur or tracks. Take pictures of what you find and upload the photos to iNaturalist. For more information and to learn how to register for the Challenge click here.
Survey results will be used for education and research.
This is a great project to get you outside and observing!
Continuing Education Opportunities
Check out the VMN Continuing Education Webpage - here
Check Out the Tendrils Website by Brenda Clements Jones
Click here
Videos and Webinars of Interest
Video: Virtual Bird Walk with Drew Lanham
Video: Conservation of VA Native Plants with Chris Ludwig
Other Items of Interest
The next book club selection at Clifton - Click here
Check Out Our New Interactive Blog on
Meadows and Other Restorations
Are you a parent or teacher looking for nature-related educational resources?
Check out our webpage
The Projects committee has just approved a new Citizen Science activity that's part of the City Nature Challenge of Washington DC and environs. It will take place April 30-May 3 and involves observing and photographing flora and fauna and uploading the photos to iNaturalist. The Challenge encompasses the greater DC metro area including Fauquier, Culpeper and Rappahannock counties, and may be carried out on private or public land.
Here's what it involves: any time between April 30-May 3, 2021, you go outside and look for signs of wildlife to record. This can be a plant, animal, fungus, insect or even evidence of them such as scat, fur or tracks. Take pictures of what you find and upload the photos to iNaturalist. For more information and to learn how to register for the Challenge click here.
Survey results will be used for education and research.
This is a great project to get you outside and observing!
Continuing Education Opportunities
Check out the VMN Continuing Education Webpage - here
Check Out the Tendrils Website by Brenda Clements Jones
Click here
Videos and Webinars of Interest
Video: Virtual Bird Walk with Drew Lanham
Video: Conservation of VA Native Plants with Chris Ludwig
Other Items of Interest
The next book club selection at Clifton - Click here
Check Out Our New Interactive Blog on
Meadows and Other Restorations
Are you a parent or teacher looking for nature-related educational resources?
Check out our webpage
Additional Chapter News
Board Meetings
The first Monday in January, March, May of 2021
10 AM to Noon via Zoom
Next Meeting: July 5th
The first Monday in January, March, May of 2021
10 AM to Noon via Zoom
Next Meeting: July 5th
Member Meetings
2nd Monday. 6:30pm
2nd Monday. 6:30pm
June 14th Members Meeting - Annual General Meeting
Speaker (tentative): Amy Johnson - Virginia Working Landscapes & SCBI
Speaker (tentative): Amy Johnson - Virginia Working Landscapes & SCBI
Video of the Guest Speaker at the February 8th Members Meeting. Click Here
Video of Guest Speakers at the April Members Meeting. Click Here
Committee Meetings and News
Communications Committee
The newly constituted ORMN Communications Committee needs volunteers (this means you) for a number of outreach, public relations, and internal communications activities. Some of the activities you can get volunteer hours for include:
Check out other FUN activities here.
Communications Committee
The newly constituted ORMN Communications Committee needs volunteers (this means you) for a number of outreach, public relations, and internal communications activities. Some of the activities you can get volunteer hours for include:
- Monthly ORMN Nature Column. Contributing to the monthly ORMN nature column for the online newsletter MadRapp. You can find the latest column here. Can you identify anything notable that is happening in your particular area, suggestions about observing nature in this season, nature-based kid activities, fun nature facts, where people could experience a particular facet of nature (local parks, SNP, other locations open to the public) would be great. We'll weave your information into a “general interest” column that Madrapp will run each month. Contact Charlene Uhl with any ideas or thoughts.
- ORMN chapter newsletter. Ideas? Contact Charlene Uhl or Bonnie Beers. See the past editions here.
- Member profiles. Conduct an interview with an ORMN member. Contact Charlene Uhl for more information. Check here to read newest interview: Alfred Goossens
- Sponsor and Partner Organization Profiles. Write a feature article on one of our Chapter Sponsor and Partner Organizations - learn more about our ORMN community and share your insights. click here
Check out other FUN activities here.
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Other News
CSWCD Annual Envirothon training -- usually held at Graves Mountain is virtual and free! A registration form is here! There are beginner and advanced tracks! This is open to any current or prospective team, student or coach from anywhere in the state!
Messages from Michelle Prysby
Greetings VMN volunteers--
Thank you all for all you are doing in your VMN roles this year! You have put in an impressive 69,000 hours of volunteer service this year. Wow! In light of the pandemic, we are making some changes to volunteer enrollment and certification procedures for this year. You can find the new procedures here. Please continue to stay safe and healthy!
Michelle Prysby, VMN Program Director and Extension Associate
Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
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I've received a couple of questions about VMN volunteer participation in events that are not organized by our chapters or by Virginia Cooperative Extension, but by some partner group or other entity. For example, some of our chapters may typically have educational booths at spring garden fairs or other community events.
VMN volunteers are allowed to participate in these events, although you may not have the ability to control the environment and following of COVID guidelines for the entire event. Here are some suggested ways of proceeding:
By the way, that checklist was updated April 1. I think we are back into the season when capacity limits and other protocols are going to be changing often, and usually there will be a lag time before VCE sends us new guidelines or documentation that I can then pass on to you. The Governor's Forward Virginia page is a helpful place to look to find out current state guidelines.
Thank you all for all you have been doing with Zoom chapter meetings, hybrid training courses, the Better Impact transition, and keeping VMN volunteers engaged. The good (and amazing!) news is that so far in 2021, VMN volunteers have completed AND successfully reported on Better Impact almost 40,000 hours of service.
Thank you!
Michelle Prysby
VMN Program Director
mprysby@vt.edu
Greetings VMN volunteers--
Thank you all for all you are doing in your VMN roles this year! You have put in an impressive 69,000 hours of volunteer service this year. Wow! In light of the pandemic, we are making some changes to volunteer enrollment and certification procedures for this year. You can find the new procedures here. Please continue to stay safe and healthy!
Michelle Prysby, VMN Program Director and Extension Associate
Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
---------------------
I've received a couple of questions about VMN volunteer participation in events that are not organized by our chapters or by Virginia Cooperative Extension, but by some partner group or other entity. For example, some of our chapters may typically have educational booths at spring garden fairs or other community events.
VMN volunteers are allowed to participate in these events, although you may not have the ability to control the environment and following of COVID guidelines for the entire event. Here are some suggested ways of proceeding:
- Start by checking with the event organizer to make sure they are following state and local regulations and to gather any information you feel is needed to determine whether you can safely participate.
- Make sure that VMN volunteers involved know that it is by choice and that they are not required or pressured to participate.
- When participating, you should adhere to recommended and mandated public health guidelines (such as guidelines for distancing or wearing masks) when interacting with other volunteers and clientele/program participants.
By the way, that checklist was updated April 1. I think we are back into the season when capacity limits and other protocols are going to be changing often, and usually there will be a lag time before VCE sends us new guidelines or documentation that I can then pass on to you. The Governor's Forward Virginia page is a helpful place to look to find out current state guidelines.
Thank you all for all you have been doing with Zoom chapter meetings, hybrid training courses, the Better Impact transition, and keeping VMN volunteers engaged. The good (and amazing!) news is that so far in 2021, VMN volunteers have completed AND successfully reported on Better Impact almost 40,000 hours of service.
Thank you!
Michelle Prysby
VMN Program Director
mprysby@vt.edu
Congratulations to the following Old Rag Members for their efforts as volunteers on behalf of our chapter and the environment:
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First certification certificate:
Tom Dreier 250-volunteer hour milestone awards: Karl Brotzman Marie Riedel 500-volunteer hour milestone awards: Kathleen Aucoin Alex Bueno Deborah Lee Jeff Smith Dorothy “Tepp” Tepper |
RECERTIFICATIONS THROUGH 2021
Kathleen Aucoin Bonnie Beers Dan Beisner Bill Birkhofer Ann Bowman Bruce Bowman Karl Brotzman Christopher Browning Alex Bueno Barry Buschow Bill Bynum Grace Cangialosi Bill Clark Deirdre Clark David Cooper Dera Cooper Ken Cranston Barbara Dennee Ed Dorsey Tom Dreier Brian Duncan Linda Duncan Shannon Fletcher Charles Fortuna Victoria Fortuna Alfred Goossens |
Donald Hearl Brenda Clements Jones Peggy Kenney Renee Kitt Cherri Lawson Deborah Lee Mary Frances leMat Dee Dee Lyon Phoebe Muenger Berni Olson Mary O’Meara Jack Price Marie Riedel Carolyn Smith Jane Smith Jeff Smith Dana Squire Jeff Stehm Carolyn Strand Sandra Suty Pat Temples Tepp Tepper Frances Vaughn Ruth Welch Mike Wenger |
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Virginia Master Naturalist Chapters
Alleghany Highlands Chapter
Based in Alleghany, Bath, and Highland counties
Chapter Advisor: Christine Hodges, VCE
Arlington Regional Chapter
Based in Arlington
Chapter Advisor: Kirsten Ann Conrad, VCE
Banshee Reeks Chapter
Based in Loudoun County
Chapter Advisor: Jordan Green, DWR
Blue Ridge Foothills and Lakes Chapter
Based in Franklin and Bedford counties
Chapter Advisor: Ryan Klopf, DCR
Central Blue Ridge Chapter
Based in Nelson County
Chapter Advisor: Corissa Vanden Hoek, VCE
Central Piedmont Chapter
Based in Buckingham, Cumberland, Prince Edwards, and surrounding counties
Chapter Advisors: Linda Eanes (VCE) and Katie Martin (DWR)
Central Rappahannock Chapter
Based in Fredericksburg and Stafford, King George, Spotsylvania, and Caroline counties
Chapter Advisor: Andrew Peal, DCR
Central Virginia Chapter
Based in Lynchburg and Amherst, Bedford, Campbell, and Appomattox counties
Chapter Advisors: Bill Perry, DOF and Brian Watson, DWR
Eastern Shore Chapter
Based on Virginia's Eastern Shore
Chapter Advisor: Dot Field, DCR
Next basic training course to begin in April 2021. See https://masternaturalistesva.com/training/.
Fairfax Chapter
Based in Fairfax County
Chapter Advisor: Jim McGlone, DOF
Visit website fairfaxmasternaturalists.org to sign up for monthly email newsletter to receive information about next training class.
Headwaters Chapter
Based in Rockingham and Augusta counties
Chapter Advisors: Jason Hallacher, DWR
High Knob Chapter
Based in Lee, Wise, Scott, and Dickenson counties
Chapter Advisor: Phil Meeks, VCE
Historic Rivers Chapter
Based in Williamsburg and James City and York counties
Chapter Advisors: John Gresham, DCR and Meagan Thomas, DWR
Historic Southside Chapter
Based in Surry, Isle of Wight, Southampton, and Sussex counties
Chapter Advisor: Livvy Preisser, VCE
Holston Rivers Chapter
Based in Abingdon, Bristol, and Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, and western Grayson counties
Chapter Advisor: Tanya Hall, DCR
James River Chapter
Based in Goochland and Powhatan counties
Chapter Advisor: Dan Gugliocciello, DCR
Merrimac Farm Chapter
Based in Prince William County
Chapter Advisor: Joe Ferdinandsen, DWR
Middle Peninsula Chapter
Based in Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex, King & Queen, and King William Counties
Chapter Advisor Karen Duhring, VIMS-CCRM
Applications due November 6 for the next basic training course, to begin in February 2021. See https://middlepeninsulamasternaturalists.com.
New River Valley Chapter
Based in Blacksburg and Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, and Floyd counties
Chapter Advisor: John Copeland, DWR
Northern Neck Chapter
Based in Northumberland, Westmoreland, Lancaster, Richmond, King George, Essex, and Middlesex Counties
Chapter Advisor: Tara Brent and Wendy Herdman, VCE
Next basic training course will begin in August 2021. See https://northernneckmasternaturalists.squarespace.com/basic-training.
Old Rag Chapter
Based in Greene, Madison, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Orange, and Fauquier counties
Chapter Advisor: Jack Kauffman, DOF
Peninsula Chapter
Based in Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, Gloucester, and lower York county
Chapter Advisors: Megan Tierney, VCE and Meghan Mulroy-Goldman, DOF
Pocahontas Chapter
Based in Chesterfield County and the Richmond Metro Area
Chapter Advisor: Rebecca Whalen, DCR
Rivanna Chapter
Based in Charlottesville and Albemarle and Fluvanna counties
Chapter Advisor: Page Hutchinson, DOF
Applications due January 5 for the next basic training course, to begin February 2021. See http://www.vmn-rivanna.org.
Riverine Chapter
Based in Hanover County and the Richmond Metro Area
Chapter Advisor: Kathleen Ogilvy, DOF
Roanoke Valley Chapter
Based in Roanoke County
Chapter Advisor: George Devlin, DEQ
Shenandoah Chapter
Based in Clarke, Warren, Page, Shenandoah, and Frederick counties
Chapter Advisor: Kevin Bowman, DCR
Southwestern Piedmont Chapter
Serving the cities of Martinsville and Danville, and the counties of Henry, Patrick and Pittsylvania.
Chapter Advisor: Christy Deatherage, VMNH
Tidewater Chapter
Based in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Portsmouth
Chapter Advisors: Jennifer Huggins, DCR and Jessica Ruthenberg, DWR
Other State Master Naturalist Programs
Master Naturalist Programs In Neighboring States
West Virginia Master Naturalist Program
Central Carolinas Master Naturalist Program
Maryland Master Naturalist Program
Tennessee Naturalist Program
For more information about Master Naturalist-type programs in other states, visit the
Alliance of Natural Resource Outreach and Service Programs or
Master Naturalist Programs in Other States
West Virginia Master Naturalist Program
Central Carolinas Master Naturalist Program
Maryland Master Naturalist Program
Tennessee Naturalist Program
For more information about Master Naturalist-type programs in other states, visit the
Alliance of Natural Resource Outreach and Service Programs or
Master Naturalist Programs in Other States
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.
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.