​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

Living a Life of Purpose
​Jane Goodall Acceptance of the 2021 Templeton Prize
Shenandoah National Park  video featuring ORMN's own
Jack Price taking a walk up Hawksbill
​and pointing out the ephemerals  (and lots of other stuff).
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​Claire Catlett from PEC receives our Socrates Book for helping our chapter. 
​Thank you Claire!

Continuing Education - A Master Naturalist Benefit
Read About What the CE Committee is Doing Here  
The CE Committee is interested in the CE opportunities you've enjoyed during the COVID lockdown. 

Crozet Gazette Article on Socrates Project
​
Member Spotlight: Dorothy "Tepp" Tepper 

​June Newsletter:  click here  

​ORMN MadRapp Nature Column: click here  

Become A Master Naturalist:  click here  
Applications being accepted from August 1 through November 15 for the Spring 2022 training class

Got Ideas About Continuing Education Speakers or Events?
Contact Charlene Uhl or Submit Your Ideas Here
​​
Additional Chapter News
Board Meetings

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

  • ​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:
  • 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.  
 
Messages from Michelle Prysby

June 4, 2021. We received revised COVID guidelines from Virginia Cooperative Extension today, and I'm passing them along to you. The most pertinent info is below, or you can find the full, up-to-date guidance for in-person programming here.

Face-to-face programming is allowed in accordance with the following in-person programming guidance:
  • Indoor programming: There are currently no state restrictions on group size or physical distancing, however some regions may have facility and/or occupancy restrictions that limit participant numbers.
  • Outdoor programming: There are currently no state restrictions on group size or physical distancing, however some regions may have facility and/or occupancy restrictions that limit participant numbers.
  • Fully vaccinated individuals are not required to wear a mask in most settings. Specific CDC guidance can be found here and specific university guidance can be found here.
  • Individuals who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated are strongly encouraged to wear masks in all settings.
  • All 4-H youth program participants, both youth and adults, are required to wear an appropriate face covering/mask, regardless of vaccination status, when participating in indoor programs, including shared transportation. Vaccinated 4-H program participants are not required to wear a face covering/mask when participating in outdoor programs where six feet of physical distance can be maintained between individuals. Unvaccinated individuals participating in outdoor programs are required to wear a face covering/mask AND stay at least 6 feet apart from those that do not reside in the same household. 
  • The events checklist is no longer required, but still encouraged as you may find it useful for your programming.

The bottom line is that from the VCE and state standpoint, you are free to hold indoor or outdoor adult programming without restrictions on the number of people or requirements for distancing, but you should always check with your particular locality and site and follow their guidelines if they are more stringent. If you are working with youth, please note the additional guidelines set by 4-H, which are in keeping with current requirements for schools.

Thanks for all you have done to keep people safe while also keeping the VMN program vibrant!

Michelle Prysby
VMN Program Director
mprysby@vt.edu
 

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.
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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
​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.
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