Continuing Education Programs
2024 Field Trips
Reptile and Amphibian Nature Walk at Germanna Foundation/Siegen Forest (June 8, 2024)
ORMN member, Deanne Lawrence and local snake expert, Melissa Kovach, led an educational walk at the Siegen Forest to talk about Virginia’s native snakes and other reptiles and amphibians encountered along the trail. The walk was jointly sponsored by ORMN and Friends of Wildlife at the Lake (FOWL).
The hike, for children and adults -- started at the Germanna Foundation Visitor's Center and covered 2.5 miles on Siegen Forest's Red Trail.
ORMN member, Deanne Lawrence and local snake expert, Melissa Kovach, led an educational walk at the Siegen Forest to talk about Virginia’s native snakes and other reptiles and amphibians encountered along the trail. The walk was jointly sponsored by ORMN and Friends of Wildlife at the Lake (FOWL).
The hike, for children and adults -- started at the Germanna Foundation Visitor's Center and covered 2.5 miles on Siegen Forest's Red Trail.
Global Big Day, (May 11, 2024)
Every year, on Global Big Day, bird enthusiasts and nature lovers pause to observe and record birds in their corners of the world. Their observations help scientists and researchers monitor bird populations, track migration patterns, and identify habitats that require conservation attention. This event, organized by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and eBird, encourages participation by individuals of all ages and skill levels. Old Rag Master Naturalists hosted birding at Rappahannock County Park and Cedar Mountain Battlefield in Culpeper County.
Every year, on Global Big Day, bird enthusiasts and nature lovers pause to observe and record birds in their corners of the world. Their observations help scientists and researchers monitor bird populations, track migration patterns, and identify habitats that require conservation attention. This event, organized by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and eBird, encourages participation by individuals of all ages and skill levels. Old Rag Master Naturalists hosted birding at Rappahannock County Park and Cedar Mountain Battlefield in Culpeper County.
Great Backyard Bird Count (February 16-19, 2024)
ORMN sponsored three bird walks as part of the annual Great Backyard Bird Count in February 2024. This annual community science project--sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in partnership with the Audubon Society and Birds Canada--invited bird watchers to count birds and help create a “real-time” snapshot of bird populations around the world. Our bird walks featured Lenn Park/Culpeper County; Siegen Forest/Orange County; and the Davis and Sycamore Grove Farms in Madison County.
ORMN sponsored three bird walks as part of the annual Great Backyard Bird Count in February 2024. This annual community science project--sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in partnership with the Audubon Society and Birds Canada--invited bird watchers to count birds and help create a “real-time” snapshot of bird populations around the world. Our bird walks featured Lenn Park/Culpeper County; Siegen Forest/Orange County; and the Davis and Sycamore Grove Farms in Madison County.
2023 Field Trips
October Big Day at Cedar Mountain Battlefield (October 14, 2023)
October Big Day is Cornell Lab of Ornithology's annual celebration of fall's return of birds that migrated north to breed. Bird-watchers nationwide collect data on the birds they see and report it to the Cornell Lab. The Old Rag Master Naturalists, Cedar Mountain Battlefield and Wild Birds Unlimited/Culpeper collected data on birds at the battlefield and learned more about the Civil War and the battle at Cedar Mountain.
|
Fall Tree Identification Walk (October 16, 2023)
Paul Guay, award winning landscape designer, naturalist and author, conducted a group walk to observe a second growth forest, a riparian buffer zone and a forest edge habitat. The walk, hosted at the Davis Farm in Rochelle, VA, featured identification of 20 native tree species and other flora, as well as information on their wildlife value, traditional uses, etymology, folklore and stories.
Global Big Day (May 13, 2023)
This year’s Global Big Day was held at Stony Brook Farm in Madison County on May 13, 2023. Walk leader, Charlene Uhl, led a team that identified 44 distinct bird species on the farm's diverse habitats, including forest, meadows, streams, pastures, a pond, and a fruit tree orchard.
Big Day is an annual event that celebrates the spring migration of birds around the world. ORMN’s earlier field trip as part of the Great Backyard Bird Count established a “baseline” of the birds that have been with us through the winter. Global Bird Day helps us recognize and record the birds that are starting to appear as part of the year’s spring migration. The bird observations were submitted to The Cornell Lab for Ornithology and support conservation worldwide.
This year’s Global Big Day was held at Stony Brook Farm in Madison County on May 13, 2023. Walk leader, Charlene Uhl, led a team that identified 44 distinct bird species on the farm's diverse habitats, including forest, meadows, streams, pastures, a pond, and a fruit tree orchard.
Big Day is an annual event that celebrates the spring migration of birds around the world. ORMN’s earlier field trip as part of the Great Backyard Bird Count established a “baseline” of the birds that have been with us through the winter. Global Bird Day helps us recognize and record the birds that are starting to appear as part of the year’s spring migration. The bird observations were submitted to The Cornell Lab for Ornithology and support conservation worldwide.
Rain, Rain, Stay in My Rain Garden (May 5, 2023)
Alex and Linda Bueno hosted a tour of their rain garden with Richard Jacobs, Professional Engineer, Urban Program Manager from the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District. In summer 2022, the Buenos worked with Richard to design a terraced rain garden with native pollinator plants. The program addressed the design and installation process for the rain garden and then followed with a tour of the completed project. The group also made a site visit to the bioretention pond at the Little Fork Fire Station near the house.
Alex and Linda Bueno hosted a tour of their rain garden with Richard Jacobs, Professional Engineer, Urban Program Manager from the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District. In summer 2022, the Buenos worked with Richard to design a terraced rain garden with native pollinator plants. The program addressed the design and installation process for the rain garden and then followed with a tour of the completed project. The group also made a site visit to the bioretention pond at the Little Fork Fire Station near the house.
3rd Annual ORMN Wildflower Walks (April 13 and 19, 2023)
The 3rd annual ORMN Wildflower Walks at the Smith family farm in Madison County were held on April 13 and 19, 2023. Walk leader, Carolyn Smith, highlighted a wide variety of early blooming natives, including bluebells, rue anemone, trillium, trout lily, toothwort, and wood poppies. Planting started over 50 years ago by the owner’s parents and has been continued since then. The walks also offered the opportunity to see a lodge built by the resident beaver on one of the farm’s ponds.
The 3rd annual ORMN Wildflower Walks at the Smith family farm in Madison County were held on April 13 and 19, 2023. Walk leader, Carolyn Smith, highlighted a wide variety of early blooming natives, including bluebells, rue anemone, trillium, trout lily, toothwort, and wood poppies. Planting started over 50 years ago by the owner’s parents and has been continued since then. The walks also offered the opportunity to see a lodge built by the resident beaver on one of the farm’s ponds.
Hydrogeology, Flooding and Debris Flows (March 25, 2023)
ORMN's Dorothy "Tepp" Tepper provided a general introduction to groundwater and surface water concepts, including interactions between groundwater and surface water. Tepp worked for the US Geological Survey (USGS) for 30 years as a hydrogeologist. Her program addressed:
ORMN's Dorothy "Tepp" Tepper provided a general introduction to groundwater and surface water concepts, including interactions between groundwater and surface water. Tepp worked for the US Geological Survey (USGS) for 30 years as a hydrogeologist. Her program addressed:
- development of caves and other karst features produced by groundwater flow;
- landforms associated with streams, such as waterfalls, floodplains, and meanders;
- floods, including flash floods and areal floods; and
- historic debris flows caused by extreme weather events in Virginia's Nelson County (1969) and Madison County (1995).
Great Backyard Bird Count: ORMN Highlights (February 18, 2023)
Our chapter was an active participant in the 26th Great Backyard Bird Count sponsored by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, the Audubon Society and Birds Canada.
While one location canceled due to weather, the Siegen Forest team (cosponsored by the Central Rappahannock MN chapter) and the Sycamore Grove Farm team identified and reported a substantial number of species on eBird: 18 at Siegen and 24 at Sycamore Grove. Both sites had numerous woodpeckers, including pileated, hairy, and red-bellied woodpeckers. We also had bluebirds, titmice, chickadees, white-throated sparrows, dark-eyed juncos and nuthatches. The Siegen team spotted a bald eagle in its nest above the Rapidan River, while the Sycamore Grove team recorded Eastern Meadowlarks which are found in grasslands. If you didn’t get to participate this year, mark your calendar now: the 2024 GBBC starts on February 16! |
Madison County: Sycamore Grove Farm -- Team leaders Charlene Uhl and Alan Edmunds (ORMN). Orange County: Siegen Forest –- Hosted by the Germanna Foundation and led by Joella Killian (Central Rappahannock MN chapter) and Deanne Lawrence (ORMN). |
2022 Field Trips
The Rock and Mineral Garden (December 9, 2022)
GEOLOGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES PROGRAM HEADQUARTERS, CHARLOTTESVILLE
Dorothy Tepper led a field trip highlighting Virginia's rocks at the outdoor Educational Rock and Mineral Garden in Charlottesville, VA. The garden includes igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks that represent the diversity in geologic terrains and geologic provinces across the commonwealth. Participants received a guidebook titled A Guide to the Educational Rock and Mineral Garden: Samples of Virginia’s Geological Diversity, which contains brief descriptions and pictures of all the rocks for reference. The group also toured the library adjacent to the Rock and Mineral Garden where there are additional interesting geological specimens on display.
GEOLOGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES PROGRAM HEADQUARTERS, CHARLOTTESVILLE
Dorothy Tepper led a field trip highlighting Virginia's rocks at the outdoor Educational Rock and Mineral Garden in Charlottesville, VA. The garden includes igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks that represent the diversity in geologic terrains and geologic provinces across the commonwealth. Participants received a guidebook titled A Guide to the Educational Rock and Mineral Garden: Samples of Virginia’s Geological Diversity, which contains brief descriptions and pictures of all the rocks for reference. The group also toured the library adjacent to the Rock and Mineral Garden where there are additional interesting geological specimens on display.
Geology Of Shenandoah National Park (November 3, 2022)
This field trip included 6 stops at overlooks along Skyline Drive. At most of the stops, participants looked at outcrops in the overlook parking area. At others, they walked a short distance from the overlook to look at outcrops along Skyline Drive.
The viewing sites highlighted Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rocks that range from 1.2 billion years old to 570 million years old. Highlights of the field trip included examining well-developed columnar jointing, locating a feeder dike, finding garnets in a 1.2 billion-year-old gneiss, identifying different volcanic layers in the profile of Stony Man, and a discussion of the uniqueness of the Old Rag Granite.
This field trip included 6 stops at overlooks along Skyline Drive. At most of the stops, participants looked at outcrops in the overlook parking area. At others, they walked a short distance from the overlook to look at outcrops along Skyline Drive.
The viewing sites highlighted Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rocks that range from 1.2 billion years old to 570 million years old. Highlights of the field trip included examining well-developed columnar jointing, locating a feeder dike, finding garnets in a 1.2 billion-year-old gneiss, identifying different volcanic layers in the profile of Stony Man, and a discussion of the uniqueness of the Old Rag Granite.
FOWL Fest (October 22, 2022)
Friends of Wildlife at the Lake (FOWL) hosted its first Wildlife Education Festival at the Lake of the Woods Community Center in Locust Grove, VA. This free event featured state and non-profit professionals who lead wildlife conservation and inspiring people to value the outdoors and their role in nature, caring for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife, and providing educational opportunities and resources to the public.
Festival guests included a Department of Wildlife Resources Conservation Officer; Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Conservation Wildlife Biologist; Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary, Interim Director; Chief Ranger from Lake Anna State Park;
Orange County Animal Control Officer; Dispatches from the Forest nature-based education; and Virginia Native Plant Society
Friends of Wildlife at the Lake (FOWL) hosted its first Wildlife Education Festival at the Lake of the Woods Community Center in Locust Grove, VA. This free event featured state and non-profit professionals who lead wildlife conservation and inspiring people to value the outdoors and their role in nature, caring for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife, and providing educational opportunities and resources to the public.
Festival guests included a Department of Wildlife Resources Conservation Officer; Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Conservation Wildlife Biologist; Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary, Interim Director; Chief Ranger from Lake Anna State Park;
Orange County Animal Control Officer; Dispatches from the Forest nature-based education; and Virginia Native Plant Society
Monarchs and Milkweed (August 23, 2022)
On August 23, a CE Field Trip was conducted at Carolyn Smith's farm on the Monarch larva monitoring project. Milkweed is the exclusive plant on which monarch butterflies lay their eggs. The iconic and endangered monarch butterfly makes an amazing journey from its summer breeding grounds to its overwintering grounds in the mountains of Mexico. Our area of the Piedmont is on the southbound flyway and in August, thousands of monarchs will be lay eggs all around us, which will hatch, metamorphose and fly to Mexico.
This 130-acre farm had sites open for observation. Participants examined milkweed for eggs and caterpillars and learned how data are compiled for a national database that has been active since 1997. The monarch nursery was also open.
This 130-acre farm had sites open for observation. Participants examined milkweed for eggs and caterpillars and learned how data are compiled for a national database that has been active since 1997. The monarch nursery was also open.
iNaturalist Basics and Skill Building (July 29, 2022)
This field trip combined “classroom instruction” and field application of the iNaturalist app. ORMN member Rebeca Sanchez-Burr discussed the major functions of iNaturalist, including taking and uploading photographs, recording sounds, connecting with experts who can identify organisms and how to connect with other naturalists. Held at the home of ORMN member Jere Willis in Culpeper, the group explored the different habitats on the property, including cultivated areas and natural areas, forest and waterfront habitats.
Global Big Day: ORMN Field Trip Highlights (May 14, 2022)
The annual Global Big Day recognizes World Migratory Bird Day by inviting people, individually or in groups, to report citizen science bird observation data for scientists at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology and other organizations.
Two field trips celebrated this year’s Global Big Day in Central Virginia. Sycamore Grove Farm offered birders the opportunity to observe grassland birds as well as bird species that live on the margin of woods. Siegen Forest provided birders a mature forest habitat that runs along the Rapidan River. The two groups logged more than six hours in the field and reported a combined total of 67 species and 321 total birds. Both field trips were sponsored by Old Rag Master Naturalists, Central Rappahannock Master Naturalists and the Germanna Foundation. Orange County: Siegen Forest –- Hosted by the Germanna Foundation and led by Joella Killian (Central Rappahannock MN chapter) and Deanne Lawrence (ORMN Class XI). Madison County: Sycamore Grove Farm -- Hosted and led by Charlene Uhl (ORMN chapter). |
|
Photo Highlights: Smith Farm Wildflower Walk (May 10, 2022)
|
Hydrology, Floods and Debris Flows (April 9, 2022)
ORMN's Dorothy Tepper will provide a general introduction to concepts on groundwater, surface water and their interactions. She will also address:
Hydrology, Floods and Debris Flows (April 9, 2022)
ORMN's Dorothy Tepper will provide a general introduction to concepts on groundwater, surface water and their interactions. She will also address:
- development of caves and other karst features produced by groundwater flow;
- landforms associated with streams, such as waterfalls, floodplains, and meanders;
- floods, including flash floods and catastrophic flooding that can produce debris flows; and
- historic debris flows caused by extreme weather events in Virginia's Nelson County (1969) and Madison County (1995).
Great Backyard Bird Count (February 18, 19, 20, 21, 2022)
The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual international event sponsored by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada. Volunteers spend time in their favorite places watching and counting as many birds as they can and reporting them. These observations help scientists to better understand global bird populations before one of their annual migrations. ORMN groups conducted bird counts at single locations in Rappahannock, Culpeper, Fauquier, Orange and Madison counties.
The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual international event sponsored by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada. Volunteers spend time in their favorite places watching and counting as many birds as they can and reporting them. These observations help scientists to better understand global bird populations before one of their annual migrations. ORMN groups conducted bird counts at single locations in Rappahannock, Culpeper, Fauquier, Orange and Madison counties.
ORMN sponsored birding groups across five of our chapter counties, with a total of thirty-seven volunteers. The participants included ORMN members, Class XI students and others from the northern Piedmont area. Even on the days that were blustery and cold, the participants were enthusiastic and excited by the birds they observed and the natural environment through which they traversed. Below is the summary of their observations:
Lenn Park/Culpeper County Leaders: Alex & Linda Bueno
Sycamore Grove Farm/Madison County Leader: Charlene Uhl
|
|
Buzz Van Santvoord farm/Orange County
Leader: Buzz Van Santvoord
Eldon Farms/Rappahannock County Leaders: Patty Lane & Sara Lawrey
|
Sky Meadows State Park/Fauquier County
Leaders: Lynne Leeper & Linda Lowery
|