Eastern Shore Master Naturalists

💡Member CE: Conservation Talk: Native v. Invasive Plants THIS EVENT IS FULL
2025-05-20 09:30 - 11:00 (America/Halifax)
THIS IS EVENT IS FULL. Please email Sam Willis at outreach@veslt.org to inquire about waitlist.

🧤Volunteer: TNC Whimbrel Watch
2025-05-20 17:00 - 19:30, 2025-05-21 17:00 - 19:30, 2025-05-22 17:00 - 19:30, 2025-05-23 17:00 - 19:30, 2025-05-24 17:00 - 19:30, 2025-05-25 17:00 - 19:30, 2025-05-26 17:00 - 19:30, 2025-05-27 17:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) and 1 more date | Box Tree Farm, Box Tree Drive, Machipongo, VA, United States
Whimbrels are landing on our Eastern Shore this week!
Each year, whimbrels migrate from their wintering grounds in South America to their breeding territory in the Arctic—a journey of more than 4,000 miles one way!
Join our Migratory Bird Conservation staff and volunteers around the dock at Box Tree Farm (a TNC-protected property just east of Machipongo) to watch the evening skies and keep count of shorebirds called whimbrels as they set out for the final leg of their northern migration.
*This activity is free and open to the public.
Pro tip: Big flight nights tend to be in the middle of the count period. Bring: bug spray, a chair, binoculars and a friend!
For more information about Whimbrel Watch Live, attending the count in person or other TNC VVCR programs, please contact Outreach and Education Coordinator, Margaret Van Clief at mvanclief@tnc.org or (757) 414-9227.

Log your hours under Better Impact Category 13.

🧤Member Volunteer Opportunity: Magothy Bay Natural Area Preserve Stewardship and Maintenance Day
2025-05-22 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Halifax) | Magothy Bay Natural Area Preserve, 4829 Bulls Drive, Cape Charles, VA, United States
You are invited to help trim the trail, snip invasive vines, and generally beautify Magothy Bay Natural Area Preserve!

Note: we may work until noon if there’s still more to do at 11am.

What to expect:

VDCR will have some extra gloves, snips, loppers, and ear plugs. Please bring your own if you’d like.
VDCR staff will have first aid equipment if needed (hopefully not),
Volunteers may not use chainsaws or power tools.

Please be sure to:

bring any specialty items that you may need (epipen, inhaler, insulin, snack, etc.);
dress appropriately in closed toe shoes and long pants/sleeves as necessary to protect yourself;
use your insect repellant of choice, particularly to prevent tick bites; and
bring fluids to stay hydrated. We will have a water cooler for refills.

Log your hours under Better Impact Category 05, Trail and Habitat Management.

💡 CE: Butterfly Walks at the ES NWR
2025-05-23 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-06-13 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-06-27 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-18 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Halifax) | Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 32205 Seaside Road, Cape Charles, VA, 23310, United States

🧤Volunteer Opportunity: Clean the Bay Day
2025-06-07 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Halifax)
Please register at one of the sites below or become a Zone Captain.
There are numerous locations on the shore participating in this event. They are detailed here and as of April 26 include:
Cape Charles
Bay Creek Resort
Bay Creek Resort (18+ only)
Bay Creek Resort (boaters only)
Cape Charles Yacht Center
Cape Charles Yacht Center (18+ only)
Cape Charles Yacht Center (boaters only)
Kiptopeke State Park
Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust
Onancock: Burnham Guides (boaters only)
Oyster: The Nature Conservancy – Virginia Coast Reserve; The Nature Conservancy – Virginia Coast Reserve (18+ only)

Please log your hours under Better Impact Category 16 CBF Clean the Bay Day.

💡 Member CE: Birdability Project Training and Update (Webinar)
2025-06-10 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
On June 10 at 7:00 pm, we will host a webinar on the Birdability project in which VMN volunteers are visiting sites on the Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail to collect and report data related to accessibility. Some changes were made to the protocols after the initial launch of the project in Fall 2024, so this will be a bit of a re-launch. It will be a good opportunity for volunteers who already signed up for the activity to get a refresher in what to do and an opportunity for new volunteers to get involved. Cat Fribley, Executive Director of the nonprofit Birdability, will present.

Watch for additional details and signup information in the next VMN bi-weekly email.

Please log your hours in Better Impact under Category 2 Continuing Education.

💡Member CE: VMN Educators Bureau Flash Talks (Webinar)
2025-06-12 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
Virginia Master Naturalists who are part of our program’s statewide Educators Bureau will give talks and demonstrations – each no more than five minutes long. Get inspired by these dynamic educators! See our website for the full list of topics and presenters.
Pre-registration required.
As always, the VMN CE Webinar will be recorded and posted on our website shortly after the event.

BETTER IMPACT INFO: Please log your hours under Category 2/ Continuing Education.

💡Member CE: Beech Leaf Disease Survey Training Webinar
2025-06-16 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
In partnership with the Virginia Department of Forestry, we are launching a new monitoring project for VMN volunteers to look for beech leaf disease, an emerging issue for Virginia’s forests. Lori Chamberlin, Forest Health Manager for the Virginia Department of Forestry, will present on how to look for and report this disease. This webinar will be recorded, and, around that time, we also will email information on how to participate in this activity.

Date: Monday, June 16, 12:00-1:00 pm

Pre-registration required.

Better ImpactPlease log your hours under Category 2: Continuing Education.

💡CE: Seaview Farm Birding Field Trip
2025-06-18 08:00 (America/New_York)
Eastern Shore Post June 13 p. 30

💡 CE: Eastern Shore Pollinators
2025-06-20 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Buttercups, 16393 Courthouse Road, Eastville, Virginia, 23347, United States
Join Agriculture Extension agent Helene Doughty and the Eastern Shore Master Gardeners for an informal demonstrative session on pollinators of the Eastern Shore. Learn which are native and non-native, generalist or specialized, review specimens, and much more!

For more information, contact hdoughty@vf.edu or call/text 757-999-0780.

💡CE: Birding at Nickawampus Farm, with Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust
2025-06-21 08:00 (America/New_York)
23028 Nickawampus Farm, Melfa VA

Unique opportunity for birding on a private land trust property. www.VESLT.org

Leaders: Maggie Long and Meriwether Payne. Contact Meriwether Payne at 757-710-2454 to register.

Better Impact: Log your hours under Category 2: Continuing Education.

🧤 Volunteer: CBF Oyster Gardening Roundup/New Gardener Seminar
2025-06-21 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Barrier Islands Center, 7295 Young Street, Machipongo, VA, 23405, United States
REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Want to become an oyster gardener? The new gardener seminar starts at 9:00am. Veteran gardeners will turn their oysters in and pick up new spat if desired beginning at 9:30. See links below for details.

🧤 Volunteer: TNC at ESVA Juneteenth Festival
2025-06-21 12:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Community HelpEvent Assistance: ESVA Juneteenth FestivalJune 21st: Exmore Town Park – Exmore, VA

Juneteenth, dating back to 1865, is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. This year’s ESVA Juneteenth Festival in Exmore, VA will be held on Saturday, June 21st, 12:00-4:00 pm, and The Nature Conservancy is looking for 2-4 volunteers to help staff our informational booth. Volunteers will pass out Conservancy materials, greet the public, walk visitors through hands-on activities, and answer questions as best they can. Materials and training will be provided as needed. To volunteer, please contact VCR Community Engagement Specialist, Margaret Van Clief at mvanclief@tnc.org or (757) 414-9227.

2:00-4:00 pm (2 volunteers)

12:00 pm-2:00 pm (2 volunteers)

Better Impact: Log your hours under Category 13: Assist with Educational Programs and Outreach.

🧤 Volunteer: TNC Youth Engagement Event Assistance
2025-07-11 09:15 - 13:15, 2025-07-14 09:15 - 13:15, 2025-07-15 09:15 - 13:15 (America/Halifax) | TNC Brownsville Preserve, 11332 Brownsville Rd, Nassawadox, Virginia, 23413
Butterfly Activity (and more) Field Trip Assistance/Youth Engagement
Brownsville Preserve (Nassawadox, VA)

Fri, July 11 (6th-12th Grade): 9:15 am-1:15 pm (4 volunteers)
Mon, July 14 (3rd-5th Grade): 9:15 am-1:15 pm (3 volunteers)
Tues, July 15 (pre-K – 2nd Grade): 9:15 am-1:15 pm (2 volunteers)

The VCR Outreach & Education Team is seeking 2-3 volunteers for each date to assist with the Accomack County Public School Migrant Youth Program’s visit to Brownsville Preserve on Monday, July 15th, Tuesday, July 16th, and Monday, July 22nd, 10:00 am-1:00 pm. Activities may include habitat exploration, butterfly/insect netting, wagon rides, kayaking on 7/15 (optional for volunteer), and geocaching and will be led by TNC staff with volunteer assistance. ACPS staff will also be on hand, and bilingual skills are not required (students speak English, Spanish, and/or Haitian Creole). Training will be provided, and volunteers must agree to TNC’s Youth Safety policies.
Please contact, VCR Outreach & Education Coordinator, Margaret Van Clief at mvanclief@tnc.org or (757) 414-9227 to sign up for one or more of the above dates.

Better Impact Category 13/Education & Outreach

💡 CE: Blue Ridge PRISM - How Neighborhood Associations Can Address Invasive Plants VIRTUAL
2025-07-16 11:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Join the Blue Ridge PRISM for a panel-style webinar when three neighborhood association leads will share how their communities address invasive plants in their neighborhoods. They will share stories, discuss the hurdles, and give tips on how to organize and train a group to work together toward the common goal of managing invasive plants in their area. This is a free online event and includes a question & answer period with the audience. Those who register will receive an email with the recording.

Registration and additional info

💡 CE: ESMN Chapter Meeting: Jay Ford, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
2025-07-16 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Halifax) | Virginia Institute of Marine Science Eastern Shore Laboratory, Seaside Hall, 36 Atlantic Street, Wachapreague, VA, United States
July 16, 2025: Jay Ford, Virginia’s Eastern Shore Representative for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will discuss the CBF’s Blueprint for all states within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed with a focus on where Virginia, including present status and future goals. Jay is the Virginia Policy Manager for the CBF and Managing Partner with the Old Dominion University (ODU) Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience and CBF partnership and has an extensive background in natural resource policy and resilience planning.

Agenda:

5:00-5:30 Social time

5:30-6:00 Business meeting

6:00-7:00 Speaker.

Better Impact Info: Log speaker time under Category 2/Continuing Education.

💡 CE: Shore Roots - Exploring Eastern Shore Native Plants
2025-07-18 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Buttercups, 16393 Courthouse Road, Eastville, Virginia, 23347, United States
Join Agriculture Extension agent Helene Doughty, the Plant Eastern Shore Natives Committee and DCR Coastal Region Steward Shannon Alexander for an informal and demonstrative learning session on native plants of the Eastern Shore. Learn why and how to use them in your landscape and where to source them. For more information, contact hdoughty@vt.edu or call/text 757-999-0780.

Better Impact: Log your hours under Category 2/Continuing Education.
