Eastern Shore Master Naturalists

🧤 Volunteer: Plant Eastern Shore Natives Ed & Outreach Info Session
2024-07-24 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Halifax) | UVA Coastal Research Center/LTER, 6364 Cliffs Rd, Cape Charles, 23310, United States
In an effort to reinvigorate the Plant Eastern Shore Natives initiative, we have scheduled three meetings in July for interested members of the public to attend. Registration is encouraged.
These meetings will be almost identical and provide a brief overview of the history and purpose of the initiative, both locally and statewide.
Members of the ES Master Naturalists and the Master Gardeners worked to overhaul the popular original guide that supports this initiative. Virginia Witmer of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program has completed all of the content alignment and graphic design to have an order of this new edition printed within the month – very exciting!
The hope is that attendees who are keen to become involved will commit to form a new, active work group that focuses on public and vendor education and outreach using the initiative’s communication tools – hosting booths/tables at public events, doing educational talks, working with vendors, and more – to improve knowledge of the benefits of the use of Eastern Shore Native plants.

Better Impact Category 15: Plant Eastern Shore Natives presentations

💡CE: Learn About Mussels! (Webinar)
2024-07-24 18:30 - 19:30 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
The event is free but you must register.
Wild Virginia will host a webinar on Wednesday July 24th at 6:30pm by Alissa Ganser, an expert on freshwater mussels. You’ll learn about the fascinating life cycles of these valuable species, who can live 100 years or more and use mimicry to fool fish into helping these largely sedentary animals spread their offspring throughout streams.
Though little known to most people mussels have an outsized value to aquatic environments and the southeastern US has one of the richest and most diverse assemblages of these species in the world. However, more than 70% of North American species are at risk or already extinct.
Please attend and learn how to help protect them in Virginia streams.Alissa Ganser is a PhD candidate in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences at Virginia Tech and has studied freshwater mussels in the Mississippi River in Wisconsin, and streams in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Photo by Wild Virginia.

Better Impact Category 2: Continuing Education

🧤 Volunteer: NABA Butterfly Count - Delmarva Tip
2024-07-28 09:30 UTC | Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 32205 Seaside Road, Cape Charles, VA, 23310, United States
This is the North American Butterfly Association count for the Delmarva tip which includes the ES National Wildlife refuge, Kiptopeke State Park, Oyster, and Cape Charles.

Interested volunteers will meet at 9:30am at the visitor center of Eastern Shore of VA National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.
No need to sign up, you can stay as long (or short) as you like, and no experience is necessary!
May be rescheduled if it looks really rainy.
Contact Brian Taber with questions.
You may wish to bring snacks, water, sun/insect protection, camera, binoculars.

Category 14: Annual Butterfly Count (select “Delmarva Tip” from the list for the “Annual Butterfly Count Location” feedback field)
Note: The North Northampton County count will likely be in early August.

🧤Volunteer: Plant Eastern Shore Natives Ed & Outreach Info Session
2024-07-30 17:30 - 18:30 (America/Halifax) | Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, 8231 Beach Road, Chincoteague Island, 23336, United States

🧤 Volunteer: North Northampton County Butterfly Count
2024-08-04 11:00 (America/Halifax) | OLD Northampton Middle School, 7247 Young Street, Machipongo, VA, United States
We are looking for volunteers to assist with the count. No experience necessary! Please contact Kellie Piekarsky to sign-up or get more info.

Date: Sunday, August 4, 2024 (Rain Date: Sunday, August 11, 2024).
Start Time: 11:00 a.m.
End Time: Up to you. The count will last as long as you do! We appreciate your participation – there is no requirement to spend a particular amount of time.
Meet-up Location: FORMER Northampton Middle School, 7247 Young Street Machipongo, VA (NOTE: The school does not have any accessible restrooms.)
Fee: There is a $3 fee for each participant’. Exact change would be greatly appreciated.
Suggested Attire: Dress and prepare for hot/humid, buggy weather and walking in natural environments.
Refreshments: Bring water and snacks/food as needed. It will most likely be very hot so hydration is important. Safety first.

Also, if you know of any public/private locations within our 15-mile count circle that would be a good place to see butterflies please let us know.
If you’d like to familiarize yourself with butterflies, watch the VMN webinar “Butterfly Identification: Beyond the Basics” and review the reference and presentation slides.

Count Circle for 2024 NABA North Northampton County Butterfly Count

Better Impact Category 14: Annual Butterfly Count – Eastern Shore/Northern Northampton County

Additional Information
Team Roles

Leader – point person for team. Ensures members go to specified locations timely.
Spotters – alert team members to a butterfly they have observed (no skill required!). Note: everyone on the team can spot! Photos are very helpful.
Scribe/compiler – records the number of butterflies/species observed for each location and then calculates an overall total. Forms will be provided for recording counts. If you cannot make a firm ID the scribe should document as much information as possible to assist in later identification.
Drivers – each team will decide how they want to manage transportation – carpool or separate vehicles.
Identifiers – team members who have sufficient familiarity to identify the species observed.

Tips for a Good Counting Experience
Here are some suggestions/requests to consider so that you can be prepared and have as pleasant an experience as possible.

Think about how many hours you want spend counting butterflies. Some prefer to stop after a few hours while other like to do it all day.
Cameras, binoculars, and butterfly guides are great tools to have with you. Taking photos whenever you can is highly recommended, especially if you are unable to ID the butterfly in the field. Also, it’s great to include photos with any reporting.
Please DO NOT net or touch any butterflies. This activity should be as unobtrusive to the butterflies and their neighbors as possible.
Butterflies and Skippers will be counted – Moths are not considered for this count. I will bring the list of species we are most likely to see.

💡CE: Registration Opens for VMN State Conference (Virtual) Sept 27-29
2024-08-05 00:00 - 23:59 UTC | Virtual
Registration and other info here .
Category 2: Continuing Education

💡 CE: FRIDAY NIGHT OWL PROWL - Cape Charles Natural Area Preserve
2024-08-09 19:30 (America/Halifax) | Cape Charles NAP, 301 Patrick Henry Avenue, Cape Charles, VA, 23310, United States
YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT. NO WALK-INS.
Limited Attendees due to State Permit Restriction. Please call us at (757)331-1300 to register or visit us at the Library (Registration begins July 29, 2024).

Join local Interpreter Bill Dyas of REAL VA for an evening stroll through the Natural Area Preserve. Watch a beautiful sunset over the Chesapeake and learn about local nature. Once the sun has set, Bill will take you back through the preserve on a night stroll. Learn about animals of the night and keep an ear and eye open for an owl or two!

Better Impact Category 2: Continuing Education

🌌Perseid Meteor Shower
2024-08-11 00:00 - 2024-08-13 23:59 (America/Halifax)
Perseid meteor shower 2026: All you need to know

💡CE: Improve Your Science Communication Skills
2024-08-15 15:00 - 16:15 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
Register for the webinar at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9zNIvX9MSFgKdpZ4nP1hzqwLnZZtBIaEVQ3aqBuFiv4MaCA/viewform?usp=sf_link.
A group of science communication practitioners, trainers and researchers have recently completed an NSF-funded project titled On-the-Spot Feedback (www.onthespotfeedback.org). The resulting work provides strategies and resources for science communicators to develop their skills at getting immediate feedback during their public engagements, which allows them to adjust and improve their engagements on the spot.
Although this method was developed with scientists who communicate with public audiences in mind, On-the-Spot Feedback strategies can be used by anyone (including museum educators, science hobbyists, extension agents, etc.) who communicates ideas to public audiences.
By attending this 75-minute informational webinar, participants will be introduced to:
The On-the-Spot Feedback (OTSF) project resources, including the 137 page On-the-Spot Guide detailing the OTSF approach.
How the OTSF strategies help scientists and other science communicators collect instantaneous feedback during their public engagements and improve their science communication skills.
The webinar will be recorded, so please register even if you are unable to attend the event in August. We will send the link to the recording after the webinar

Better Impact Category 2: Continuing Education

🌕 Last Super Blue Moon Until 2037
2024-08-19 14:26 (America/Halifax)
Learn about today’s Super Blue Moon!
Want learn more? Check out NASA’s Super Blue Moon FAQ and Daily Moon Guide!
(Image: NASA/JPL, Source: @rtphokie)

🗓️ FYI: Eastern Shore of Virginia Climate Equity Summer Workshop 2024
2024-08-21 15:00 - 18:30 (America/Halifax) | Eastern Shore of Virginia Library and Cultural Center, 24313 Bennett Street, Parksley, VA, 23421
Note: this event is listed for informational purposes only. Attendance does not qualify for Volunteer Service or Continuing Ed hours.

The workshop is open to the public. Registration is not required, but we encourage it to help us plan for dinner.
Where: Eastern Shore of Virginia Regional Library & Heritage Center (24313 Bennett Street, Parksley, VA 23421)
When: August 21st, 2024 3:00pm-6:30pm
Buffet Dinner: 5:30pm-6:30pm

For more information:
Contact ESVAClimateEquity@virginia.edu for more information.
Project webpage: https://environment.virginia.edu/coastal-futures-hub.
Project Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ESVAClimateEquity.

💡 CE: Get to Know the VA Dept of Environmental Quality
2024-08-27 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
Registration required.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the environmental agency for Virginia, responsible for administering laws and regulations related to air quality, water quality, water supply, renewable energy and land protection. In keeping with our mission and vision, we protect and enhance the environment of Virginia so that all of us can enjoy cleaner water, better air quality and the productive reuse of land that was once contaminated. But what does that mean in practice? Join us for this webinar as we outline the basics of DEQ’s programs, including permitting, monitoring, enforcement, planning, and environmental enhancement.

Note: VA DEQ is a sponsor of the VMN program.
Category 2: Continuing Education

💡CE: Birdwatching Boat Tour Wachapreague, VA
2024-09-04 00:00 (America/Halifax)
Get an amazingly close look at seabirds and shorebirds from the water!
$20/Limited to 6 Participants/Time Slot.
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Registration Required by August 28, 2024
Contact: Capt. Meriwether Payne 757-710-2454
Be sure to check here for updates or changes.

💡CE: Learn To Tag Monarch Butterflies
2024-09-04 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Halifax)
Learn to tag Monarch butterflies to help track their migration! The Monarch Watch Tagging Program is a community science initiative started in 1992 that reveals important information about Monarchs, like where they are migrating from, timing and pace, mortality, and geographic distribution. Learn how to apply the identifying stickers on butterflies through a live demonstration and where you can order your Monarch tagging kit for this fall’s migration season. Anyone can do it!
Join Kristen Baum, Director of Monarch Watch and Senior Scientist of the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research for this high-flying event! We will also cover what you can do to promote butterfly habitats and the importance of their migration corridors.

📷 Picture the Shore Photography Contest
2024-09-06 00:00 - 2024-10-25 23:59 (America/Halifax)
Picture the Shore is a photography contest and art exhibit designed to highlight the work of student, amateur, and professional photographers and to connect the public to the beauty and natural environment of the Eastern Shore through visual art.
Student, amateur, and professional photographers of all ages are invited to submit digital photos that feature the beauty and natural environment of the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Student and amateur photos must be taken with a cell phone camera. Professional photographers may take photos with the camera of their choosing. Each photographer can submit one (1) photo. Entries must feature the natural environment of the Eastern Shore and should focus on landscapes, plants, recreation, waterways, and wildlife. Please read complete Entry Guidelines below before submitting.
This contest does not qualify for volunteer hours.

💡 CE: Webinar: Put That Tree in the Right Place!
2024-09-16 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Halifax)
Trees provide so many benefits and services to us, to our communities and to the environment. Join Dr. Laurie Fox, Horticulture Associate with Virginia Tech, for an overview of how to assess a site and select the right tree to fit the growing conditions and the owner’s goals.
Presenter: Laurie Fox is a Horticulture Associate with Virginia Tech’s Hampton Roads Agricultural Research & Extension Center (AREC) in Virginia Beach. Her Ph.D. research focused on phytoremediation, or cleaning the environment with plants. Her current work includes stormwater & nutrient management in the landscape, urban stormwater best management practices (BMPs) including floating treatment wetlands, aquatic weed ID & management in ponds, sustainable landscapes, sustainable landscape design & practices, native plants, buffer zones, and rain gardens.
Our webinars and trainings related to urban forestry are supported by an Urban and Community Forestry Grant from the USDA Forest Service, administered by our sponsoring agency, the Virginia Department of Forestry.

💡Chapter Meeting: Important DCR and Chapter Updates
2024-09-18 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Halifax) | Virginia Institute of Marine Science Eastern Shore Laboratory, Seaside Hall, 36 Atlantic Street, Wachapreague, VA, United States
Chapter Advisor Shannon Alexander will provide updates on ESVA NAPs as well as highlights of other DCR projects. She will also provide important information about volunteer stewardship and other chapter activities. All members are encouraged to attend.
All 2024 speaker meetings will be the third Wednesday of every other month at Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) Eastern Shore Laboratory, Seaside Hall, 40 Atlantic Street, Wachapreague. Note that per VIMS you may park on Atlantic Avenue along the yellow curbs.
Social time 5-5:30pm; speaker 5:30; brief business meeting 6:30.

Better Impact Category 2 (speaker portion only).

💡CE: VIMS Marine Life Day *** NOTE TIME CHANGE - NOW 2-5pm ***
2024-09-21 14:00 - 17:00 UTC | Virginia Institute of Marine Science Eastern Shore Laboratory, Seaside Hall, 36 Atlantic Street, Wachapreague, VA, United States
Due to coastal flooding predictions and current conditions, the time of Marine Life Day at VIMS Eastern Shore Lab in Wachapreague this Saturday, Sept. 21 has been shifted to 2-5PM. We apologize for any inconveniences this may cause, but encourage you to still attend this exciting event! Street parking will be available throughout Wachapreague.
Check our VIMS ESL Facebook page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/VIMSESL.
For questions regarding the event, please contact Meadow Noonan at (757) 787-8106 or via email at jmnoonan@vims.edu.

Marine Life Day is a public open house event offering the opportunity to the Eastern Shore community (and beyond) to explore marine organisms found in the region and researchers active on the Eastern Shore. It showcases current and past research conducted at ESL, displays local marine organisms and habitats, and offers interactive and educational activities for all ages.
REGISTER here.
To stay up to date on event details and to share your discoveries anytime, visit VIMS on Facebook.
Better Impact Category 2: Continuing Education

See VMN CE Webinars and VMN High Five From Nature Series for additional CE opportunities.

🚫 Mutton Hunk Fen NAP CLOSED
2024-09-23 00:00 - 2024-09-26 23:59 (America/Halifax) | Mutton Hunk Fen Natural Area Preserve, 28583 Baker Road, Parksley, VA, United States
Mutton Hunk Fen NAP will be CLOSED Monday through Thursday September 23rd to the 26th. Our invasive species treatment contractor will be on site working. The work window has been extended two days due to uncooperative weather.

📷 CE: Photography Workshop: Cell Phone Photography Introduction
2024-09-24 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Halifax)
Join VES Land Trust and Ted Shockley for a workshop on taking pictures with your cell phone! The workshop is in person on Tuesday, September 24th from 5-7 p.m. This workshop is meant for anyone who would like to learn the basics of cell phone photography and how to take your best photos.
The workshop will also offer the opportunity to practice your newly learned cell phone photography skills outside during the golden hour on a VES Land Trust held conservation easement.
Directions will be provided to workshop participants following registration. This workshop is free and open to 20 participants.
This workshop is an approved ESMN continuing education activity.

National Public Lands Day! Free Admission at Kiptopeke State Park
2024-09-25 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Halifax)
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/public-lands-day

💡 CE: Virginia Master Naturalist Statewide Conference and Volunteer Training 2024 (Virtual)
2024-09-27 00:00 - 2024-09-29 23:59 UTC
Conference Theme –
Connections: Humans, nature, and their mutual impacts
Our 2024 Virginia Master Naturalist conference theme focuses on the role that VMN volunteers can play in building positive connections between people and the rest of the natural world in which we exist. Research shows that time spent in nature has positive benefits for human physical, mental, and social well-being. Unfortunately, individuals often face barriers to spending more time in nature or do not have correct information about natural resources. And, humans’ impacts on species, ecosystems, and natural resources can be positive or negative, depending on our actions.
Virginia Master Naturalist volunteers are well-positioned to help people build more positive connections to nature. They can provide safe and enjoyable experiences in nature along with research-based information through their educational programs. They can also steward publicly accessible natural areas so that they are better spaces for both humans and native flora and fauna. In addition, VMNs can help increase our understanding of natural resources through science.
Sessions in this conference may be focused on a particular species or ecological system, a natural resource issue or management strategy, a volunteer project, or a skill, but all of them will relate in some way to connections between humans and the natural world.
Registration
Registration opens — August 5, 2024
Registration closes — September 16, 2024
Last day to request a refund — September 19, 2024
Access to Zoom Events opens for attendees — September 20, 2024
Better Impact Category 2: Continuing Education

See VMN CE Webinars and VMN High Five From Nature Series for additional CE opportunities.

💡CE: Mutton Hunk Fen NAP Birding Field Trip
2024-09-28 08:00 (America/Halifax) | Mutton Hunk Fen Natural Area Preserve, 28583 Baker Road, Parksley, VA, United States
View multiple bird species including terns, shorebirds, raptors, early passerine migrants.
Leaders: Maggie Long 610-500-9971 and Joette Borzik.

🍁 Ed & Outreach Volunteer Opportunity: Exmore Fall Festival
2024-09-28 10:00 - 15:00 UTC | Main Street Exmore, Main Street, Exmore, VA, United States
Please contact Brenda Poist to sign-up or get more info.
Volunteers needed:

3 from 9-12
3 from 12-4.

Volunteers will:

work on crafts building butterflies with the kids (at least one per shift)
discuss Master Naturalists with interested parties
discuss the Nature of Native Plants and Butterflies by working with a matching game of butterflies.

Better Impact: Category 15 ESMN Tables/Booths at Eastern Shore Events

🌳 Volunteer Opportunity: Scientific Tree Survey with VCR-LTER
2024-09-30 00:00 - 2024-10-04 23:59 (America/Halifax) | TNC Brownsville Preserve, 11332 Brownsville Rd, Nassawadox, Virginia, 23413
The VCR-LTER (Virginia Coast Reserve-Long Term Ecological Research station) down in Oyster is looking for 2-4 volunteers to assist in conducting a fall tree census in Brownsville in late September – early October.

The lab group is planning to visit Sept. 30 – Oct. 4. You may volunteer for one or more of these days. The field work will be to measure the trunk diameter and canopy greenness of trees spanning the coastal forest edge at Brownsville Preserve, in order to track tree health and mortality.

These will be long, buggy days from approximately 8am to 5pm (weather-dependent), with a break for lunch, and working in teams of two people, with one person measuring and the other person recording the data in each team.
Hiking clothing and marsh boots are strongly recommended, since there are wet areas in the forest edge. We will supply all materials, water, and snacks.
If you are available to help out, please email Sophia Hoffman your availability or add your name and email to this spreadsheet. Sophia is happy to answer any questions.

💡CE: Live Mini Monarch Essentials
2024-10-01 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Halifax)
Join the Monarch Joint Venture for a virtual 3-week course to learn about monarch butterfly ecology, threats, and the effective conservation actions that you can take to help protect this iconic species. All classes are recorded and also available for later viewing.
This is a three day series; Tuesdays, October 1, 8, and 15, 2024.

🦪 Continuing Education: Chesapeake Oyster Science Symposium 2024 (Virtual)
2024-10-03 10:30 - 16:00 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
Event will be broadcast live over Zoom from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach, VA
Is your world an oyster? Are you or is someone you know currently practicing or considering entering the fields of oyster research, science, restoration, and/or aquaculture?

Register Now
The Chesapeake Oyster Alliance with support from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation is assembling an all-star lineup of oyster experts, post-docs, faculty, and industry practitioners for the 2024 Chesapeake Oyster Science Symposium. Multiple panel discussions featuring over 20 speakers are intended to offer succinct presentations and ample Q&A around each topic. The Symposium will also feature a round of lightning-talks by young scientists and early career professionals (attendees may self-select to present when they register) and frequent breaks to combat the dreaded “Zoom fatigue.”

🧤 Ed & Outreach Volunteer Opportunity: Eastern Shore Ag Day
2024-10-05 10:00 - 14:00 UTC | Near Northampton County Parks & Rec, 7247 Young Street, Machipongo, VA, United States
Please contact Brenda Poist to sign-up or get more info.
Volunteers needed:

3 from 9-12
3 from 12-3.

Volunteers will:

work on crafts building butterflies with the kids (at least one per shift)
discuss Master Naturalists with interested parties
discuss the Nature of Native Plants and Butterflies by working with a matching game of butterflies.

Better Impact: Category 15 ESMN Tables/Booths at Eastern Shore Events

💡 CE: What is an Endemic? 15 Endemic Bird Species
2024-10-08 17:30 (America/Halifax)
Oct. 8 Program: Joanne Laskowski: 15 Endemic Bird Species USA
What is an endemic? How many are year-round U. S. residents? Are any found on
Virginia’s Eastern Shore? Joanne Laskowski, ESMN member and past president, environmental educator veteran birder answers all these questions and more.
Meeting held at Eastern Shore Community College, Academic Building, 29316 Lankford Hwy., Melfa, VA 23410. Free Program starts at 5:30 p.m. in Academic Building. Arrive at 5:00 p.m., members bring snacks to share; brief business meeting follows 1-hour presentation

Better Impact Category 2: Continuing Education (speaker portion only)

💡CE: State of Monarch Conservation Webinar
2024-10-10 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
Registration required. Details TBD.
https://monarchjointventure.org/events/state-of-monarch-conservation
