Eastern Shore Master Naturalists

💡 CE - Project Learning Tree and Aquatic WILD Joint K-5 Educator Professional Development
2025-08-08 10:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Date/Time: Friday, August 8, 2025, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Location: Education Center at Henricus Historical Park, 251 Henricus Park Rd., Chester, VA 23836

Cost: $11 (Fee is for PLT portion. WILD workshops are free.)

Description: Pack a lunch, dress to be outdoors, & join us for a great day at the Education Center at Henricus Historical Park to become a certified educator for both Project Learning Tree and Project WILD. Don’t forget bug spray, sun protection, and a water bottle! After this professional development, you will receive a certificate of completion, an Explore Your Environment PLT K-8 guide, an Aquatic WILD K-12 guide, & have the confidence & skills to use outdoor activities with K-5 students. Our agenda includes a tour of the park.

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

Registration: Register by July 20

For more information, contact: Chrystie Richards richardsch@chesterfield.gov (804) 318-8728

💡 CE: Birding Eastern Shore September Field Trips
2025-08-16 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
BOAT TRIP, Saturday, September 6, 2025. Birdwatching Boat Tour with Capt. Payne, Wachapreague, VA. Celebrate World Shorebird Day and get an amazingly close look at seabirds and shorebirds from the water! $20/Limited to 6 Participants/Time Slot. Registration Required by 8/28/2025 Leader: Capt. Meriwether Payne 757-710-2454. Saturday, Sept. 6 at 3 time slots, please register for only 1. 8:00 – 11:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

FIELD TRIP, Saturday, Sept. 13, Meet at 8:30 AM at the Edward S. Brinkley Preserve, 20199 Seaside Road, at Cobbs Station Road. Join Joette Borzik and Maggie Long in search of fall migrants: waders and waterfowl in the pond, warblers and other passerines in the woods and thickets, and shorebirds from the overlook. Register with Joette Borzik at vabirdmom@gmail.com

FIELD TRIP, Wednesday, Sept. 17, Meet at 8:30 AM at the Chincoteague Island Nature Trail, 6078 Hallie Whealton Smith Drive, Chincoteague VA. Look for migrating warblers and other passerines at this local hotspot with leaders Helen Belencan and Gary Smith. The trail is about 1 mile of easy terrain. Register with Gary Smith at 803-292-6883.

FIELD TRIP, Tuesday, Sept. 23, Meet at 5:00 PM for a VESLT JOINT FIELD TRIP AT BOWMAN’S FOLLY ON FOLLY CREEK, 25118 Bowmans Folly Drive, Accomac, VA. Join MaggieLong, Paul Anderson, and members of the Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust for a rare opportunity to bird a private property protected with a conservation easement. Register with Maggie Long at 610-500-9971

FIELD TRIP, Friday, Sept. 26, 8:30 am, Kiptopeke State Park, Fishing Pier and Wood Warbler Boardwalk. Meet Joette Borzik and Paul Anderson at the boat ramp parking lot to look for a variety of water birds along the pier, and

💡 CE: Blue Ridge PRISM Webinar: Documenting Invasive Plants with Herbaria: A Tutorial with Dr. Andrea Weeks
2025-08-22 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Description: Join the webinar to learn how you can report your observations to the central scientific resource for county-level plant distributions, the Digital Atlas of the Virginia Flora https://vaplantatlas.org/. These maps are incorporated into the Flora of Virginia app (https://floraofvirginia.org/flora-app/) and are an ever-growing resource for understanding what plant species grow where in the Commonwealth. Because of the speed of biological invasions, creating accurate and up-to-date distribution maps for non-natives and invasives is particularly challenging.

Join the webinar to learn how you can help us fill the “gaps in the maps” with vouchered specimens and a simple reporting protocol!

Note: To be recognized by the Department of Conservation and Recreation Natural Heritage Program, all plants must be documented with one of the Commonwealth’s herbaria. In this workshop, Dr. Weeks will demonstrate how to collect and submit plant samples for documentation.

Registration: Pre-registration required. This is a free online webinar. Those who register will receive a copy of the recording.

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

Catch the King Webinar
2025-08-22 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Catch the King Tide Volunteer General Interest Webinar, Hey Tide Mappers! Our first Catch the King General Interest webinar is coming up…

Join us on August 22nd for a Lunch & Learn (12-2pm) all about CTK 2025, how to get involved, how to use the Sea Level Rise app, and how to connect with other volunteers. Visit bit.ly/ctkwebinar25 to register!

Log your hours in Better Impact under Category 14.

There will also be an in-person training session on the shore in early September. Stay tuned for details!

Bald Eagle Release at Kiptopeke State Park!
2025-08-28 13:00 (America/New_York) | Kiptopeke State Park, 3540 Kiptopeke Dr., Cape Charles, VA, 23310, United States
From the Wildlife Center of Virginia:

We have exciting news! We’re releasing a Bald Eagle back to the wild on Thursday, August 28 (https://wildlifecenter.org/news-events/news/2025/bald-eagle-release-kiptopeke-state-park) —and you’re invited to the release!

Bald Eagle #25-2450 was admitted on June 24 from Norfolk, Virginia. The fledgling had been found grounded for more than a week, with no parents observed in the area. Upon admission, the Center’s veterinary team determined that the eagle was thin and suffered from subclinical lead poisoning, with a lead level of 0.056 ppm.

After one round of chelation therapy to remove the lead, the eagle was deemed healthy and moved to a large outdoor flight pen to begin flight conditioning. At the end of July, the eagle began undergoing daily flight exercises with our rehabilitation team to rebuild strength; by late August, the patient was officially cleared for release!

The eagle will be released back into the wild on Thursday, August 28, at 1:00 p.m. at Kiptopeke State Park. Staff from the Wildlife Center will give a brief educational presentation before opening the crate and watching the eagle take flight.

Join us to witness this special moment! This release is free and open to the public. Attendees are asked to RSVP with their name and the number of people in their party through this webform. (https://wildlifecenter.org/double_eagle_release_rsvp)

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

💡 CE: Virginia Master Naturalist Statewide Conference and Volunteer Training 2025
2025-09-05 08:00 - 2025-09-07 12:00 (America/New_York) | Westin Richmond, 6331 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA, 23230, United States
Registration required.

Overview​WhenThe 2025Virginia Master Naturalist Statewide Conference and Training will be Friday, September 5 through Sunday, September 7. Pre-conference field trips and activities will take place during the day on Friday and the main event will run Friday evening through Sunday mid-day.

WhereOur Pocahontas and Riverine Chapters welcome VMN volunteers from across Virginia to the Richmond region. We will be based at the Westin Richmond in Richmond, Virginia.

WhatThe Virginia Master Naturalist Statewide Conference and Volunteer Training is an opportunity for VMN volunteers to share ideas and learn from each other, to participate in high-quality continuing education sessions, and to learn about a region of Virginia that may be different from their home communities.

Each year, one or more of our local VMN chapters serve as the host chapter(s) for the conference, helping to choose programming that showcases their local natural areas, presenters, and style. The programming includes both on-site sessions and off-site field trips to visit natural resource highlights of the area. We emphasize hands-on learning and skill-building, trying to choose sessions that relate to the education, citizen science, and stewardship volunteer work that VMN volunteers do.

WhoDue to the nature and limited space of our VMN conference, only certified VMNs, VMN members, VMN trainees, and partners from our state agency sponsors (including chapter advisors) may attend.

💡 CE: Birdwatching Boat Tour with Capt. Payne
2025-09-06 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York)
BOAT TRIP, Saturday, September 6, 2025. Birdwatching Boat Tour with Capt. Payne, Wachapreague, VA. Celebrate World Shorebird Day and get an amazingly close look at seabirds and shorebirds from the water! $20/Limited to 6 Participants/Time Slot. Registration Required by 8/28/2025 Leader: Capt. Meriwether Payne 757-710-2454. Saturday, Sept. 6 at 3 time slots, please register for only 1. 8:00 – 11:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Log your hours in Better Impact Under Category 2, Continuing Education.

🧤 Volunteer: STEAM Community Event (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts/Agriculture, and Mathematics)
2025-09-06 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Mary N. Smith Cultural Enrichment Center, 24577 Mary N. Smith Road, Accomac, Virginia, 23301, United States
The Education and Outreach Committee is looking for volunteers for this event. We will be focusing on TREES. We have numerous kids activities such as create your personal tree ring paper plate, match the tree ring to the conditions, make a tree penny necklace and more. All training will be provided. We need two people for each time slot (9:30-11:30,11:30-1:30). Please email Brenda Poist at bbioqueen@aol.com if you can volunteer. Log your hours under Better Impact Category 15, Eastern Shore Events. Please be sure to include #Treemendous20th in the description for your entry.

Zero Waste Awareness Week in Virginia
2025-09-07 00:00 - 2025-09-13 23:59 (America/New_York)

💡 CE: Proper Native Tree Planting for Long-Term Success (Virtual - Penn State Extension)
2025-09-09 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Virtual
The success of newly planted trees depends on more than proper planting techniques—site selection and follow-up care are just as essential for ensuring healthy, long-term growth. Join the Master Watershed Steward program and a Community Tree Specialist from the Bureau of Forestry to learn how to choose the right planting location for your native trees and shrubs, considering microsite conditions and the size of your planting area to help your trees thrive.

Registration Required.

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

🧤 Volunteer: Catch the King Data Collection Training
2025-09-09 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | UVA Coastal Research Center/LTER, 6364 Cliffs Rd, Cape Charles, 23310, United States
Catch the King is an annual community science initiative that mobilizes volunteers to map the extent of tidal flooding during perigean spring tides, also known as “king tides.”

These tides represent the highest astronomical tides of the year, occurring when the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun align, and the Moon is at its closest approach to Earth (perigee).

Participants in the event use a mobile app that collects location-based data points along the water’s edge at peak high tide. This in-person training session will prepare participants to use the app and collect data.

This crowdsourced data collection effort contributes to high-resolution mapping of tidal inundation areas, providing valuable empirical data for hydrodynamic modeling and flood forecasting.

Log your hours in Better Impact under category 14.

💡 CE: Butterfly Walks at the ES NWR
2025-09-12 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-09-26 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Halifax) | Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 32205 Seaside Road, Cape Charles, VA, 23310, United States

💡 Fall Migration Bird Walk at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
2025-09-13 08:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge – Toms Cove Visitor Center, 8586 Beach Road, Chincoteague, Virginia, 23336
Meet at the Toms Cove Visitor Center. We’ll look for migrating songbirds and shorebirds. For birders of all levels and all ages. Hosted by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Eastern Shore Master Naturalists. Log your hours in Better Impact under Category 2 – Continuing Education.

💡 CE: Birding Field Trip - Brinkley Preserve
2025-09-13 08:30 (America/New_York)
FIELD TRIP, Saturday, Sept. 13, Meet at 8:30 AM at the Edward S. Brinkley Preserve, 20199 Seaside Road, at Cobbs Station Road. Join Joette Borzik and Maggie Long in search of fall migrants: waders and waterfowl in the pond, warblers and other passerines in the woods and thickets, and shorebirds from the overlook. Register with Joette Borzik at vabirdmom@gmail.com

Log your hours in Better Impact under Category 2, Continuing Education.

💡 CE: Birding Field Trip -Chincoteague Island Nature Trail
2025-09-17 08:30 (America/New_York)
FIELD TRIP, Wednesday, Sept. 17, Meet at 8:30 AM at the Chincoteague Island Nature Trail, 6078 Hallie Whealton Smith Drive, Chincoteague VA. Look for migrating warblers and other passerines at this local hotspot with leaders Helen Belencan and Gary Smith. The trail is about 1 mile of easy terrain. Register with Gary Smith at 803-292-6883.

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

💡CE: ESMN Chapter Meeting: TNC’s Mario Balitbit on Long-Term Monitoring of Shore Bird Populations
2025-09-17 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Halifax) | Virginia Institute of Marine Science Eastern Shore Laboratory, Seaside Hall, 36 Atlantic Street, Wachapreague, VA, United States
Mario Balitbit will discuss long-term monitoring of shore bird of populations such as American Oystercatchers, Whimbrels and Willets.

TNC Bio:

A lifelong bird enthusiast, Mario joined TNC full time in December 2022 after working as a summer seasonal shorebird technician. As part of VVCR’s Migratory Bird Program, Mario assists with our long-term monitoring efforts of many shore/waterbird species—including willets, American oystercatchers and whimbrels—found breeding, wintering or migrating along the Barrier Islands system. Mario also coordinates our Island Steward volunteer program, engaging visitors on barrier island policies to protect beach nesting birds.

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.

🧤Assateague Island National Seashore Bioblitz
2025-09-20 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-09-21 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-09-22 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-09-23 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-09-24 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-09-25 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-09-26 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-09-27 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Celebrate Assateague Island National Seashore’s Birthday and National Public Lands Day with us!

Participate in our week-long iNaturalist BioBlitz, September 21st – 27th, identifying as many species within the park as possible. Enjoy one of our trails, walk the beach, or explore the marsh; there’s thousands of species to observe.

Snap photos of any plant, animal, insect, mushroom, or other living creature on Assateague Island and log your observation using the iNaturalist app. You’re helping contribute to a larger biodiversity database for the National Seashore by participating!

A limited number of special programs will be offered in both districts of the park dedicated to this project as well.

No sign-up required, just get out there and ID! All species identified within the park during this event will be added to our 2025 BioBlitz project and results will be published after the event concludes.

As cell service is limited on the island, it is recommended to download the iNaturalist app and create an account prior to arriving to the park.

For more info, check out the project on iNaturalist.

Link to Google maps.

🧤 Volunteer: Chincoteague Bay Field Station (CBFS) Bioblitz
2025-09-20 08:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Chesapeake Bay Field Station, 34001 Mill Dam Road, Wallops Island, Virginia, 23337, United States
Chincoteague Bay Field Station (CBFS) is hosting their first Bioblitz. This day program will provide the opportunity for participants to learn more about the importance of biodiversity, how to identify and distinguish species, and the chance to apply this knowledge to our local ecosystems in a friendly competition!

Participants should bring a packed lunch and meet at the CBFS at 8:30 AM on September 20 for a brief lesson on biodiversity, iNat, and species identification. CBFS will then transport participants to the Refuge, index our three habitats, eat lunch, and transport all participants back to CBFS by 3:30 PM.

This program is free. Registration required. Please visit the CBFS website for more information or email/call them! Happy IDing!

💡 CE: VIMS Marine Life Day
2025-09-20 12:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Virginia Institute of Marine Science Eastern Shore Laboratory, Seaside Hall, 36 Atlantic Street, Wachapreague, VA, United States
Join us for a fun and educational day exploring marine life found on Virginia’s Eastern Shore! Join staff and students to discover how science and real-world questions intersect in Wachapreague, VA. We will have touch tanks, live displays, creatures under microscopes, crafts and activities, and opportunities to speak with our scientists! Featured research and displays will include shellfish, crustaceans, fish, sharks, and many more! All activities are free, as is parking. The event proceeds rain or shine.

This event is free, open to all ages, and will take place rain or shine.

**Please note that this event will be held at the Eastern Shore Laboratory in Wachapreague, VA.**

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

💡 CE: Birding Field Trip - Folly Creek
2025-09-23 17:00 (America/New_York)
FIELD TRIP, Tuesday, Sept. 23, Meet at 5:00 PM for a VESLT JOINT FIELD TRIP AT BOWMAN’S FOLLY ON FOLLY CREEK, 25118 Bowmans Folly Drive, Accomac, VA. Join Maggie Long, Paul Anderson, and members of the Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust for a rare opportunity to bird a private property protected with a conservation easement. Register with Maggie Long at 610-500-9971

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

💡CE: Perk Up and Learn
2025-09-26 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Buttercups, 16393 Courthouse Road, Eastville, Virginia, 23347, United States
In this month’s session, learn how to:

Identify Weeds and Invasive Plant Species

Control and Remove Invasive Plant Species

Unwanted plants can do more than crowd your garden-they can disrupt ecosystems, threaten native species, and impact agricultural productivity. Join us for an engaging session on how to identify common weeds and invasive plant species in our region, understand their ecological impact, and explore practical strategies for control and removal.

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

National Public Lands Day
2025-09-27 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York)
On the Eastern Shore today is a no-admission fee day for many public lands including the Eastern Shore and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuges, Assateague National Seashore, and Kiptopeke State Park.

What is National Public Lands Day?

National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event for public lands, held each year on the fourth Saturday in September. It’s also a  “Fee-Free Day”, when entrance fees are waived at national parks and many other public lands across the country.

Coordinated by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), NPLD brings together thousands of volunteers—individuals, families, organizations, and agencies—to care for and celebrate America’s public lands through service and community events.

Public lands include national parks, forests, monuments, wildlife refuges, grasslands, marine sanctuaries, lakes, and state, county, and city parks—spaces managed by public agencies or nonprofits and open to all.
