🧤 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) | Virginia
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) | Virginia
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) | Virginia
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) | Virginia
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) | Virginia
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.

🧤 Volunteer: Exmore Fall Festival
2025-09-27 09:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Main Street Exmore, Main Street, Exmore, VA, United States
There are TWO volunteer opportunities at this event.

ESMN

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 (9:00-12:30,12:30-3:30). 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.

TNC

The Nature Conservancy is looking for 2-4 volunteers to accompany TNC Staff at our informational booth. We have found that this free event is a great opportunity to reach out to local residents of all ages and backgrounds, as well as have some fun in neighboring downtown Exmore! Volunteers will pass out Conservancy materials, greet the public, walk visitors through hands-on activities, and answer questions as best they can. Bilingual skills (Spanish/English, Haitian/English) a plus. Materials and training will be provided as needed, and staff will be on hand at the event. Please sign up for one or more of these shifts by emailing mvanclief@tnc.org. Saturday, Sept 27: 9:15 am-12:15 pm (2 volunteers)

Saturday, Sept 27: 12:00 pm-3:15 pm (2 volunteers) Please log your hours under Better Impact Category 13.

🧤 Volunteer: Eastern Shore Agricultural Fair
2025-10-04 09:30 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Virginia
There are THREE volunteer opportunities at this event! The Chapter, TNC, and Plant Eastern Shore Natives all need volunteers for tables. See details below.

ESMN

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 (9:30-12:00,12:00-3:30). 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.

TNC

The Nature Conservancy is looking for 2-4 volunteers to staff our informational booth at the Northampton County Ag Fair on Saturday, October 4. This free event is always fun, and it’s a great way to connect with folks from the agricultural community, as well as our local community on the whole! Volunteers will pass out Conservancy materials, greet the public, walk visitors through hands-on activities, and answer questions as best they can. Bilingual skills (Spanish/English, Haitian/English) a plus. TNC Staff will be on half, and all training and materials are provided. Please sign up for one or more of these shifts by emailing Margaret at mvanclief@tnc.org.

9:30 am-12:00 pm (2 volunteers)

11:45 am-2:30 pm (2 volunteers)

Please log your hours under Better Impact Category 13.

Plant Eastern Shore Natives

Volunteers are needed from 9-3:30. Short shifts are fine. Please contact Shannon shannonalexanderdcr@gmail.com to sign up.

Please log your hours under Better Impact Category 15.

🧤 Volunteer: October Big Day with eBird
2025-10-11 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York) | Virginia
October 11, 2025, October Big Day, with eBird. Go out birdwatching and submit all your bird sightings to eBird. Participate from anywhere – even from home. Get a team together or take part as an individual.

https://ebird.org/news/october-big-day-2025

Log your hours in Better Impact under Category 14.

🧤 Volunteer: Catch the King Data Collection Event!
2025-10-11 00:00 - 2025-10-13 23:59 (America/New_York) | Virginia
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.

What’s a King Tide, Anyway?

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

🧤 Volunteer: TNC Shell Recycling at the Chincoteague Oyster Festival
2025-10-11 11:30 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Virginia
Tom’s Cove Park – 8128 Beebe Rd, Chincoteague
We are seeking 2 more volunteers to round out our team and help gather discarded oyster shells at the Chincoteague Oyster Festival on Saturday, October 11th to be recycled in TNC’s marine habitat restoration and coastal resilience efforts around the Shore. Tasks include placing bushel baskets with “TNC Shell Recycling” signs throughout the event, monitoring baskets to make sure garbage doesn’t get mixed in, and carrying and dumping full bushel baskets into our trailer. Mild heavy lifting and carrying and quite a bit of walking is involved. Closed toed shoes and gloves are recommended.TNC Staff will be on half, and all training and materials are provided. Volunteers receive free entry to the event and all the seafood they can eat!

To sign up for a volunteer shift, please email me here at mvanclief@tnc.org.

Please log your hours under Better Impact Category 13.

🧤 Volunteer: Tide Mapping School Field Trip
2025-10-14 07:45 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | UVA Coastal Research Center/LTER, 6364 Cliffs Rd, Cape Charles, 23310, United States
October 14th (Tuesday) – NEW DATE – Tide Mapping Field Trip (7:45am – 2pm, with some set up before and pack up after). For Nandua 6th grade students; help students map recent flooding and explore what it reveals about conditions on the Shore as sea levels rise. History, mapping, data, music, exploration. Optional but helpful orientation on the 13th at 2pm.

Signup here.

Please log your hours under Better Impact Category 23.

💡 CE: Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Council Conference
2025-10-20 08:00 - 2025-10-21 17:30 (America/New_York) | Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, 23228
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond

More information and registration at https://invasivesfree.org/maipc-conference/.

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

🧤 Volunteer: TNC Elementary School Field Trips
2025-10-22 09:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | TNC Brownsville Preserve, 11332 Brownsville Rd, Nassawadox, Virginia, 23413
Also November 6, 13, and maybe 14.

Volunteers will guide 5th grade students through forest, high marsh, or low marsh habitats looking for examples of food, shelter, and water through the eyes of different animals and plants that are found living there.

Groups of students will number around 25 each. No volunteer would lead a group by themselves but will help TNC staff or lead with another volunteer. Parent chaperones and teachers will also be with each group to help. Most groups arrive at Brownsville Preserve around 9:15 or so and leave by 1:15.

Anyone volunteering who isn’t already youth safety certified through TNC will need to sign a two-time exception waiver where they can volunteer twice with TNC where youth are present before needing to go through a background check and short online training.

Anyone can be helpful if they like to be around kids and nature. We have lesson plan documents that we can share with anyone who is interested so that they get some details on what the field trip is like.

Contact jennifer.miller@tnc.org to sign up. Please log your hours under Category 13, The Nature Conservancy

🧤 Volunteer: Day in the Lab w/Project Horizons
2025-10-22 09:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | UVA Coastal Research Center/LTER, 6364 Cliffs Rd, Cape Charles, 23310, United States
2pm.

October 22nd (Wed.) – (9am to 2pm, with set up before). Day in the Lab w/ Project Horizons. This field trip bring ~25 high schools students from both counties to visit the CRC. This year we will focus on a boat-based investigation, followed by a discussion of science careers.

Please log you hours under Better Impact Category 23.

Sign up for Tide Mapping and Project Horizons here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MblkwUXSwalqp2aqRSOlUqxHaM3j7WU8lCBKUsMqPKY/edit?usp=sharing.

💡 VMN October CE Webinar: The ecology and restoration of urban forested natural areas
2025-10-22 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Virginia
Description: Small forests embedded across developed landscapes are susceptible to adjacent and regional anthropogenic activities and are ideal for studying the combined effects of global environmental change on ecosystems. Dr. Trammell will present research conducted on urban forests of the Mid-Atlantic highlighting plant and soil communities and research on adaptive management practices for resilient and sustainable urban forests. The talk will highlight a co-produced research project between urban forest practitioners, university researchers, and US Forest Service scientists with the goal of building resilient urban forests for climate change.

Presenter: Dr. Tara L.E. Trammell is the John Bartram Associate Professor of Urban Forestry in the Plant and Soil Sciences Department at the University of Delaware. She has a Ph.D. and M.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Mathematics. For over 20 years, she has conducted research in the field of urban ecology. She is a co-lead scientist for the Urban Silviculture Network, a long-term urban forest ecology network (the FRAME; FoRest Among Managed Ecosystems), and the American Residential Macrosystem project.

Registration: Pre-registration required; you’ll receive the link to join after you register.

Recording: As with all VMN Continuing Education Webinars, this webinar will be recorded and posted on the VMN CE Webinar webpage. You do not need to register to be able to access the recording. There’s no need to ask us if it will be recorded!

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