Eastern Shore Master Naturalists

Volunteer: Clean the Bay Day
2024-06-01 09:00 - 12:00 UTC
REGISTER BY MAY 28th
From CBF:
”Each year, on the first Saturday of June, thousands of Virginians simultaneously descend on the rivers, streams, beaches, and inland parks of the Chesapeake Bay watershed to remove harmful litter and debris. Clean the Bay Day has been a staple for Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay community since its inception more than three decades ago. A true Virginian tradition, it is an annual opportunity for individuals, families, military installations, businesses, clubs, civic and church groups to give back to their local waterways. Watch our video to see why so many people participate.”
The Nature Conservancy is seeking volunteers to help clean the shorelines of Oyster Harbor and the surrounding area during the 35th Clean the Bay Day event in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Join hundreds of volunteers throughout Virginia on Saturday, June 1st, 9:30-11:30 am in pitching in to clean our waterways. Trash bags, gloves, and training provided on site. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. To volunteer and receive information about meeting location, please contact VCR Outreach & Education Coordinator, Margaret Van Clief at mvanclief@tnc.org or (757) 414-9227.
Register here to sign up with Burnham Guides in Onancock (boaters only).
See more information here .
Category 16/Chesapeake Bay Foundation Clean the Bay Day

Volunteer: Eastern Shore Land Trust Student Field Trips
2024-05-24 09:00 - 13:00
The Eastern Shore Land Trust is seeking volunteers to conduct the following student field trips (Category 15: Eastern Shore Land Trust Children’s Field Trips):

May 7th – Metompkin Elementary 2nd grade (3 classes/6 volunteers)
May 9th – Metompkin Elementary 2nd grade (2 classes/4 volunteers)
May 20th – Kegotank Elementary 1st grade ESL (11 students/1-2 volunteers)
May 24th Kegotank Elementary 2nd grade ESL (17 students/2 volunteers)

The May 7th and May 9th field trips will be held at Grayson Chesser’s farm on the way to Saxis. The May 20th and 24th field trips will be held at Brownsville Preserve.
The day will look something like this:
9:00/9:30 a.m. Students arrive
9:30 a.m. Welcome and introduction by VESLT
10 a.m. 1-2 mile nature walk with scavenger hunt
11:15 a.m. Activities – identifying bones and shells, art reflection/journaling based on the scavenger hunt
12 p.m. Lunch (please bring your lunch, we will have some snacks available for volunteers)
1 p.m. Departure
Ideally, they will have enough volunteers to co-lead a class of students or to break the classes into smaller groups. They are also looking for help leading the activities.
Second grade is learning about habitat and life cycle. Deer and butterflies are popular and often the classroom example.

To sign up or get more information please contact Hali Plourde-Rogers

Executive Director, Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust

CE: VMN Webinar - The Ins and Outs of Rain Gardens
2024-05-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Registration is required for live event. Recording will be available later on VMN CE website.
Description (from VMN): Rain gardens are probably the most commonly used stormwater management practice in residential landscapes. Join Dr. Laurie Fox, Horticulture Associate with Virginia Tech, for an in depth look at how to design, install and maintain a rain garden.
Category 2: Continuing Education
See VMN CE Webinars for additional CE opportunities.

Volunteer: Eastern Shore Land Trust Student Field Trips
2024-05-20 09:00 - 13:00
The Eastern Shore Land Trust is seeking volunteers to conduct the following student field trips (Category 15: Eastern Shore Land Trust Children’s Field Trips):

May 7th – Metompkin Elementary 2nd grade (3 classes/6 volunteers)
May 9th – Metompkin Elementary 2nd grade (2 classes/4 volunteers)
May 20th – Kegotank Elementary 1st grade ESL (11 students/1-2 volunteers)
May 24th Kegotank Elementary 2nd grade ESL (17 students/2 volunteers)

The May 7th and May 9th field trips will be held at Grayson Chesser’s farm on the way to Saxis. The May 20th and 24th field trips will be held at Brownsville Preserve.
The day will look something like this:
9:00/9:30 a.m. Students arrive
9:30 a.m. Welcome and introduction by VESLT
10 a.m. 1-2 mile nature walk with scavenger hunt
11:15 a.m. Activities – identifying bones and shells, art reflection/journaling based on the scavenger hunt
12 p.m. Lunch (please bring your lunch, we will have some snacks available for volunteers)
1 p.m. Departure
Ideally, we will have enough volunteers to co-lead a class of students or to break the classes into smaller groups. I will also be looking for help leading the activities.
Second grade is learning about habitat and life cycle. Deer and butterflies are popular and often the classroom example.

To sign up or get more information please contact Hali Plourde-Rogers

Executive Director, Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust

Volunteer: TNC Whimbrel Watch
2024-05-19 17:00 - 2024-05-28 19:00 | Box Tree Farm, Box Tree Drive, Machipongo, VA, United States
The public is invited to join TNC VVCR’s Migratory Bird Conservation staff and volunteers on the evenings of May 19th-28th from 5:00-7:00 pm ET to learn about Whimbrel migration, take in the beauty and biodiversity of the seaside salt marsh habitat and participate in a little citizen science!
Category 13: Whimbrel Watch
Whimbrel have a remarkable migration story! These shorebirds travel from their wintering grounds in South America to their breeding territory in the Arctic and subarctic each spring – over 4,000 miles one way! For many Whimbrel, Virginia is the only stop before reaching their breeding grounds. The Virginia Coast Reserve is especially important for these birds to rest and refuel, where they feed on an abundance of invertebrates, such as fiddler crabs, on the expanses of protected marshland. Whimbrel Watch began in 2009 to document Whimbrel leaving the area and has become an annual outreach event to engage the community in citizen science. This effort is conducted in partnership with William & Mary’s Center for Conservation Biology.
Event Location Details:
To reach Box Tree Farm, east of Machipongo, take Machipongo Road east from Highway 13. Machipongo Road will become Box Tree Drive as you cross through at the stop sign on Seaside Road. Follow Box Tree Drive all the way to the end where you’ll see our team, the salt marsh and the water!
For questions, please reach out to our Migratory Bird Specialist, Mario Balitbit at mario.balitbit@tnc.org or our Outreach and Education Coordinator, Margaret Van Clief at mvanclief@tnc.org or call (757) 414-9227.

Continuing Ed: Mutton Hunk Fen Natural Area Preserve Walk
2024-05-16 09:00 - 11:30 | Mutton Hunk Fen Natural Area Preserve, 28583 Baker Road, Parksley, VA, United States
REGISTRATION REQUIRED/SPACE IS LIMITED More information here.
Join Kellie Piekarsky, Chair of the ESMN Mutton Hunk Fen Stewardship Committee, and Joanne Laskowski on this guided walk. Participants will walk the trails of this Mutton Hunk Fen Natural Area Preserve with Master Naturalist guides. They will receive information about this preserve and its transition from commercial agricultural fields to its habitat for wildlife today. During this approximately mile and a half walk the guides will help identify plants, birds, and other animals in the area.”
Category 2: Continuing Education
See VMN CE Webinars for additional CE opportunities.

ESMN Nature Walk and Chapter Picnic!
2024-05-15 16:00 - 20:00
Enjoy socializing with fellow Master Naturalists and the beauty of the natural setting. Take a nature walk and view wildlife along with a visit to several lovely seeps on the property. Come at 4:00 if you would like to join members on a guided walk which counts for 1 hour of Continuing Education. Bug repellent & sturdy shoes are advisable.
Directions and additional details will be provided to members via email.

Volunteer: TNC Eelgrass Seed Collection
2024-05-15 08:00 - 2024-05-26 17:00
Sign-up required. This opportunity has very specific requirements, including the ability to snorkel. Please review all the details here and contact Jen Dalke if you are interested.
Each year, The Nature Conservancy and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), along with several partners in the Seaside Heritage Seagrass Community Restoration Program, begin another chapter in the largest seagrass restoration project in the world!
And you can be a part of it.
Volunteer snorkelers and water lovers are needed to collect millions of eelgrass seeds offshore of Oyster on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Volunteers must sign up to get updates as collection days each year are weather dependent and cancellations may occur.
Trips will last from 4-5 hours.
CATEGORY 13: Seagrass Restoration

Volunteer: Birding on the Deck
2024-05-14 17:00 - 19:00 | Island House Restaurant, 17 Atlantic Avenue, Wachapreague, VA, 23480, United States
Birding on the Deck at the Island House Restaurant, Wachapreague. Various coastal birds and migratory shorebirds are viewed from the back deck of the Island House Restaurant. The Eastern Shore Bird Club will have scopes and bird books and welcome beginners.
For More Information: Roberta Kellam info@birdingeasternshore.org
Category 14: eBird Survey (NOTE: You must submit an eBird list to get credit for volunteer hours.)

Continuing Ed: Magothy Bay Natural Area Preserve Walk
2024-05-14 09:00 - 11:30 | Magothy Bay Natural Area Preserve, 4829 Bulls Drive, Cape Charles, VA, United States
REGISTRATION REQUIRED/SPACE IS LIMITED More information here.
Join members Frank Renshaw and David Boyd as they “walk through the 445-acre Preserve that encompasses woodlands, forested wetlands, and an extensive salt marsh on the southern tip of Virginia’s Eastern Shore.”
Category 2: Continuing Education
See VMN CE Webinars for additional CE opportunities.

Birding at Chincoteague Island Nature Trail w/ ES Bird Club
2024-05-11 09:00 | Island Nature Trail, 6032 Hallie Wheallton Smith Drive, Chincoteague, VA, United States
Explore this local hotspot for specialties such as red-headed woodpecker along with migrating songbirds. A Swainson’s Warbler was spotted there recently but it has apparently moved on. A great spot and you never know what you might find.

Leader: Joanne Laskowski – 757-665-4984.

Category 14: eBird Surveys (NOTE: You must submit an eBird list to get credit for volunteer hours.)

Volunteer: Eastern Shore Land Trust Student Field Trips
2024-05-09 09:00 - 13:00
The Eastern Shore Land Trust is seeking volunteers to assist with the following student field trips (Category 15: Eastern Shore Land Trust Children’s Field Trips):

May 7th – Metompkin Elementary 2nd grade (3 classes/6 volunteers)
May 9th – Metompkin Elementary 2nd grade (2 classes/4 volunteers)
May 20th – Kegotank Elementary 1st grade ESL (11 students/1-2 volunteers)
May 24th Kegotank Elementary 2nd grade ESL (17 students/2 volunteers)

The May 7th and May 9th field trips will be held at Grayson Chesser’s farm on the way to Saxis. The May 20th and 24th field trips will be held at Brownsville Preserve.
The day will look something like this:
9:00/9:30 a.m. Students arrive
9:30 a.m. Welcome and introduction by VESLT
10 a.m. 1-2 mile nature walk with scavenger hunt
11:15 a.m. Activities – identifying bones and shells, art reflection/journaling based on the scavenger hunt
12 p.m. Lunch (please bring your lunch, we will have some snacks available for volunteers)
1 p.m. Departure
Ideally, we will have enough volunteers to co-lead a class of students or to break the classes into smaller groups. I will also be looking for help leading the activities.
Second grade is learning about habitat and life cycle. Deer and butterflies are popular and often the classroom example.

To sign up or get more information please contact Hali Plourde-Rogers

Executive Director, Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust

Volunteer: Eastern Shore Land Trust Student Field Trips
2024-05-07 09:00 - 13:00
The Eastern Shore Land Trust is seeking volunteers to conduct the following student field trips (Category 15: Eastern Shore Land Trust Children’s Field Trips):

May 7th – Metompkin Elementary 2nd grade (3 classes/6 volunteers)
May 9th – Metompkin Elementary 2nd grade (2 classes/4 volunteers)
May 20th – Kegotank Elementary 1st grade ESL (11 students/1-2 volunteers)
May 24th Kegotank Elementary 2nd grade ESL (17 students/2 volunteers)

The May 7th and May 9th field trips will be held at Grayson Chesser’s farm on the way to Saxis. The May 20th and 24th field trips will be held at Brownsville Preserve.
The day will look something like this:

9:00/9:30 a.m. Students arrive
9:30 a.m. Welcome and introduction by VESLT
10 a.m. 1-2 mile nature walk with scavenger hunt
11:15 a.m. Activities – identifying bones and shells, art reflection/journaling based on the scavenger hunt
12 p.m. Lunch (please bring your lunch, we will have some snacks available for volunteers)
1 p.m. Departure

Ideally, they will have enough volunteers to co-lead a class of students or to break the classes into smaller groups. They are also be looking for help leading the activities.
Second grade is learning about habitat and life cycle. Deer and butterflies are popular and often the classroom example.

To sign up or get more information please contact Hali Plourde-Rogers

Executive Director, Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust

*** THIS EVENT IS FULL *** Continuing Ed: Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area Preserve Walk
2024-05-06 09:00 - 11:30 | Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area Preserve, 2186 Savage Neck Rd. Drive, Cape Charles, VA, United States
*** THIS EVENT IS FULL ***

REGISTRATION REQUIRED/SPACE IS LIMITED More information here.
Join ESMN members Rose Marie Roessler and Maggie Long on a guided walk of SND. The group will be given a brief history of the Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area Preserve area and the transition from fields to upland woodland. The preserve includes maritime forests and dunes along the Chesapeake Bay. This guided walk is about two hours out to the shoreline, along the trails, and back to the parking area. We will try to identify the plants, birds, and other wildlife encountered during the walk.
Category 2: Continuing Education
See VMN CE Webinars for additional CE opportunities.

Cape Charles NAP Bamboo Removal with DCR
2024-05-02 10:00 - 15:00 | Cape Charles NAP, 301 Patrick Henry Avenue, Cape Charles, VA, 23310, United States
Please sign up here. Four shifts available: 10am-Noon and 1pm-3pm on April 30 and May 2

Category 6/Trail Management

We’ll be working for the second consecutive year with our Bay Creek Stewardship partners to address the invasive bamboo along our shared boundary. This year we’ll have the Bay Creek chipper on site so that we don’t have to load up all of the bamboo to trailer away.

DCR will bring some gloves, snips, handsaws, etc, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own tools if they would like and are able.

If anyone has use for the bamboo – last year the Cape Charles New Roots Community Garden took a truckload – please let me know. As a reminder, bamboo must dry out and age fully prior to use in the ground or soil, as it will reestablish roots.

Volunteer: Cape Charles NAP Bamboo Removal with DCR
2024-04-30 10:00 - 15:00 | TBD
Please sign up here. Four shifts available: 10am-Noon and 1pm -3pm on April 30 and May 2

Category 6/Trail Management

We’ll be working for the second consecutive year with our Bay Creek Stewardship partners to address the invasive bamboo along our shared boundary. This year we’ll have the Bay Creek chipper on site so that we don’t have to load up all of the bamboo to trailer away.

DCR will bring some gloves, snips, handsaws, etc, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own tools if they would like and are able.

If anyone has use for the bamboo – last year the Cape Charles New Roots Community Garden took a truckload – please let me know. As a reminder, bamboo must dry out and age fully prior to use in the ground or soil, as it will reestablish roots.

Continuing Ed: Edward S. Brinkley Nature Preserve Walk
2024-04-27 12:00 - 14:00 | Edward S. Brinkley Nature Preserve, 20199 Seaside Road, Cape Charles, VA, United States
REGISTRATION REQUIRED/SPACE IS LIMITED For more information.
Join members Martina Coker and Paul Anderson on this walk which “will take students through the varied habitats at the Edward S. Brinkley Preserve, observing flora and fauna on the freshwater lake, in the meadows, along the forested paths, and along the shoreline viewed from a seaside platform.”
Category 2: Continuing Education

Free Plants and a Plant Clinic at Arbor Day Celebration in Cape Charles
2024-04-27 00:00 - 23:59 | Strawberry Plaza, Cape Charles, VA, Strawberry Plaza, Cape Charles, United States
The Eastern Shore Soil and Water Conservation District, in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Forestry, Eastern Shore of Virginia Master Gardeners, and the Cape Charles Tree Advisory Board, will be celebrating Arbor Day on Saturday, April 27, 2024.
Native plants and trees will be given away along with educational materials. Other events include an Arbor Day Proclamation, the designation of Cape Charles as a Tree City USA, and a Master Gardener plant clinic.
Tree seedlings, plant plugs, and seeds will be available while supplies last. There will be a limit of one seedling and plant plug per person to ensure that everyone gets a chance to participate.
The event is being held at Strawberry Street Plaza in Cape Charles from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Come out and join us for this fun day celebrating trees and native plants. For more information contact Julie.head@esswcd.org.
Native trees and plants to be given away at the Strawberry Street Plaza in Cape Charles in honor of Arbor Day include:
Trees/Shrubs

elderberry
persimmon
redbud
box elder
white dogwood

Perennials

butterfly weed
lyreleaf sage
white turtlehead
ironweed
coral honeysuckle

Volunteer: Guided Nature Walk with TNC to Collect Data for Nature Challenge
2024-04-26 08:00 - 10:00 | Sunnyside Road and Seaside Road, Northampton County, VA 23310, Sunnyside Road & Seaside Road, 23310, United States
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Join TNC’s Wetlands Program Manager, Kati Booth, on an exploration of TNC’s Cubberly site, a beautiful forested wetland along Cobb Mill Creek that lies within Delmarva Migratory Bird Stopover Habitat.

Volunteer: Community Science Challenge
2024-04-26 00:00 - 2024-04-29 23:59
Are you up for a challenge? Join The Nature Conservancy and community partners to compete in the annual community science challenge from April 26th-29th!
Category 14 Bioblitz/City Nature Challenge Eastern Shore iNaturalist Surveys. If you wish you can log your hours on the ESMN iNaturalist page so that we can get an aggregate for the chapter.
It’s easy to get involved. Take pictures of wild plants and animals and upload them to the iNaturalist app (free) on your smart device or computer. You can record sounds and animal evidence, too (feathers, scat, bones). You don’t even have to leave your home. Take a picture of the spider in the corner of your bathtub or the ant crawling on the kitchen counter. Walking your dog this weekend? Take a picture of the dandelion between the sidewalk cracks. Visit your favorite park or nature preserve to see what’s blooming, crawling, flying and singing.
Don’t let the word “city” fool you, everyone can participate!
How do you participate in the Nature Challenge?
1. Download iNaturalist (free) on your smart device. • Apple/iPhone app download link • Android app download link
2. Take pictures of wild plants and animals. You can also record sounds and evidence of wildlife, such as scat or feathers.
3. Where and when? Anywhere! When you’re walking the dog, in your backyard, the ant crawling up the sidewalk, your favorite park, or a nature preserve. Nature is everywhere!
Make observations between Friday, April 26th and Monday, April 29th. Feeling unsure about how to use iNaturalist? Watch this recording of what to do or attend this free webinar on April 17th. Any observations made in Accomack and Northampton counties on iNaturalist will automatically count towards the Challenge.

CE: WATCH - “Against the Current” WHRO Documentary about ESVA Sea-level Rise
2024-04-24 20:00 - 21:00 | Virtual
In case you missed the limited screening:
“Against the Current” premiere on Wednesday, April 24th at 8PM on WHRO TV15. This special provides a powerful glimpse of how Virginia’s Eastern Shore residents are subject to the challenges of rising water’s effects on their lives and livelihood. Through resilience and perseverance, they learn to co-exist and celebrate their rural home. How can this unique community shed light on the national conversations happening around these climate issues? (WHRO)
This show includes interviews of Eastern Shore residents and highlights projects supported by ESMN, including oyster reef restoration in Wachapreague and eel grass seed collection.

Category 2: Continuing Education

Volunteer: Invest in Our Planet Earth Day Celebration at the Exmore Town Park
2024-04-20 09:00 - 15:00 | Exmore Town Park, 10A3, A-52, Exmore, VA, 23350, United States
MANY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
At the Invest in Our Planet Earth Day Celebration at the Exmore Town Park SATURDAY April 20th, there are numerous volunteer opportunities:

ESMN/DCR have three tables each with two shifts 9am -12pm and 12pm – 3pm.

VDCR Natural Heritage Program (Category 15: ESMN OutreachTable/Tours Eastern Shore Events)
ESMN Ed & Outreach (Category 15: ESMN OutreachTable/Tours Eastern Shore Events)
Plant Eastern Shore Natives campaign (Category 15: PLANTS Plant Eastern Shore Natives Presentations)

We particularly need help with the afternoon session noon-3pm for this event. We appreciate morning volunteers arriving a bit early to help setup and afternoon volunteers staying to help with takedown. Please complete this form to RSVP to volunteer!
Contact Brenda Poist or Shannon Alexander for more information.

NEW: The Nature Conservancy is looking for volunteers for their information booth. Email Jen to help.

10 a.m.—12:30 p.m.: 2 volunteers needed
12:30—3 p.m.: 2 volunteers needed

Category 13: Assist with Educational Programs

NEW: Help is also needed at the UVA/LTER booth where they will be handing out research information, making a mural of water issues, and (pending a working data set) may be doing a small activity about sea level rise. Contact Cora A. Baird for more info/to signup.
Category 23: Education and Outreach

NEW: Other event highlights include music, Earth Day, and National Parks Day in the Exmore Town Park. Entertainment featuring Paul Pesco, Alvy Powell and others. Earth Day activities, vendors, food–and lots more music.

First Day of National Park Week - Entrance Fees Waived at National Parks Today
2024-04-20 00:00 - 23:59

Continuing Ed: VMN Webinar - It’s Not Just About Counting Trees: The How, Why, What, Who and Where of a Tree Inventory
2024-04-18 13:00 - 14:00
Registration required. Get more info and sign up here.
Category 2 Continuing Education

Continuing Ed: Webinar - Hone Your Observation Skills Using iNaturalist
2024-04-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Join The Nature Conservancy as Maura Duffy, TNC’s Conservation Coordinator in Virginia, demonstrates how to use the free iNaturalist app and website to make wildlife observations and identify species.
All registrants will receive an email with the Zoom meeting information a few days before the presentation. We will also share a recording to those registrants who cannot join us live.
Category 2: Continuing Education

TNC Brownsville Open Farm Day
2024-04-13 10:00 - 15:00 | TNC Brownsville Preserve, 11332 Brownsville Rd, Nassawadox, Virginia, 23413
Celebrate Earth Month at the Volgenau Virginia Coast Reserve (VVCR)! You’re invited to the 7th Open Farm Day at Brownsville Preserve.
This free, all-ages event features guided nature walks, wagon rides, family activities and more! A midday picnic lunch will be served (available while supplies last).
Volunteer: There are positions teaching concepts (category 13 – Assist with Educational Activities) and positions helping with parking and lunch (no volunteer hours).

CE: SciPhi Seminar: What's Eating You? Ticks!
2024-04-12 09:30 - 11:30
SciPhi Seminar of the ESVA, “Tick Talk for the Shore: A Discussion of Species, the Diseases They Carry, and Prevention,” Dr. Marilyn Ailes, Room 148, ESCC, Melfa.
This talk qualifies for Continuing Education.
Category 2: Continuing Education
See VMN CE Webinars for additional CE opportunities.

Continuing Ed: TNC’s Bird Conservation Projects on the Eastern Shore
2024-04-09 17:00 - 20:00
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) staff will provide updates on the latest projects on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, including monitoring shorebirds and habitat restoration studies.
Meet at 5:00 pm for social time; Room 147/148 of the Academic Building at the Eastern Shore Community College.
Category 2 Continuing Education (speaker time only)

Volunteer: The Nature Conservancy - Youth Environmental Education SPECIFIC DATES TBD
2024-04-08 00:00 - 2024-05-31 00:00
© TNC
April-May SPECIFIC DATES TBD Naturalist: youth environmental education Brownsville Preserve & Parramore Island Learn more and sign up to help.
Category 13 The Nature Conservancy/Assist with Educational Programs.
