Eastern Shore Master Naturalists

💡CE: Owl Prowl at Brownsville Preserve
2025-03-01 17:30 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | TNC Brownsville Preserve, 11332 Brownsville Rd, Nassawadox, Virginia, 23413
Meet at The Nature Conservancy office for an after-hours foray in search of nocturnal birds. Limit of 15 Participants. Registration Required: info@birdingeasternshore.org.
Be sure to register in advance – event may be full.

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

🧤Volunteer Opportunity: Assist with Drone Work on Cobb Island
2025-03-10 00:00 - 2025-03-13 23:59
The VCR LTER is looking for 1 or 2 volunteers who are able to assist with drone work on Cobb Island March 10-13. This work is a unique opportunity to see both North and South Cobb Island in their current separated forms.

This fieldwork will be long days on the island, but not too physically draining. If everything goes smoothly, we may not be going out all four days.
You may sign up for one or more days. You must be available for the entire time. As of now, the schedule is 7:30am- 4pm, but this timeframe may shift.
You would be helping our student by walking around the island to install ground control points and then help keep an eye on the drone during flights.
Pack plenty of water and snacks, since you will be out on Cobb the whole time.
Note that bathroom access is limited to the boat ramp restrooms and the island itself.
No one will be getting wet, but there will be a potentially chilly ride out there depending on the weather, so we always recommend lots of layers (i.e. long sleeve + fleece + windbreaker or coat).
Footwear is person-dependent on the island. Some wear old sneakers, others wear tall boots, and others wear hiking boots. If you are unsure of what to wear, volunteers can always borrow workboots that we have at the CRC.

Please sign up HERE and reach out to Sophia Hoffman pbe8et@virginia.edu with any questions.

Log your hours under Better Impact Category Category 23.

Total Lunar Eclipse!
2025-03-14 01:00 - 05:00
A total lunar eclipse is coming soon. Here’s when to spot it.

💡 CE: 2025 Virginia Marine Debris Summit
2025-03-18 00:00 - 2025-03-20 23:59 | Norfolk Botanical Garden, 6700 AZALEA GARDEN RD, Norfolk, VA, 23518, United States
Registration is open until March 10th.
https://www.givesignup.org/TicketEvent/VAMarineDebrisSummit2025

The Virginia Marine Debris Summit (VMDS) is co-hosted by Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program and Clean Virginia Waterways. This 3-day event will focus on solutions to measurably reduce plastic pollution from entering Virginia’s freshwater and tidal rivers, estuaries, wetlands, beaches, and ocean. Speakers will share dynamic programs that have made a difference and can be replicated throughout the state. The summit will include in-depth solution-based discussions on the four major goals of the 2021-2025 Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan: Consumer Single-use Plastics, Derelict Fishing Gear, Microplastics & Microfibers, and Abandoned & Derelict Vessels. We will also discuss and share ideas for the updates to the 2026-2030 VMDRP. Join us for panel discussions, new ideas, updates to ongoing projects, networking, creating workgroups and even an opportunity for “Speed Dating With The Experts”. Be inspired by our amazing Keynote Speakers, Bonnie Monteleone of Plastic Ocean Project and Judith Enck of Beyond Plastics.
Marine debris has become one of the most widespread pollution problems in the world’s oceans and waterways, impacting wildlife, human health and safety, habitats, and economies. It is an enormous and growing problem, and it is important for Virginia to play its part in reducing debris from land-based and water-based sources.

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

💡ESMN Chapter Meeting “Virginia’s Dynamic Energy Landscape”
2025-03-19 17:00 - 19:00 | Virginia Institute of Marine Science Eastern Shore Laboratory, Seaside Hall, 36 Atlantic Street, Wachapreague, VA, United States
Speaker: John Larson of Virginia Power
Topic: Virginia’s Dynamic Energy Landscape
Schedule: 5:00 pm social time; 5:30 business meeting; 6:00 pm speaker.
Business Meeting Agenda: TBD
Location: 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.
Speaker Bio: John Larson joined Dominion Energy in 1996 and is currently the Director of Public Policy and Economic Development. During John’s career at the company, he has held various leadership positions in generation business development, alternative energy technologies as well as transmission construction and operations. He is well versed in offshore wind through his experience in the development and early permitting activities for Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) Pilot Project.
Currently, a large part of his time is spent on Dominion Energy’s Business to Business, Workforce Development and Community Outreach activity for as the Company moves forward implementing the requirements of the Virginia Clean Economy Act, including the 16,100 MW of solar, 5,200 MW of offshore wind and 2,700 MW of storage, with the objective of maximizing opportunities for Virginia’s vendors, subcontractors and suppliers.
John resides in Henrico County, Virginia with his wife and has three adult children. He graduated with a B.S in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina State University.

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

💡 CE: World Sparrow Day Walk at The Nature Conservancy’s Brownsville Preserve in Nassawadox.
2025-03-20 09:00 - 11:00 | TNC Brownsville Preserve, 11332 Brownsville Rd, Nassawadox, Virginia, 23413
WHAT: World Sparrow Day Walk – A guided walk on Brownsville Preserve through conserved sparrow habitat to look for these and other bird species on the Vernal Equinox! Led by TNC Migratory Bird Specialist, Mario Balitbit.
WHEN: Thursday, March 20th, 9:00-11:00 am
WHERE: The Nature Conservancy’s Brownsville Preserve, Nassawadox – Specific meet up location TBD.
RSVP: This walk is free and open to the public, but we are requesting registration so that we can communicate in advance regarding weather, what to wear, etc. Please contact Community Engagement Specialist, Margaret Van Clief at mvanclief@tnc.org for more info or to sign up!

Better Impact Category 2: Continuing Education

💡CE: Birding at Meriwether’s Seaview
2025-03-22 08:30 - 10:30
Better Impact Category 2: Continuing Education
Explore diverse habitats protected by Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust conservation easement. Shorebirds and a variety of passerines.
Please pre-register with Trip leader. Field trips generally last 2 hours unless noted otherwise. Always be prepared for ticks, mosquitoes, and variable weather conditions. Bring water.

💡CE: BIRD WALK: Step into Spring! Chincoteague NWR Bird Walk
2025-03-22 08:30 - 10:30 | Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, 8231 Beach Road, Chincoteague Island, 23336, United States
Red-winged blackbirds are strutting their stripes and egrets their breeding plumage!
Eastern Shore Master Naturalists will lead a bird walk on Saturday, March 22 from 8.30-10.30 am at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. We will walk explore the early spring arrivals and the last winter visitors.
The walk is offered in partnership with CNWR and welcomes newcomers to birding. We will provide binoculars and a telescope. Please join to learn more about our wonderful natural surroundings.
Meet at the Woodlands Trail parking lot.
Contacts: Stella 202 230 7832 or Laurel 908 300 0047.

Log your hours under Better Impact Category 2: Continuing Education (OR, if you prefer, under the eBird activity if you submit to eBird).
Check out other ESMN CE Opportunities and VMN CE Webinars.

💡VMN CE Webinar: Virginia Gray Fox Project
2025-03-26 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Description: This webinar will include reasoning for, methodology, and preliminary results of the Virginia Gray Fox Project (VGFP). The VGFP is a collaborative project between Virginia Tech and Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. The project consists of a statewide remote camera trap survey to establish the current distribution of gray foxes and exploration of historical data to assess evidence for gray fox distributional decline. Out of public interest and the sheer size of the project, the VGFP has grown to include a community collaboration in which members of the commonwealth are actively participating in data collection and data processing. The status of these efforts and the plan for our second field season will be discussed.
Presenter: Victoria Monette is a second-year Wildlife Conservation PhD student at Virginia Tech working in Dr. Marcella Kelly’s lab. She is broadly interested in carnivore ecology, movement, and spatiotemporal interactions among carnivores. Her PhD research will include a state-wide camera survey to determine current gray fox distribution, quantify evidence of presumed gray fox decline across VA, and determine the relative impacts of bottom-up (i.e., habitat change) versus top-down (i.e., interspecific competition) ecological pressures on gray foxes using an occupancy modeling framework. She will create a current distribution map of gray fox occurrence across the state and use historic camera surveys to assess evidence of decline. Results will be used to develop conservation management plans for the gray fox across Virginia.

Register for the March 26 Webinar

Better Impact Category 2: Continuing Education.
For more CE, check out other ESMN CE Opportunities , VMN CE Webinars, and VMN High Five from Nature CE Series.

🧤Volunteer: Brinkley Workday
2025-04-02 10:00 | Edward S. Brinkley Nature Preserve, 20199 Seaside Road, Cape Charles, VA, United States
Per Jim McDaniel:
We have planned two workdays to clear some the invasives at Brinkley. And we have plenty! Paul Anderson and I took out about 100 small ailanthus and callery pears last month but there are plenty of targets left including privet, wineberry, and multiflora roses!
Based on what I have learned and the season, the jobs would be physical removal/pulling of small plants, cutting and treating stumps of larger plants with triclopyr [herbicide] and either “basal bark” treating or “hack and squirt” treating some of the larger ones. [I may also do some foliar spraying of herbicide on the multiflora rose that is appearing. Herbicide use is limited by state law.]
I have the chemicals and applicators. Volunteers will need to bring any tools they want to use – loppers, weeders, hatchets, etc. – and protective gear like gloves. Eye protection and a face mask/respirator are optional. Please wear long sleeves and long pants to prevent skin exposure to chemicals. We have working restrooms, but you will need to bring your own water and snacks.
Weather permitting this is planned for Wednesday, April 2 and 9.

Log your hours under Better Impact Category 8, Brinkley/Trail and Habitat Maintenance.

VIMS Speaker Series: “An Anthropologist Walks Into a Marine Science Institute”
2025-04-02 19:00 - 20:00 | Virginia Institute of Marine Science Eastern Shore Laboratory, Seaside Hall, 36 Atlantic Street, Wachapreague, VA, United States

Project Learning Tree Education Workshop
2025-04-08 09:00 - 15:00 | Eastern Shore Soil and Water Conservation District, 22545 Center Parkway, Accomac, VA, 23301, United States
2025 marks the “Treemendous” 20th anniversary of the Virginia Master Naturalists. One way in which local VMN chapters are encouraged to celebrate this occasion is through education activities utilizing Project Learning Tree.
Project Learning Tree (PLT) is an award-winning environmental education program designed to teach about the environment with a focus on trees and forests. The Project Learning Tree curriculum is designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12. The lessons and activities can also be adapted for adult audiences. Topics include trees and forests, wildlife, water, air, energy, waste, climate change, invasive species, community planning, and more.
A workshop on utilizing the PLT curriculum is being offered to ESMN volunteers by certified PLT trainer, Julie Head, Eastern Shore Soil and Water Conservation District Education Director. The PLT training will be a one-dayevent at the ESSWCD offices in Accomac April 8, 2025, 9:00am – 3:00pm. Cost is $11.00 for the Project Learning Tree guide. Seating is limited to 12 participants.
ESMN volunteers attending the training are encouraged to use skills and knowledge acquired in chapter education and outreach activities.
To register for this workshop, go to:
https://project-learning-tree.odoo.com/event/accomac-soil-water-conservation-district-41/register
For more information contact Julie Head.

Better Impact Category 2: Continuing Education.
For more CE, check out other ESMN CE Opportunities , VMN CE Webinars, and VMN High Five from Nature CE Series.

💡CE: Native Plants and Backyard Bird Habitat on the Eastern Shore
2025-04-08 17:00 - 19:30
Shannon Alexander from Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources will discuss the Native Plants Initiative and Roberta Kellam will provide advice and information about how to attract more birds to your yard with native plants and other wildlife-friendly practices.
Eastern Shore Community College, Room 148 Academic Building. Learn More: www.birdingeasternshore.org / info@birdingeasternshore.org

🧤 Volunteer: Brinkley Work Day
2025-04-09 10:00 | Edward S. Brinkley Nature Preserve, 20199 Seaside Road, Cape Charles, VA, United States

💡CE Webinar: Spotted Lanternfly in North America: Insights, Impacts, and Preparing for the Future
2025-04-16 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual
Please register.
Join us for an insightful webinar featuring a panel of experts discussing the spotted lanternfly invasion in North America. Learn about the biology and management of this invasive pest, debunk common myths, and gain updates on how human-mediated transport is driving its spread. Experts will also share the latest findings on cold tolerance thresholds and their role in assessing the risk of northward expansion. Additionally, discover how Washington is preparing for the spotted lanternfly invasion and its potential impacts, including threats to cultural resources.
Speakers:
Julie Urban, Penn State University, Amanda Roe, Natural Resources Canada, Jessica La Belle, Washington Invasive Species Council

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

Chincoteague Bird Walk
2025-04-19 08:30 - 11:00 | Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, 8231 Beach Road, Chincoteague Island, 23336, United States
Eastern Shore Master Naturalists will lead a spring bird walk on Saturday, April 19, in partnership with Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
We will provide binoculars, and newcomers to birding are very welcome.
Meet at the Bateman Visitor Center on the refuge at 8:30 am. More information, call Stella at (202) 230 7832.

Preserve the Beauty Earth Day at Kiptopeke
2025-04-19 09:00 - 11:00 | Kiptopeke State Park, 3540 Kiptopeke Dr., Cape Charles, VA, 23310, United States
Kiptopeke State Park, 3540 Kiptopeke Dr., Cape Charles, VA 23310.
Big Water Visitor Center

Looking for a fun service project this Earth Day? Help Park Rangers as we preserve the beauty of the Big Water Visitor Center. We will be cleaning out flower beds, weeding the walkways, and planting native species.
We will meet at the Big Water Visitor Center at 9:00 am! Come prepared to get your hands dirty, bring gardening gloves and wear appropriate clothing. All ages are welcomed!

About Earth Day
In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, Virginia State Parks offers a range of special events and activities highlighting the importance of conservation and sustainability. Visitors are invited to participate in educational programs, guided nature walks, wildlife observation, tree plantings and service projects to help preserve the beauty and biodiversity of the state’s 43 parks.

Other Details
Standard parking or admission fee applies: Yes.
Extra fee: No.
Registration required: No.
Children welcome: Yes.
Phone: 757-331-2267
Email Address: kiptopeke@dcr.virginia.gov

Log your hours under Better Impact Category 12 Kiptopeke/Trail Maintenance, Park and Beach Cleanup Work Days

Earth Day 2025
2025-04-22 00:00 - 23:59

🧤 Volunteer: Cape Charles NAP Work Day Session #1
2025-04-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Cape Charles NAP, 301 Patrick Henry Avenue, Cape Charles, VA, 23310, United States
You are invited to help with stewardship activities at CCNAP! Please sign up here.
The invasive bamboo removal portion of the day is being done in collaboration with the Bay Creek Stewardship folks, as we did in 2023 and 2024. This year, we’re hoping to have enough ESMN volunteers to also maintain our native planting area and the boardwalks, removing invasives, trimming back vines, and screwing down boards.
You can volunteer for one or more of the four time slots over two days. If you want to stay for both in a single day, please bring your lunch.
Tuesday April 22nd: 10am-noon and 1pm-3pm.
Thursday April 24th: 10am-noon and 1pm-3pm.
VDCR will have a first aid kit and AED on site and a large water cooler for refilling bottles.
Please bring hydrating fluids and dress appropriately – close toed shoes, long pants, sun and bug protection, etc.

Log your hours under Better Impact Category 6, CCNAP/Trail and Habitat Management.

🧤 Volunteer: Cape Charles NAP Work Day Session #2
2025-04-22 13:00 - 15:00 | Cape Charles NAP, 301 Patrick Henry Avenue, Cape Charles, VA, 23310, United States

💡CE: Birding on the Deck
2025-04-22 17:00 - 19:00
Birding on the Deck at the Island House Restaurant, Wachapreague, Virginia
Join us for a relaxed evening of birding and socializing
No experience necessary. Dinner and/or drinks at your option.
Dinner Reservations (Optional): Island House Restaurant 757-787-4242
Better Impact Category 2: Continuing Education

🧤Volunteer: Cape Charles NAP Work Day Session #3 UPDATED
2025-04-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Cape Charles NAP, 301 Patrick Henry Avenue, Cape Charles, VA, 23310, United States
You are invited to help with stewardship activities at CCNAP!
ESMN volunteers are needed to help weed our native planting area, remove invasives, trim back vines, and do some boardwalk maintenance.
Thursday April 24th: 10am-noon.
VDCR will have a first aid kit and AED on site and a large water cooler for refilling bottles.
Please bring hydrating fluids and dress appropriately – close toed shoes, long pants, sun and bug protection, etc.

Log your hours under Better Impact Category 6, CCNAP/Trail and Habitat Management.

🧤 CANCELLED Volunteer: Cape Charles NAP Work Day Session #4
2025-04-24 13:00 - 15:00 | Cape Charles NAP, 301 Patrick Henry Avenue, Cape Charles, VA, 23310, United States

Earth Day - Return to Our Roots in Exmore
2025-04-26 00:00 - 23:59 | Main Street Exmore, Main Street, Exmore, VA, United States
Master Naturalists Education and Outreach will have a booth at this event and we need volunteers! There will need to be a dedicated child crafter aid and the other volunteers will discuss Master Naturalists, The importance of native plants and the interconnectedness of the environment. This was rained out last year but could have 100 people and lots of kids.

We need:
9am-12pm 2-3 volunteers (no crafter needed)
12-3:30 2 volunteers plus a crafter

Contact bbioqueen@aol.com to sign up or get more info.

Log your hours under Better Impact Category 15: Education/Outreach.

VESLT Table at Return to Our Roots Earth Day Event
2025-04-26 00:00 - 23:59 | Main Street Exmore, Main Street, Exmore, VA, United States
VES Land Trust will have a table at the Return to Our Roots Earth Day event. We are looking for volunteers that are interested in assisting with our seeds/plant activity for kids.

We will have this event run in shifts, or those interested may help the whole time, if desired. Shift 1 is 9:45 AM – 12:30 PM. Shift 2 is 12:30 PM – 3:15 PM.

Please contact Sam Willis at outreach@veslt.org to sign up or get more info.

TNC Open Farm Day at Brownsville Preserve
2025-04-26 10:00 - 15:00 | TNC Brownsville Preserve, 11332 Brownsville Rd, Nassawadox, Virginia, 23413
For more information about the event, or to volunteer, please contact Outreach and Education Coordinator Margaret Van Clief at mvanclief@tnc.org or 757-414-9227.
ESMNs who volunteer for the following activities may submit hours for volunteer service credit:

Help with family activities (nature arts & crafts, educational games):

12:15 – 3 p.m.: 4 volunteers needed, including 1-2 bilingual volunteers

Help at the dock by assisting with boat tour prep and translating safety information

10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: 1 bilingual volunteer
12:15 – 3 p.m.: 1 bilingual volunteer

ESMNs are welcome to support the following activities but they do not count for ESMN volunteer service hours:

Help with parking

11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.: 1-2 volunteers needed, including 1 bilingual volunteer
1:15 – 3 p.m.: 1 volunteer needed, including 1 bilingual volunteer

Help as a wagon attendant to maintain safety and comfort

9:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: 1 volunteer needed, including 1 bilingual volunteer
12:15 – 3 p.m.: 1 volunteer needed, including 1 bilingual volunteer

Help with lunch by serving, bussing, setting up/breaking down picnic area

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.: 2-3 volunteers needed, including 1 bilingual volunteer.

Member🧤Volunteer Opportunity: VESLT 2nd Grade Field Trip
2025-04-29 09:00 - 14:00
Volunteers assist with co-leading a 2nd grade class along the nature trail pointing out habitat, living things and their life cycles, how plants/animals are interdependent with their living and non-living surroundings, and natural resources along the way. Essentially, covering 2nd grade SOLS 2.4, 2.5, and 2.8. There will be a few stations as well throughout and after the nature walk. Volunteers assist with co-leading stations (Eastern Shore specimen box, nature walk art reflection, marsh viewing, and nature scavenger hunt). We end the trip with a picnic lunch before walking back to the buses. Let me know if you have any questions! Hope you can join in on the fun!
Location: Accomac off Drummondtown Road (exact address shared with signed up volunteers)

Log your hours under Better Impact Category 15: Education/Outreach.

Birding at TNC Nassawango Preserve
2025-04-30 08:00 - 22:00
Identify spring warblers and migrants of bottomland swamps
TNC Nassawango Preserve, Furnace Town, east of Snow Hill, MD
Parking on Millville Road near intersection with Furnace Town Road.
Leaders: Maggie Long 610-500-9971 and Joette Borzik

Field Trip: Bay Creek Nature Preserve
2025-05-05 08:00 - 10:00 | Bay Creek Nature Preserve, 1 Clubhouse Way, Cape Charles, VA
Visit the various habitats at the Bay Creek development preserve.
Bay Creek Nature Preserve; 1 Clubhouse Way, Cape Charles, VA
Leaders: Walter Childs, Maggie Long, Stan Osmolenski.
Register with Maggie Long at 610-500-9971 by April 20.
CE: Category 2

💡Member CE: Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area Preserve Walk with A.L.L.
2025-05-05 09:00 - 11:30 | Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area Preserve, 2186 Savage Neck Rd. Drive, Cape Charles, VA, United States
Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area Preserve
Instructor: Rose-Marie Roessler (Rosemarie.a.roessler@gmail.com)

This 298-acre preserve contains outstanding Chesapeake Bay beach, dune, and maritime forest communities, migratory songbird habitat, and the largest population of the globally rare federally protected northeastern beach tiger beetles (Habroscelimorpha dorsalis dorsailis). The adults are active along the intertidal zone (the area between high and low tide) during the day and rest under the sand along the back beach at night. The larvae inhabit vertical burrows within the intertidal zone, capturing food items washed ashore by waves. For this reason, sand disturbance (digging) by visitors or their dogs is not permitted. We will take a guided hike out to the shore and back, approximately 1 mile total.

One session: Monday, May 5, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. (Rain date: Tuesday, May 6, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.)
Location: 2141 Savage Neck Rd., Cape Charles
Materials included with registration at no additional charge:

parking available at Preserve entrance
VDCR staff will be on site and have an AED and First Aid Kit for emergency response

Materials to be supplied by student:

breathable hiking gear
insect repellant
drinking water
any special medical needs (EpiPen, insulin, etc.)
binoculars or scope for bird viewing

Additional fees: none
Notes:

Nature walk will begin at the Preserve parking area located at the entrance to the Preserve.
Participants need to be able to walk about 2 miles and should wear appropriate footwear (closed toe recommended) to do so.
There are no restroom facilities at the Preserve.

Class limits: Minimum 6, Maximum 12

Rose-Marie Roessler has been a Master Naturalist since 2021 and has been the stewardship chair at Savage Neck Dunes for about one year.
