Eastern Shore Master Naturalists

💡 CE: 2025 Virginia Marine Debris Summit
2025-03-18 00:00 - 2025-03-20 23:59 (America/Halifax) | 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 | VA
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.
