Eastern Shore Master Naturalists
Managing and preserving the Eastern Shore of Virginia’s natural resources and natural areas through education, outreach, citizen science, and stewardship.
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Review: On-the-Spot-Feedback Webinar
On-the-Spot-Feedback (OTSF) Webinar August 15, 2024 — Bullet Points Provided by Peter G Fisher, President ESMN Chapter Designed to improve science communication skills, this webinar was recommended by the VMN as guide to receiving immediate feedback when giving a presentation. Funded by the National Science Foundation, this project was put together by science communication practitioners,…
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A View from the Course #2
Empty classrooms at summer’s end reignite a familiar nostalgia. After a lifetime spent in schools, I’ve not quite shaken the August-is-one-big-Sunday-night feel — although anticipating the kick-off of our Basic Training Course creates more excitement than anxiety. Long gone is any worry about what to wear or concerns about buses running on time and teachers…
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ESMNs in Action – Counting Butterflies for Science
The 2024 North Northampton County Butterfly Count was conducted on a warm and cloudy Sunday in early August. Two teams of four Eastern Shore Master Naturalists (ESMN) identified 243 individual butterflies from 28 species. This annual count is conducted to support the North American Butterfly Association’s (NABA) butterfly monitoring efforts. Butterflies are in peril due…
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Sleek Minks and Rolling River Otters
(Featured Image: Young mink on Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge by Tom Koerner, USFWS) Minks and river otters are semi-aquatic mammals that live throughout our diverse Virginia, including our Eastern Shore natural areas. They are not uncommon animals, however they are not easily observed. These two members of the weasel family have streamlined long bodies and…
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A View From The Course
Late July and the ten-week schedule is slowly filling for this year’s Basic Training Course. The large easel paper on my small dining room wall begins to take shape, becoming increasingly colorful. Green post-its signal field adventures. Savage Neck beckons. So does Wreck Island and Mutton Hunk. Brownsville Preserve and Fisherman Island will be new…
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How Flounder Eyes Evolved
One of the earliest criticisms of the theory of evolution was about flatfish eyes – how could one eye migrate to the other side of the head? Darwin tried to explain it, unconvincingly, and it’s still somewhat controversial. Evolutionary biologist Jerry Coyne brings us up to speed in a recent blog. If flounder eyes…
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Plant Eastern Shore Natives
In an effort to reinvigorate the Plant Eastern Shore Natives initiative, we have scheduled three meetings in July for interested members of the public to attend. Registration is encouraged. These meetings will be almost identical and provide a brief overview of the history and purpose of the initiative, both locally and statewide. Members of the…
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Managing Invasive Species at Mutton Hunk Fen NAP
With funds from the Virginia Department of Forestry and support from DCR procurement staff, the Coastal Region was able to establish a contract with a qualified company to conduct invasive species management activities at Mutton Hunk Fen Natural Area Preserve. On May 28th and 29th, DNH staff met the contractor staff on site to begin the efforts. Much of their…
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The Joy of Oyster Gardening
There are not many opportunities in this world to confidently say that an investment you make is both low cost, minimal time and effort, yet high reward and FUN! Well, in my experience I can tell you that perfectly describes oyster gardening. I have had the pleasure of being a foster parent to baby oysters…
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Magothy Bay NAP Annual Trail Maintenance Day
Each spring, ESMN volunteers from the Eastern Shore Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists work alongside DCR Natural Heritage Stewardship staff to trim back vegetation encroaching on the trail through an area of the preserve that was restored by planting thousands of native shrubs in 2009 and 2010. On June 4, four DCR DNH staff…