International Coastal Cleanup/Clean VA Waterways II
For the third year, we are looking for a few volunteers to pick up trash along Hughlett Point.
This year we will have a late spring, mid-summer and early fall pickups.
The second pick-up will be on Monday, July 28 (low tide 8:36 a.m.)
Virginia Master Naturalist Statewide Conference
September 5-7, 2025, in Richmond
Check the VMN site for details of the conference. http://www.virginiamasternaturalist.org/ (Also check this page for Continuing Education links)
You will see some familiar names among those presenting!
International Coastal Cleanup/Clean VA Waterways III
For the third year, we are looking for a few volunteers to pick up trash along Hughlett Point.
This year we will have a late spring, mid-summer and early fall pickups.
The third pick-up will be on Thursday, September 25 (low tide 7:39 a.m.)
Northern Neck Land Conservancy’s Boots & Barbecue in Essex County
Outreach Event: Volunteers needed.
Bird Walk at Emmanuel Christian Fellowship Church
Activity: Bird Walk
Join us for a Bird Walk led by our very own bird whisperer, Leslie Fellows. We will be walking in the forest near the Emmanuel Church along with church members that have requested this activity.
Where: Emmanuel Christian Fellowship Church
When: Tuesday, June 17, 9:00 to 11:00, Rain date-TBD
NNVNPS Freshwater Tidal Marshes at Cat Point Creek RRVNWR Field Trip
Cat Point is a wonderful example of a Tidal Freshwater Marsh, protected by the refuge and the Rappahannock Indian Tribe. This field trip follows the April 17th NN VNPS program presented by biologist Maeve Coker on freshwater tidal marshes Join us to see the spectacular flora and fauna of a Freshwater Tidal Marsh and how critical this habitat is for all.
International Coastal Cleanup/Clean VA Waterways I
For the third year, we are looking for a few volunteers to pick up trash along Hughlett Point.
This year we will have a late spring, mid-summer and early fall pickups.
The first pick-up will be on Thursday, May 29 (low tide 7:58 a.m.)
NNMN BTC 24-25 GRADUATION AND! Membership Social
Menokin Visitor Center
4037 Menokin Road
Warsaw, VA 22572
May 18, 2025 2:00 pm - ?
RSVP Please! See member Email for RSVP email and details.
Nature Trail Maintenance at Emmanuel Christian Fellowship Church
We have been asked by the members of Emmanuel Christian Fellowship Church to return and help with maintenance work on their nature trail. This has been a successful joint effort with the church which is predominantly African American.
Anne Parker will assist in identifying native and non-native plants
Heather Bedford will be there for a short time to provide information about potential health benefits of the native plants
NNVNPS Hickory Hollow NAP Field Trip – Lancaster - Open to All
A walk at Hickory Hollow Natural Area Preserve with the Northern Neck Chapter of Virginia Native Plant Society is a wonder anytime but when the Kentucky Lady’s Slipper orchid is in bloom it is a very special sight. We believe this should be in bloom along with False Hellebore, Redring (or White) Milkweed, Large Twayblade orchid, Summer Bluet, Partridgeberry, and more!
Westmoreland State Park Workday for the Visitor's Center Garden
Westmoreland State Park will have a workday for the Visitor's Center Garden on Friday, April 25th, from 9 to noon. Please come if you can. We need your help.
We will be weeding and developing the overall concept for additional plants to replace the switch grass that was removed.
Please bring basic gardening hand tools, water, and a snack. No experience needed. Heather Bedford has graciously agreed to help us identify weeds.
This project is found under Stewardship – Native Garden Maintenance in Better Impact.
Vernal Pool Nature Walk
Come explore vernal pools, a unique type of wetland, at the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Every winter, these special pools fill up to provide a home for salamanders, fingernail clams, fairy shrimp, and more! Learn about these fascinating wetlands on a nature walk with the Refuge Biologist.
April Board of Directors Meeting
The Board of Directors of the Northern Neck Chapter will meet on April 15, 2025 at 2:00 pm. The meeting will take place in the classroom of the Warsaw Cooperative Extension office. This will be an in person meeting, and all members are invited to attend. Members are also requested to propose items for the Board to consider at this meeting. Recommendations are due by the end of the day on Wednesday, April 9.
Volunteer for Osprey Festival
We need volunteers to staff the outreach table at the Osprey Festival in Colonial Beach on April 12.
What: 7th Annual Virginia Osprey Festival
When: Saturday April 12, 9-4. Sign up for 2 hour shifts.
Where: Colonial Beach Town Hill (Corner of Colonial and Washington Avenues)
Rain or Shine!
Please see member email from 3/5/2025 for information on signing up.
Virginia Osprey Festival
The Virginia Osprey Foundation based in Colonial Beach, Virginia, will host the 7th Annual Virginia Osprey Festival in Colonial Beach on April 12, 2025 from 9 am to 4 pm on Town Hill, Colonial Beach, located on the beautiful Potomac River. The festival celebrates the return of its Osprey from their wintering grounds in South America.
The Caterpillars Count In Person Training Time TBA
Northern Neck Master Naturalists have partnered with the University of North Carolina for a fourth season of Caterpillars Count. This citizen science activity measures seasonal variation and abundance of important food sources for birds.
RRVWR Native Plant Garden Workday
The Rappahannock River Valley Wildlife Refuge has asked the NNMN for volunteer assistance with their native plant gardens.
Northern Neck Box Turtle Identification Project—Year 2—Invitation for Training and Participation
What:
For the second year, Northern Neck Master Naturalists are being asked to identify box turtles that they come across during the months turtles are active. Turtles will be photographed and pictures as well as additional information will be put on a form and submitted to project leaders. Last year, we identified and accumulated data from almost 100 box turtles. This year our goal is to start doing actual science!
Vernal Pool Nature Walk
Come explore vernal pools, a unique type of wetland, at the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Every winter, these special pools fill up to provide a home for salamanders, fingernail clams, fairy shrimp, and more! Learn about these fascinating wetlands on a nature walk with the Refuge Biologist.
Bilingual Nature Walk/Caminata Bilingue por la Naturaleza
WHERE: Westmoreland State Park
145 Cliff Road, Montross, VA 22520
Meet at the Discovery Center. Will go on Rock Springs Pond Trail
WHEN: Saturday, March 29, 9-11 am
Purpose: The walk is an opportunity to share observations and information with the Latino community.
Westmoreland State Park Native Plant Garden Workday
Volunteer assistance with a few of the native plant gardens at Westmoreland State Park, specifically the Discovery Center Gardens and the Contact Station Gardens.
FODR Spring Equinox Nature Walk
Sunday March 23rd 1:00 pm
Join FODR volunteers, other FODR members, and members’ guests for our spring nature walk. We expect many of the early spring flowering plants will be emerging at this time. We welcome families with children or grandchildren.
Adopt a Highway Cleanup
Balls Neck Rd between Shiloh Schools and Hughlett Point
Friday, March 21, 9:00-11:00AM (Rain date Tuesday March 25)
RSVP if you want to volunteer to Camille
Virtual Talk: Ecological Impact of Invasive Plants
Upcoming Continuing Education Opportunity
Virtual Talk: Ecological Impact of Invasive Plants
6 PM Thursday March 13
Inaugural NNMN Pop-up Presenter
The board is excited to introduce our inaugural pop-up presenter on March 12, 2025, at 6:30 pm via our chapter Zoom link. See member email for zoom link.
Judy Thomas is a 2023 BTC graduate. Her "One Small Bite" research and presentation launched her into an in-depth study of galls, and we are excited to have her as our Inaugural Pop-up Presenter. Here is a little bit about her presentation:
NNMN Board of Directors Meeting and Program at Belle Isle
The next meeting of the NNMN Board of Directors will be held on March 11, 2025, in the classroom at Belle Isle State Park from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
The board will have its regularly scheduled meeting followed by a program provided by BISP.
Autumn Olive and Chinese Privet removal at the Cat Point Creek Track of Rappahannock River Valley NWR
On Thursday February 27 NN PRISM under the NNVNPS Invasive management initiative is sponsoring a work project at the Cat Point Creek Tract of the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge. We are looking for 10 volunteers to work with refuge staff to eradicate Autumn olive and Chinese privet shrubs along the entrance road and public trails.
Revitalizing the Gardens at Westmoreland State Park
The Friends of Westmoreland invite all interested volunteers as well as our ally and partner organizations to join us at Murphy Hall on 15 February for a general meeting concerning the Revitalization of Westmoreland State Park's Native Plant Gardens. See member email for details.
Pollinator Garden Relocation
Lance Gardener, Environmental Specialist at VDOT, is requesting help with the relocation of a pollinator garden at VDOT’s Residency Office in Haynesville. He has proposed work to take place on the following three days: Jan. 17, 31 and Feb. 14, from 1pm to 4 each day. See member email for details.