A Big Weekend for Virginia Master Naturalists

The first weekend in June was a big one for Virginia Master Naturalists! It was National Trails Day, Clean the Bay Day, the final workshop for the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience Leadership Institute, AND the Central Virginia Advanced Training Rally at Sweet Briar College. Master Naturalists from all over the state were outdoors learning more about Virginia's natural resources and putting in volunteer time to benefit them.

Several Rivanna Master Naturalists helped the Rivanna Conservation Society and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation at a Clean the Bay event in Albemarle County. Check out a news video of their activities. Virginia Master Naturalists with the Riverine Chapter, the Peninsula Chapter, and other chapters also helped clean up trash spoiling Virginia's waterways at Clean the Bay events.

Ten Master Naturalists from several chapters participated in the capstone event for the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience Leadership Institute, a trip to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's learning center at Port Isabel Island. There, they had hands-on experiences to learn about the Bay watershed and, most importantly, to learn how to teach others about the importance of watersheds.

Nearly 100 Virginia Master Naturalists gathered at Sweet Briar College for the Central Virginia Advanced Training Rally. This event, expertly coordinated by the Central Virginia Master Naturalist Chapter, brought VMN volunteers from across the state together to expand their naturalist knowledge and skills. Participants worked with experts to band hummingbirds, trap small mammals, search for freshwater mussels in the Tye River, document locations of wildflowers using GPS units, identify calling frogs, and explore vernal pools. They also learned about the importance of top predators for ecosystem dynamics, the scientific importance of bird banding records, and more. Plus, they listened and danced to old time string band music, swapped ideas with other Master Naturalists, socialized, and enjoyed the beautiful setting and delicious food at Sweet Briar College.

All in all, a successful weekend!