2011 Workshops

Hi All-

 

I have attached information about the 2011 MN Workshops that you can take for MN credit. This information will also be posted on the PVAS website very shortly.

 

The workshops are on a “first come first served” basis and we are advertising them as open to the general public, so if you see one or more that interest you, do not delay in registering.

 

Don’t forget that you can also take classes independently of those offered by PVMN. You can get an hour or maybe more credit by attending the PVAS monthly meetings or special programs presented by Friends of NCTC. The Smithsonian Naturalist Center in Leesburg also has frequent programs.

 

Ellen and Wanda

 

(Your friendly MN Member Services group)
 
_________________________________________________________________


The Potomac Valley Master Naturalist Program, under the auspices of the Potomac Valley Audubon Society, will offer a series of nature workshops that have both classroom and field segments. All workshops are open to members of the general public on a “first come, first served” basis. These workshops also count as “elective courses” for PVMN certified members and for PVMN members who have been accepted for the 2011 certification program.

 

There is a maximum enrollment of 20 students for each workshop. You may register for one or more workshops on one application. Full payment for all workshops chosen must be included with the application. Checks should be made payable to the Potomac Valley Audubon Society.

• A registration confirmation will be sent by email. Directions will be included.
• Refunds will not be made except when a course is cancelled.
• A fee paid for a cancelled workshop can be transferred to another workshop.

Applications must be received no later than two weeks before the date of the workshop to reserve your space. Late applications can be accepted if space is available, but instructors may not have enough materials for a late applicant.

 

Students must make their own arrangements for snacks, drinks, and lunch. (For workshops at the National Conservation Training Center, the Commons cafeteria might not be available. There are vending machines and a restaurant at Cacapon State Park.)

 

If you have questions, contact Wanda Miller at 304-263-7320 or PVMN54@gmail.com or Ellen Murphy at 304-676-8739 or pvasprograms@comcast.net.

_________________________________________________________________

EMERGING CONTAMINANT ISSUES AND FISH HEALTH


January 15, 2011, 9 a.m.-12 noon

Dr. Vicki Blazer, Fisheries Biologist

USGS National Fish Health Research Laboratory, Kearneysville WV


NATURE PROGRAMS WITH CHILDREN

February 5, 2011, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (including lunch break)

Cacapon State Park (Main Lodge), Berkeley Springs WV

Nancy Little, Ellen Murphy, Wanda Miller


BATS

May 14, 2011, 7 p.m.-10 p.m.

(This date and time is tentative and may need to be changed because of instructor availability.)

Cool Spring Farm, Lloyd Rd, Charles Town WV

Kieran O’Malley, WVDNR Biologist


FALL WILDFLOWERS

September 24, 2011, 9 a.m.-12 noon

NCTC

Phil King, NCTC Staff


MONARCH WATCH

August 20, 2011, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Cool Spring Farm, Lloyd Rd, Charles Town WV

Clark Dixon


LEAVE NO TRACE (LNT) TRAINER WORKSHOP

Late April/Early May

Clark Dixon (certified LNT Trainer)

For Love of Children Outdoor Education Center, Mission Road, Charles Town WV

Registration for this program MUST go through the Jefferson County Adult and Community Education Program at http://boe.jeff.k12.wv.us/ . Fees for this program are higher.

_________________________________________________________________



For more information and registration form please visit the Potomac Valley Audubon Society's website.

Upcoming 2011 Workshops

Hi All

Here’s a heads-up on the Master Naturalist sponsored workshops for 2011. We are getting instructors and places set, but don’t have everything in place quite yet. However, we wanted you to know what was in the works and to let you know that information will be up on the PVAS website soon. If you have a workshop that you would like to offer, let us know!

Ellen and Wanda

(Your Friendly PVMN Member Services Folks)


EMERGING CONTAMINANT ISSUES AND FISH HEALTH January 15, 2011 [This is definite!]

USGS National Fish Health Research Laboratory, 11649 Leetown Road, Kearneysville WV

Nature Programs With Children (tentatively set for February)

Leave No Trace Trainer Workshop (through Jefferson County Adult Continuing Education)

Bats (very tentatively set for May)

Forest Succession (August)

Fall Wildflowers (very tentative, possibly September)

Monarch Watch (August)



Other workshops that we are hoping to offer include:

Geology Field Trip with Ed Snyder

Butterflies

Project Underground

Crows

NCTC Volunteer Opportunity

PVAS to Sponsor Birding Station at NCTC Open House


The National Conservation Training Center will hold its annual open house on October 23.

The event will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., rain or shine.

The theme of this year's open house will be focused on birds. NCTC's 538-acre campus includes a rich variety of bird habitats, from eastern hardwood forest to edge areas, hedgerows, meadows and Potomac River waterfront. It also includes a Bald Eagle nest which has been active for five seasons now.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is hoping visitors will take this opportunity to learn more about our fascinating feathered friends.

PVAS will be sponsoring a "Take a Child (and Adult) Birding" station at the event.

From there, we will be conducting short (10 to 20-minute) bird walks on the NCTC campus throughout the day, providing binoculars for those who do not have their own to see birds up close.

We will also have informational displays, including a "please touch" table, and people on hand to answer questions. We would also like to offer visual bird identification games and bird song quizzes for children.

We will need volunteers willing to help staff this PVAS station and lead birding walks.

If you would like to volunteer and/or have other ideas for activities for our station, please contact Joette Borzik of NCTC at 304-876-7207 or joette_borzik@fws.gov as soon as possible.

Yankauer Volunteer Opportunity

Dear Master Naturalists,


If you are available, Tuesday Sept. 14th is the United Way's Day of Caring. We typically have about 80 people out at Yankauer hauling mulch, pulling stilt grass, getting the flower garden under control, and other various projects.

While this year we have LOTS of volunteers, we don't have a lot of knowledgeable volunteers to lead the charge for trail trimming (the difference between a fern and multiflora rose when trimming trails) and weed pulling (stilt grass vs. a native grass).

I would LOVE some Master Naturalists on hand to help lead the charge on these types of nature-oriented projects, and this would definitely be worth some volunteer hours.

I'm expecting volunteers to arrive at Yankauer around 8:30 am and everyone is usually gone by 3pm. (Of course, if you'd like to help clean up and get more hours, I won't complain.) There's also a breakfast for volunteers at 7:30 at War Memorial Park, we provide a hot lunch at the preserve, and there's a delicious "backyard barbecue" type dinner at the Clarion in Shepherdstown from 4:30-6:30 for volunteers. What more could you want? Breakfast, lunch AND dinner, complete with some VH on the side! (And if you still want more to do, there's a free concert at Yankauer from 6:30-7:30!)

Please let me know if you'd be willing to come and be a crew leader and share some of your MN knowledge with others. Spending a weekday in the woods with wonderful fellow volunteers is an added perk. You can e-mail me at PVASmail@aol.com or call me at 304-676-3397 to let me know of your willingness.


Thanks,
Kristin Alexander

Elective and Volunteer Opportunity

Hi Everyone-
If you are in need of MN class hours for elective credit (or you just can’t quit taking nature classes!), you have a great opportunity the last weekend of September. This will be the Berkeley Springs Fall Birding Weekend—it’s the third year! The brochures will be out soon, but you have advance notice!

You can get 3 hours of elective credit by attending the Saturday night sessions. There are 2 and both sound really interesting. Tickets for the entire evening are only $10 (both speakers and dessert)! The programs are described below. To reserve your tickets (early, before they disappear), contact Judy Webb (judy@natureniche.biz) or call her at 304 258-0992.
There are also shorter programs on Friday night (7:30 p.m. “Name That Bird” with Dr. Scott Shalaway) and Saturday (1 p.m. “The Joys of Backyard Birding” with Betty Harmison) that count as recertification hours. No ticket is required for those.
In addition, if you need more VH for this year, the festival needs help with the registration booth at The Old Country Inn in Berkeley Springs. Help is need on Friday September 24 from 3-9 p.m. and Saturday September 25 from 8-10 a.m. and 1-9 p.m. If you only have a few hours to spare, you can help for only a part of the time. If you can help, email Judy Webb at judy@natureniche.biz and tell her what times you are available.

Ellen


Saturday Night Programs


7:00 pm Behind the Scenes Investigations Marcy Heacker, Forensic Ornithologist at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History will share her research investigations into the mysteries of aviation bird strikes. (Remember the Hudson River Crash?) and the searches for possible elusive survivors of extinct species—notably the Ivory Billed Woodpecker. The Garden Room is the location for the Saturday evening events.

Following Marcy’s presentation, enjoy dessert and coffee in the Garden Room.
 
8:15pm The Enchanted Island Dr. Scott Shalaway will share his Galapagos adventures with photos taken during a recent birding trip on which he served as group leader.

Watershed Volunteer Opportunity

PVAS is looking for volunteers who might be able to help at any of several programs scheduled for the fall!

 

On October 22, we will have the Ranson 4th grade watershed field trip to Flowing Springs Park (next to Home Depot in Ranson). The stations will be collecting macroinvertebrates, water quality testing, and planting pine seedlings. We may also have another station, depending on volunteer availability.

 

Programs at Yankauer for the fall are:

 

• September 24: Morgan Academy (grades 1-8)
• October 8: 2nd graders from Ranson Elementary
• October 13: 1st graders from Ranson Elementary
• October 29: 3rd graders from Ranson Elementary
• October 15 OR 22: 6th graders from Martinsburg South Middle

 

Thanks for considering one of our programs with your schedules!

Mile A Minute Volunteer Opportunity

The Mile A Minute at Flowing Springs Park (next to Home Depot in Ranson) is about to go to seed, so we need to do another removal project.


The next date is Friday August 27 (this Friday) from 10-12 noon. I know that the majority of you work, but we’re trying this for whoever can show up.

Wear dark clothes (the weed will stain it) and leather gloves are best (horrid thorns). If you don’t know where to go, come to the Home Depot parking lot (southern edge, where the “green” begins over the guardrail) and look for us.

Please reply to Susan Marklin (smarklin@juno.com) if you even THINK you can help.

Leave No Trace elective

PVMN is sponsoring at Leave No Trace trainer workshop on September 11-12. This is a great opportunity that you may want to take advantage of—it counts as 4 hours of MN workshop credit. The course will be held September 11-12 at "For Love of Children" (FLOC) Outdoor Education Center located in Shannondale (off Mission Rd off Route 9 east outside of Charles Town).


This class is open to the public so you are welcome to refer others to it or bring a friend to join you at the training.

Normally the training involves camping in a tent, but if you prefer to sleep at the FLOC lodge, there are limited rooms available for $30 a night. That is in addition to the course fee.

We need to know if you are planning to sign up by August 25 so that all arrangements can be finalized. If you are thinking you will take the class, but have just not gotten around to signing up, please go ahead and do so. In fact, send me an email saying you are signing up; then send the registration form and fee to Leigh Jenkins.

The Leave No Trace (LNT) program emphasizes skills and techniques essential to LNT minimum impact outdoor ethics and education. This training course consists of a total of 16 hours of experiential instruction, 10 hours of which must be conducted in the field and one night of camping. Topics covered during the course include the role and function of an LNT Trainer; the principles and ethics of LNT; teaching skills and techniques and student learning LNT program; the role and function of the non profit organization LNT, Inc. Each participant will understand, demonstrate, and be able to teach minimum impact techniques for friends, family, sponsoring organization and other community groups and lead a discussion on outdoor ethics and help others explore their own personal outdoor ethic. A student who completes this course will become a qualified LNT Trainer.

More information and a detailed schedule with a list of items to bring will be provided upon registration.
The registration fee for the course is $35.00 per participant. To register, download the MN workshop form at www.potomacaudubon.org
If you have any questions, please contact Clark Dixon at dixonconsultants@aol.com

More Habitat Improvement Class sources

How exciting that Eldon Winston will be helping out Virginia for Saturday's class on Habitat Improvement! He's the "go to" guy for pollinators and you'll leave ready to establish pollinator habitats! Below is a list of resources that he has provided..

POLLINATOR WEB SITES and Other things.

 

An interesting web site that can give you some information on planting guides for pollinators for the Central Appalachian region is: www.Pollinator.org

 

Another link with significant information is: www.fws.gov/pollinators

 

For access to more information on bee blocks and some versions of them try the Idaho site which offers both blocks for sale as well as some downloadable flyers on pollinators. www.Pollinatorparadise.com

For a bee block with holes for both Orchard Mason bees and leafcutter bees in the same block try Pine Tree Seeds at www.supergardenseeds.com or www.fedcoseeds.com I had the page numbers from 2009 but haven’t looked up the page numbers for 2010.

 

While I will include links to other sites here I don’t know if they have plans for a bumblebee nest box. If you would like the plans I can forward the email to you which I received from Alex Surcica and you can take another step in enhancing pollinators. Bumblebees don’t make honey either. Sorry.. email eldon@winstongardens.com

 

Websites:

 

• http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/nativebee.html#raising
• http://beeandgarden.com/?p=22
• www.xerces.org/.../nests_for_native_bees_fact_sheet_xerces_society.pdf
• http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05576.html
• http://www.ent.uga.edu/bees/pollination/other_pollinating_bees.htm
• http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Other/note109/note109.html
• http://www.nrdc.org/wildlife/animals/beegardens.asp

 

While the web is wonderful if you like to read a real book try The Forgotten Pollinators by Stephen L Buchmann and Gary Paul Nabhan. This book spells out some very strange relationships between plants and pollinators and implicitly shows us that we have already lit the fuse on the dynamite of ecological collapse. I enjoyed it.

  

Finally, for a look at what has happened in the past though not referred to the pollinator level why not try the book Collapse by Jared Diamond. Makes me glad to be as old as I am.

Habitat Improvement Class sources

The afternoon class this coming Saturday deals with Habitat Improvements and there are several websites or publications that you may want to take note of, before or after the class. (The first one listed is from Maryland’s DNR, but what the heck—the info is great! It’s just too large a file to send as an attachment.) Also, some attachments that are in pdf format.


MD “Bay Smart” Backyard Makeover Guide
http://dnr.maryland.gov/criticalarea/pdfs/backyardmakeover.pdf

WV Wildyards Program
http://wvdnr.gov/wildlife/landscape.shtm

West Virginia Native Plant Society
http://dir.gardenweb.com/directory/wvnps/

The National Wildlife Federation
www.nwf.org/wildlife

USFWS Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping: Chesapeake Bay Watershed
http://www.nps.gov/plants/pubs/chesapeake/


3 attachments have also been emailed to you:
Build your own rain garden..pdf
Native Planting Guide.pdf
Rain Garden Brochure.pdf

NASA's GLOBE Program Humming Bird Certification Workshop

Dear Educators and Citizen Scientists,

Have you ever wondered the question, “Where do the hummingbirds go in the winter?” Well, if you like to study or teach seasonal changes by observing one of the most fascinating of Earth’s creatures, then you should consider signing up for one of the limited seats at this year’s GLOBE Program Ruby-Throated Hummingbird workshop. I will be there working with Bill Hilton, Principal Investigator of Operation Rubythroat to certify teachers and citizen scientists alike on how to share your hummer observations with the scientific world. Please read the open letter below.

Sincerely,


Todd I. Ensign
Program Manager
NASA IV&V Facility
Educator Resource Center100 University Drive
Fairmont, WV 26554
Voice: 304-367-8438
E-Mail: todd.ensign@ivv.nasa.gov
WWW: http://erc.ivv.nasa.gov/

New River Hummingbird Festival

You are invited to join in launching the first-ever New River Hummingbird Festival, August 13-15, 2010 at the Blackberry site at ACE Adventure Resort in Minden WV (near Oak Hill in Fayette County).

The New River Hummingbird Festival will be an exciting family-oriented three-day festival offering an array of birding and nature presentations. Born of Fayette County's internationally acclaimed New River Birding & Nature Festival (named a Top 10 birding venue in Bird Watcher’s Digest) and co-hosted by ACE Adventure Resort, the New River Hummingbird Festival is destined to be a real crowd-pleaser.

Directing the Festival:

Ø Dave Pollard, Fayette County Resource Coordinator who co-conceived of and implemented the annual New River Birding & Nature Festival

Ø Bill Hilton Jr., Hummingbird expert, Consulting Director of New River Birding & Nature Center, and cited by Discover magazine as one of “50 Best Brains in Science”

Festival schedule overview:

o Friday, August 13

• 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Hummingbird Workshop on hummingbird natural history from feeding to

nesting to migration; observing and photographing hummingbird behavior; designing a hummingbird habitat; attracting and caring for hummingbirds in your own backyard (or schoolyard or nature center); reporting hummingbird observations via EarthTrek and The GLOBE Program; using hummingbirds as a teaching tool; banding hummingbirds; etc.

(Advance reservation required by contacting Rachel Davis at 304-880-8059 rachel@wolfcreekparkwv.com; limited to 20 guests, ages 16 and up; $20 fee; lunch provided; recommended audience is formal and home-school educators, naturalists, and hummingbird enthusiasts)

• 7 – 9 pm Presentation: “Ruby-throated Hummingbirds: From Your Yard to Costa Rica . . . and Back!”

(free and open to the public; recommended audience ages 12 and up)

o Saturday, August 14

• 9 am – 5 pm Hummingbird banding demonstrations, vendors, exhibits

(free and open to the public; all ages)

o Sunday, August 15

• 9 am – 3 pm Hummingbird banding demonstrations, vendors, exhibits

(free and open to the public; all ages)

All monies received go to the Fayette County Education Fund, which underwrites youth programs. Their principal activity is Leadership Fayette County, whose goal is “to provide Fayette County youth with the information and tools needed to enable them to make the choice to return to Fayette County to Live, Learn, Work and Play upon completion of their higher education.”

We hope you’re able to be there and we look forward to seeing you at the inaugural New River Hummingbird Festival!

Best Regards,

The New River Hummingbird Festival Team

Upcoming Electives

There will be a new elective class at Cacapon State Park on July 24 from 10 to 12. Jane Whitaker, noted bee expert, will be offering instruction on native bees. There will be a classroom presentation followed by field work concentrating on collection and identification. This will be a 2 hour elective for Master Naturalists.

The Leave No Trace (LNT) program emphasizes skills and techniques essential to LNT minimum impact outdoor ethics and education. This training course consists of a total of 16 hours of experiential instruction, 10 hours of which must be conducted in the field and one night of camping . Topics covered during the course include the role and function of an LNT Trainer; the principles and ethics of LNT; teaching skills and techniques and student learning LNT program; the role and function of the non profit organization LNT, Inc. Each participant will understand, demonstrate, and be able to teach minimum impact techniques for friends, family, sponsoring organization and other community groups and lead a discussion on outdoor ethics and help others explore their own personal outdoor ethic. A student who completes this course will become a qualified LNT Trainer. The course will be held September 11-12 at "For Love of Children" Outdoor Education Center located in Shannondale. More information and a detailed schedule with a list of items to bring will be provided upon registration.

The registration fee for the course is $35.00 per participant. If you have any questions, please contact Clark Dixon at dixonconsultants@aol.com .

To sign up for either class, please use the workshop form at www.potomacaudubon.org

Watershed Volunteer Opportunity

Hello All!


In the next 2 weeks, we will be working with our 4th grade watershed classes to plant the grass they have been growing in class, plus additional plugs that have been growing at the Shepherd University greenhouse, at sites on their own school property. These sites have been chosen to help prevent erosion that leads to runoff into the Potomac River and ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay. This is the culmination of the students’ hard work since February!

If any of you are available to help even one time, it would be marvelous! Most of the students have never planted anything before and they need directions. We also have to help loosen the soil at the site before they arrive. We really, really need help in Morgan County! (And feel free to pass the word or bring reinforcements!)

I have attached a copy of the planting schedule so that you can see what might fit into your schedule. Thanks in advance for considering this project!

Ellen

See your email for scheduled dates/times.

Possible Volunteer Opportunity

Many of you are looking for volunteer projects that involve “hands-on” work with natural resources. One possibility is linking with NRCS and the Potomac Headwaters RC&D located in Martinsburg. Their Earth Teams are coordinated efforts that need volunteers. The contact person for these projects is Rebecca MacLeod MacLeod [Rebecca.Macleod@wv.usda.gov]. [Don’t tell me of your interest—contact Rebecca directly for details.] Here are descriptions of possible projects.


The Earth Team operates several ways: one-time events where something needs to happen (e.g. a tree planting ), or as a longer term volunteer taking on any number of task that are associated with NRCS programs or projects. When someone is operating under the Earth Team , they are covered by the government if something happens on the job, so there are protections.

Potomac Headwaters RC&D could use help with a new effort: a partnership with DNR to coordinate volunteers for public access sites that need to be monitored and maintained. We have some funds for developing a marketing campaign and enlisting help, as well, so it isn’t just brute force. Rebecca would LOVE HELP with that.

There are some kiosks near Dolly Sods that need to be checked, and the possibility of trail clearing and maintenance at a few locations.

NRCS has a Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program(WHIP) which helps fund projects on private lands, and is a partner with the National Turkey Federation. There are many opportunities for volunteers to help with loads of activities, but for Master Naturalists, projects on private lands must be open to the public. You will want to check about that before claiming the volunteer hours.

Ellen

May 1, 2010 Itinerary -Yankauer Preserve

Pavilion

 

Schedule of Events -

• 8:00 – 8:10 Welcome
• 8:10 – 9:10 Wanda Miller, Classification (1 hour core)
• 9:10 – 9:20 Break, 10 minutes
• 9:20 – 10:20 Nancy O’Berry, Latin for Naturalists (1 hour elective)
• 10:20 – 10:30 Break, 10 minutes
• 10:30 – 11:30 Ellen Murphy, Using Your Field Guide (1 hour elective) (focus is on BIRDS)
• 11:30 – 12:30 Lunch (Remember to pack your lunch/beverage since
• There are no food services at Yankauer – or close by)
• 12:30 – 4:30 Dr. Carl Bell, Wildflowers (4 hour core)

 

 

Please note the following:

• Please remember to bring a folding/lawn chair.
• You may wish to bring bug repellant, field guides – PLEASE make sure to have your name marked on your own (no need to purchase any prior to class), camera (no need to purchase prior to class), binoculars (please do not buy if you do not have them, Yankauer has a few extra to use); wear sturdy shoes and dress appropriately (since we will be outside all day.)
• Again – You must bring your lunch & drinks!
• No need to bring your large MN notebooks.
• You may want to bring a notebook/pen/pencil to take notes.

 

And thank you for joining us today!

Directions to Yankauer

Yankauer Preserve Volunteer Opportunity

Hi!


I know some of you in the 2010 MN class have expressed the hope for volunteer opportunities on the weekends as you work during the week. We pass on what comes our way, and this time you are in luck!

A 4-H Cloverbuds group would like to come to Yankauer on Sunday afternoon May 23 for a program. This can be just a directed hike on the trails or it could be a more focused program. Either way, we (I guess that means me) can help you get started and provide you with program supplies. Usually groups in that age range are good with sensory hikes or general nature themed hikes. The time has not been set, so that can be what works for you and the group.

If you are interested, let me know. The time you spend working on the program and the program itself are all volunteer time.

Ellen

Mile A Minute Volunteer Opportunity

Hi!


For those of you who like to destroy invasive plants and don’t mind attacking Mile A Minute (also known as Devil’s Tear Thumb—for good reason), we are doing that on Saturday May 15 from 10-12 at the new Flowing Springs Park in Ranson. That is beside Home Depot.

Herb Peddicord, WV State Forester, will be helping us identify and destroy the new growth. Last fall we pulled up a huge amount, but we want to take out the new growth this spring.

Please wear old clothes that can take the prickles and tears and wear LEATHER gloves. We have some that you can use, but cotton gloves will not protect your hands. Boots are good too as the area is pretty much overgrown and who knows what is living in the underbrush!

Generally, this is rain or shine. Last fall we worked in the rain and no one melted.

Contact Ellen

Ning Network Launched

Connect with 2010 Master Naturalists through Ning. This is an private/invite only website. After accepting the invitation you can access this site by visiting http://pvmn2010.ning.com/ or by clicking Connect with 2010 MN to the right of this post.

Yankauer Preserve Volunteer Opportunity

If you are looking for a reason to “ be a kid” for a while, we have 2 programs coming up at Yankauer Preserve. On Friday April 23, we have kindergarteners from Faith Christian Academy who will be there from 9:30-1, learning about Insects. It’s all fun and games!


On Thursday May 6, we have middle schoolers from the Park School in Baltimore who are coming for a hike through the woods in the afternoon.

If you are looking for volunteer hours (VH) or just like playing nature games with kids, let me know and I will be happy to have your help!

Contact Ellen

WOW & WET wetland education training opportunity -May 28, 2010

A one-day workshop on wetlands and associated conservation education will be offered on May 28th (9-4) at the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge headquarters. Given the recent emphasis on wetland/stream restoration and creation, and the loss of existing wetlands projected as part of anticipated climate change effects in our region, this workshop is meant to provide a better awareness and understanding of local wetlands, waterways, water quality, and riparian areas.


The workshop will also focus on two acclaimed educational publications, WOW and WET, which provide very useful ideas for conservation education that tie directly into the curriculums for our students to help them learn about their local environment. At the workshop, you can expect to participate in a variety of hands-on activities from those publications.. We will also introduce the availability of a "wetlands education trunk", a collection of classroom and field supplies funded primarily by Ducks Unlimited, which will be housed at the Forest for use in outreach efforts. The afternoon will be spent exploring wetlands at the refuge and the Forest.

This workshop offering is a cooperative effort of the Monongahela National Forest, USFWS, WVDEP, and Ducks Unlimited and is offered at no cost; lunch also will be provided for workshop participants. We especially encourage educators and anyone involved in wetland conservation education efforts to attend.

Please feel free to distribute this to others who may be interested. If you have any questions or would like to sign up for the workshop, please let me know as there is a limit to the number of participants that can be accomodated at the Refuge Headquarters. I will be out of town from April 16-26, but will get back to you as soon as possible after that.

Thanks!

Cathy Johnson
Wildlife Biologist
Monongahela National Forest
200 Sycamore St.
Elkins, WV 26241
(304) 636-1800 x170

April 17, 2010 Itinerary -Cool Spring Farm

Old Barn


Schedule of Events –

• 8:00 am - Welcome & Dean/Orsie/Kirschbaum, Birds (4 hour core)
• 10:00+/- am - Break (15 minutes)
• 12:15 pm - Lunch (Bring your own)
• 1:15 pm - O’Malley, Reptiles and Amphibians (3 hour core)
• 2:45+/- pm - Break (15 minutes)
• 4:30 pm - Course Evaluations/Clean-up
• 5:30-7:00pm - Pot Luck Supper (meet/mingle/dine – All MN & Invited spouses) & again, please remember this is for adults only) 
• 7:00-9:00pm - Hershberger/Smith, Wetland Night Sounds (2 hour Elective)

 

Please Note The Following: 

 

• Today’s agenda times may be adjusted to best suit instruction.
• Remember to pack a lunch – since there are no food services at Cool Spring Farm or close by.
• As a reminder, bug repellant and/or long sleeves and long pants are suggested because of the presence of tics.
• You will be out & about moving around looking for birds and sturdy shoes are suggested – the ground may be wet/muddy/rocky, and there are critters like snakes & such… open toed shoes/sandals are discouraged.
• Dress in layers since it may be cool in the morning, warm up in the afternoon, and then cool down in the evening.
• You may wish to bring a flashlight with you for the evening.
• You may wish to bring related field guides or books.
• You may wish to bring binoculars; however there is no need to purchase binoculars for this class – as this class provides you with binocular information in order for you to make a future purchase if you choose to do so in the future.
• Remember to provide your own lawn chairs, silverware, plates & cups.
• You may want your spouse/companion to bring your ‘potluck’ food item – since there is no refrigeration available. (Inform them to arrive @ 5:00pm)

If you have difficulties finding Cool Spring Farm – contact either Ellen Murphy (304-676-8739) or Nancy Little (443-690-3807) on their cell phone. Remember that cell service in the barn at Cool spring Farm may be “in and out” depending on the carrier. Inform your spouse/companion this information (they may need it!)

 

As always, thank you for joining us today.

April 17, 2010 Cool Spring Farm

REMINDER!

Who:      For all PVMN to attend.
What:     Meet and welcome the 2010 NM class and attend a free elective class.
When:    April 17, 2010
Where:   Cool Spring Farm (directions attached) of Charles Town.
Time:     5:30 – 9:00pm (Pot Luck Supper time is 5:30 to 7:00pm and then scheduled from 7:00 – 9:00pm is the 2 hour free elective class on Wetland Night Sounds with Wil Hershberger and Kelly Smith!

Please “bring a dish to share”, along with plates, silverware and a cup to drink from. Beverages: water and lemonade provided. You may also want to bring your own chairs and bug repellent.

This is also a chance for MN to pick up your own copy of the “new innards” of the WVMN manual.

Plan to attend this meet, mix, mingle, eat, drink, learn & have fun event!!!

Spouses may attend; however please do not bring children - since this is an adult learning event.

Hope to see you there!

Directions to Cool Spring Farm

New River Gorge Wildflower Weekend April 23 - 25

Hello WV Master Naturalist Leaders!


Just wanted to let you know that 7th annual New River Gorge Wildflower is coming up soon, April 23 to 25. Please share the news with naturalists and friends, plus come join us. If you have questions, just let me know.

Click flyer to enlarge.

Enjoy and happy spring!

Jodi French-Burr
Park Ranger and Northeast Region Outdoor Ethics Coordinator National Park
Service New River Gorge National River P.O. Box 246 Glen Jean, WV 25846

jodi_french-burr@nps.gov

Wheeling Master Naturalist Schedule

Good Morning-

What a weekend! I hope you are recovering from that 4 hour romp through a 400 million years of geology!

If any of you know already that you will need to miss a core class on our MN schedule and are intent on finishing this year, you can find classes at the Wheeling MN group. (Elective hours can be made up with any other elective that you have not already taken.) Oglebay’s schedule is:

Reptiles, April 18 (1-5 p.m.) [our class is the day before]

Wildflowers and Weeds (May 15, 9-12 noon) [ours is May 1]

Terrestrial Habitats (May 15, 1-5 p.m.) (called Backyard Habitats on their site) [ours is Oct 2]

Trees and Woody Plants (May 16, 1-5 p.m.) [ours is September 18]

Aquatic Habitats (May 22, 1-4 p.m.) [ours is July 10]

Wetland Habitats (August 15, 1-5 p.m.) [ours is August 14]

Insects (September 18, 9-12 noon) [ours is June 12]

Classes are taught at the Oglebay Resort Good Zoo and each has a separate price, generally $18-$24, depending on the number of hours. To register, go to www.oglebay-resort.com/goodzoo and click on the WVNaturalist link. Registration forms can be downloaded.

DO NOT FEEL LIKE you have to finish in one year. We have had less than ½ of all the previous classes finish in one year. Many folks prefer to take 2 years because it allows them to “have a life” while in the program. As you saw over the weekend, folks from the 2009 class were with you.

Ellen

Science Olympiad in Purcellville, VA Volunteer Opportunity

Mountain View Elementary School

36803 Allder School Road
Purcellville, Virginia 20132
E-mail: jenkinsjim@att.blackberry.net

Fellow Master Naturalists,

I write to ask that you be a presenter at the Seventh Annual Science Olympiad at Mountain View Elementary School in Purcellville, Virginia. This event will take place in the school yard, classrooms, hallways, gymnasium and offices of Mountain View School on June 15, 2010. The program will begin at 8:00 AM and conclude at 2:00 PM. Students attending the programs will be fourth and fifth graders. Presenters are asked to conduct four 50-minute sessions. There will be a 10 minute break between sessions. A gourmet lunch will be provided by the PTA.

Thirty or more presenters are needed to keep the number of students attending each session in the 8-10 range. We have found this small group aspect conducive to active participation for students involved. Presenters, as well, have found this format to be most satisfying.

We ask that presenters involve participants as active learners. This “hands on/ minds on” format has been an outstanding and memorable opportunity for our students in the past.

This year, we are trying something new. You will have a student assistant from science classes at Loudoun Valley High School. Science teachers at Loudoun Valley High School have organized their classes to teach science lessons to elementary students throughout this school system. I think you will enjoy working with these outstanding students. The high school students will also benefit greatly from the experience.

Previous presenters have come from The Audubon Naturalist Society, Shepherd University, The Smithsonian museums, The US Naval Academy, local high schools, and the community. Topics have included rocketry, ph testing of consumer products, rocks and minerals, backyard wildlife habitats, orienteering, archeology, astronomy and more. We hope to add a new variety to the topics presented as well as add new presenters to keep this program vital and meaningful.

Please return the form emailed to you by May 15, 2010 if you would like to share your expertise in making this year’s event exciting and challenging for our students. A complete information packet and directions will then be on its way to you.

Thanks very much. I look forward to hearing from you. Your participation will serve to make this event even more memorable for the students involved.

Sincerely,

Jim Jenkins
Teacher, Mountain View Elementary

March 20-21, 2010 Itinerary -Cacapon Resort State Park

Old Cacapon Inn

Schedule of Events –

Friday, March 19, 2010 – Optional for folks spending Friday night

You may make optional reservations to stay overnight at the Old Inn or Main Lodge on March 19 and/or March 20, 2010 through Kelly Smith by calling 304-258-1022/http://www.cacaponresort.com/

When checking in, go to the main lodge first to pay. Keys for the rooms should be in the lobby of the Old Inn. The Old Inn is rustic with single beds and a shared bath for two rooms depending on how many folks stay there. It is in easy walking distance from the main lodge.

5:00 pm room check in-

• No formal evening activities planned so enjoy your evening on your own. Dining options include exploring Berkeley Springs restaurants, dinner at the main lodge, or bringing your own food. Kitchen is available in Old Inn for those staying there.

Saturday, March 20, 2010 – All participants

• 7:15 am – meet and greet fellow naturalists – continental breakfast provided by PVMN
• 8:00 – introduction to Master Naturalist program and leaders of PVMN
• 8:15 Instructor, Charley Potter, Recording and Preserving (core class, 4 hours)
• 10:00-10:15+/- Break then continued instruction
• 12:30 pm – bring bagged lunch /planned get to know you activity
• 1:15 Instructors, Kathryn Henry and Wanda Miller, General Ecology (core class, 4 hours)
• 3:00-3:15+/- Break then continued instruction
• 5:30 end of instruction
• 6:00 dinner at lodge (optional, Dutch treat)
• Informal evening possibilities depending on weather – flashlight walk, share a favorite nature reading by the fire, movie

Sunday, March 21, 2010 - All participants

• 7:15am hearty breakfast for overnight guests provided by PVMN
• 8:00 Instructor, Ed Snyder, Geology (elective, four hours)
• 10:00-10:15+/- Break then continued instruction
• 12:15 End of morning instruction/short break to allow for early departure – bring bagged lunch
• 12:30 Instructors, Kristin Alexander and Jeff Feldman, Nature Interpretation (core class, 4 hours)
Working break
• 4:30 End of instruction

Please Note The Following:

• Some events have been switched around in presentation order from the original schedule.
• Be sure to check the weather to be prepared for outside activities and indoor chills (can be chilly at the Old Inn).
• The Old Inn has a fully furnished kitchen that you are welcomed to use during the sessions. Snacks during the breaks will be provided.
• Be aware that there is limited cell phone service at the park. For more specific information about Cacapon Resort State Park – http//www.cacaponresort.com/
• If you wish to have copies of the computer presentations, bring a thumb drive in order to copy.

If you need any clarifications, please contact

Ellen Murphy or Nancy Little

Thank you for joining the Potomac Valley Master Naturalist Program!

Mill Creek Volunteer Opportunity

March 27, 2010, along Mill Creek just south of Gerrardstown. We can use everyone’s help for even a couple of hours if you can spare it. There are going to be about 1000 plants in all, and those in pots will have holes pre-augered.

Please let me know if you are thinking of coming, so that we can plan accordingly and so that we can alert you if plans change due to, oh maybe an unexpected snowstorm?!

We are asking that you bring your own bagged lunch, drink, gardening gloves, shovel and mallet if you have them, clothes that can get muddy, etc. Please see the flyer for more information. Please post it wherever you think it might attract another person or two.

Click flyer to enlarge.

Thank you,

Alana C. Hartman

WV Dept. of Environmental Protection, Potomac Basin Coordinator

alana.c.hartman@wv.gov

4th grade Watershed Field Trips Volunteer Opportunity

PVAS has 4th grade watershed field trips coming up the week of March 29 and April 12. These will mostly be to the Izaak Walton League (near Yankauer Preserve in Berkeley County), but 2 days will be at the Cacapon River in Berkeley Springs and 2 days at Back Creek for Tomahawk Intermediate School (just past downtown Hedgesville).

For these experiences, the students practice the skills they have been learning in class: testing the water quality, looking for macroinvertebrates, assessing the stream bank for erosion, sometimes experimenting with a stream table, experimenting with filtering water, and sometimes learning about garbage and pollution.
Generally, the students are there 9-1; volunteers are usually 8:00-1:30.

The specific dates are:

• March 29-South Jefferson (Izaak Walton League)
• March 30-Warm Springs/Pleasant View (Ginny Shade’s Campground, Great Cacapon)
• March 31-Warm Springs (Ginny Shade’s Campground, Great Cacapon)
• April 1-TA Lowery (Izaak Walton League)
• April 12-Morgan Academy and St Joes (Izaak Walton League)
• April 13-North Jefferson (Izaak Walton League)
• April 14-Shepherdstown (Izaak Walton League)
• April 15-Tomahawk (Back Creek on Route 9, at Tomahawk School)
• April 16-Tomahawk (Back Creek on Route 9, at Tomahawk School)

If you would be available for ANY of these days, please let me know. We usually have about 100 students a day and the more volunteers, the smaller the groups can be. This is not a “closed group”—if you know of others who might be able help, let them know!

Thanks-

Ellen

PVMN 2010 Schedule

3/20-21 Cacapon Nature Interpretation, Recording and Preserving, Geology (elective), General Ecology

4/17 Cool Spring Farm Birds, Reptiles and Amphibians +Potluck and Nature Sounds with Wil Hershberger

5/1 Yankauer Mushrooms (elective), Wildflowers

6/12 NCTC Insects, Mammals

7/17 Cacapon Aquatic Habitats, Aquatic Habitats (elective)

8/14 Cool Spring Farm Wetland Habitats, Habitat Improvement

9/18 Cacapon Woody Plants, Classification, Dichotomous Keys++ (elective)

10/2 NCTC Forest Succession (elective), Terrestrial Habitats

10/3 Yankauer Annual Meeting Picnic and Service Project (1-5 p.m.)


Times are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on the Saturday listed except for the first session which is a weekend. Both of those days are also 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Changes in class offerings sometimes occur, but the dates are set.