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 -
Please note the following:
And thank you for joining us today!
Directions to Yankauer
- 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 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.
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
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
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
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
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 –
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.
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
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
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