Showing posts with label Cacapon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cacapon. Show all posts

Berkeley Springs Birding Festival

If you are look for some volunteer hours or elective class hours, the Fall Berkeley Springs Birding Festival might be just the thing! This is a terrific opportunity, very close to us and most of it is free! The preliminary poster is below.

If you are looking for volunteer hours, there are several ways you can be involved:

Be a volunteer at the reception booth for an hour or two (give out programs, sell tee shirts, answer questions or help with directions etc.). Please sign up for a two hour time slot on Friday between 4 pm and 9 pm, on Saturday between 9 am and 9:30 pm, or on Sunday between 9 am and noon. Contact Judy Webb at natureniche@earthlink.net.

Volunteer to help with this year’s Silent Auction. Last year this event was generously supported by donations from local artists, organizations, shops, and individuals and purchased by birders attending the evening events. It was a tremendous help to off-set expenses. If you would like to donate an item or help with the auction, please contact Helen Herlocker at hherlocker@gmail.com


2011 Class dates

For those continuing with the Master Naturalist classes this year, the TENTATIVE list of dates for 2011 is as follows. You can use this to determine when the classes you need to complete the course will be offered.


Core classes are required for you to graduate. Elective hours can be substituted hour for hour with any approved elective, but it is easier for you to plan on the ones offered.

March 19-20 Cacapon Orientation, General Ecology, Names/Classification/Identification and Soils (elective), Nature Interpretation/Teaching and Geology (elective)

April 30 Shepherd University Birds and Wildflowers/Weeds

May 21 NCTC Terrestrial Habitats and Recording/Sharing and Preserving What You Know

June 11 Cool Spring Farm Reptiles/Amphibians, Beavers (elective), Mammals

July 16 Cacapon Aquatic Habitats

August 6 NCTC Slime Molds (elective), Insects/Spiders & Such

Sept 10 Cool Spring Farm Wetland Habitats and Habitat Improvement

Oct 1 Yankauer Trees/Shrubs/Woody Wines, Service Project and Elective (elective)

Nov 5 Cacapon Service Project, Auction, and Casual Picnic

Nov 19 NCTC Annual Meeting and Presentation of Certification

Core classes are required for you to graduate.  Elective hours can be substituted hour for hour with any approved elective, but it is easier for you to plan on the ones offered.

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.

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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.

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

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

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!