Day of Caring

If you are looking for volunteer hours, the Day of Caring is a great way to go—lots of specials like food and shirts to thank you! This info is specific to Flowing Springs Park, but similar work will be going on at Yankauer. You can volunteer for Flowing Springs Park at the bottom of this letter. To volunteer at Yankauer, contact Tim Murphy at timurf@comcast.net The schedule for Yankauer is the same as listed here.
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The City of Ranson will be participating in the United Way's "Day of Caring" on September 13th at Flowing Springs Park. Similar to the April 2 event, we'll be doing some tree planting, some invasive removal, trash pickup, installation of a deer fence (electric this time) and give the trees from the spring planting some TLC with some water, mulch and beating back of some competitive weeds.

We'd love your help in accomplishing as much as we can on this day! Because it's widely recognized as a community volunteer day, employers often allow staff to participate in the Day of Caring, so please ask about it at work.

A couple of perks include: 3 free meals that day, a sense of accomplishment, and a t-shirt! Here's the schedule for the day:7:30am: Breakfast & Kick Off at War Memorial Park in Martinsburg
OR8:00am: Volunteer Open House & Refreshments at the Inn at Charles Town8:30am-4pm: Volunteers on Site (lunch provided around 12)4:30pm - 6pm: Dinner at the Clarion in Shepherdstown We'd love your help in accomplishing any of the tasks mentioned above. To sign up, please click on the link below. It will send you to a google doc spread sheet where you can provide me with your contact information and preferred task. I signed up myself as an example. If you are uncomfortable sharing your contact information in this way, please still sign up for your task, but you can send me a separate e-mail so I know how to reach you.

Everyone who signs up or contacts me will receive an e-mail the week before the Day of Caring with further instructions of what to bring, etc...

Thanks so much in advance for your help! Feel free to bring a friend! (But let me know ahead of time so I have enough food and shirts!)

Hope to see you soon!

Kristin Alexander
Potomac Valley Audubon Society

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?hl=en_US&hl=en_US&key=0AmHKnqBGzzmjdGM3T0xLRzhtbXNLN3F2VFdoaWRpZ1E&output=html

Blue Ridge Center for Environmen​tal Stewardshi​p courses

The Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship is located just off of Harper's Ferry Road, about 5 miles from Harper's Ferry. The BRCES is a beautiful spot--600 acres of largely pristine woods, streams, ponds with hiking trails, and education center, etc. I love to walking there.  If the classes would qualify, feel free to pass on the information to others. There are also other classes if you take a look at the Website (blueridgecenter.org). Thanks!

Wild Edible Plant Walk
Instructor: Tim MacWelch
Sunday, September 18, 2011, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
$40 Members, $50 Non-members
Wild About Mushrooms
Instructor: Michael Judd
Saturday, September 24, 2011, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.$10 Materials Fee + Registration Fee ($30 Members, $40 Non-members)

Karen Eddlemankmeddleman@comcast.net

National Hunting Days Sept 24 and 25

The annual National Hunting & Fishing Days Celebration will be held Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24 & 25 at Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park. The WVDNR has several children’s activities that need volunteers. In years past we’ve had many Master Naturalists volunteer their time at this event.

The times are: Saturday 9:00-6:00 and Sunday 9:00-4:00. Folks can volunteer for any amount of time (all day, half day or even a few hours).

If you are interested in earning volunteer hours, please let me know at your earliest convenience and I’ll send you more details. Thanks for helping us in the past, your help is REALLY appreciated.

Jim Fregonara
WVDNR
Wildlife Resources Section
Wildlife Diversity Program
phone: 304-637-0245
fax: 304-637-0250
email: Jim.M.Fregonara@wv.gov

Jefferson County Volunteer Opportunity

If you are looking for a really, really interesting project to earn some volunteer hours, this is a doozy! As a volunteer with this class, you’ll be helping with water quality testing (pH, DO, etc) at Flowing Springs Park. These students are already raising trout in their classroom! If you can only volunteer once, go for it! If you have the time volunteer on a regular basis you’ll be amazed at the relationships you develop with the students. If you are interested, contact Carolyn Thomas at the info below.
-Ellen

Students at in 7th grade at Wildwood Middle School in Jefferson County will be engaged in a year-long to answer the question "Can brook trout be reintroduced into Flowing Springs?" The brook trout, West Virginia’s only native trout, have been extirpated from the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia due to degradation of habitat and poor water quality. Through classroom activities, research, service learning, and collaboration with community partners, students will analyze the specific needs of brook trout with respect to water quality, land use and ecosystems.They will then participate in the reclamation of habitat for fish while building awareness and connection to Flowing Springs Park in Ranson, West Virginia. Students will develop technical science skills to examine the life cycle and habitat needs of brook trout in order to assess the feasibility of reintroducing brook trout to Flowing Springs Park. Through our existing “Trout in the Classroom” program, students will raise brook trout in a cold water aquarium from egg to fry stage, while studying the life cycle of trout. Community partners are needed to work with the students in and out of the classroom. Students will be in the field at Flowing Springs beginning in September and continuing throughout the year. It is anticipated that most field work will be conducted on Wednesday mornings (9-11:30). Partners are especially needed in the field to help students with water testing protocols, equipment usage, plantings, etc. and to serve as chaperons, providing extra "eyes and ears".

If you are interested please contact Carolyn Thomas at crthomas25443@gmail.com.

United Way Day of Caring

PVAS is also spearheading volunteer projects for the United Way Day of Caring at Flowing Springs Park (next to Home Depot in Ranson). We'll be battling invasives, planting trees, picking up trash, etc... All physical work, but generally a fun day because there are so many volunteers helping out. And you’ll get…

Free breakfast, lunch and dinner! And a t-shirt. Contact Kristin Alexander to volunteer (pvasmail@aol.com)

The date is September 13th. The complete schedule is: 7:30-8 Breakfast at War Memorial Park (not required, but it’s a nice free breakfast, especially if you are in Martinsburg anyway)
8:30-4:00 Work at Yankauer/Flowing Springs Park (lunch provided at site)
4:30-6:00 Dinner at the Clarion in S-town. (also not required, but the food is great and welcome after a hard day of work)

Boy Scout Council Volunteer Opportunity

Merit Badge counselors are needed for Troop 420 in Charles Town as well as the local Boy Scout Council.

Here are some topics for which Master Naturalists would excel as counselors: Animal Science, Astronomy, Bird Study, Environmental Science, Fish and Wildlife Management, Forestry, Geology, Insect Study, Mammal Study, Nature, Oceanography, Orienteering, Photography, Reptile and Amphibian Study, Soil and Water Conservation, Weather... Following site has requirements and record keeping sheets for each badge: meritbadge. org/wiki/index.php/Merit_Badge_Worksheets. 

I hope that all of you will take advantage of this opportunity to share your expertise and passion with the younger generation. Your efforts would also help the next generation to protect, cherish and appreciate things we hold dear. Boys will be super motivated and deeply appreciative. Please help. 

Contact Jim Jenkins, Master Naturalist and Assistant Scoutmaster at : jenkinsjim@att.blackberry.net  or 571-209-7350 to volunteer or with questions or leads to other good people.

Volunteer Opportunites

Many of you are looking for volunteer hours (VH) and there are a few things that you may want to know about.  I have listed the event, time and place as I know it, and a contact person.  If you are interested, YOU SHOULD GO AHEAD AND CONTACT THE COORDINATOR SO THAT YOU ARE INCLUDED FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.  You can volunteer for everything or just partial help (days or specific times.)

The Day of Caring at Yankauer will be in September—maybe the 13th, but I’m not positive.  This is a physical work day, but you get a free t-shirt and food.  Contact Tim Murphy to volunteer. (timurf@comcast.net)

The Jefferson County Science Olympiad is September 26, 27, 28 and October 3, 4, 5, 8:00-1:00 p.m. daily.   This involves presenting 40 minute hands-on sessions for 6th graders.  Groups are generally 12-15 students with a chaperone.  You present the same presentation 4 times each day.  It is held at For Love of Children Outdoor Ed Center off Mission Rd near Harpers Ferry.  Ellen can put you on that list for more info (pvasprograms@comcast.net).

The Berkeley Springs Birding Festival needs help.  That’s September 16-18.  Contact Helen Herlocker to volunteer and for more information on specific jobs. (hherlocker@gmail.com).  There will also be classes and field excursions that you may enjoy.  

The Charles Town Heritage Festival is September 17, 10-5 p.m. (set up 7:30-9:30).  This is a “meet and greet” booth for PVAS and you can also talk about Master Naturalists.  Contact Kristin Alexander (pvasmail@aol.com).

The Sharpsburg Heritage Festival is also September 17, 10-5 p.m. (set up 7:30-9:30).  This is also a “meet and greet” booth for PVAS and Master Naturalists.  (Same time as the Charles Town festival, but we have supplies for both places).   Contact Kristin Alexander (pvasmail@aol.com).

Growing Native Seed Collection at Yankauer Preserve will be October 8, 10-12 noon.  This is a fun event where you walk the trails at Yankauer and pick up nuts!  Acorns, hickory nuts, etc are collected then sent to plant nurseries so that native trees can be cultivated for planting as buffer zones along local rivers and streams.  Families often help with this.  Contact Kristin Alexander (pvasmail@aol.com).

If you aren’t interested in any of this, there’s a whole section in your Master Naturalist binder about possible volunteer projects—6 or 8 pages.  Most of those are citizen science ideas and you can contact the group to get involved.

Ellen and Wanda(Your friendly, neighborhood MN Member Services people)