The Virginia Master Naturalist Program received a 2011 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award. Read more at:
http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2011/05/050911-cnre-masternaturalistaward.html

What?

Attend this one day training to qualify as an ambassador for reptile and amphibian conservation in Virginia.  Virginia Master Naturalist Tim Christensen (Historic Rivers Chapter) and the Virginia Herpetological Society have put together this train-the-trainer opportunity specifically for Master Naturalists.  You will leave the training with the knowledge and materials to give presentations on reptile and amphibian conservation for community groups (such as homeowner’s associations, teachers, hiking clubs, garden clubs, etc.) 

Why?

Reptiles and amphibians are declining in diversity and numbers.  Habitat loss is a big issue, but they also suffer from a lack of positive PR.  Virginia Master Naturalists are the perfect candidates to be PR agents for these ecologically important critters.

When?

The next workshop will be Saturday, November 6, 2010, with registration starting at 9:00 am and the workshop running from 9:00 am to approximately 5:00 pm.  (Note: future workshops in other regions are still in the planning stages, so if you can’t attend this one due to distance or time, you’ll likely have other opportunities.)

Where?

Human Services Building, in Williamsburg, Virginia.  The address is 5249 Olde Towne Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188.

Who?

Any Virginia Master Naturalist willing to commit to doing at least one presentation on conservation of reptiles and amphibians in Virginia is welcome to attend.  The workshop is limited to 45 people, though, so register soon.  It is first-come, first-serve, and there will be a waiting list.

How?

Register by emailing BOTH Tim at mtnc066@msn.com and Michelle Prysby at masternaturalist@vt.edu.  It's preferred that you register via email if possible.  If you cannot register via email please call 757-874-8098.   

Cost?

From March 22 to December 31, volunteers from around the world will participate in World Water Monitoring Day (WWMD).  Anyone with an interest in water quality is encouraged to participate.  The event centers on testing four key water quality parameters: temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity. 

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality is distributing free WWMD kits.  Each kit can perform up to 50 tests for dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, and temperature.  Usually one kit is enough to monitor at several locations. For teacher requests, one kit is sufficient per classroom. Because quantities are limited, please request only the number of kits you are sure that you will use.   There is no charge for the water monitoring kits.

To order kits, please contact Mr. Stuart Torbeck by e-mail at charles.torbeck@deq.virginia.gov.  Please provide your complete mailing address, as well as the number of kits you would like to receive.

This year, the following organizations have donated monitoring kits

-Virginia Water Monitoring Council (www.VirginiaWMC.org)

-United States Geological Survey Virginia Water Science Center (http://va.water.usgs.gov).

Participants can register and enter their data online by going to www.worldwatermonitoringday.org. To learn more about World Water Monitoring Day events occurring in Virginia, please visit the website http://va.water.usgs.gov/wqday_10/intro.htm

Dates: Mondays-Saturdays, October 4-21 (as weather permits)

Times: 8 am – 5 pm (volunteers are asked to commit to at least one full day at minimum)

Location: New Kent Forestry Center, 11301 Pocahontas Trail, Providence Forge, VA‎

Activity: Collecting and organizing loblolly pine cones is the primary activity.  If there is an abundance of volunteers, there may be other stewardship projects at the site.

Other details: Housing and/or camping is available for some of the dates, and some meals may be provided as well.  The New Kent Forestry Center is a beautiful location with hiking trails and lots of wildlife, and it is well worth a visit. A description of the ecology of the site can be found at http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/vbwt/site.asp?trail=1&loop=CPL&site=CPL08.  You can do some hiking at the end of the day, and Forestry Education Specialist Lisa Deaton will be there with trail maps to help orient you.

Astronomy: Enjoying the Night Sky Interested in learning about planets, constellations and stars? Topics covered will include how stars are named, how to identify constellations and planets, and binocular and telescope usage. The date for the outdoor observing session (10/26) may need to be adjusted as needed for weather. Instructor Jim Chadwick has studied Astronomy for over 55 years and owns an eight-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope that will be used for the outdoor observing session. $25 Dates Day Time Location 10/12-10/26* 3 Tuesdays 7-9pm Y Center

*The outdoor observation session will meet from 8-10pm at the Blacksburg Municipal Golf Course.