Motts Run Nature Center

A number of the Master Naturalists signed up to attend the Motts Run Nature Center training in order to assist in staffing the Nature Center.  I must confess, it was my very first visit to the center.  Being relatively new to the area, I discovered Motts Run Reservoir last year for kayaking.  Not realizing the Nature Center was there, I would definitely have stopped in. 

What a hidden gem.  This is a place I would definitely have brought my children when they were younger had we lived in the area.  The training session included learning about the resident female snake “Pocket” as well.  Unable to resist the opportunity to hold her, I held my very first snake.  She was cool to the touch, ever so smooth and really quite curious and friendly.  But Pocket wasn’t the only interesting thing in the Nature Center.

The Center is a one room log cabin with numerous on-hands displays.  There was quite a nice library of books on nature, nature games and scavenger hunts.  Equipment that could be checked out such as binoculars, books, field guides, dipnets and so forth.

I must admit, I look forward to volunteering at the Nature Center in hopes that others will be equally inspired and become curious in this beautiful world we live in.  Not to mention I plan on discovering each display personally….as I am always a kid at heart.

Hopefully everyone will take the opportunity to stop by Motts Run Nature Center, open April through October on Saturdays and Sundays from noon – 5pm.  Best of all there is no charge and you can bring a picnic lunch, kayak, fish and hike.

A Hike in the Woods, but What on Earth is that?

Taking the Master Naturalist class was an absolute joy, I learned so many things or I should say relearned some things grade school.  Now prepared with my new-found knowledge, I happily spend hours in the woods.  I can easily tell you, according to Ben, “Rushes are round, sedges have edges and grasses are found where willow abound.”  Perhaps you laugh, however remembering some of these rhymes definitely helps those with a less scientific mind.   

But inquiring minds want to know what tree, bush, flower, plant, bird, lizard, rock, etc. as it is seen in the wild.  How will I ever learn all this identification?  The bottom line is, you won’t.  Everyone, even the professionals, needs reference guides from time to time.   With this new desire to learn, I find myself stopping and looking at everything and asking “What is this?”

In the class we received some very helpful guides, many from the Virginia Department of Forestry.  These have extensively been used already, as the guides are specific to Virginia.  But sometimes the desire for additional data or for covering species not in these Virginia Guides is too great.  Now filling up a backpack with a number of guides may not be great on your back, so I suggest the first few times you go out with a guide you try to concentrate in a specific area.  I have some phone apps I use as well in a pinch, but much prefer the physical guides.

Always have some basic equipment with you.  Personally, I always carry a jeweler’s loupe, binoculars, a camera of sorts and a notebook.  If I am find something of interest taking a number of photos and making notes with my mobile device is helpful for review later.  Then after studying let’s say a plant, I use the guide to find the plant, determine its scientific name and read about additional information.  Most guides have some type of key to help you identify the species, many using a dichotomous key.  

Occasionally some local naturalist may have written a book on a specific area, those I have found most useful.  Such as Hal Wiggins “A Field Guide to Crow’s Nest” or “Virginia Native Plants”.  Many of photos in his books are taken from areas local to Fredericksburg so I should find those species.  As for personal favorite commercially available guides, I use "Sibley’s Guide to Field Birds – Eastern North America" and a very old Audubon Guide (with color plates) that belonged to by grandmother for birds.  For trees, I use the “Sibley’s Guide to Trees”, for wildflowers “Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide”, for insects “Kaufman’s Field Guide to Insects of North American & Field Guide to Butterflies of North America”.  I do have other Audubon Guides as well and did pick up a guide on mosses from the Princeton Field Guides “Common Mosses of the Northeast & Appalachians” by as I really find mosses interesting.

Needless to say, as a naturalist you will find your library grow with your knowledge and desire to learn more about the species we see in the wild.



 

Spring is in the Air, Thoughts Towards the Garden

As we spring forward with the time change, days are getting longer and the temperature rises, our minds start wondering towards warmer outside activities.  It is a great time to prep those kayaks, canoes, tents and outdoor gear but also to start planning any garden activities for our yard.

A few years ago, I would simply go to the nursery and plant whatever I thought was attractive.  But I noticed I was not getting many butterflies or pollinators.  Then I read Doug Tallamy’s book, Bringing Nature Home.  If you have not read it, I would highly encourage you do so.

Doug mentions the importance native plants play in our ecosystem to further encourage native butterflies and pollinators to your garden.  Little did I realize my garden and lawn had become a waste land to local species, although pretty to the eye I was nothing more than conforming to all the other homes in suburbia.  I decided to start switching plants over to more heavily rely on native species.  My reward?  Within 3 years I had an abundance of butterflies, birds that had never visited my yard before, and a large variety of bees…..but that was not all.  My home had become a haven to three different species of skinks, a few chipmunks, squirrels and rabbits not which had previously made their home in my yard.

Now that I have moved from my very mature garden to a new place, I have a clean palette to attract all sorts of butterflies, birds, pollinators, you name it.  The soil is much different here and significant amounts of shade, but that will not limit me.  Learn what natives grown in your soil type.  I already see my native bee balm is coming up and has spread significantly.

There are some great resources out there in deciding what to plant:

A personal favorite:  US Fish & Wildlife Service Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Another favorite: Central Rappahannock Native Plants 

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation 

The Virginia Native Plant Society (VNPS) has a wealth of information and I highly recommend reading their site resources.  

Where to buy plants:

VNPS Native Plant Nurseries  

Attend Native Plant Sales:

National Arboretum Sale - March 24, 2018 
Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy - April 7, 2018 
Spring Garden Fest – Reynolds Community College – April 22, 2018 
Northern Alexandria Native Plant Sale – April 28, 2018
Maymont Herb Galore & More – April 28, 2018
Jefferson Chapter Native Plant Sale – April 30, 2018
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Plantfest – May 4-5, 2018
Friends of Riverbend Park Native Plant Sale – May 5, 2018 
Earth Sangha Wild Plant Nursery Sale – May 6, 2018 
Prince William Wildflower Society – May 12, 2018 
Blandy Farm Garden Fair – May 11-13, 2018

Volunteer Opportunities for March

· March 10 – Trash Pickup along Chapter-adopted highway (Route 208) Spotsylvania Courthouse, 8:30am – 10:30am. Meet at the Gazebo. Bring gloves. Chapter has grabbers.  Evelyn Way is the Point of Contact

· March 17 – Caledon State Park -  1pm:  St. Patrick’s Day Snake & Shamrock Shakedown – discussion on snakes’ native to the area, habitat, etc. and search for 4 leaf clovers.  Anyone with a native snake or willingness to discuss and assist with participants.  Contact Callie Morgan, callie.morgan@dcr.virginia.gov  at Caledon if you can assist

· March 17 -– Join Tree Fredericksburg for our Spring Tree Planting at Snowden Park, 3340 Fall Hill Ave at Wicklow Drive, 9am-12noon. Participation is limited to 50 people. Please register to volunteer at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tree-planting-near-snowden-park-tickets-42434396422. Planting rain or shine, unless there’s thunder and lightning. Be sure to wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes – no sandals or flip flops are allowed. We’ll provide all the tools and safety equipment necessary. All planting teams will be led by experienced volunteers and Tree Fredericksburg Tree Stewards. Children ages 5 years or older are welcome. If you bring children, be prepared to work one on one with them for their safety.  We are planting along the streets and safety is our main concern. Please plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes prior to 9 AMto sign in and get your equipment. The safety talk will begin promptly at 9 AM and all participants must be present for the safety talk or will not be allowed to plant trees with us that day.  All tools and equipment provided. Holes are pre-drilled so digging is easy. This event is a green event and plastic water bottles are not provided. Please bring your own reusable water bottle. Water and paper cups are provided.

· March 24 – Motts Run Nature Center Volunteer Training, 6300 River Road, 9am-11am (rescheduled from March 3); calling nature enthusiasts of all ages! Volunteers needed to staff the Motts Run Nature Center on weekends from April 1 through October. A ten-hour commitment requested for the season. We’ll teach you everything you need to know! Must be 16 years or older (children may volunteer with parents). It’s easy, great fun, and all you need is a love for nature and people! Contact Linda Bailey 540-372-1086 x213 or lbailey@fredericksburgva.gov

· March 26-27 – Aspen Grove Farm Field Days, Aspen Grove Farm in King George, 8:30am-1:30pm (rain date March 28-29). Looking for at least 4 volunteers for each day to assist station instructors, no experience necessary.  Training will be provided. Tri-County City Soil and Water District, contact Izabela Sikora at Izabela.sikora@tccswcd.org

o   Station 1- Macroinvertebrates identification- we will look at live organisms and using filed guides identify species and evaluate water quality

o   Station 2 – water testing – helping students collect water samples and test them for dissolved oxygen, pH and water quality.

o   Station 3 – wetland forest scavenger hunt – assisting students with finding wetlands’ specific characteristics.

o   Station 4 – water quality game. Students will need assistance to interpret water quality data and understand consequences of pollution on aquatic organisms.

· March 31 -– Join Tree Fredericksburg for our Spring Tree Planting near Train Station at Frederick and Caroline Streets, 9am-12noon. Participation is limited to 50 people. Please register to volunteer at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tree-plantingmulching-near-train-station-tickets-42435566923. Planting rain or shine, unless there’s thunder and lightning. Be sure to wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes – no sandals or flip flops are allowed. We’ll provide all the tools and safety equipment necessary. All planting teams will be led by experienced volunteers and Tree Fredericksburg Tree Stewards. Children ages 5 years or older are welcome. If you bring children, be prepared to work one on one with them for their safety.  We are planting along the streets and safety is our main concern. Please plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes prior to 9 AM to sign in and get your equipment. The safety talk will begin promptly at 9 AM and all participants must be present for the safety talk or will not be allowed to plant trees with us that day.  All tools and equipment provided. Holes are pre-drilled so digging is easy. This event is a green event and plastic water bottles are not provided. Please bring your own reusable water bottle. Water and paper cups are provided.

Upcoming Continuing Education Opportunities - Through the End of March 2018

· March 13-16 –National Association for Interpretation Spring Workshop, Northern VA 4-H Center in Front Royal; focused on natural and cultural history interpreter’s across the region; Registration https://www.interpnet.com/nai/nai/_events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=r2_2018 and information available at http://nairegion2.weebly.com/. Has bird walks, hikes, and field trips to local places.

· March 14 - Nature & Health in Communities: A review of Best Available Science, 1pm online webinar taught by Dr. Kathleen Wolf - Research Social Scientist, University of Washington, information and how to access:  https://sref.info/news/articles/2018-urban-community-forestry-webinar-series-for-extension-agents

· March 14 – Capture and Curation Methods for Studying Terrestrial Vertebrates and Invertebrates: Discovering how Important Scientific Specimens can be! Gloucester Point VA, 8:30am - 3:30pm; This day-long workshop will provide details about how terrestrial vertebrates and invertebrates are captured for scientific study and how they are prepared and curated as museum specimens for long-term preservation.  The instructors will also provide examples from their own research programs of how museum specimens are used to further our understanding of Virginia's fauna. The cost of this one day course is $30.00. You must pre-register, and Sandra must receive both your payment and information before your registration is 'complete.'  Click here for the attached document with registration information. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Sandra Erdle at syerdle@vims.edu, or 804-684-7144.

· · March 14 - Nature & Health in Communities: A review of Best Available Science, 1pm online webinar taught by Dr. Kathleen Wolf - Research Social Scientist, University of Washington, information and how to access:  https://sref.info/news/articles/2018-urban-community-forestry-webinar-series-for-extension-agents

· March 14 – Capture and Curation Methods for Studying Terrestrial Vertebrates and Invertebrates: Discovering how Important Scientific Specimens can be! Gloucester Point VA, 8:30am - 3:30pm; This day-long workshop will provide details about how terrestrial vertebrates and invertebrates are captured for scientific study and how they are prepared and curated as museum specimens for long-term preservation.  The instructors will also provide examples from their own research programs of how museum specimens are used to further our understanding of Virginia's fauna. The cost of this one day course is $30.00. You must pre-register, and Sandra must receive both your payment and information before your registration is 'complete.'  Click here for the attached document with registration information. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Sandra Erdle at syerdle@vims.edu, or 804-684-7144.

· March 24 – Woods in your Backyard Workshop, Hanover VA, 8:30am-4:30pm; Small lots are a big deal. The vast majority of landowners in Virginia own less than 10 acres. By enhancing wooded areas or creating natural areas on your lot, you can make a positive difference in your environment through planning and implementing simple stewardship practices learned at this workshop. TOPICS include:

o   Forest Ecology

o   Enhancing Wildlife Habitat

o   Tree & Shrub ID

o   Converting Lawn to Natural Areas

o   Invasive Plant Identification and Control

o   Native Plants, Pollinators, and Birds

o   Forest Farming (e.g., Growing Shiitake Mushrooms)

Cost for the day is $20 per person, which includes lunch and manual. Registration is required for this workshop. Click here to register, or go to https://www.allianceforthebay.org/events/woods-in-your-backyard-workshop-hanover-county/. If you have any questions, please contact Jenny McGarvey at (804) 977-1657 or jmcgarvey@allianceforthebay.org.

· March 28 - From Science to Action: Evidence-based Programs for Nature & Health Communities, 1pm online webinar taught by Dr. Kathleen Wolf - Research Social Scientist, University of Washington, information and how to access:  https://sref.info/news/articles/2018-urban-community-forestry-webinar-series-for-extension-agents