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Below, we have listed the volunteers (alphabetically, by chapter) who have achieved these milestones between August and December, 2020.  The list is based on chapter reports received by our office as of January 31, 2021.   

These volunteers have done extraordinary levels of service!  This is especially true in 2020, when there are so many limitations on volunteer activities.  We are so impressed with how VMNs are finding safe ways to still contribute to natural resource education, citizen science, and stewardship in their communities.

We want to particularly acknowledge the achievements of Caroline Haynes, Jim Hurley, Janice Lockwood, Bill Blair, Daina Henry, Ike Eisenhauer, and Kathy Fell, all new members of the VMN Golden Circle based on their contributions of more than 5,000 hours of service each!

Thank you to Tiffany Brown, VMN project assistant, for compiling these lists!

Captions are not provided for this video because there is no speaking.  There is piano music playing in the background.

The Holston Rivers Chapter of VMN had purchased the rights to do a showing of the Freshwaters Illustrated film, “Hidden Rivers.” The intention was to show it during Abingdon’s famous Virginia Highlands Festival in August, but the festival, like everything else in 2020, got cancelled. 

After much hand-wringing, the chapter’s sponsor, Tanya Hall (Chief Ranger for Visitor Experience at Hungry Mother State Park) suggested talking to the owner of the drive-in movie theatre that is about 4 miles from the gates to the state park. The drive-in would allow us to follow COVID-19 protocols in addition to providing a unique and fun location. Park Place Drive-In was happy to be part of the plan, and the results were overwhelming. 

The purpose of showing the film was strictly educational, but the group ended up charging a nominal fee to cover the cost of the venue and technical support (and many patrons made donations to support the project).  There was hope of having 40-50 people in the audience at the Highlands Festival, but, on a moonlit night in October, more than 85 cars (more than 160 patrons) pulled into the Park Place Drive-In to watch this beautiful movie about the rivers and aquatic life in Appalachia.  The group also showed two short films; one on bringing back brook trout to Tennessee streams and one on the Hellbender Salamander. 

To add to the fun, one of the “stars” of Hidden Rivers drove up from Chattanooga to join the fun. Casper Cox is featured in the movie talking about the importance of these rivers, and he has written a book on  river snorkeling.  He sold some books and, of course, posed for some pictures.

All in all, the event landed squarely in the “silver linings” category during these unusual times as members noted that the attendance was far greater than any of them imagined. Those in attendance texted, emailed, and added Facebook comments to thank the chapter for an event that opened their eyes to many issues — and also provided a beautiful evening under the stars.

Below, Kathy describes her experience as a VMN volunteer and how she chose to spend her five thousandth volunteer hour!  Way to go, Kathy, and thanks for the inspiration!

I did it! 
 
I was almost there after our board meeting on Friday.  I decided I would plan for my 5000th hour to be something more exciting than Chapter Administration.  I love watching the birds.  Saturday was October Big Day and I ended up about a half an hour short.  So today, I put out a mix of sunflower seed, chopped peanuts and suet balls at 7:30am and sat in front of the window.  The Titmouse family was the first to arrive, followed closely by the Chickadees.  I had watched the Chickadee family hatch and fledge 4 babies in one of my nest boxes over the summer.  A Carolina Wren dropped by as well as all three Nuthatch species: Red breasted, Brown headed and White Breasted.  I enjoy watching these locals queue up for a bite.  They swoop in, land in the tree, then take turns for a grab and go.  A few return to the tree to wedge a sunflower seed between their toes and work open the husk.   The Cardinals, Finches and Grosbeaks tend to monopolize the feeder, ignoring those in the queue.  I got a photo of a mystery female bird; a Purple Finch or Rose Breasted Grosbeak.  I was about to give in when a Bluebird arrived!   I watched the bluebirds raise two clutches this summer. The usual gang of Mourning Doves patrolled underneath for dropped treats. A blue jay came by for a drink from the bird bath and did not bother anyone.  In all, it was a wonderful way to achieve a milestone!  

I enjoyed 437 hours of Continuing Education so far, which included every State Conference to date.  I think a lot of credit is due the state office for all the wonderful Conferences and Webinars they have organized for our benefit.  

My favorite projects involve Citizen Science (3252 hours!).  I participate in bird counts, FeederWatch and NestWatch.  I monitor rainfall daily and water quality monthly.  I collected acorns for DoF and Callary Pear leaves for a genetics project.  I hunted for rare plant species and froze Orchard Mason Bees, after fishing them out of cups of propylene glycol.  I participated in many Blitzes, hunting for the different species native to Virginia.  I am also a volunteer at the Virginia Museum of Natural History where I have been involved in the Paleontology lab, Archaeology lab, and the Wet Lab (where they keep specimens in alcohol) as well as having the opportunity to do some field work in both Paleontology and Archaeology. 

Last year, I volunteered to lead the Southern Piedmont Native Plant Campaign.  This plus helping the museum’s Education Department with its many festivals gives me 759 hours of Education Service. 

Stewardship project account for 297 hours, most spent on the designing and installing Wildlife Habitats. 

In all, it has been a wonderful 12 years and I’m looking forward to the next 5000 hours! ​​​