Article by Jessica Ruthenberg, Watchable Wildlife Biologist, Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries
The Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries (DGIF) is excited to announce the launching of the Adopt-A-Trail project, a new long-term volunteer opportunity for Virginia Master Naturalists. The Adopt-A-Trail project is a way for the Virginia Master Naturalists to partner with DGIF to update, maintain and improve the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail (VBWT).
The Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries (DGIF) is excited to announce the launching of the Adopt-A-Trail project, a new long-term volunteer opportunity for Virginia Master Naturalists. The Adopt-A-Trail project is a way for the Virginia Master Naturalists to partner with DGIF to update, maintain and improve the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail (VBWT).
Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail signs mark trail sites.
The VBWT is a statewide driving trail composed of 65 loops connecting the best sites in Virginia for watching birds and other wildlife. It was established in three phases between 1999 -2004, with the goal of increasing awareness, appreciation and conservation of Virginia’s wildlife and native habitats. When it was completed in 2004, it was the first statewide trail of its kind in the country! All sites are marked with signage and a guide to the trail is available in print and electronically on DGIF’s website at http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/vbwt/.
VMN volunteer Kate Short (Pocahontas Chapter) visits one of the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail sites to monitor its condition. Photo by Lesha Berkel.
The last major update to the trail guide was completed in 2007, which means it is time for another update, but with 637 trail sites located throughout the Commonwealth, DGIF could sure use some help!
DGIF is inviting chapters of Virginia Master Naturalists to “adopt” loops of the VBWT through the Adopt-A-Trail project. Chapters will “adopt” one or more loops that fall within or near the counties of their chapter’s local area. Project participants will visit assigned sites on their chapter’s loop(s) four times a year to assess conditions at the site, communicate with the site’s owner/ manager, update site information in the VBWT guide, observe and record bird sightings using e-bird, and to record additional wildlife observations into their newly updated Wildlife Mapping program. Future plans include the completion of site evaluations and surveys that will help DGIF to determine the top VBWT sites. All of the information collected will be used to make updates to the VBWT guide, build relationships with site owners/ managers, develop new marketing pieces for the VBWT, and improve the overall quality of the trail for visitors.
The Pocahontas Chapter graciously agreed to pilot the Adopt-A-Trail project for DGIF this fall and have already made great strides. They adopted the Appomattox Loop in Chesterfield County and have done a fantastic job of coordinating all of the logistics on their end necessary for this project. Project participants report that they have found the sign-up process and instructions easy to follow and that this is a great project for members interested in visiting nearby trails that they have never encountered before. The Pocahontas Chapter plans to complete their pilot work by the end of November.
DGIF is inviting chapters of Virginia Master Naturalists to “adopt” loops of the VBWT through the Adopt-A-Trail project. Chapters will “adopt” one or more loops that fall within or near the counties of their chapter’s local area. Project participants will visit assigned sites on their chapter’s loop(s) four times a year to assess conditions at the site, communicate with the site’s owner/ manager, update site information in the VBWT guide, observe and record bird sightings using e-bird, and to record additional wildlife observations into their newly updated Wildlife Mapping program. Future plans include the completion of site evaluations and surveys that will help DGIF to determine the top VBWT sites. All of the information collected will be used to make updates to the VBWT guide, build relationships with site owners/ managers, develop new marketing pieces for the VBWT, and improve the overall quality of the trail for visitors.
The Pocahontas Chapter graciously agreed to pilot the Adopt-A-Trail project for DGIF this fall and have already made great strides. They adopted the Appomattox Loop in Chesterfield County and have done a fantastic job of coordinating all of the logistics on their end necessary for this project. Project participants report that they have found the sign-up process and instructions easy to follow and that this is a great project for members interested in visiting nearby trails that they have never encountered before. The Pocahontas Chapter plans to complete their pilot work by the end of November.
Volunteers also will record wildlife sightings.
After the pilot phase is completed, DGIF will fine tune the Adopt-A-Trail project as needed to get it ready for more chapters to participate, starting in early Spring 2016. If your chapter is interested in participating in the Adopt-A-Trail project, DGIF would love to hear from you. Please email Jessica Ruthenberg, DGIF’s Watchable Wildlife Biologist at Jessica.Ruthenberg@dgif.virginia.gov to find out how to get started!
I am a VMN in training at Fredericksburg.
I am interested in becoming a long term volunteer for the Birding and Wildlife Trail project.
Please send me any information relevant to your volunteer program.
Thank You!
Hanne
Hi Hanne–For the Birding and Wildlife trail project, we will need your _chapter_ to adopt a trail (rather than just an individual volunteer). This was a request via DGIF to help ensure long-term monitoring. Contact your projects chair, Ben Raterman, and he can help get this underway. I’ll send him an email as well.
Dear Michelle Prysby,
I am the MN trainee offering volunteer work for the Birding and Wildlife Trails Adoption program. In order to fulfill the purpose of my training, I need to become an active volunteer. For this reason I have personally presented my interest to the Central Rappahannock Chapter last Thursday. In turn, I was asked to contact you and get the specifics regarding the work involved, designated sites, etc. in order to officially commit myself to the project and start the work.
I understand the goals and objectives of the project, as described in the publication you attached to my email, however, I would like to meet with you or the right person for orientation and specific guidelines.
Thank you for your help.
Hanne