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Bill Horner, a resident at The Hermitage, a continuing-care retirement community in Richmond, wanted to identify the trees that he so enjoyed on the grounds of the facility where he lived. He enjoyed daily outings on the beautiful grounds, and he particularly admired the trees. Bill wanted to encourage the other residents to come outside and enjoy the trees on the wonderful Hermitage property.

His family contacted the Pocahontas Chapter and expressed Bill’s wish that the naturalists identify the trees. They also asked that the naturalists place plaques with the trees’ names beside each tree and create a book that could be used as a resource for the residents, caretakers, and visitors, so they could understand and appreciate the trees. Four members felt drawn to volunteer for the project. In mid-October, 2014, they installed the tree plaques and prepared a book and pamphlets that identified the trees and told something about them. Pictures that could be enjoyed by all were also included. The Hermitage’s director thanked and honored the volunteers who worked on this project in a dedication ceremony held in early November.  

Virginia Master Naturalist volunteer Thomas Adkins has made a significant achievement in becoming our first volunteer to contribute 5000 hours of service.  Tom became a Virginia Master Naturalist with the Shenandoah Chapter in 2007.  That was early in the life of the chapter, and Tom contributed many hours to the volunteer opportunities and education committees, helping to get the chapter organized and running smoothly.  He also spent plenty of volunteer hours outdoors.  Among his many projects was coordinating the building of bluebird nest boxes for Sky Meadows State Park and helping to monitor the boxes.  He also planted American Chestnut seeds at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and at the Blandy Experimental Farm and State Arboretum (Blandy).  Tom’s favorite project was working with the Young Naturalist Program, a day program for youth at Blandy that gets them outdoors in winter, a time when there are few similar opportunities.  Tom writes, “It is a great program and only chips away at the plight pointed out by Richard Louv in his “Last Child in the Woods”. I always liked the term “Leave No Child Inside”.  I am sure that the ‘nature deficit disorder’ he describes will not gain a lot of attention, but the VMN program has sure done its bit to help, and I love the support we have gotten from our partnership with state agencies.”
Congratulations, Tom, and thank you for all 5000+ hours of service you have graciously given to the program!

Patricia Temples (VMN volunteer, Old Rag Chapter) won top photo in the Local Farms and Foods category in the Piedmont Environmental Council’s 2014 photo contest.   You can see her photo, “Cows Have the Best View”, and other winners at http://pecva.org/about/135-get-involved/photo-contest/1077-2014-photo-contest-winners-finalists.

The VDEQ is also leading two workshops for educators (including Master Naturalist volunteers) on developing effective Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) for youth.  Participants will have a chance to begin planning their own seasonal or yearlong action project. Participants will receive CBFs Guide to Creating a MWEE and U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Schoolyard Habitat Project Guide.  To register: 
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WEI
You will receive a confirmation email and a follow up email several weeks before the workshop(s).  For more information, contact Page Hutchinson at 804-698-4488 or 
Page.Hutchinson@deq.virginia.gov 

Date: Thursday, January 15, 2015
Location: Herrity Building, Room 107, Fairfax
Fee: $12

OR

Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Location: VDOT District Office, Culpeper
Fee: $12