Virginia Master Naturalist
Pocahontas Chapter
Newsletter
May 31, 2015
Important Dates
Board Meetings
A Note from Lesha
Tuesdays: 6 PM
Swift Creek Dining Hall
June 2nd
July 7th
August 4th
September 1st
October 6th
November 3rd
December 1st
Continuing
Education
Chesapeake Bay Update
w/ Blair Blanchette
June 20
8 am
Rockwood Park Nature
Center
Dear Fellow VMNs,
I hope you will consider how you can help serve and build the
Pocahontas Virginia Master Naturalist Chapter in the coming year
as a member of our board. We have positions for both officers
and committee chairs that will begin in July 2015.
You can nominate yourself or a peer(s) for ANY POSITION, even
if an incumbent has offered to carry on into the next year. Please
don't hesitate to let me know of your interest in any position,
whether filled or unfilled. Positions are one year terms and an
individual may remain in a position for two terms.
Please review the positions below and contact those who are
currently serving in area(s) that are of interest to you. I have
listed some of the responsibilities of the committee chairs, but I
would encourage you to contact these individuals directly for
more information.
Checkout the State VMN
Website for upcoming
Webinars and recordings Send your nomination(s) to me, Lesha Berkel,
at [email protected] byJune 12, 2015.
for past sessions.
**We are especially seeking members to serve in these positions.
2016 Basic Training Current board and committee positions include:
Class
OFFICERS:
It is never too early to
start recruiting. January President (Lesha Berkel, [email protected])
will be here before you
know it.
Pocahontas
Chapter
Chapter Officers
President
Lesha Berkel
Treasurer
Joel Dexter
Secretary
Cris Pond
Committee Chairs
Basic Training
Bill Carloni
Continuing Education
Jim McCord
Volunteer Projects
Karen Daniel
Outreach/Program
Planning
Libby Bourne
Membership
Alice Warner
Webmaster
Rich Marino
Communications
Tom Yates
Chapter Advisor
Keith Morrison
Vice President (Joel Dexter, [email protected])
Treasurer** (Joel Dexter, [email protected])
Secretary (Cris Pond, [email protected])
COMMITTEE CHAIRS:
Basic Training** (William "Bill" Carloni, [email protected])
IMPORTANT NOTE: We are seeking 2-3 individuals to work as a
team for the 2016 basic training sessions.
"coordinates speakers and facility schedules for basic training
courses; prepares member binders; collects and distributes
materials for trainees; maintains attendance and make-up records;
provides ongoing support and communication for trainees".
Communication (Tom Yates, [email protected])
"prepares and sends eNewsletters; sends information to local
papers to solicit applications for basic training".
Continuing Education** (Jim McCord, [email protected])
"plans and schedules periodic CE events for the chapter;
communicates appropriate CE events sponsored by partner
agencies and other organizations".
Membership (Alice Warner, [email protected])
"documents member volunteer and CE hours for certification
annually; reports milestones to local chapter and the statewide
program for certificates, pins and other acknowledgements; assists
with chapter annual report".
Outreach and Program
Planning** (LibbyBourne, [email protected])
"schedules membership events (graduation, picnic, potluck, etc)
and regular meetings, plans participation in outreach events,
coordinates display materials"
Volunteer Coordinator** (Karen Daniel, [email protected])
"provides ongoing communication for volunteer activities available
to members; assists with development of new projects;
communicates with park staff to promote volunteer activities to
support Pocahontas State Park; provides support for chapter
volunteer project leaders".
Webmaster (Rich Marino, [email protected])
"maintains and updates website for the Pocahontas VMN Chapter
including current events, volunteer activities, board meeting
minutes and chapter documentation"
Volunteers who participate on our board serve a vital role for all
of our members. I hope that you will consider how your talent,
your leadership and your enthusiasm can help promote our
mission!
Warm regards,
Lesha
Special Interests and Other Topics
We are such an interesting and diverse group of Naturalists. Our
members lead, support and volunteer over a wide spectrum of
topics and interests. We travel and experience new things and
places. If you are participating in something or have travels you
want to share with your fellow chapter members, please email
your story or info to Tom Yates at [email protected]. We will
include your information in future editions of the chapter
newsletter.
PSP Bluebird Monitoring - Volunteer Opportunity
Hello current and "future" Bluebird monitors,
We can always use more Bluebird Trail Monitors. If you are
interested please send us an e-mail and we'll sign you up in
SignUpGenius. All we expect is that you peruse the training
literature on the chapter website and then join in a monitoring
session for on-the-job training. We check the schedule and make
sure an experienced monitor will be there.
If a monitoring time slot has already been selected and is shown
filled - don't worry. Just come and join the group - more folks are
always welcome. It is a very pleasant way to start the day.
On the Chapter Website, the Bluebird information is located
under the Volunteer Projects. Everything you need is there. It is
a great information resource and is worth a read, even if you
choose to not participate in the actual Bluebird Trail Monitoring.
Jane and Lee Hesler
Entomology Bioblitz at Belmead
According to a recent email for June events at Belmead
(FrancisEmma) in Powhatan County, they will host a focused
Bioblitz for Entomology. It is planned for June 6 starting
at 9am. Additional details may be available on their website, but
it was not immediately evident. You may search for
FrancisEmma or Belmead or try FrancisEmma.org.
The event is likely hosted by the James River Chapter of Virginia
Master Naturalists. They too are a fine group of folks and you
will likely have a good time, learn something new and have the
chance to visit a beautiful 2000 acre property along the James
River.
Check it out!
Basic Training - 2016
This year's Master Naturalist Class has graduated and getting
engaged in various volunteer and continuous education
opportunities.
As you go through the rest of the year, remember to introduce
the Virginia Master Naturalist program to your family, friends and
other non-VMN volunteers. Although we will not formally solicit
applications until later this year, it is never too early to stir up
interest and get names/contacts to Lesha for consideration for
the Class of 2016.
2015 Regional VMN Conferences - Dates and Venues
Selected
Hello VMN volunteers,
I am writing to let you know that we have set the dates and
locations for our four regional continuing education conferences
for 2015. These are regional events replace the statewide
conference this year, but we'll return to a statewide conference
in 2016. We are testing the idea of holding these regional events
to develop better networks across chapters in close proximity to
one another and to provide more field training tied to projects
relevant to your region. So, please mark you calendars for the
event below corresponding to your chapter:
Central Region: Saturday, August 29 at Holiday Lake 4H
Center, Appomattox, VA
The central region includes Alleghany Highlands, Rockbridge,
Central Virginia, Central Blue Ridge, Central Piedmont, James
River, Rivanna, and Headwaters chapters
Southeast Region: Saturday and Sunday, August 29-30 at
Airfield 4H Center, Wakefield, VA
The southeast region includes Riverine, Pocahontas, Historic
Rivers, Historic Southside, Peninsula, Tidewater, Eastern Shore,
and Northern Neck chapters
Southwest Region: Saturday, September 26 at Hungry Mother
State Park, Marion, VA
The southwest region includes Holston Rivers, Beagle Ridge,
New River Valley, Roanoke Valley, Blue Ridge Foothills and Lakes,
and Southwest Piedmont chapters
Northern Region: Sunday, September 27 at Skyland Resort,
Shenandoah National Park, Luray, VA
The northern region includes Old Rag, Shenandoah, Banshee
Reeks, Fairfax, Arlington Regional, Merrimac Farm, and Central
Rappahannock chapters
Participation in the regional events are reserved for volunteers
that are members in those regions. However, if space is still
available after a period of closed registration to the
region's volunteers, registration will open to volunteers in any
chapter.
Southeast Region - Tentative Details (Pocahontas
Chapter's Region)
Date: August 29-30 (Saturday afternoon
and Sunday). Registration will open in mid-June or July.
Lodging: Block of dorm rooms are reserved. They have bunks
and baths. Bring your own bedding and towels. There may be
hotels in the area as well and those details will be passed along
when known.
Saturday: In the afternoon there may be a Bioblitz with guides
from the Historic Southside Chapter. There may be a dinner for
an additional fee and there will be a campfire that evening.
Sunday: There will be an optional breakfast. Four co-current
sessions will occur in the morning, followed by lunch, and four
co-current sessions in the afternoon. Speakers and topics are
being set up.
Chapter Volunteers will be needed to help with the campfire, a
chapter profile and table displays, perhaps on chapter projects.
Continuing Education Opportunities
DGIF's Jessica Ruthenberg held a class and field trip on Virginia's
"Watchable Wildlife" on Saturday, May 16th, at Rockwood Park's
Nature Center. A presentation on Watchable Wildlife, The
Virginia Wildlife and Birding Trails and DGIF Volunteer
opportunities was provided. The group then went on a nice hike
on the Orange Trail in the park and reviewed interpretive/guide
skills and tips. Lots of flora and fauna were observed and the
group had a really good time.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Update - Blair Blanchette
Saturday, June 20, 8 am at Rockwood Park Nature Center.
Blair Blanchette of the Chesapeake Bay foundation will give a
presentation and discuss the bay, how it's doing, it's major
pollution issues, what CFB is doing to improve the bay, and their
"Grasses for the Masses" program. Blair offers the following
preview:
"Ever wondered how the Bay is doing? From where did my
soft-shell crab come? What is a menhaden anyway, and
what makes it so special? If you've ever asked yourself these
questions (or they've piqued your interest now), come learn
about the Chesapeake Bay. Blair Blanchette, Grassroots
Coordinator will discuss the state of the Bay, its major
pollution issues, and what you as a master naturalist can do
to save it."
Suggestions for a class or field trip ... or CE questions
Contact Jim McCord, Continuing Education Coordinator for the
Pocahontas Chapter VMN with questions.
Email: [email protected]
Pocahontas Chapter - VMN Mentor
Project
Hello Fellow Master Naturalists,
Do you remember being in the MN class and wondering what
was available, who to contact, and where your interests and
talents could be used as a volunteer?
A need exists to help our students transition from the classroom
setting into active volunteering. We are looking for a few
members to be a contact for students to receive assistance and
guidance as they launch into volunteering. As a contact, or
"mentor" you would provide information and help facilitate
communication and/or coordination with appropriate members
or organizations to connect the student with the right people.
Attached is a document of examples so you can have an
understanding of what a mentor's role might be. As a mentor,
your name and contact information would be provided to the
class members. You might find this to be a very rewarding
experience!
If you are interested, please contact Cris Pond
at [email protected] for additional information, and to
proceed.
Volunteer Projects
It is easier to reach 40 volunteer hours than you might think it
is. A couple of events here or there and you are done. If there is
a subject or activity you are especially interested in, call or send
me an email and I will work with you to find just the right
opportunity to fulfill that interest. I encourage you to sign up for
as many newsletters as you can handle, especially thru our
sponsor agencies. The Nature Conservancy, DGIF, State Parks,
Forestry and many others have great newsletters with everything
from just plain good information to training events and volunteer
opportunities. If you see an event somewhere you think would
be good for the chapter, please send it to me and I will share it.
Finally, do we have any good writers in the group? I have an idea
for a regular article for the newsletter, but I don't have time to
put the idea into action. If you would like to know more or are
interested, please contact me.
Karen
=================================================
Bat Monitoring
The Bat Monitoring Project kicked off again Sunday, April
26th. This project is essentially a weekly volunteer opportunity
and you may participate as often or as occasionally as you
wish....but the more the merrier. Come on out and enjoy the
fellowship, the beauty that dusk offers in the park, and watch for
our friendly, furry fliers.
The group is still seeing bats in the maternity boxes in the Pool
field.
Bat monitoring will likely be active well into October. Contact Liz
Revette or reply to the newsletter email for more
information. The group typically meets just inside the park
entrance at the small parking lot just past the welcome
station. Meeting times vary but is usually 10-15 minutes before
sunset.
================================================
Volunteering Reminders:
Check the chapter website for Volunteer Project details and
contact info for all ongoing projects. I also encourage you to sign
up for the Friends of Pocahontas notifications. There are several
ongoing projects the Friends manage which count towards
volunteer hours for VMN. Be sure to get new projects approved
ahead of time and add your hours for volunteering.
Remember to log your hours in the Volunteer Management
System each month by the end of the month. This is especially
important for year end reporting of Chapter activity and
participation to the State Coordinators. Reports are run monthly
showing how many hours were volunteered and also for new
members especially to meet your 40 hours to complete
certification. We should remember to log our park volunteer
hours on the State Park site as well. Our hours help the parks
show involvement and obtain needed funding.
Take care and VOLUNTEER MORE!
Karen
=================================================
Help Needed at Pocahontas State Park
Hello volunteers!
I hope you all had a lovely Memorial Day weekend! The park saw
lots of visitors and it is now officially "the season" for us here,
with the pool open, interpretive programs in full swing, and ticks
biting! There a few volunteer events coming up that I wanted to
share:
Saturday, June 6 is Clean the Bay Day, an annual event spurred by
the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. There are hundreds of sites
around Virginia participating, including us here at Pocahontas. If
you would like to participate, you can register at cbf.org/clean OR
just show up! We are meeting at Shelter 3 at 9a.m., and plan on
sweeping the area uphill of Swift Creek Lake of trash and microtrash. If you would like to bring a kayak or canoe and pull trash
out of the water, that works, too! Bring your own water to drink;
we'll provide gloves and trash bags.
July 6-10 we will be holding a Teen Volunteer week. This is an
opportunity for local youth to get community service hours, while
working hard at their local state park. If you know a teen who
would like to sign up, they can do so by registering to be a
volunteer online, just like you have done. They can choose 'Teen
Week' as their opportunity, and that will register them for this
program. If you would like to HELP with Teen Week, we would
like many of the projects to be supervised by adult volunteers.
Please contact me if you would like to help with any or all of the
week. The work days will go from 9a.m. to 2 p.m. each day, and
we will likely be doing projects like: trail maintenance,
constructing the natural play area, building picnic tables, and
whatever else is needed at the time.
Thanks, and be safe!
Andrea Hasenfus
Volunteer Coordinator
Pocahontas State Park
Office 804-796-4472
Email [email protected]
==================================================
Additional Radcliffe Conservation Area Help Needed
Fellow Master Naturalists - Chesterfield County Naturalist Bob
Smet has scheduled the final work at Radcliffe Conservation Area
( http://www.chesterfield.gov/Parks.aspx?id=6442455315)
on Tuesday, June 2nd through Thursday, June 4th
starting at 9:00 a.m.
We'll be grubbing out stumps, leveling the trail where it has a
steep cross slope, and doing some additional trimming.
If you would like to participate, please email Bob directly
at [email protected].
See you there!
Best Regards,
Jim McCord
Outreach and Program Planning
July 4th: Sports Backer Event for Active Living
Enjoy the Outdoors - Get Active at the Chesterfield County
Fairground. This is a free event and more chapter volunteer
information will follow.
August 9th: Chapter Picnic, General Membership
Meeting and CE
Pencil in 8/9 at 4 or 5pm, Shelter 4 at PSP. Stay tuned for
details confirmation.
December 15th: Chapter Christmas Party
Contact Libby Bourne to help with any of these
opportunities.
April 2015 Membership Data, Pocahontas Chapter
Total Membership - 138
Certified - 49
Inactive - 11
Trainees - 15
Chapter Partner/Instructor - 1
Total Volunteer Hours - 528
Continuing Education - 97
Miles Driven - 3909
Member Milestones -
250 Hours: n/a
500 Hours: n/a
1000 Hours: n/a
Certifications: n/a
Order your own
Pocahontas Chapter
Master Naturalist
polo shirt!
Orders can be placed
directly with our vendor
at 804-748-9254
or [email protected].
Shirts can now be ordered at
any time. Our new vendor is
able to do individual orders.
http://pocahontasvmn.org/
For more detailed information on volunteer
opportunities, Chapter events and newletter copies,
visit us on the web!
And look for us on FaceBook
Pocahontas Chapter
Virginia Master Naturalists
10301 State Park Road
Chesterfield, Virginia 23832