Nature Conservancy Richmond

Mark Your Calendars for 17th Annual Birding and Wildlife Festival

Friday, July 24, 2009 by Sam Sweeney

Kiptopeke State Park and the Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce look forward to the 17th Annual Birding and Wildlife Festival to be held in Cape Charles, Virginia on September 17-20.

Programs take participants to a variety of locations seeking the birds in remote locations as well as tours of the park’s songbird and raptor banding stations.

Nature photographer and writer Jim Clark will deliver the Festival's keynote address, "Between Ocean and Bay: A Natural Celebration of the Eastern Shore" at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, 2009, at Arts Enter Palace Theatre, 305 Mason Avenue, Cape Charles. For the past 33 years, Clark has been an award-winning and nationally renowned nature photographer, writer, motivational speaker, and instructor. A contributing editor for Outdoor Photographer Magazine, Clark has had articles and images appear in magazines such as Nature's Best, Defenders, Wildlife Refuge, Wonderful West Virginia, Birders World, Country, Loudoun Magazine, Photo Media, and Wild Bird. Other clients have included Nikon, Zeiss, National Wildlife Federation, Nature Conservancy, and Fujifilm.

Unlike other Festivals that take you to a locale and you wander around and enjoy all there is to offer, the Birding and Wildlife Festival takes place in multiple locations and offers various tours, programs and events. Many of the events require registration and the capacity is limited.

Check out their website, download the program or request a hard copy via mail.

Watch bird banding, tour Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge, view unique habitats throughout the Eastern Shore, take a boat tour, sign up for a workshop. There is so much to do, you will have a hard time making up your mind.

Don't drag your feet too long before registering or you may miss out on the most popular choices!

The Eastern Shore Birding & Wildlife Festival
is sponsored by

The Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce
in partnership with
Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries
SunTrust Bank
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program
and
Arts Enter Cape Charles/Stage Door Gallery
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory
Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge
Kiptopeke State Park
Northampton County Chamber of Commerce
Northampton County Public Schools
Onancock Business & Civic Association
The Nature Conservancy
Town of Cape Charles

The Festival offers a Variety of Programs

Joint Meeting of FoBCLSP and CPVMN

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 by Joe Elton

I had the pleasure of attending a joint meeting of the Friends of Bear Creek Lake State Park and members of the Central Piedmont Virginia Master Naturalists (CPVMN) on Saturday, July 11, 2009. About 20 people interested in the next training session for CPVMN as well as the newly established Friends Group attended along with me.

Gaston Rouse, Director of Volunteer and Alternative Resources for Virginia State Parks, was the guest speaker. He provided an engaging program about the Virginia State Parks' Youth Conservation Corps. This three-week outdoor program engages Virginia's youth in a structured program of important conservation and park projects on public lands while providing learning that fosters teamwork, self-esteem, social responsibility and respect for the environment. The program benefits not just today's youth but future generations as well.

Bobby Wilcox is currently President of the Friends of Bear Creek Lake State Park, established just this past May. Mr. Wilcox spoke to the group about the importance of keeping history alive and the role a Friends Group can play in doing so. To set the stage, he gave a brief historical account of General Lee's passage through the area surrounding Bear Creek Lake State Park as he traveled from Appomattox Courthouse back to Richmond following the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. General Lee's horse, Traveler, threw a shoe and they took a detour to a blacksmith in the area now known as Trice's Lake in Cumberland County.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation's Division of State Parks have been big supporters of the Master Naturalist program since before its inception. Bear Creek Lake Park Ranger Tom Kneipp is a founder and President of CPVMN Chapter. Tom heads up the natural and cultural interpretation program at the state park. The Master Naturalists can play an important role in helping to interpret the flora and fauna at Bear Creek Lake State Park and neighboring Cumberland State Forest.

It was refreshing to see all three of these important programs coming to fruition. The morning was well spent listening to three dynamic speakers who clearly care about the programs they oversee for the citizens of Virginia.

Sign Up For Stewardship Virginia Projects

Friday, April 10, 2009 by Guest Blogger

By Bonnie Phillips, DCR Public Relations Coordinator

Stewardship Virginia, a statewide campaign to encourage and recognize voluntary activities with a tangible impact on Virginia’s natural resources, begins its seventh year this spring. The campaign features activities in the spring and fall. The spring campaign runs April 1 through May 31.

“We can all play a role in the stewardship of our Commonwealth’s natural and historic resources,” said Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources L. Preston Bryant Jr. “Stewardship Virginia projects give our citizens – our friends and our neighbors – the tools, guidance and structure they often lack when trying to enhance these valuable resources.”

Citizens and groups may get help from the state’s natural resource agencies. Certificates of appreciation signed by Gov. Tim Kaine go to those who take part.

“Events will be held throughout Virginia with many opportunities for volunteerism in our parks and natural areas during Stewardship Virginia,” said Joseph H. Maroon, director of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. “We appreciate the many Virginians who have participated to date and hope many others will join in.” DCR coordinates the campaign with help from other state natural and historical resources agencies.

Girl Scouts, DCR, Starbucks and other volunteers will hold events this spring at Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield County. Volunteers will plant native plants, a butterfly garden to provide habitat for nectar loving insects, and ground cover on eroded areas to help prevent erosion.

Friends of Leesylvania State Park will clean up banks along the Potomac River in Prince William County as part of the Adopt-A-Stream program. Also, Fairy Stone and Douthat state parks will have many opportunities for volunteers.
Many businesses and groups across Virginia have already registered Stewardship events and provided support to promote conservation initiatives.

Stewardship Virginia promotes waterway adoption, trail improvement, the planting of riparian buffers, invasive species control, habitat improvement and landscaping for conservation. The campaign encourages people to connect with land and water to better understand their value.

Individuals, businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate in Stewardship Virginia by registering events so that details are available to citizens who want to join in. For more information, including a registration packet, call 1-877-42-WATER; in Richmond call 786-5056. Visit our website for more information about volunteer projects and a registration form.

Virginia State Parks offer countless volunteer opportunities all year long to continue your commitment to our public lands and the environment. Check out opportunities and sign up as a volunteer.

A Very Special Hunt

Tuesday, February 10, 2009 by Nancy Heltman

Virginia State Parks routinely offers managed hunts to control deer populations at a number of our park locations. Several of our locations also offer very special hunts. On December 6th, 2008 the Fredericksburg/Northern Neck chapter of the Virginia Deer Hunters Association hosted their 22nd Annual Disabled Veterans Hunt at Caledon Natural Area. Over 130 volunteers donated their time and 30 disabled veterans got to hunt. Ten deer were harvested and $900 dollars was donated by volunteers for the Hunters for the Hungry program.

United States First District Congressman Rob Whitman was among the volunteers who donated their time to enable the veterans to enjoy a day of hunting and fellowship in the natural area.

The following organizations, businesses and individuals contributed to the hunt.

Fredericksburg/Northern Neck chapter of the Virginia Deer Hunters Association

McGuire Hospital

Richmond Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans Association

Spotswood Hunt Club

Potomac Hunt Club

Dixieland Hunt Club

Rockhill Hunt Club

Viking Hunt Club

Accakeek Hunt Club

Northern Neck Sportsman’s Club

Colonial Hunt Club

Round Hill Hunt Club

C&S Auto Repair

Sawdy's Snack Food

Department of Conservation & Recreation, Division of State Parks, Caledon Natural Area

Breakfast and dinner meals prepared by Mac & Wanda McLennan

Homemade vegetable soup prepared (for lunch) by Joyce and Wendie Fines, Lois Preston and Cindy Marsh

Oysters on the half shell by Jason Newton and helpers

Morning Prayer by Pastor Willis Dempsey

Lunch Invocation by Veteran Richard Tarply

Deer drives lead by Jay Fines, Chris McCall and Kevin Eller (Animal Control officers and deputies)

Tracking services provided by Brian and Dan Dixon (fire/arson investigator)

Photography by Justyn Cox

Video tapping by Richard Poorman of the Veterans Administration

VDHA Officers in attendance Matt Lafley, Tex Sadler and Captain Joe

Congressman Rob Whitman attended and addressed the veterans and volunteers

Commonwealth Attorney Matt Britton attended

Clerk of the Circuit Court Charles V. Mason

King George Sherriff’s Department Captain Dempsey and deputies attended

It's Not Summer Camp

Sunday, February 8, 2009 by Nancy Heltman

Trail work is a key activity for the Youth Conservation Corps

Virginia State Parks' Youth Conservation Corps is many things - a three week residential service learning opportunity, hard work, leadership and teamwork experience. But it's not summer camp.

Crews generally have 10 members, ages 14-17, from diverse backgrounds, as well as three college-age or older crew supervisors. The crew lives in the park in a structured work program. The crew is closely supervised by professional park staff and committed adult volunteers. By day, crews work on important development and maintenance projects, and after hours crewmembers enjoy recreational activities and learn about the environment, team-building, work life and job readiness. Recently Channel 12 in Richmond did an informational piece on the Youth Conservation Corps. Watch the video here.

Youth live in a State Park bunkhouse or other volunteer housing

The corps program aims to promote youth development, including disadvantaged young people, and provide a cost-effective way to raise environmental awareness and strengthen the stewardship of Virginia’s valuable natural resources. The program combines work experience, education and life skills within the framework of environmental and community service. Youth participants receive a $500 stipend; adult supervisors, who directly oversee the young people and coordinate day-to-day direction, receive $1,500.

The hard work develops teamwork and encourages leadership skills

The Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps requires an application. We receive as many as 4 to 1 applications for positions in the program. Gaston Rouse, Director of Volunteer Services and myself are responsible for reviewing the applications and selecting the youth that apply. What do we look for? Sincere, well thought out responses to the questions that indicate youth have the maturity and commitment necessary for the program.

While there is lots of fun to be had during the three week program, it really is about as far away from a summer camp experience that you can imagine. Youth start the day with stretching and basic exercises to prepare them physically for the work ahead. They fix their own breakfasts and, depending on the schedule for the day possibly pack their lunches. Youth take turns preparing the dinner meals and doing basic clean up chores. Next it's off to the job site.

You know it's been a long day when you get this dirty!

The work is varied.

Restoration and preservation of wetlands, stream banks, endangered species and other wildlife habitat
Foliage restoration, water quality testing, removal of non-native plants and weeds, watershed work, nursery management, landscaping, mapping, surveying, recycling and other community improvements
Trail management and restoration

Keep in mind that it's hot, may be raining, could be muddy, there will be mosquitoes and ticks. The work is hard. And the youth usually surprise the park staff and their adult supervisors with their dedication and the amount of work they accomplish. We shoot for at least one or more projects that allow the youth to see that they accomplished something that will be lasting and important to the operation of the park. Last summer, Channel 10 out of Roanoke reported on the program at Claytor Lake State Park. See the video here.

The program also includes an opportunity for the youth to participate in outdoor recreation at the park - swimming, canoeing or kayaking, hiking the many trails in Virginia State Parks, and participating in the environmental and historical programming in the park. The youth will also travel to local historical or educational sites. They each receive a journal to record their experiences including wildlife and bird sitings.

The Program Graduation in a Proud Moment for all Participants

During the three week program (and we offer two sessions each summer), Gaston and I make an attempt to visit the programs and meet the youth. This creates for a very demanding travel schedule in the summer, but it means a lot to us to be able to talk to the program participants. Without fail Gaston and I come away from these meetings with great hope for the future of this country. These youth represent the best of what the future has to offer.

This year we have developed an on line application. You can apply on line, download a paper application or find out more about the program by clicking here. If you know a youth aged 14-17, let them know about this unique summer program. The YCC application deadline for students is April 11, 2009.