The third (and final!) trash pick-up at Hughlett Point for the season will be on Wednesday, September 30 (low tide 8:04 a.m.)
See member email for more info.
How many birds can you identify in one day while staying within a 17-foot circle?
That's the challenge of the Big Sit. Folks will be participating in Big Sit circles around the world, so come join the fun. The Refuge will be setting up its circle once again on top of Fones Cliffs. Last year we identified over 50 species of birds.
Tuesday 15 Dec 2026 - Northumberland - Lancaster Christmas Bird Count: Compiler -Jeff Wright
Saturday 19 Dec 2026 - George Washington Birthplace Christmas Bird Count: Compiler - Bill Portlock
Sunday 20 Dec 2026 - Dragon Run Christmas Bird Count: Compiler - Jeff Wright
Sunday 27 Dec 2026 - Middle Peninsula Christmas Bird Count: Compiler - Susan Crockett
Sunday 3 Jan 2027 - Mathews Christmas Bird Count: Compiler - Mark Sopko
BUTTERFLY COUNT IS NOW ON SUNDAY 20 SEPTEMBER. Change is necessary based on forecast rain on Monday thru Thursday of next week.
THIS COUNT COVERS AREAS OF BOTH THE NORTHERN NECK AND THE MIDDLE PENINSULA
See member email for more info.
Virginia Marine Resources Commission has scheduled an in-person hearing from 10am-Noon on Sept. 19 at Northumberland High School
Our upcoming cleanup will be on Friday, August 14, with a rain date of Tuesday, August 18. We will all meet at Shiloh school at 8:30 AM so that we can finish by 11 before the heat and humidity are too oppressive.
- Primary Date: Saturday, July 18th, from 8-10 am. Please note the earlier start time to avoid the summer heat.
- Place: Meet Anne at 8 am at the Doghouse/Central rail parking area, located off Field Trial Road.
When: Sunday, June 14, 2026 2–5 pm
Where: Morattico Waterfront Museum Picnic Pavilion
6584 Morattico Rd,
Morattico, VA 22523-2000
Please RSVP by Wednesday, June 10th. See member email or newsletter for RSVP and details
The Batten School & VIMS will host the 24th annual #MarineScienceDay open house event on Saturday, May 30, 2026. For one day a year only, nearly every corner of our campus is open to the public to speak to our scientists and students while getting a behind-the-scenes look at the important research and advisory services we provide to the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond!
Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 1:30pm. Kayaking at Cat Point Creek from the Cat Point Creek Unit with Friends of the Rappahannock. Cost $25 per person or free if you bring your own kayak. (I have 14 kayaks).
Join Virginia Master Naturalist Anne Parker for a relaxed spring walk along Doghouse Trail in Chilton Woods (CWSF) on Friday, May 1 at 10 am.
Want to Learn about Poisonous Mushrooms in Virginia?
Mushrooms are a diverse and fascinating group of organisms that play a crucial role in
ecosystems worldwide. It is estimated that Virginia has 2,700 wild mushroom species!
When? Saturday, April 11, 2026 from 10-11:30 am
Where? Murphy Hall at Westmoreland State Park, 145 Cliff Road, Montross, VA
Public is invited.
NNMN Volunteer Opportunities for April 11-12 at the Virginia Osprey Festival in Colonial Beach, VA
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 8am-3pm. Volunteer to help Friends of the Rappahannock with Marine Career Day at the Rappahannock Tribal Lodge at the Cat Point Creek Unit.
Join Anne Parker on Saturday, February 28 at 1 pm in Chilton Woods State Forest where she will lead a "Naked Tree Walk."
You are invited to join Lesley Newman, Virginia Project Learning Tree (PLT) State Coordinator, and Robin Didlake for a PLT workshop on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Westmoreland State Park. The workshop, "Explore Your Environment," includes a copy of the book. See below for details about the workshop.
First Class of Northern Neck Basic Training Class 2026. Location to be announced.
The Annual Winter Water Fowl Count will be on the weekend of 7 & 8 February 2026.
Teams will be out and about on both Saturday 7 FEB and Sunday 8 FEB counting in Caroline, Essex, Middlesex, Richmond, Lancaster, Northumberland, Westmoreland, King George, Mathews, Gloucester, King & Queen Counties, and King William.
Thursday, June 4, 2026 8:30-3:30. Bay Quest Charters Eco Tour on the Coan River. Here is their Website. The trip is from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm with a lunch break around noon. Times are weather-dependent. Cost is covered by the chapter. The limit is 23 adults. Email Robin Didlake to sign up: rdidlake@gmail.com. Email with more information will be sent in May.
In preparation for the Winter Water Fowl Count there will be a 105 minute workshop on Monday 2 February at 7:00-8:45PM. The ZOOM session will cover a series of identification tips for some of the most challenging waterfowl and water birds we might see.
Saturday, January 31st Friends of Dragon Run Members Event
Join FODR Citizen Science Committee Chair Maeve Cocker for the 2026 Woodcock observance and walk. Members will meet at FODR’s Bulman property just before sunrise (around 6:00 AM) to listen and watch for male woodcocks as they perform their sky dances.
Sunday, January 25th 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Fulfill your New Year's resolution to get more fresh air and exercise! Join Friends of Dragon Run Nature Guides and volunteers for a “Winter Walk in the Woods” at their Big Island Complex in King and Queen County.
We are thrilled to welcome a Virginia Master Naturalist for our January program. Everyone is welcome—please bring your friends!
“Cold Season, Bright Feathers: Winter Birds of the Northern Neck” by Jeff Wright
Saturday, January 24 at 1:00-1:45PM
Lancaster Community Library
Wednesday, January 21st 9:00 - 1:00
The sites for this FODR clean-up are Bestland Bridge (Rt 612), Cheaneys Bridge (Rt 607), and Byrds Bridge (Rt 604). FODR’s Trash Wrangler, Mark Alling, prepares the area with caution signs along the roads and provides all the tools (fluorescent vests, gloves, bags, and pick-up tools).
Wednesday, January 14th
Help FODR prepare for a prescribed burn by removing vegetation from young Longleaf Pine (LLP) trees at the FODR Moser property. This will be the third and final prep day since the burn will be conducted mid to late January.
The Hickory Hollow Skunk Cabbage New Year’s Walk will be held on Sunday, January 4th at 1 pm.
The 10th Annual Northumberland-Lancaster Christmas Bird Count is on Tuesday 16 Dec 2025. See member email for more info or contact Jeff Wright.
Sunday, December 14 from 1-3 pm - NNMN Annual Winter Potluck
St. John's Episcopal Church, Fellowship Hall in Warsaw (check out their newly-paved parking lot!)
Please RSVP
Third Annual DRAGON RUN CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT is on Sunday 14 December 2025. See member email for more info or contact Jeff Wright.
Tuesday, Dec 9 Chilton Woods State Forest at 9 am
We will be tackling some autumn olive patches.
Friday, November 21 - continuing Trail Maintenance at Chilton Woods State Forest on the Central Trail
Meet at 9 am at the Doghouse parking area, off of Field Trial Road. (There will be signs!)
Tuesday, November 18 - Meetings/Program at Belle Isle State Park Visitor's Center Meeting Room
12 pm Board Meeting
2 pm General Meeting (including elections and budgets) plus fun program by Robin Didlake "Understanding Stormwater Drains"
Belle Isle State Park wanted to make our chapter aware of an upcoming meeting of our region’s Friends of VA Parks that might be of interest to those who volunteer at Belle Isle State Park.
The Virginia Master Naturalist program is open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
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