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 last 2025 Adopt A Highway Cleanup of our section of Balls Neck Road will be this Friday, October 24, at 9:00 AM.
Please join us for this Tree-mendous activity in Chilton Woods State Forest!
Tuesday, October 21 from 9 am - 12 pm for trail maintenance
Please join us for this Tree-mendous activity in Chilton Woods State Forest!
Saturday, October 18 from 9-12 pm - BioBlitz under power transmission line corridor, led by Anne Parker.
Our first activity will include surveying the trail system to determine needs and to prioritize our future activities. This will take place on October 7, between 9 and 1.
Outreach Event: Volunteers needed.
When? Saturday, September 27 from 10 am – Noon
Where?
Two Bees Lavender Farm
49 Clifton Ave
Kilmarnock, VA 22473
General meeting: Andy will make announcements
Lavender Farm Tour - attendees will enjoy learning more about a unique example of Northern Neck land use with a walking tour of the house and grounds of Two Bees Lavender Farm and hearing from the owners about their processes and plans
Tuesday, September 23, 7:00-8:00 pm
We have a fabulous team of Spanish-speaking volunteers who will give you some language basics and talk about tools for learning Spanish that can be applied to your naturalist work.
The final Butterfly Count of 2025 is the George Washington Birthplace Fall Count on September 23. Contact Jeff to volunteer and to select your sector.
Opportunity for Volunteer Hours!
NNMN will have an Adopt a Highway road cleanup of our stretch of Balls Neck Rd, from Shiloh School to Hughlett Point, on Friday, September 12, at 9:00 AM. We will meet at Shiloh School and then break into two teams.
As always, dress for the weather (which looks to be good) and bring gloves and water. We have orange vests available.
Please contact Camille with questions or to volunteer
Bob Dunstan has scheduled another Clean VA Waterways/International Coastal Cleanup at Hughlett Point for September 11 at 8 a.m. Four to six volunteers can usually do this in 2 to 2 ½ hours, and the walk along the beach or the woods is always a treat.
The Outreach Committee has an event scheduled for the Montross “First Friday” on September 5. If you would like to volunteer some time there, please contact Westmoreland Outreach Leader, Molly Callaway.
The Virginia Master Naturalists will hold its annual convention in Richmond, beginning Friday, September 5 and concluding at noon on Sunday, September 7. This year’s conference continues the 20th anniversary celebration of the Virginia Master Naturalist. Dubbed the VNM Treemendous 20th Anniversary
The Rappahannock River Valley Wildlife Refuge has asked the NNMN for volunteer assistance with their native plant gardens.
The scheduled work day is Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
Work will begin at the Wilna Lodge location at 9:00am.
This count covers segments of Essex, King and Queen, and Middlesex Counties on the Middle Peninsula of Virginia.
There are extraordinary habitats on public and private properties and amazing biodiversity within the circle. The count will cover segments of the Dragon Run, The Dragon Swamp, Two State Forests, and segments along the banks of the Mattaponi and Rappahannock Rivers, and inland portions of the three counties - exceptional rural settings and Mother and Father nature at its best.
A Board of Directors’ Meeting is scheduled for August 19, 2025 at 6:30 PM via Zoom. Chapter members, desiring to observe or participate in this meeting, are requested to email Andy Bailey prior to 18 August. See member email for agenda and more info.
For the third year, we are looking for a few volunteers to pick up trash along Hughlett Point.
This year we will have a late spring, mid-summer and early fall pickups.
The second pick-up will be on Monday, July 28 (low tide 8:36 a.m.)
The Heathsville Farm Market is having Kids Day Saturday, July 19, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM. Set up will begin at 7:30 and take-down at 1:00. If you would like to volunteer for this market, please contact Camille.
Thursday, July 17, Dr. Holly Gaff, will be training volunteers how to safely and correctly collect ticks. This training will be held at Beaverdam Park in Gloucester from 10:30 am to 3 pm, but another will be held in the Northern Neck in the near future if any Northern Neck folks are interested.
Activity: Bird Walk
Join us for a Bird Walk led by our very own bird whisperer, Leslie Fellows. We will be walking in the forest near the Emmanuel Church along with church members that have requested this activity.
Where: Emmanuel Christian Fellowship Church
When: Tuesday, June 17, 9:00 to 11:00, Rain date-TBD
Cat Point is a wonderful example of a Tidal Freshwater Marsh, protected by the refuge and the Rappahannock Indian Tribe. This field trip follows the April 17th NN VNPS program presented by biologist Maeve Coker on freshwater tidal marshes Join us to see the spectacular flora and fauna of a Freshwater Tidal Marsh and how critical this habitat is for all.
For the third year, we are looking for a few volunteers to pick up trash along Hughlett Point.
This year we will have a late spring, mid-summer and early fall pickups.
The first pick-up will be on Thursday, May 29 (low tide 7:58 a.m.)
Menokin Visitor Center
4037 Menokin Road
Warsaw, VA 22572
May 18, 2025 2:00 pm - ?
RSVP Please! See member Email for RSVP email and details.
We have been asked by the members of Emmanuel Christian Fellowship Church to return and help with maintenance work on their nature trail. This has been a successful joint effort with the church which is predominantly African American.
Anne Parker will assist in identifying native and non-native plants
Heather Bedford will be there for a short time to provide information about potential health benefits of the native plants
A walk at Hickory Hollow Natural Area Preserve with the Northern Neck Chapter of Virginia Native Plant Society is a wonder anytime but when the Kentucky Lady’s Slipper orchid is in bloom it is a very special sight. We believe this should be in bloom along with False Hellebore, Redring (or White) Milkweed, Large Twayblade orchid, Summer Bluet, Partridgeberry, and more!
Westmoreland State Park will have a workday for the Visitor's Center Garden on Friday, April 25th, from 9 to noon. Please come if you can. We need your help.
We will be weeding and developing the overall concept for additional plants to replace the switch grass that was removed.
Please bring basic gardening hand tools, water, and a snack. No experience needed. Heather Bedford has graciously agreed to help us identify weeds.
This project is found under Stewardship – Native Garden Maintenance in Better Impact.
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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