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.
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.
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.
First Class of Northern Neck Basic Training Class 2026. Location to be announced.
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.
Due to the impending winter storm, the Naked Tree Walk in Chilton Woods State Forest is rescheduled to Saturday, February 28 at 1 pm.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 28 at 1pm! Anne Parker will lead a "Naked Tree Walk" in Chilton Woods State Forest.
NNMN Volunteer Opportunities for April 11-12 at the Virginia Osprey Festival in Colonial Beach, VA
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 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.
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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