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.

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.

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

The Hickory Hollow Skunk Cabbage New Year’s Walk will be held on Sunday, January 4th‍ ‍at 1 pm.

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.  

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.

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.

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!

Come explore vernal pools, a unique type of wetland, at the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Every winter, these special pools fill up to provide a home for salamanders, fingernail clams, fairy shrimp, and more! Learn about these fascinating wetlands on a nature walk with the Refuge Biologist.

Come explore vernal pools, a unique type of wetland, at the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Every winter, these special pools fill up to provide a home for salamanders, fingernail clams, fairy shrimp, and more! Learn about these fascinating wetlands on a nature walk with the Refuge Biologist.

WHERE:            Westmoreland State Park
145 Cliff Road, Montross, VA 22520 
Meet at the Discovery Center. Will go on Rock Springs Pond Trail

WHEN:              Saturday, March 29, 9-11 am 

 Purpose: The walk is an opportunity to share observations and information with the Latino community. 

Sunday March 23rd 1:00 pm

Join FODR volunteers, other FODR members, and members’ guests for our spring nature walk. We expect many of the early spring flowering plants will be emerging at this time. We welcome families with children or grandchildren.

Upcoming Continuing Education Opportunity
Virtual Talk: Ecological Impact of Invasive Plants
6 PM Thursday March 13 

The board is excited to introduce our inaugural pop-up presenter on March 12, 2025, at 6:30 pm via our chapter Zoom link. See member email for zoom link. 

Judy Thomas is a 2023 BTC graduate. Her "One Small Bite" research and presentation launched her into an in-depth study of galls, and we are excited to have her as our Inaugural Pop-up Presenter. Here is a little bit about her presentation:

The Friends of Westmoreland invite all interested volunteers as well as our ally and partner organizations to join us at Murphy Hall on 15 February for a general meeting concerning the Revitalization of Westmoreland State Park's Native Plant Gardens. See member email for details.