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 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.

Details to follow.

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.

See member email for details. 

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.)

Details to follow.

Outreach Event: Volunteers needed.

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

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.

Outreach Event: Volunteers needed.

We need volunteers to staff the outreach table at the Osprey Festival in Colonial Beach on April 12. 

What: 7th Annual Virginia Osprey Festival
When: Saturday April 12, 9-4. Sign up for 2 hour shifts.
Where: Colonial Beach Town Hill (Corner of Colonial and Washington Avenues)
Rain or Shine! 
Please see member email from 3/5/2025 for information on signing up.

 Northern Neck Master Naturalists have partnered with the University of North Carolina for a fourth season of Caterpillars Count. This citizen science activity measures seasonal variation and abundance of important food sources for birds.

The Rappahannock River Valley Wildlife Refuge has asked the NNMN for volunteer assistance with their native plant gardens.  

 What: 
For the second year, Northern Neck Master Naturalists are being asked to identify box turtles that they come across during the months turtles are active. Turtles will be photographed and pictures as well as additional information will be put on a form and submitted to project leaders.  Last year, we identified and accumulated data from almost 100 box turtles.  This year our goal is to start doing actual science!

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. 

Volunteer assistance with a few of the native plant gardens at Westmoreland State Park, specifically the Discovery Center Gardens and the Contact Station Gardens. 

Balls Neck Rd between Shiloh Schools and Hughlett Point

Friday, March 21, 9:00-11:00AM (Rain date Tuesday March 25)

RSVP if you want to volunteer to Camille

On Thursday February 27 NN PRISM under the NNVNPS Invasive management initiative is sponsoring a work project at the Cat Point Creek Tract of the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge.  We are looking for 10 volunteers to work with refuge staff to eradicate Autumn olive and Chinese privet shrubs along the entrance road and public trails.

Lance Gardener, Environmental Specialist at VDOT, is requesting help with the relocation of a pollinator garden at VDOT’s Residency Office in Haynesville.   He has proposed work to take place on the following three days:  Jan. 17, 31 and Feb. 14, from 1pm to 4 each day.  See member email for details.