Volunteer educators, citizen scientists, and stewards helping Virginians conserve and manage natural resources and public lands

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1 Volunteer educators, citizen scientists, and stewards helping Virginians conserve and manage natural resources and public lands

2 + Virginia (satellite view)

3 + Protect

4 + Participate

5 + Learn

6 + Share

7 + Working Together

8 + Our Mission The Virginia Master Naturalist program is a statewide corps of volunteers providing education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities.

9 + 1,400+ Active Volunteers

10 9 years 525,000+ service hours $12 million value

11 + Projects

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16 + Citizen Science

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19 VIRGINIA MASTER NATURALIST Pocahontas Chapter Bluebird Monitoring From April to August, bluebird houses are monitored throughout the park. Volunteers make note of active nests, eggs and hatchlings as well as signs of predators and pests. Recorded data is transferred to state and national associations RESULTS APPROX. 200 Monitored Houses Volunteers Bluebirds Fledged (DOUBLE 2012)

20 VIRGINIA MASTER NATURALIST Pocahontas Chapter NEW PROJECT! Bat Monitoring Bat populations have declined dramatically in the park since This new project has located existing roosts and will create and maintain addtional roosting boxes. Volunteers will monitor these sites and conduct weekly emergence counts. In the future, we hope to work with professionals to identify species and gain information on the health of these bat colonies. The map above illustrates the ranges of endangered species of hibernating bats in the U.S. and the spreading distribution (yellow counties) of the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans and white-nose syndrome. Map data compiled by Cal Butchkoski, Pennsylvania Game Commission. PROJECT NOTES Proposal Monitored 7 Contributors 8 Sites 250 MAXIMUM ESTIMATED Annual Volunteer Hours Bats were counted at five sites in the summer of Project estimates are dependent on whether the additional bat houses are occupied in 2014.

21 VIRGINIA MASTER NATURALIST Pocahontas Chapter Monarch Waystation A butterfly garden planted by Governor McAuliffe in Spring 2015 became a part of our Monarch Watch project that included larvae monitoring (one of only three sites in Virginia participating) and certification of the garden as a Monarch Waystation. Weekly observations were recorded for this project, not only for butterflies, but all insect species identified by volunteers that can be added to the park s species manifest. Our first Monarch tagging will take place during the fall migration. PROJECT NOTES ESTIMATED Certified Monarch Waystation Volunteers Annual Volunteer Hours

22 + Volunteer Service: Administrative Contribute through planning and organizing chapter activities. Examples:! Plan and supervise VMN training classes! Serve as a board or committee member! Work on a chapter newsletter, website and other communication efforts! Participate in activities that support the effectiveness of the chapter and statewide program

23 + Virginia Master Naturalist Sponsors Sponsored by 7 agencies: Also supported by:

24 + Virginia Cooperative Extension Enables people to improve their lives through an educational process that uses scientific knowledge focused on issues and needs. A joint program among:! Virginia s Land Grant Universities (Virginia Tech and Virginia State)! United States Department of Agriculture! State and Local Governments Program Areas:! Agriculture and Natural Resources! 4-H Youth Development! Family and Consumer Sciences! Community Viability

25 + VA Department of Forestry Protects 15.8 million acres of forest land from fire, insects and disease. Manages 17 State Forests and other state lands totaling 47,899 acres for timber, recreation, water, research, wildlife and biodiversity. Assists non-industrial private forest landowners through professional forestry advice and technical management programs.

26 + VA Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Manages Virginia's wildlife and inland fish to maintain optimum populations of all species to serve the needs of the Commonwealth. Provides opportunity for all to enjoy wildlife, inland fishing, boating and related outdoor recreation; to promote safety for persons and property in connection with boating, hunting and fishing.

27 + VA Department of Conservation and Recreation Works with Virginians to conserve, protect, and enhance their lands and improve the quality of the Chesapeake Bay and our rivers and streams, promotes the stewardship and enjoyment of natural, cultural and outdoor recreational resources, and insures the safety of Virginia's dams.! State Parks! Soil and Water Conservation! Natural Heritage Program! Dam safety and floodplain management! Land conservation! Recreation planning! Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance

28 + Virginia Department of Environmental Quality! Protects and improves the environment for the well-being of all Virginians.! Administers state and federal laws and regulations for air quality, water quality, water supply and waste management.! Houses the Office of Environmental Education.! DEQ issues permits, conducts inspections and monitoring, and enforces regulations and permits

29 + Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences: Center for Coastal Resources Management The Center for Coastal Resources Management (CCRM) develops and supports integrated and adaptive management of coastal zone resources. To fulfill this mission, the Center undertakes research, provides advisory service, and conducts outreach education. ccrm.vims.edu

30 + Virginia Museum of Natural History Interprets Virginia's natural heritage within a global context in ways that are relevant to all citizens of the Commonwealth.! Maintains a state museum to provide a repository of the state s natural heritage.! Investigates natural history of Virginia and the world.

31 + Next Week: Becoming a VMN