Living with Black Bears Project Wins National Award!

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Alliance of Natural Resource Outreach and Service Programs (ANROSP) 2025 Award for Outstanding Volunteer Project Presented to Virginia Master Naturalist Program: Living with Black Bears in Virginia

The “Living with Black Bears” project, a partnership between VMN and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, received the 2025 Outstanding Volunteer Project Award from the Alliance of Natural Resource Outreach and Service Programs (ANROSP). ANROSP is a professional organization for Master Naturalist-type programs, and the Virginia Master Naturalist program was one of the founding program members in 2006. The Outstanding Volunteer Project Award recognizes a volunteer service project that promotes natural resource management and provides natural resource education. The award was given in October at the 2025 ANROSP annual conference in Destin, Florida.

The Living with Black Bears project addresses the serious concern of human-bear conflicts in Virginia, aiming to alleviate negative interactions through spreading awareness and education. It also aims to strengthen the partnership between the VMN program and DWR by modeling how VMN volunteers can effective assist DWR in its mission. In the project, trained VMN volunteers give presentations and conduct outreach to share a common message about behaviors Virginians can adopt to reduce conflict with bears.

From when the project was piloted in 2022 through July 2025, VMN volunteers have given 70 presentations to community groups, tabled at 83 different community events, and made more than 53,000 direct contacts. Evaluation results from the sit-down presentations indicate that attendees are learning more about bears and plan to adopt some new behaviors, such as leashing their dogs and taking down their bird feeders when bears are active.

Congratulations to all the following VMN volunteers, Peter Mecca, Marilyn Parks, Sarah Mayhew, Jo Doumbia, and Gerald R Warren, who have been part of this project and to Courtney Hallacher of DWR, who coordinates the effort! If your chapter is not currently participating in the project and would like to, contact the VMN State Office.

Congratulations Margaret E. Fisher – A 2025 Environmental Excellence Awardee

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Photo: Fairfax County Government

Today, Fairfax County announced the winners of the 2025 Environmental Excellence Awards, recognizing outstanding individuals, organizations and businesses that have made remarkable contributions to environmental stewardship and sustainability.

This year’s winners include a senior planner advancing climate resilience, a wastewater director restoring ecosystems, a Fairfax County Public Schools team fostering environmental literacy, a dedicated advocate for habitat restoration, a grassroots partnership promoting sustainability in underserved communities, and a business championing circular fashion and textile waste reduction.

“These winners exemplify how individual and collective action can positively transform our community,” said Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay. “Their achievements inspire all of us to continue working together to protect and enhance our natural environment for future generations.”

The Environmental Excellence Awards are presented annually to recognize county residents, county employees, businesses and organizations who have dedicated their time and expertise to preserving the health and beauty of Fairfax County’s natural resources. The awards are administered by the Environmental Quality Advisory Council with support from the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC). A committee of the council selects awardees from a pool of nominations.

Individual County Resident Category

Margaret E. Fisher is a dedicated environmental advocate whose efforts range from certifying her property as a Wildlife Sanctuary to leading impactful initiatives across Fairfax County. Through her “Bee Safe Neighborhood” initiative and roles as a Fairfax Master Naturalist and Outreach Director for Plant NOVA Natives, she has inspired hundreds to protect biodiversity, restore ecosystems, and adopt pesticide-free practices. Her collaborations with groups like the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions demonstrate her commitment to habitat restoration, environmental education, and creating lasting community impact.

So well deserved, Margaret! Congratulations!

High School Fairfax Master Naturalist Makes a Big Impact at Hidden Oaks …and volunteering makes a big impact on her

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Photo: By Kristina Watts, Juliet Phillips building the scarecrow hut

Photos and Article by Kristina Watts, Hidden Oaks Nature Center Site Manager (and FMN)

During the last two weeks of summer vacation, Juliet Phillips has spent her mornings helping kids with nature crafts, supervising science experiments, playing instructional games on the nature trail, and reading stories out loud at snack time. After camp, she checks in to see if there is any other work that can be done to finish up the projects she’s working on here at Hidden Oaks. I’d say this is a typical volunteer day, but the truth is there is no “typical” day for her, given the variety of activities she’s involved in.

Photo: By Kristina Watts, Juliet Phillips presenting the snake enrichment board she constructed to Hidden Treasures Pirate Camp (with Jackie the eastern rat snake).

Juliet is a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School. She became a Fairfax Master Naturalist during the spring of her sophomore year. She remembers taking the Basic Training class during track season – she busily rushed from school to practice to class each week. She became a Fairfax Master Naturalist because she was looking for ways to broaden her knowledge about nature in the local area, and to ways to volunteer. Her mother heard about the Basic Training class from a friend who is an FMN, and upon researching the program, Juliet realized that it was perfect for her.

Juliet started volunteering at Hidden Oaks Nature Center soon after joining FMN. She was happy to find opportunities here because of our flexible hours (weekends are a must for a busy student) and volunteer activities specifically for teens. She started with our teen stewardship projects and habitat management (invasive species removal) workdays, and now also has a bi-weekly animal care shift. She also helps out at interpretive/educational programs. Because of her hardworking attitude and overall capability, she has become an important part of our HONC team.

Photo: By Kristina Watts, Juliet Phillips building the scarecrow hut

She first exhibited her detail-orientedness and ability to work independently when asked to install bird strike decals during a teen workday. Her leadership ability was solidly demonstrated on another teen workday when our task was to rebuild the scarecrow hut (a representation of a Native American structure). She creatively took on the engineering design and gently directed the other volunteers. She used her Eagle Scout training to teach the others how to do rope lashings to hold the structure together. The hut – which usually needs to be rebuilt annually – is holding up remarkably well and has been used in dozens of field trip demonstrations.

This summer, in addition to her animal care shifts and a few weeks as a volunteer camp assistant, she has enthusiastically volunteered to take on some individual tasks to improve visitor experience here at Hidden Oaks. She designed and built a snake exercise board to provide our Animal Ambassador snakes with enrichment and a place to demonstrate their climbing skills during programs. She’s currently working on constructing a bamboo xylophone/chime structure for Nature Playce, to add a musical element to the natural play area. Again, putting her scouting skills to use, a future activity is helping us organize a volunteer opportunity for scouts to tie together the Nature Playce fence splits and posts to stabilize the fence and prevent guests from moving the stacked pieces.

Photo: By Kristina Watts, Juliet Phillips helping to protect oak saplings from deer browse

Over the past year, Juliet has been figuring out where she wants to go to college and what she wants to study. She knew she wanted to pursue a degree in the environmental science realm, but it was difficult to parse out the differences between the natural world-related programs (e.g., environmental science, environmental studies, conservation biology, forestry, etc.). The training she’s received as an FMN has been helpful in that
she’s been able to explore various aspects of environmental science, and to get a foundation in all of them. Volunteering at HONC has helped her realize what she likes and what she doesn’t want to do long-term. As of now, her path is leading her toward a major in wildlife biology.

Juliet’s favorite part of volunteering is being able to say she’s made a positive impact on her community at the end of the day. We at HONC are appreciative for all of the contributions from all of our volunteers, and are proud and grateful for the accomplishments that Juliet has made here at the park. If there are any other youth in your life that have a passion for nature, look for volunteer opportunities at Hidden Oaks or any of the other Fairfax nature centers.

Culmore Summer Adventures

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Under the leadership of FMN Jo Doumbia, FMN has supported the Culmore Teen Center and Second Story programs since 2023.
The 2025 summer program just wrapped up and Jo would like to thank the ten FMN volunteers that directly supported their outdoor activities.

Huntley Meadows view from Observation Tower – photo Jerry Nissley

This year FMN directly supported four rewarding outdoor nature programs: 1. A guided tour at Huntley Meadows Park teaching the composition and benefits of wetland environments with Sarah Mayhew, Donna Stauffer, Brian Kiviat, and Jerry Nissley. 2. A day of fishing and fun at Lake Fairfax with Rob Shapiro. 3. An always wild and exciting kayak river adventure at Riverbend Park guided by Kim Munshower, Jonathan Eskew, and Rob Warren. This was a wonderful opportunity to learn about our region’s geology, history, and river systems. 4. And last but not least, a relaxing morning of Forest Bathing at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts led by our free agent for nature, Ana Ka’ahanui, assisted by Wendy Cohen. Forest Bathing (shinrin-yoku) is the practice of spending time in nature, immersing oneself in the forest atmosphere through all sensory engagement.

Jo also sends out a hearty thank you to FCPA for generously providing access and resources at Huntley Meadows, Riverbend, and Lake Fairfax.

Please read more about the summer program, Culmore Teen Center, and efforts in Fairfax County by Second Story in the article by Annandale Today.

Cover photo – Clear wing hummingbird moth on milkweed in Huntley Meadows wetland – photo Jerry Nissley

Big Thank You to Founder Marilyn Schroeder

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The Fairfax Chapter (FMN) has one official Cooperative Agreement (CA). A mutual agreement between FMN and Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) agreeing to provide mutually beneficial resources. The CA was originally signed in 2007 with a revised version of the CA was signed in 2022 by VCE Exec Dir. Micheal Cutter (for FMN) and FCPA Jai Cole, Executive Director FCPA. 

Marilyn behind an educational book table at a county fair – photo courtesy of Marilyn Schroeder

As Chair of the Fairfax Chapter’s Coordinating Committee, Marilyn Schroeder drafted the original CA when the FMN charter was established in 2007. She then represented FMN as the liaison until June 2025 when she passed the reins to another FMN volunteer. At the chapter membership meeting in June, FMN recognized Marilyn’s 18 years coordinating the meat and marginalia of FCPA activities – applying for field permits, identifying volunteer opportunities, providing FCPA trainers for FMN classes, and a myriad of other detailed responsibilities in coordination with other FMN Committees. Annually, FMN contributes more service hours towards FCPA activities than to any other single FMN chapter associate. 

Even though Marilyn will continue to volunteer in other FMN activities, it is with much gratitude that we sincerely give thanks for her many years of specific service as the liaison. She was previously honored as an FMN Trailblazer for her significant contributions in establishing the FMN chapter in 2007 – drafting initial By-laws and Operating Manual, and serving in several board positions over the years.

Katy Johnson is the new FCPA/FMN liaison.

FCPA 2025 Outstanding Volunteer Awards

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As announced by FCPA at its meeting on May 28, the Fairfax County Park Authority Board approved a resolution honoring 20 individuals as 2025 Outstanding Volunteers. These peer-nominated individuals were recognized for their dedication to community and their invaluable service to the Fairfax County park system.

Jean Lockhart on duty at Hidden Oaks – photo FMN Kristina Watts

Of the twenty, two Fairfax Chapter Master Naturalist volunteers were officially recognized:
* Jean Lockhart, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Front Desk
* Elizabeth Train, Huntley Meadows Park, Roving Naturalist/General Support
The Board stated that more than 10,000 volunteers contributed to the operation, preservation and conservation of Fairfax County parks in Fiscal Year 2025. They contributed 116,005 hours of volunteer service and their work is valued at over $3.88 million. The Park Authority could not function without the support and commitment of our volunteer force.
“Our parks meet the highest standard of beauty, safety, and accessibility in large part due to our volunteers. Their skill and passion, whether repairing trails, planting trees, or educating visitors, elevate every acre, every day,” said Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole.

Liz Train in her finest ‘vernal pool monitor apparel’ – photo FMN Jerry Nissley

Jean, a relatively new VMN (2023), contributed hours as volunteer on duty, nature program leader, and bird counts. Liz, a VMN since 2019, is involved with just about every volunteer role possible at Huntley Meadows Park. They are both very deserving of this recognition.

The Park Authority, joined by Fairfax County Board of Supervisors honored all of its amazing volunteers with a special evening of music and celebration at the Volunteer Appreciation Night on Thursday, July 10, as part of the Government Center’s ‘Evenings on the Ellipse’ Summer Concert Series.

And The Emmy Goes To …

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… FMN Kathryn Pasternak for the Outdoors Maryland segment titled “Ghost Rivers”. Ghost Rivers tells the story of Sumwalt Run, a stream that once flowed through Baltimore’s Remington neighborhood. In the early 20th century it was buried in a brick and concrete culvert up to 40 feet below street level. The same fate as natural streams in cities throughout the world, including a network of streams in Arlington, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C. – But I digress.

MPT’s David Wainwright (sound) and Brian Windle (camera) filming Ghost Rivers tour led by artist Bruce Willen – photo Kathryn Pasternak

Artist Bruce Willen memorialized Sumwalt Run by tracing its path through the neighborhood, marking it with a sinuous blue line and adding educational markers that tell the environmental, cultural and historical story of the stream along the path it takes all the way to the Jones Falls, and then out to the Chesapeake Bay.  Kathryn and the team worked with Bruce filming the final stages of the Ghost Rivers public art installation, and accompanied him on a walking tour he gives with local residents. They also filmed the Baltimore Department of Public Works inspecting the interior of the Sumwalt Run culvert using a crawler camera, and then doing water testing at the outflow of Sumwalt Run at Jones Falls.

DPW inspecting Sumwalt Run culverts – photo Bruce Willen

The Outdoors Maryland Episode received the Emmy Award and like all their episodes, it has three stories. The 3 stories stitched together in Episode 3603 each have a different theme about water. Series Producer Stefanie Robey describes it this way: It was a Bay/water themed episode, with stories about submerged aquatic vegetation restoration work, open-water swimming, and the Ghost Rivers project.

Brian Windle films Bruce Willen during installation of Ghost Rivers Site #2, Wyman Park Dell at 29th Street, Baltimore. – photo Kathryn Pasternak

Kathryn thinks part of what helped them win was that the episode told stories about water from three totally different perspectives — a more science/restoration focused piece, a recreation focused piece, and then a historical/cultural/arts focused piece with Ghost Rivers. Kathryn’s segment starts at the 9:45 mark of the episode and runs to the 18 minute mark. But the entire episode is interesting.

Eight months work for eight minutes of video. That’s tenacity. The episode won for Science/Environment Long Form.  (Watch here: Outdoors Maryland, scroll down to Episode 3603).

Sumwalt Run expelling into Jones Falls – photo Kathryn Pasternak

Kathryn (Pasternak Media) became an FMN in 2021 but she is also a veteran of wildlife, conservation, and cultural films; and recipient of two National Emmy Awards for ‘Best Science and Nature Program’. She spent 15+ years at National Geographic Television working on high-end programs for international distribution. Since 2007, she’s been producing media independently both as a freelancer and small business owner.

Acknowledgments:
Outdoors Maryland: Series Producer Stefanie Robey principally, and Executive Producer, Frank Batavick.
Photos: FMN Kathryn Pasternak and Bruce Willen

Celebrating a FMN 2025 Spring Basic Training Graduates

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Photo: FMN Mary Ann Bush, FMN Spring Grads – June162025

On Monday June 16, we proudly celebrated the graduation of a passionate and dedicated group of students from our Master Naturalist Basic training program. What began as a shared curiosity about the natural world has transformed into a community of informed and enthusiastic stewards of our local environment.

Over the past several months, these individuals immersed themselves in both classroom learning, and field trips which facilitated hands-on, experiential learning opportunities outside of the classroom. They learned not only about native ecosystems and species, but also how to be a part of natural resource conservation in the community

Graduation is more than a milestone—it’s a beginning. These new graduates are now equipped and eager to take on a wide range of volunteer opportunities: leading nature hikes, restoring habitats, monitoring wildlife, educating the public, and much more. Each graduate brings a unique voice and skillset, and together they form a force for good in our natural communities.

To our newest graduates, we can’t wait to see where your curiosity, compassion, and commitment take you next!

Here are the 2025 Spring FMN Basic Training Graduates:
Alsegaf, Kathy
Baucom, Celeste
Borghi, Aurora
Bretz, Kevin
Colby, Charles
Curley, Christina
De Nardi, Mia
Edwards, Eren
Grass, Nancy
Gravatt, Peyton
Newberry, Tucker
Racine, “Anna Virginia “”Hope”””
Racine, James
Smyth, Trish
Zavala, Andy
Malcolm Macniel
Elliff, Rachel
Conway Dodge
A special acknowledgement goes out to three students who have achieved their initial certification by their graduation date:
Mia De Nardi, Aurora Borghi and Andy Zavala

Congratulations, and welcome to a lifelong journey of learning, service, and connection to the natural world!

 

Katy Johnson – The New FMN Liaison to FCPA

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As many readers already know, FMN has maintained a signed Cooperative Agreement (CA) with Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) since chapter inception in 2007. Annually, FMN contributes more collective volunteer hours towards FCPA Activity Codes than any other single partner organization.
In turn, FCPA provides FMN with course instructors, meeting facilities, volunteer opportunities, and access to parks for field trips and CE hikes.
In 2024, FMN reported over 5300 volunteer hours at 12 individual FCPA sites.

The CA identifies liaison roles and responsibilities for both FCPA and FMN. Together the liaisons coordinate activities, acquire field trip permits, identify opportunities, and maintain open communications between the orgs. Currently, Tammy Schwab is the FCPA liaison and Katy Johnson is the newly designated FMN liaison. Katy takes over from Marilyn Schroeder who held the FMN role since 2007, when she helped establish the initial CA.

FMN Katy Johnson with a trillium – photo Katy Johnson

Katy graduated FMN training in 2021. Since then she has contributed over 600 service hours and is also the POC for FMN activities in Fairfax City. She is very familiar with the functional liaison responsibilities defined in the CA by virtue of her similar role in another local organization, Northern Virginia Mineral Club. Katy joined NVMC and FMN because she believes in their missions – to educate and spread an understanding of the importance of natural resources in our everyday lives.

Going forward please direct questions regarding FCPA opportunities to Katy

FMN Katy Johnson rockhounding – photo Katy Johnson

(katynor@gmail.com). FMN has 10 individually defined Activity Codes for FCPA. We look forward to continuing our long time association with Fairfax County Parks. Thank you Katy!

FYI – Additional Chapter Partners:
The formal CA with FCPA is the only signed agreement our chapter maintains. We do, however, have other Chapter Partners and we strive to identify points of contact for each of them in their corresponding BI Activity Code descriptions.
For example, FMN service hours for Fairfax Tree Stewards may be recorded using Activity Code S405. The FMN POC for FTS is found in the S405 Activity Code description in BI, along with additional details so you may ask questions of someone directly involved with that organization.

The FMN web site lists several chapter partners and links to their sites for general information. FMN POCs and specific FMN Activity details will normally only be found in the BI Activity Code Description, as described above for S405.

Of course if all else fails, please direct activity code catalog and CE questions to the Hours/CE co-chairs and we will work with you to clear the fog.
Hours/CE email – FMNcontinuingED@gmail.com

Acknowledgements:

Cover photo – two handsome KATYdids liaising on a hibiscus. Photo Jerry Nissley

Community Champion – Betsy Martin

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Congratulations to FMN Betsy Martin for her recognition as a “Community Champion” in the Mount Vernon District of Fairfax County.

Betsy has been a certified Master Naturalist since 2007 with over 2950 service

Betsy Martin – courtesy of office of Mt. Vernon District Supervisor

hours under belt. She is active in the Northern Virginia Birding community and her conservation work with area ‘Friends of…’ groups, has promoted significant improvement in local wetland environments.
Please enjoy the following article from the office of Mount Vernon supervisor Dan Storck recognizing Betsy’s ‘champion’ contributions to the many communities she is involved with.

Article on Betsy from Supervisor Storck’s ‘Good News Advisor’ Newsletter, April 2025:

“The Mount Vernon District is filled with natural beauty—streams, forests and wetlands. In honor of Earth Month, this month’s Community Champion, Betsy Martin, has spent more than two decades working to protect and restore those special places, one trail, cleanup and native plant at a time.

Betsy and her husband Paul have lived along Little Hunting Creek for over 30 years. In 2002, they helped co-found the Friends of Little Hunting Creek and she now serves as President. The Friends organize annual cleanups (most recently they held their annual Earth Month Cleanup on April 5) to remove debris from the creek and raise awareness about watershed health. With support from neighbors and volunteers, the Friends have become a steady force for positive environmental change.

Among her many accomplishments, Betsy’s favorite is the preservation and restoration of the Little Hunting Creek Preserve, a nearly two-acre wetland site off Stockton Parkway that she helped transform from neglected land into a thriving preserve. Working with local residents, the Friends, Northern Virginia Conservation Trust and Stratford Landing Citizens Association, the area now features a trail, benches, educational signage and bird boxesand is regularly maintained by volunteers. “The preserve is becoming really lovely,” she says, “and it’s full of birds!” As someone who walks and runs along this section of Stockton Parkway, along with dozens of community members a day, its calming, natural wetlands, creek and minipark areas help center me.

In addition to her work with the Friends, Betsy is a certified Fairfax Master Naturalist and serves on the Board of Directors of the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance as co-director of the Wildlife Sanctuary Program. Whether she’s pulling invasive weeds, planting natives or tending to her own garden, Betsy’s dedication continues to inspire all of us to make a difference. Thank you, Betsy, for helping make the Mount Vernon District a greener and cleaner place for us all.”

Cover photo: Potomac River Wetland – Jerry Nissley