Since 2019, The Clifton Institute has been working to restore a 100-acre field that was dominated by Tall Fescue into a diverse native grassland. In cooperation with Virginia Working Landscapes and the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, they are conducting an experiment to test which of eight methods are best for establishing and maintaining native plants. In this workshop, participants will be given a brief introduction to the restoration experiment and an introduction to common grass species identification. Then attendees will walk about half a mile out into the grassland where they will practice their grass identification skills while learning about the methods the scientists use to study the results of the different treatments.
Cost: Free!
Age: Adults and children accompanied by an adult.
Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case of extreme weather (e.g. thunderstorm or significant snow fall).
COVID-19 Information: This program will be entirely outdoors (an outside porta potty will be available). Please do not attend if you are experiencing or have experienced in the last two weeks any symptoms associated with COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.).
Registration is REQUIRED.
Cancellation policy: If you register and can no longer attend this event, please let The Clifton Institute know as soon as possible so that they can open your spot to someone else.
By registering for this event, you are affirming that you have read and agree to The Clifton Institute liability release policy.
https://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Image-Courtesy-of-The-Clifton-Institute_Grasslands.jpg237624Mary Ann Bushhttps://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/VMN-Fairfax-cmyk_w223h156.jpgMary Ann Bush2023-09-29 16:14:292023-09-29 16:14:29Science Saturday: Grass Identification Workshop and Survey, November 18th
Are you ready for a chance to visit some of the most gorgeous wild places in Northern Virginia–places you’d never find on your own?
Would you like an opportunity to apply your naturalist skills to ground-breaking scientific research (and get credit for service hours)?
Does cost-free training in survey and preparation protocols for specific guilds (birds, plants, pollinators) appeal to you? And admission to citizen science workshops that are interesting, informative, and fun?
Are you looking for opportunities to network and make friends with others who have similar interests?
Joe Guthrie, VWL Survey Coordinator, prepping specimens at 2019 pollinator workshop at Blandy Farm
You do not need to be an expert to participate in the surveys (although both the plant and bird surveys demand a working knowledge of local flora and birds). All you need is an interest in learning and sufficient time to dedicate to the project. Each survey features a mandatory introductory meeting to cover important information such as survey protocols, identification skills, and site assignments.
Yup, there are a few low-stress requirements, given that SCBI is part of the federal government. All VWL volunteers are required to register as a volunteer with Friends of the National Zoo. FONZ manages one of the largest single-unit volunteer forces in the Smithsonian Institution, which supports nearly every function of daily life at the Zoo and beyond. FONZ requires participants to be be a minimum of 18 years old, submit a Registration Application on the FONZ website, and (when selected) pass a Smithsonian background check.
If you are interested in volunteering as a citizen scientist for VWL surveys, please contact: [email protected].
POLLINATOR SURVEYS
Washing bee specimens at 2019 VWL workshop at Blandy Farm
Training includes information on pollinator life history, survey collection protocols in the field, identification of the most common bees and butterflies and specimen preparation for taxonomic identification. Citizen scientists are expected to process and store specimens properly, fill in survey sheets, and deliver or coordinate delivery of samples to the pollinator survey coordinator. The final identification of specimens will be completed by para-taxonomists.
You’ll perform surveys in late May-June and August.
Each survey takes about 4 hours per site, plus the additional time it takes to sort and identify the bees.
Survey dates can be at your convenience within the specified sampling periods (Spring = June, Summer = August).
Must be able to commit to 30-40 hrs.
Survey training, supplies and equipment provided.
BIRD SURVEYS
Introductory training includes a brief overview of project goals, survey protocols, data collection and site assignments. A practice survey session for new volunteers is then held one month later and focuses on counting techniques. Knowledge of local bird species is essential.
Survey season runs May 15-June 30.
Counts are carried out within 3 hours of sunrise and take approximately 45-60 minutes per site (three 10-minute counts).
Time commitment is a minimum of 6 survey sessions plus training (estimated 15 hrs not including travel).
You will need personal binoculars and a field guide; all other survey supplies provided
PLANT SURVEYS
Training includes protocols, identification skills, and specimen preparation. There is no need to be an expert in Virginia’s native flora, but VWL does ask that you have familiarity with Virginia flora, and the ability to key out unknown specimens with a dichotomous key and the VWL reference collection. It is possible to pair with a more experienced person.
Surveys are performed in June and again from the last week of July through August.
Each site takes approximately 6-8 hours to survey.
Must be able to commit at least 5 days (an estimated 30-40 hrs plus travel), but the scheduling of the survey days is flexible.
Supplies and equipment provided.
MAMMAL SURVEYS
This survey uses camera-traps and our custom eMammal software to determine the occurrence of a wide range of mammals. Volunteers will use a GPS device to navigate to predetermined locations and setup cameras. Cameras will be left to survey for 3 weeks at a time without scent or food lure. Every 3 weeks they will retrieve the camera, replace memory card and batteries, and place camera in new location (estimated 1 hour per camera). Volunteers will then upload photographs and metadata using eMammal software (approximately 1 hour per survey period), where it will be reviewed by project staff.
Surveys are performed May through November.
Each site takes approximately 2 hours per survey period.
Participants will need a personal GPS device, all other survey supplies provided.
WHAT VWL and SCBI WILL NEED FROM YOU
Fill out the form (click here) to join the volunteer applicant email list.
Participate in introductory training sessions and sampling days.
Join the FONZ network, and undergo fingerprinting and background check.
Complete assigned field surveys within the allotted time period.
Reply to emails concerning logistics and data management.
If you are interested in volunteering as a citizen scientist for VWL surveys, please contact: [email protected].
https://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Pinning-bees-ast-VWL-Pollinator-Workshop-2019-e1577039566558.png386500vmnfairfaxhttps://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/VMN-Fairfax-cmyk_w223h156.jpgvmnfairfax2019-12-22 18:33:552019-12-24 19:36:38Become a Citizen Scientist with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Virginia Working Landscapes is aware of the concern surrounding recent research highlighting the troubling decline of North America’s birds. Among those, grassland birds have been hit hardest.
Working alongside a dedicated network of landowners, citizen scientists and partners, VWL has been at the forefront of identifying ways that private lands can help support this region’s grassland birds.
They receive no federal support for their programs, and all activities are funded by donors.
This year, VWL will continue unraveling mysteries of eastern meadowlark movements; identifying best practices for establishing and managing resilient grasslands; developing science-based action items for protecting grassland birds and other wildlife; and training the next generation of conservationists.
Consider volunteering. VWL partners with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, and FMN volunteers receive service projects credit under S182. Look for more stories on how to volunteer in December.
https://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Wildlife_2019.5.11-Mason-Neck-Eagle-Festival-Ana-Kaahanui_0438-e1574886449181.jpg333500vmnfairfaxhttps://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/VMN-Fairfax-cmyk_w223h156.jpgvmnfairfax2019-11-27 20:30:172019-11-27 20:31:51Help Virginia Working Landscapes help grassland birds
The central mission of Virginia Working Landscapes (VWL) is to promote sustainable land use and the conservation of native biodiversity through research, education, and community engagement. First assembled at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute: Front Royal, VA in 2010, VWL was formed at the behest of regional landowners, citizen scientists, and conservation organizations who wanted to better understand how to conserve Northern Virginia’s native wildlife on working (i.e., agricultural/forestry) lands.
According to The International Union for Conservation of Nature, grasslands are “the most endangered, the most altered, and the least protected biome on the planet.” Today, many plants and animals that depend on grasslands have declined, due primarily to the loss or fragmentation of their native habitat and one-third of North American species considered endangered are found on grasslands. Recognizing the need to consider grassland species when studying native flora and fauna on working landscapes, VWL’s initial research focused on grasslands. Since 2010, they have expanded our focus to other working lands (forests) and to consider the impact that changes in the overall landscape mosaic have on native biodiversity.
VWL partners with scientists, graduate students, interns, and volunteer citizen scientists to organize and conduct annual biodiversity surveys on public and private lands throughout the region. This work is important because humans receive many tangible and intangible benefits from the natural world — from the spiritual (a walk through nature) to the utilitarian (the value of food production).
Research prioritizes studies of biodiversity, threatened species, and ecosystem services to answer such questions as:
How will current land-use practices (and projected changes thereto) impact grassland biodiversity?
How are ecosystem services, like pollination, related to species presence or native biodiversity?
Are quail Habitat Management Areas effective at restoring bobwhite populations? How might they be improved?
Does arthropod community composition or nutritional value differ in cool- vs warm-season grass fields? What are the implications of this difference for birds or other insect-eating animals?
What impact does field management timing have on overwintering bird or insect diversity?
How does the establishment or maintenance of native grasses impact plant communities?
To this end, VWL conducts six surveys on breeding birds, bumble bees, grasslands, orchids, mammals, soil, and arthropods.
Each year, VWL and SCBI train a group of citizen scientists to conduct these surveys on private and public lands and recruit private landowners who enable us to collect these data on their property. FMN supports this work and you can claim service hours for your participation (C200: Citizen Science Projects for the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute).
For more information, please contact Outreach Coordinator, Charlotte Lorick, at 540-635-0038, visit www.vaworkinglandscapes.org), or find VWL on Facebook & Instagram.
Join the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal for a series of talks by leading experts on the eastern deciduous forest biome and a tour of SCBI’s research forests. Walter Carson, Ph.D. (University of Pittsburgh), Jenny McGarvey, M.S. (Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay), and Bill McShea, Ph.D(SCBI) will cover topics including deer browse, fire, invasive species, water quality, climate change and more. A detailed agenda and speaker bios are available on our website.
Do not miss the opportunity to learn from and interact with researchers who are investigating the future of our forests. This workshop is free, but registration is required. Space is limited.
Saturday, 29 September 2018
9:00AM – 2:00PM
Doors open at 8:30AM, program begins promptly at 9:00AM. Optional lunch with speakers and attendees from 12:45PM-2:00PM. Lunch not provided but available for purchase (see registration page for details).
https://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/10-21-17-FMN_Ellanor-C-Lawrence_Ana-Kaahanui_09825-e1521592829323.jpg40503360vmnfairfaxhttps://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/VMN-Fairfax-cmyk_w223h156.jpgvmnfairfax2018-08-31 21:31:132018-08-31 21:31:13Attend workshop: The future of our forests, 29 September
Join VWL partners, Blue Ridge PRISM for their quarterly meeting. They’ll focus on natural lands restoration following invasive plant treatment. Registration is required.
Celebrate Arbor Day with VWL partners at Blandy Experimental Farm. Attendees may participate in activities such as outdoor workshops, a panel discussion, the Foundation of the State Arboretum annual meeting, and a social with refreshments. Registration is required.
For more events and courses, follow the VWL events page!
https://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wood-nature-leaves-tree.jpg28484288vmnfairfaxhttps://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/VMN-Fairfax-cmyk_w223h156.jpgvmnfairfax2018-04-10 01:05:422018-04-10 01:05:42Sign up for April activities with Virginia Working Landscapes
