Service Projects
Photo Contest: Educator/Enterpreter
Each year our volunteers are required to contribute 40 hours. Our list of approved projects that are within our guidelines is posted on the VMS members only login (link on Members page), and the list is updated regularly. Service projects fall into one of these categories.
- Education/Outreach - includes public presentations, leading interpretive events, educational materials development.
- Stewardship - involves natural resource management activities, including restoration projects
- Citizen Science - involves monitoring or data collection, reporting and/or working with researchers
- Administrative - includes committee work and serving on the board of directors
Water Quality Monitoring
Volunteers testing water.
Under the auspices of Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the James River Association, our volunteers collect and sample from local waterways on a recurring basis. Results are provided to state and local agencies for action as needed.
Water Quality testing impacts:
roi_vce_york-poq_2023.pdf
Water Quality testing impacts:
roi_vce_york-poq_2023.pdf
Museum Volunteer Projects
Volunteer Larry on the VLM’s outdoor trail
Our volunteers serve as educators at the Virginia Living Museum and the Virginia Institute of Marine science. We also work on grounds and habitat maintenance with the VLM Horticulture Department, and keep things organized for the VLM Collections Department. At VIMS, our members volunteer in support of education and outreach, animal care, and learning garden staff.
A Great Work Day
Historic Endview Nature Trail Project
Peninsula Master Naturalists have restored the nature trail at Endview Plantation in Newport News for the enjoyment of visitors interested in history and nature. We also provided plant, tree, mushroom, and bird identification. Additionally, we developed an educational brochure about the interesting plants that can be found on the trail. We regularly maintain the trail to keep it passable and safe.
Peninsula Master Naturalists have restored the nature trail at Endview Plantation in Newport News for the enjoyment of visitors interested in history and nature. We also provided plant, tree, mushroom, and bird identification. Additionally, we developed an educational brochure about the interesting plants that can be found on the trail. We regularly maintain the trail to keep it passable and safe.
Volunteer Caroline having some fun
4-H Schoolyard Habitats Outreach
Our volunteers connect children with nature at elementary, middle, and high schools throughout York County and Poquoson. This program provides teachers with materials and guidance to build or expand wildlife habitat, especially for Monarch butterflies, on school grounds. In 2015, we began a similar project called Pollinator Partners in Gloucester public schools.
Our volunteers connect children with nature at elementary, middle, and high schools throughout York County and Poquoson. This program provides teachers with materials and guidance to build or expand wildlife habitat, especially for Monarch butterflies, on school grounds. In 2015, we began a similar project called Pollinator Partners in Gloucester public schools.
Laura Marlowe and Chris Gwaltney cleaning Lucas Creek.
James River Association River Rats and River Watch
As well as water sampling for DEQ and JRA, several members are trained River Rats for the lower James River. Whether walking a neighborhood stream, kayaking a local river, or boating the wide reaches of the lower James, JRA River Rats document potential pollution sources and their effects while also reporting natural patterns in river hydrology and wildlife sightings. These efforts have helped with identifying issues and providing data for advocacy to protect the James and Chesapeake Bay.
As well as water sampling for DEQ and JRA, several members are trained River Rats for the lower James River. Whether walking a neighborhood stream, kayaking a local river, or boating the wide reaches of the lower James, JRA River Rats document potential pollution sources and their effects while also reporting natural patterns in river hydrology and wildlife sightings. These efforts have helped with identifying issues and providing data for advocacy to protect the James and Chesapeake Bay.
On-Going Projects and Organizational Relationships:
Here’s a sampling of the many other projects/organizations we are involved in:
Annual projects:
Organizations in addition to our major partners:
- The Mariners' Museum and Park, Noland Trail - Improve entrances to the trail for safety, habitat enhancement, remove invasive plant species, and prevent unwanted runoff.
- FrogWatch USA – The Association of Zoos of America’s flagship citizen science program. Members will learn to identify local frog and toad calls. Each will monitor a specific site several times over the year, and enter the data into an online database.
- RiverRats - Whether walking a neighborhood stream, kayaking a local river, or boating the wide reaches of the lower James, JRA RiverRats document potential pollution sources and their effects while also reporting natural patterns in river hydrology and wildlife sightings.
- eMammal Camera Traps – These volunteers place motion-sensing cameras in various parks to add to our knowledge of the species inventory and assist land managers.
- Environmental monitoring - Box turtle reporting for the Virginia Herpetological Society, eBird bird sighting entry, SKYWARN severe weather spotting, Lost Ladybug Project data observation and entry, Stinkbug count for Virginia Tech, etc.
- North American Bird Phenology - This project is sponsored by the U.S. Geological Survey. We enter bird observations from 1880 to 1950 online for studies on bird migration. It is a great project for those who cannot get outdoors as often as they might like.
- Vernal Pools Mapping and monitoring – Hike, find, and explore temporary spring pools, survey animal life, enter data online. Involves difficult off-trail walking and the use of a GPS unit. Tough, buggy work, but rewarding.
- Various summer camps, outdoor tours, events, and after-school programs – We have a number of projects focusing on environmental education for camp attendees, park-goers, and school students in Gloucester, Newport News, and Hampton. Our volunteers also set up education and outreach tables at many local events and festivals throughout the year.
- Tree planting and habitat restoration at Bluebird Gap Farm, Beaverdam Park, Bethel Landfill, and Ridgway Park, among others.
Annual projects:
- Hampton Environmental Summit Clean the Bay Day
- Butterfly counts in the Dismal Swamp, Blue Ridge, state parks, and on the Eastern Shore
- Migratory bird counts for the National Audubon Society and Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology
- International Coastal Cleanup Day, Clean the Bay Day, James River Regional Cleanup
Organizations in addition to our major partners:
- City of Suffolk
- York County Public Schools
- Poquoson Public Schools
- Us Geological Survey
- Audobon Society
- Virginia Herpetological Society
- Lakes of Dare Association
- Coastal Virginia Wildlife
- US Fish and Wildlife Services
- Williamsburg Botanical Garden
- Canon
- Catch the King Tide
- Chesapeake Bay Foundation
- CBNERR
- City of Hampton
- FrogWatch USA
- Gloucester Parks and Recreation
- Hampton Parks and Recreation
- Historic Hilton Association
- Project Seahorse
- James River Association
- Monarch Watch
- Newport News Green Foundation
- Newport Public Schools
- Zooniverse
- Peninsula Churchyard Conservation Alliance
- Gloucester Public Schools
- National Weather Service
- NASA
- Peninsula SPA
- Clean Virginia Waterways
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science
- VCU vernal pools
- Williamsburg/JCC Wallermill Park
- Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
