Natural History at SBC

The Central Virginia Chapter of
the Virginia Master Naturalist Program
and
the Sweet Briar College Biology Department are sponsoring an

Advanced Training Rally for
Virginia Master Naturalists
May 3-4, 2008

The Sweet Briar Rally provides advanced training for participants in the Virginia Master Naturalist Program.

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. Interested Virginians become Master Naturalists through training and volunteer service.

The process for becoming a certified Virginia Master Naturalist typically takes 6 to 12 months. One starts by completing a 40-hour basic training course offered by a local chapter of the program. An additional 8 hours of advanced training are also required; the Sweet Briar rally is one way in which advanced training may be obtained. An important part of the certification process is the required 40 hours of volunteer service.

Registration information for the Rally has been sent to all VA Master Naturalist chapters. The registration deadline is ~~14 April~~ 18 April. Lodging is available at the college's Florence Elston Inn.

Registrants: Download Workshop Information and Course Selection Form HERE

For more information, contact Sweet Briar Naturalist-in-Residence Mike Hayslett at mhayslett@sbc.edu or (434) 381-6439.

	WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Saturday, 3 May	Workshops on Sweet Briar's 3200 acres
8:00	Check-in opens
8:45	Welcome and orientation
9:00	Workshops (Block A) *
10:30	Break
11:00	Workshops (Block B)
12:30	Lunch
1:30	Workshops (Block C)
3:00	Break
3:30	Workshops (Block D)
5:00	Free time
6:00	Dinner
7:00	Keynote presentation by Dr. Art Evans, Smithsonian Institution Research Associate Dr. Evans is the author of the National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Insects and Spiders of North America and of a soon-to-be-released collection of essays, What's Bugging You: A Fond Look at Insects We Love to Hate.
8:30	Night Activities
10:00	Conclude for the day
	* Most workshops will span 3 hours in two parts with a break in the middle. Some instructors may take snacks and drinks with them and remain in the field for 3.5 hours in outlying areas. Please plan accordingly.

Sunday, 4 May	Field Forays to the Blue Ridge Mountains
8:00	Continental breakfast
8:30	Caravans depart; box lunches provided
1:30	Caravans return
2:00	Weekend rally concludes

List of Saturday workshops, including evening activities

Bugs (& other insects) by Blacklight!
Dr. Art Evans (Smithsonian Institution Research Associate)

Early Amphibians & Wet (ish) lands
Mike Hayslett (Sweet Briar College; VMN Steering Committee & Central VA Chapter)

Eating the Sun: Plant Ecophysiology
Dr. Janet Steven (Sweet Briar College)

EEK! Environmental Education with Kids
Lora DeVan (Camp Kum-Ba-Ya; VMN Central VA Chapter)

Insect-Plant Interactions
Dr. Linda Fink (Sweet Briar College)

Interpreting Mammal and Bird Tracks & Sign
Rob Speiden (Natural Awareness Tracking School, LLC; New River Valley Chapter)

Land Navigation with Map & Compass
Rob Speiden (Natural Awareness Tracking School, LLC; New River Valley Chapter)

Nature Journaling for the Artistically Challenged
Scott Jinks (Tarawood Academy)

Neotropical Birds
Instructor TBA

Reptilian Search
Kimberly Burge (North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission; SBC Biology alumna)

Shocking Fish Tails
Scott Smith (Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries)
Dr. John Morrissey (Sweet Briar College

Stars in Your Eyes
Dr. Scott Hyman (Sweet Briar College)

There’s a Bat in my Net!
Chris Hobson (Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation)

Wet Spineless Wonders
Garrett Jones (Robert E. Lee Soil & Water Conservation District)

Whitetail Deer Management
Matt Knox (VA Department of Game and Inland Fisheries)

Under the Dark Waters of Guion Pond
Sweet Briar College team

Sunday Field Trips

Spring Wildflowers at Wiggins Spring, Janet Steven
Cold Mountain “Balds” Hike
Vernal Pool Wetlands at Piney River, Mike Hayslett
Pedlar Reservoir / Panther Falls Hike, Derek Mays
Appalachian Trail Predator Survey Walk, John Powers
Crawdads & Mussels in the Piney, Brian Watson