Master Naturalist Program

 

Here is the schedule of courses for 2009 / 2010

 

October 20, Tuesday 6:30 p.m., First class will be on Mammals by Jeff Hajenga Cross Lanes United Methodist Church (CLUMC)
October 29, Thursday 6:15 p.m. Habitat Improvement for Wildlife by Sue Alcott Cross Lanes United Methodist Church (CLUMC)
November 11, Wednesday 6:30 p.m. General Ecology: Dr. Jim VanGundy Cross Lanes United Methodist Church (CLUMC)
January 9, 2010, Saturday 9:30a.m - 1:30 p.m. Nature in Winter by Doug Wood Loudendale Freewill Baptist Church
January 27, 2010, Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Recording and Preserving by John Northeimer Cross Lanes United Methodist Church (CLUMC)
February 27, 2010, Saturday 1:00- 4:30 p.m. Tracking by Doug Wood Loudendale Freewill Baptist Church
Friday April 16, 2010 6:00p.m. Weeds and Wildflowers our instructor will be Dr. Mark Watson Cross Lanes United Methodist Church, in the scout room (upstairs)
Saturday April 17,
2010

 

 9:00 a.m. Weeds and Wildflowers -
Fieldwork portion
KSF -  meeting place to be announced at a later date, most likely the swimming pool parking lot
Friday April 30, 2010 6:00pm to 9:00pm PHOTOGRAPHY Marmet Grade School
May 1, 2010, Saturday 8:00am PHOTOGRAPHY - Field Work Kanawha State Forest (KSF)
May 14, 2010, Friday 6:00p.m. Aquatic Habitats.  The Instructor will be DNR Aquatic Biologist Dan Cincotta. Cross Lanes United Methodist Church (CLUMC)
May 15, 2010, Saturday 8:30a.m. Aquatic Habitats: Fieldwork KSF.  We will meet at the first parking area on the left as you enter the park.
June 4, 2010, Friday 6:15p.m. Birds Cross Lanes United Methodist Church in the education building.
June 5, 2010, Saturday 8:00 a.m. Birds: Fieldwork KSF
July 9, 2010, Friday 6:30p.m. Trees, shrubs and woody vines.  The Instructor will be Dr Willis Trammell. Cross Lanes United Methodist Church in the education building.
July 10, 2010, Saturday 9:00 a.m. Trees, shrubs and woody vines: Fieldwork. KSF at the pool parking lot

 

Don't forget:
 

Osbra Eye Memorial Walk: Saturday April 24, 2010 at Kanawha State Forest. Registration from 9:00 to 9:30a.m. at the pool area. A good opportunity to learn, and a volunteer opportunity for those who would feel comfortable helping with one of the walks. Contact Jim Waggy at   . or Frank and Carolyn Barker  
 

Nature Journaling classes: instructor Betsy Trammell, Last two Saturdays in February and March at Main Street Art Studio in Hurricane, WV. To register call 304-982-1522. The classes will be from 9:00a.m. to Noon. If you missed picking up an information sheet on the class last night, I will be glad to email a copy to you upon request. This should be a really fun class.

 

 
Amazingly, the long-promised Master Naturalist manuals have been printed, and we are ready to begin distributing them.  Frank and Carolyn Barker drove to Elkins to pick them up.  There was one glitch stemming from miscommunication, so let me try to explain what's happening.
 
DNR sent both the binders and the pages of text for all the students in the current (5th) class, so those will be distributed at tomorrow night's class (6:30 p.m., Cross Lanes church, Recording and Preserving, John Northeimer).  The rest of what they sent is just pages of text, without the cover/binder.
 
So, classes 1 and 2 previously received binders along with a few chapters of text.  So anyone from those groups of MN students can come to the class tomorrow evening and receive the text to go with your binder.  The text they sent includes the few chapters they originally printed, and then a number of new chapters.  The easiest thing would be to just remove what's currently in your binder and replace it with the new pages.  There will be people at the church from 6:00 on to distribute the manuals.  If it doesn't work with your schedule tomorrow, the manuals will also be available at future classes.  But it would be good to not string this out too long.  We ordered one manual per married couple, as that seemed agreeable when I asked earlier.
 
For those from MN groups 3 and 4 (who didn't previously receive binders or any text), be patient just a little longer.  DNR is going to send us the binders (with that cool logo on the front), and then you'll be able to pick up the whole package soon. 
 
Also, for the recent MN graduates who finished both class and volunteer requirements, I'll have your diplomas there tomorrow evening if you'd like to pick those up.  If you can't make it, those will be available at future classes as well.
 
Thanks for your patience and cooperation.
 
Jim 
 

Tracking class, which is an elective, will be 2-27-10 at Loudendale Freewill Baptist Church at 1:00p.m.with instructor Doug Wood.  There will be a brief break and the fieldwork portion of the class will be at Kanawha State Forest, ending somewhere around 4:30.

 
 

 

 

 

Listed below are directions to the Cross Lanes United Methodist Church (CLUMC) church. 

 
 From Charleston, travel on I-64 West to the Cross Lanes exit.  Turn right at the end of the exit ramp, and merge left into the traffic flow.  You'll follow this road for .7 of a mile.  You'll eventually proceed straight ahead through a 4-way stoplight, and then the next side street you'll see on the left is Frontier Ave.  Get in the middle, turning lane and turn left onto Frontier.  Then you'll just go a short distance before you'll see Cross Lanes United Methodist Church on the right, with a large asphalt parking lot in front of it

 

A new management group for the Master Naturalist program has been established

See the article in the Charleston Gazette-Mail

 

                 Three Rivers Avian Center Volunteer Opportunities
 
 
Just type in Three Rivers Avian Center on your search engine, and you will be taken to an excellent website of an organization dedicated to rehabilitating raptors, endangered wild birds, ecosystem conservation and education.
 
They are going to be working on construction of their new Flight Barn this Saturday December 5th (if weather is good.)  They also have several other current and future opportunities to help in some fun and rewarding activities.  Check out their "Job Jar,"  I'm certain there are needs that could be fulfilled by many of our Master Naturalists.
 
If you are interested helping this weekend, and or future activities you can contact Wendy Perrone at  wendy@tracwv.org of call 304-466-4683.
 
TRAC is located near the Sandstone exit off Interstate 64.
 

              Here is another great way to earn volunteer credit.
 
 
If this you anyone is available this Sunday, December 6th at 1:00,  the Mary Ingles Trail Blazers are having the first of their Winter "Pulaskis and Provisions" Sunday Outings. 
 
They will be starting this outing at the Rockcamp Trailhead in Kanawha State Forest near Trace Fork Road.  These workhikes are targeted toward trail maintenance and enhancement, but are more importantly about getting outside and enjoying a nice hike.  Doug Wood who (has) and will be teaching several of the upcoming Master Naturalist classes, is coordinating the hikes.  You will undoubted learn something new by attending one of these workhikes.  Not only can you earn volunteer credit, you'll even find out what a "Pulaski" is.
 
Additional workhikes are slated for Jan 10, Feb 28, & March 28 (these other dates are for the Mary Ingles Trail).
 
If interested, you can email Doug at Chingwe@peoplepc.com

 or contact me Rick Moore at Richard333@live.com. 

The following are the exact directions to follow to get to the Rockcamp trailhead for Sundays 1:00 workhike.
 
 
Directions to Rock Camp Branch Trailhead (a.k.a. McGhee Road Trailhead) - From I-64 in Charleston, Exit I-64 at Oakwood Road Exit and right onto US 119 (Corridor G). Go south on US 119 for 5.8 miles to Ruth Road Exit (passing Southridge Shopping Area along the way), turn left on Ruth Road for 0.3 miles and then turn right onto Trace Fork Road (CO 11).  Go 0.5 miles to forks in road and take left onto Trace Fork Road (CO11/2).  Go 1.3 miles to McGhee Road (CO 11/7) and turn left for 0.1 miles to trailhead parking on right.  There is an informational kiosk across the stream from the parking area.
 
Parking is limited so I would be glad to meet at a parking lot at Southridge (the lot of the former Billy's Restaurant next to the Olive Garden might be good) and take anyone to the trailhead.  My only limitation is that I need to leave by 4:00.
 
I was told to also mention that hot soup will be served at the lodge in Kanawha State Forest for those who would like to warm up after the workhike.
 
If you have any questions, please let me know.
 
Thanks.  Rick Moore
 

 

 

DNR has announced that it is finally ready to print out complete copies of the long-awaited MN manuals, which will contain chapters of content designed to dovetail with the MN classes.
 
So, the good news is that these will now be available.  The bad news is that we will have 5 groups of students who are due to receive these manuals.  The manuals are large and bulky, and we'll have to figure out an efficient way to distribute them.
 
To minimize the difficulty, here are my thoughts.  There are some people who paid the registration fee for the program, but then didn't follow through.  They stopped attending classes, and I haven't seen or heard from them in years, which would make it difficult to track them down to give them manuals.  So, for everyone who falls into this category, I'm not planning to request a manual for you unless I specifically hear from you right away to let me know that you want one.  And then it would be your responsibility to pick it up. 
 
On the other hand, everyone from all the classes who made a sustained effort - graduates, near graduates, those still attending classes, those who have stayed active with various outings and activities, etc. - will be on the list to receive a manual unless I hear from you saying you don't want one.
 
The only other consideration is that there are a fair number of married couples in the program.  I think many couples will feel that it's overkill to have more that one of these bulky manuals per household, so my working strategy is to order one manual rather than two for married couples.  But if there are any couples that would prefer two, so each person can have their own copy, just let me know and that won't be a problem.  Thanks.
 
Jim 

 

 

First

Passing of the Torch 9-03-09

As most everyone knows, on Thursday 9-03-09 the Master Naturalist group held a meeting at the Cross Lanes United Methodist Church for the purpose of discussing the future of the Master Naturalist Program. There were15 people in attendance and several that wanted to attend but were unable to do so for various reasons. It has been known for some time that Jim Waggy has been wanting to hand off the coordinator duties so he can have a little free time to enjoy for himself. Since this is a volunteer JOB, Jim has gone far beyond dedication in doing this for nearly five years. We discussed the different aspects of the coordinators position and broke it down into basically six different categories.

1.Terry Finney volunteered to contact the instructors and scheduling of all
classes.


2. Mary Hogue volunteered to be a liaison person to follow up with instructors
prior to classes and to accommodate their needs for the class.


3. Gary and Debbie Mullins volunteered to insure that the instructors have
the visual aids that may be needed for the classes.


4. Frank and Carolyn Barker volunteered to field any inquiries and send out the
class reminders.


5. Rick Moore is the volunteer hour coordinator. In that he will be looking for
ways that the MN can fulfill their volunteer hours.


6. Everyone attending volunteered to facilitate classes when needed. Meaning
that they will be at the class to introduce and help the instructor with any
issues he or she may have.

Everyone agreed that there is a need for a regular event planning group. This would be like the first Saturday hikes, the Monday evening get-togethers that we were having, or picnics, etc. Frank and Carolyn Barker, Donna King, and Regan Quinn have volunteered to help plan various outings for the MN group. Any input or ideas for future outings of interest would be welcome.

We would like to thank Jim for all that he has done for the MN Program. Without him this wonderful group of people would not exist.

Frank and Carolyn Barker
 

 

  

 
Letter to Jim

Jim, We really had wonderful time in the park today, and thoroughly enjoyed Willis' MN tree class. He did a great job. The idea was brought up that the MN group should get together on a regular basis if possible. It was suggested that starting this Monday July 27, 2009, that we meet at shelter #5 at 5:00p.m. just to get together and walk or just talk or share with each other. Not any set program, however it would be a good time to discuss different outings or activities that would be of interest to all. There have been four MN classes so far, and possibly there are grads and non-grads that would just like to get in the woods and refresh thier minds on various topics of interest that we have covered in our MN classes.  We thought that this time everybody could bring thier own sandwichs or whatever they would like to munch on, if they missed dinner, and we could just eat a bite and then go for a walk somewhere. Or if somebody has something of interest to show the group, we could have open mike( hee hee ).  If you would want to forward this information to the other MN classes, that would be great. We would like to see others and stir up thier interests. Hope to see you there. Shelter 5 is located past the campground entrance ( coming from charleston) pull into the large parking lot on the left, and cross the bridge and it is the first shelter you come to, the one with the fireplace. We have it reserved for Monday.

Thanks Carolyn

Here is a write-up on the July 27th MN Group get together

Master Naturalist Evening Outing at KSF 7-27-09
By Frank and Carolyn Barker


We wanted to give all of those who could not attend our outing a brief synopsis of the evenings activities. We met at Shelter #5 and had 9 people in attendance; Jim Waggy, Jack and Donna King, Willis and Betsy Trammell, B. J. Amos, Tom Hardt, and Frank and Carolyn Barker. Betsy arrived early and had foraged for mushrooms, which she had on a paper plate labeled with the scientific name of each. We all enjoyed her display. While we were feasting on our brown bag lunches, the conversation covered photography, trees, bugs, flowers, snakes and other woodsy topics.
.
After we ate we discussed the subject of Jim Waggy possibly giving up the coordinator position, which he has so graciously and sacrificially handled for the past years. We talked about possibly forming a committee to help Jim with the scheduling of classes, and being responsible to attend said classes to introduce instructors and assist them in whatever they may need. We felt that if we could do this that it would take some of the pressures off of Jim, and free him up to do things he would like to pursue.

We talked about possible outings to glade creek on the New River, the WVU Arboretum in Morgantown, the Carriage Trail and Cranberry Glades. We talked about some possible projects for volunteer hours for the Master Naturalists. These included a leaf collecting walk for students who will be doing school projects, the new Boy Scout camp that is going to be built on the New River and the Margaret Denison Wildflower Walk on 9-12-09.

We walked around the area and looked at trees, and plants. Willis identified a cork Elm Tree and gave us pointers on how to distinguish it from other Elms.
We also identified and photographed some wildflowers, Indian tobacco, enchanters nightshade, wild sweet William, carrion plant, and Day Lily.

We decided that we would meet again next Monday 8-03-09, at 5:00p.m. at the Middle Ridge gate on the shooting range road. This is the first gate on the right off of the gun range road. Again, each will bring their own dinner and water and drinks will be furnished. After we eat we will proceed to the shooting range and explore the Wall Fork area. This is a little used area of the park that supposedly has some virgin timber.

And last but not least, according to Betsy Trammell, we learned that if you stick your finger down the middle of a peeled banana, it will split in 3 equal parts. So everybody is welcome to bring your own banana to the next meeting and maybe Betsy can be coaxed to give a demonstration.

So come on out and join in the fun. Grown-ups can go out and play too.
 

Here is a write-up on the August 3rd MN Group get together

Master Naturalist Outing Monday 8-03-09

A group of thirteen adventuresome Master Naturalists and visitors met at the Middleridge gate pull off on the shooting range road on Monday 8-03-09. Our plan was to walk up Wall Fork and see if we could find the stand of virgin timber that is said to be in that area. Frank Barker had been in the general area before so he was to lead the hike, however he was held up due to Jury duty, but was going to catch up with us as soon as he was released. We knew where the road started so we proceeded to the shooting range parking lot to walk the road that is to the left of the gun range. We figured we could walk straight up the road, until Frank arrived to direct us to the fork we were to take.There were several muddy crossings, one which contained a brown water snake. Debby Mullins tried to catch it, but we told her that it probably was not a good idea, since the first aid kit was in Frank’s truck. We saw Cardinal Flowers blooming, Monkey Flowers, rattail, common sunflower, jewelweed, and agrimony. The fern that we were trying to ID was a Silver Spleenwort, thanks to Willis for the help with this one. Frank finally arrived, after I sent Gary back to the parking area with the keys to my car, which held his (franks) shoes and clothes, and we backtracked to the the Wall Fork turnoff. I can assure you that it was a road not traveled by man, well at least for a good while anyway. All the Stinging Nettle will surely be a great reminder to always wear long pants in the future, just in case. We did find several large trees in this area, but with the time getting late, we decided to backtrack and go to the pond, eat and watch the beaver.
What a show they put on for us. We got to see one of the small beaver kits, along with one of the parents. The adult was near the hutch eating on branches when we arrived and after awhile the little one came out and swam around. They did not seem to mind that we all were standing on the trail right above them. The adult swam to another area and we followed by the trail above, and he ripped off bark from the downed tree and just ate for a while, they really make a lot of noise when eating, sounding like somewhat of a chatter. Jack King got some great pictures.
It was nearing dark when we decided to call it a day and walk back to the cars, All in all it was a good outing, it was sure a place I had never been.

The attendees for this outing were: Julian Martin, Willis and Betsy Trammell and their friend from Phoenix, Gretchen Friedlander, B.J. Amos, Karen Sylvester, Gary and Debby Mullins and their granddaughter Cieara LeAnn Jones, Frank and Carolyn Barker, Jim Waggy and Nina Payton.

We felt that since there were so many activities coming up in the next few weeks that we would not set any specific dates for outings until after the Sept walks. Jim has already sent an email concerning this, and the events. I’m kinda leaning toward a picnic when we start back up. Are there any others that would like to have a picnic maybe around the last of September or October sometime? I will see how much interest we have in the idea before trying to set a date. I am sure it would probably have to be on a Saturday or Sunday so those that still work would be able to attend.

Hope to see you at the Native Plant Society walk at KSF on 8-08-09, starting at 9:30a.m. meeting at the first parking area on the left as you enter the park.

 

Here is a write-up of the Master Naturalists hike with Native Plant Society 8-08-09

Master Naturalists hike with Native Plant Society 8-08-09

What a great time was had at Kanawha State Forest with the Native Plant Society on their interpretive walk up Middle Ridge Road. There were several in attendance, so I will not list all the names individually, but since I left Jack and Donna King off the last write up I really need to say I am sorry, as it is always good to see them at our outings. It was also good to have Tom Hardt back from his journey to his home state of Massachusetts, we missed you Tom. It was also good to see Pat Barker again.

Our intentions were to walk Middle Ridge Road and look for the Yellow Fringed Orchids and ID other plants along the way. I know that our group learned many different plants from the expertise and knowledge of the members of the Native Plant Society. When there was any question on identification we called on Chris Gatens, as he consulted his book on the Flora of West Virginia as the final say so. I am attaching a list of most plants that were identified but I am sure I probably missed a few along the way. The highlights of the day were getting to see the Hartford Fern or Climbing Fern, which is flourishing and also a colony of Chain Ferns were discovered. The Yellow Fringed Orchids were in bloom, but most of them were already spent, we were probably a week late. They were not as plentiful as in years past.

A mystery was solved for me, as I had an unidentified plant that appeared in my flower bed at home, and it grew into a really stout seven foot weed that I had to chop down in order to remove it. Now I know that this plant was Pale Indian Plantain, as pointed out by Chris.

We hiked to Teaberry Trail and then headed back to the cars. At 1:30 we gathered at our vehicles and got a cold drink and shared different things we had seen. We also learned what happens to a Coke when you put it in the freezer ALL NIGHT. For those who do not know this, just ask Jack King. And while you are at it, you can ask him about his fleet of powerful lawn mowers.

I am sorry I will not be able to attend Becky Linger’s Medicinal and Edible Plants class next week. I have a previous engagement in Ripley on Saturday, and Frank will be in Kentucky at the Contemporary Longrifle show. I know we will be missing a fun outing learning about these plants but we will see you all at the next outing.


Carolyn Barker

Here is a list of Identified Plants on Middle Ridge Road 8-08-09

Thin Leaved Sunflower
Climbing Bittersweet
Tall Bellflower
Swamp Thistle
Grass leaved Golden rod
Dodder
Downy Skullcap
Tall or Canada Goldenrod
St. Johns’ Wort
Woodland Sunflower
Pale Indian Plantain
Indian tobacco
Small Headed Sunflower
Winged Sumac
Smooth Sumac
Staghorn Sumac
Chain Fern
Boneset
Japanese Loosestrife
Nettle-leaf Vervain
Lyre-leaf aster
Cut-leaf Coneflower
Panicled Tick-Trefoils
Monkey flower
Mist Flower
Pearly everlasting
Tickseed
Hairy Thoroughwort
Milkwort
Yellow Fringed Orchid
Sensitive plant
Golden Ragwort
Ragweed
Moneywort
Sensitive Fern
Christmas Fern
Hartford Fern/Climbing Fern
Downy Lobelia
Purple headed Sneezeweed
Panicled tick-trefoil
Queen Anne’s Lace
Honewort
Common Yarrow
White Avens

 
 

 In a recent e-mail, I mentioned that one way to get MN volunteer yours is to help with frog surveys, where you drive a route and stop and listen for frog calls at 10 different spots.  You run the same route a total of three nights during the spring and summer, since different species breed at different times.  This is an opportunity to participate in an ongoing, valuable scientific study. 
 
The surveys are administered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), who conducts a wide variety of scientific research.  The WV coordinator is Marshall University, under Dr. Tom Pauley (he'll be teaching our Reptiles and Amphibians class).  One of Dr. Pauley's graduate students, Tomi Maria Bergstrom, is the contact person for the project.
 
So, if this sounds intriguing, go to the USGS website (www.pwrc.usgs.gov/naamp).  The last part stands for the North American Amphibian Monitoring Project.  On the site, you can go to a map that shows the locations of all the frog survey routes in WV, showing which ones already have someone running them and which ones are vacant.  At this site, you can also get a list of all the frog and toad calls you'll need to learn for WV (about 10).  Once you have that list, you can go to another place on the site and listen to all of those calls.  Then, before you run a route, you'll have to pass an online quiz, which you can take as many times as you need to.  It will be good practice.
 
If you see a vacant route that you are interested in running, you then contact the Marshall grad. student, Tomi, at wvnaamp@yahoo.com   She will send you detailed maps and directions for the route, as well as other information about the program.  If you are interested, you should do this soon, as we are already in the time window for making the first of the three survey runs. 
 
I'll mention two other things.  On the website, it will explain that if you don't already have Real Player software, you will probably have to download it (free) for the site to function properly.  They direct you how to do that.  And you may have trouble if you are using Windows Explorer as your browser.  The map may not display the vacant routes, and the frog calls may not play.  If that happens, you can switch and use Mozilla Firefox as a browser (also a free and easy download if you don't already have it), and everything should work fine. 
 
Let me know if you have any questions. 
 
Jim

 

 

Click Picture to go to site.

Photos taken at the Master Naturalist outing on October, 2005 at Kanawha State Forest

 

Photos taken by some  Master Naturalists on March 2007 at Kanawha State Forest

 

Dan Cincotta gave a class on "Aquatic Habitats" on May 18th.  This was followed by a field trip on May 19th to Kanawha State Forest.

 

Jim Waggy gave a class on "Birds" on June 1st.  This was followed by a field trip on June 2nd to Kanawha State Forest.

 

Tim Craddock gave a class on "Wetland Habitats" on June 15th.  This was followed by a field trip on June 16th to Green Bottom Wildlife Management Area.

 

Bill Roody gave a fascinating class on "Mushrooms" on July 21st.  This was followed immediately after by a field trip to Kanawha State Forest . 

 
Dr. Mark Chatfield gave a class on "Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines" on July 27th.  This was followed by a field trip on the 28th to Kanawha State Forest . 

 

John Northeimer led a class on "Ferns and Taxonomy" on August 18th, in the morning.  This was followed by a field trip in the afternoon to Kanawha State Forest in search of ferns . 

 

Laura Miller led a follow-up to the Insects class.  This was a set-up at Kanawha State Forest with a blacklight and a white sheet to lure moths and other night-flying insects.  Alice Knight took some great photos.

 
The First Saturday outing on December 1st for Master Naturalist alumni's. Check out the outing report and photos.

 

The March Saturday outing  for Master Naturalist alumni's. Check out the outing photos.

 

On the April Saturday outing  for Master Naturalist alumni's, we looked for early birds and wild flowers.   Check out the outing photos.

 

Bill Grafton gave a wonderful class on Wildflowers on May 2nd.  This was followed by a field trip on May 3rd to Kanawha State Forest.

 

Doug Wood gave a fun class on Terrestrial Habitats on May 28, 2008 (Wednesday).  This was followed by a field trip to Doug's property, "Wood'scape" on May 29, 2008(Thursday.

 

Tim Craddock gave a class on "Wetland Habitats".   Here are some thoughts and photos from MN student Carolyn Barker from the Saturday (06/28/08) fieldwork at Winfield Wetlands.

 

Laura Miller gave a class on  Insects on August 22, 2008 (Friday).  This was followed by a field trip to Kanawha State Forest on August 23, 2008(Saturday) to catch and identify some insects.

 

 

 

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