Events Archive

 

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2018

 

November 10th: Fall Colors Walk White Oak Trail

Susie Yager, certified Master Naturalist, will lead an easy, level walk through a lakeside woodland, with a portion of the trail on boardwalk over a beaver-dammed swamp. The walk will take us through several habitats, home to a variety of hardwoods, moisture-loving shrubs, herbs and forbs. The trail is a 2.6 mile loop, level and easy, but may have some wet or muddy spots.

Meet at Newport News Park’s Discovery Center, Constitution Way. Use the Newport NewsNPark entrance at Constitution Way. From Jefferson Ave, turn onto Constitution Way; drive 0.9 mile; the Discovery Center will be on the right (GPS coordinates 37.181682, -76.537173. The Discovery Center has restrooms.

Contact Susie to register at soozigus@cox.net.

 November 15th: November Chapter Meeting

Dr. Lytton Musselman, Mary Payne Hogan Professor of Botany at Old Dominion University, will speak on “The Strangest Plant in the World”. Dr. Musselman’s research over the past five decades has centered on parasitic flowering plants, especially those that cause extensive crop damage in semi-arid regions of the world. Among the publications his more local research interests have produced are “The Quick Guide to Wild Edible Plants”, and the field guide, “Plants of the Chesapeake Bay”, each coauthored with one of his students. In his talk, Dr. Musselman will use a bizarre “mystery plant” (he hasn’t yet divulged its name to us!) to lead us into the wonders of lifestyle strategies of cannibalistic plants! He will also highlight some of the parasitic flowering plant species that occur right here in Virginia.
NOTE NEW MEETING PLACE: The meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, November 15th

Fellowship Hall of the King of Glory Lutheran Church, 4897 Longhill Rd., Williamsburg VA 23188

 

2017


November 16th: November Chapter Meeting

Bland Crowder, Executive Director of the Flora of Virginia Project, will speak on
“An Introduction to the Flora of Virginia Mobile App.” James City County Recreation Center, 5301 Longhill Road, Williamsburg, Virginia 23188-2700.

October 14th: Stonehouse Elementary Habitat Walk

Sue Voigt will lead a walk around Stonehouse Elementary’s Habitat Garden at 3651 Rochambeau Dr. in Toano to see fall flowers and many bees and butterflies. Park in the school bus parking lot near the far end of the building.

September 30th: Goldenrods Galore

Join Donna Ware in the Williamsburg Botanical Garden to see the exhibit being developed that features goldenrod species typical of open upland habitat.

September 21st: September Chapter Meeting

“How Local is Local Enough?” will be the topic as Dr. Harmony Dagleish, Assistant Professor of Biology at William and Mary, describes her monarch and milkweed research. James City County Recreation Center, 5301 Longhill Road, Williamsburg, Virginia 23188-2700.

September 16th: Flowers and Grasses

Meet Helen Hamilton at College Landing Park, 2100 S. Henry St., Williamsburg to look for for the flowers of fall-blooming weeds and grasses, and fall tree color.

August 5th: Rare Natives

The undeveloped area of Gosnold’s Hope Park (901 E. Little Back River Road) in Hampton has many rare and unusual plants in the saltmarsh and upland pine forest. Environmental consultant Meegan Wallace expects to see a variety of late summer blooming plants, grasses, and sedges. Also, the rare Eastern Bloodleaf (Iresine rhizomatosa), seen in only three counties in Virginia’s Coastal Plain, should be in bloom. Park along the meadow past the playing fields.

July 29th: Warhill Plant and Butterfly Walk

Join butterfly experts Adrienne Frank and Gary Driscole with Helen Hamilton on July 29th at 10:00 am for a walk around the Warhill Tract (4725 Stadium Road, Williamsburg, Va 23188) to watch butterflies collecting nectar from native plants. From the meadow of dogbane and pearl crescents, the walk continues around the pond near the stadium with grasses, sedges and skippers. Returning to the parking area, the meadow will be blooming with late summer perennials, sulphur butterflies, and many others. Park in the last area past the WISC center, in front of the community garden. For more information, contact Helen Hamilton at 757 564 4494, helen48@cox.net.

July 22nd: Backyard Natives

Join us for a walk around Jim and Joan Etchberger’s property at 100 Woodland Road in Woodland Farms, 23188 to see native plants and mosses Contact Joan at 757-784-6870 for more information.

June 17th: Stonehouse Habitat Workday

Join Sue Voigt on Saturday morning at 9:00 am for a Stonehouse Habitat work day at the Stonehouse Habitat Garden, 3651 Rochambeau Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23188. Contact Susan for more information (svoigt1@cox.net; 804-966-8487, or cell 804-815-6085).

June 10th: Stonehouse Habitat Workday

Join Sue Voigt on Saturday morning at 9:00 am for a Stonehouse Habitat work day at the Stonehouse Habitat Garden, 3651 Rochambeau Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23188. Contact Susan for more information (svoigt1@cox.net; 804-966-8487, or cell 804-815-6085).

June 10th: Plants of a Salt Marsh

Join Alicia Garcia for a walk into a salt marsh on Langley Air Force Base to see spartina, asters, and rushes, with the possibility of a peek at Bald Eagles nesting nearby. Email Alicia at alicia.m.garcia81@gmail.com by June 5 to register for this walk.

May 20th: Natives in the Backyard

2:00pm: Natives in the Backyard—a Plant Walk around Mary Turnbull’s own Nature Trail at 109 Woodmere Drive, Williamsburg.

May 18th: May Chapter Meeting

Multi-purpose room 2, Quarterpath Recreation Center, 202 Quarterpath Road, Williamsburg, VA, 7:00 pm. At the next meeting of the John Clayton Chapter, Virginia Native Plant Society, Deborah Green, Professor Emerita at the Collect of William and Mary will talk about how deer affect plant communities. Dr. Green has conducted workshops and has written widely about deer management strategies. For information, contact Donna Ware, 757 565 0657. The meeting is free and open to the public.

May 13th: Stonehouse Habitat Workday

Join Sue Voigt on Saturday morning for a Stonehouse Habitat work day at the Stonehouse Habitat Garden, 3651 Rochambeau Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23188. Contact Susan for more information (svoigt1@cox.net; 804-966-8487, or cell 804-815-6085).

May 6th: Spring Flowers Plant Walk

Saturday, May 6 at 10:00 am, in Newport News Park. Peninsula Master Naturalist Susie Yager will lead a walk through this lakeside woodland area to see Pink Lady’s-Slipper Orchid, Partridgeberry, Yellow Star-Grass, Putty-Root Orchid, Pickerelweed, and numerous other spring flowers as well as several ferns.  Meet at Newport News Park’s Discovery Center, Constitution Way.  Use the NNPark entrance at Constitution Way.  From Jefferson Ave, turn onto Constitution Way; drive 0.9 mile; the Discovery Center will be on the right (GPS coordinates 37.181682, -76.537173); additional parking nearby along Constitution Way if needed.  The round-trip walk will be about 2 miles.  The Discovery Center has restrooms.  Contact Susie Yager to register at soozigus@cox.net.

April 29th: Annual John Clayton Chapter Plant Sale

This year’s sale will be held at the Williamsburg Community Building at 401 North Boundary Street.

April 22nd: Sinkhole Ponds and Orchids Plant Walk

Saturday, April 22 at 10:00 am at the Grafton Ponds area. Join environmental consultant Meegan Wallace to visit Grafton Ponds, which are Virginia’s best remaining example of a coastal plain pond complex (about 2 mi round trip to ponds). We will also see showy orchis (Galearis spectabilis) in bloom as well as many other spring wildflowers and ferns.  From I64, travel east on Fort Eustis Blvd (Va-105), pass Richneck Road on the right, look for a small parking area on the left, marked with VNPS signs.  Contact Meegan at clm003@verizon.net to register and for more information.

April 8th: Stonehouse Habitat Workday

Join Sue Voigt on Saturday morning for a Stonehouse Habitat work day at the Stonehouse Habitat Garden, 3651 Rochambeau Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23188.
Contact Susan for more information (svoigt1@cox.net; 804-966-8487, or cell 804-815-6085).

April 2nd: A Walk in the Habitat

Sunday, April 2, 2-3 pm. Look for signs of spring in the native plant garden at Stonehouse Elementary School, 3651 Rochambeau Drive (Route 30) in Toano. Va. Habitat Caretaker Sue Voigt will search for early blooms on the small trees, shrubs and wildflowers and a few early butterflies feeding on nectar. Park in the school bus parking lot near the far end of the school building, and contact Sue for more information (svoigt1@cox.net; 804-966-8487, or cell 804-815-6085).

March 25th and 26th: Williamsburg Home Show

Stop by our booth and say hello! The show will be held at William & Mary Hall at 751 Ukrop Way.

March 18th: What Is That Weed

Saturday, March 18 at 10:00 am. A walk in the Freedom Park area to identify emerging spring weeds and wildflowers. Learn which weeds are welcome and why others should be eliminated, and expect to see the first flowers of spring! Meet at the Freedom Park Interpretive Center parking lot. Contact Helen 564-4494 or helen48@cox.net for more information.

March 16th: March Chapter meeting

“Climate Change and Plants” is the topic at our March 16 meeting. Our speaker, Molly Mitchell, is a coastal ecologist at the Center for Coastal Resources Management, Virginia Institute of Marine Science. She holds a B.S. in Biology and Environmental Science and a M.S. in Marine Science from the College of William and Mary. Her research addresses impacts to marshes and shoreline systems from human and natural stressors with an interest in the synergistic effects of sea level rise on these resources. The wetlands advisory program is an ongoing program that has been around for 30+ years! CCRM staff support the Commonwealth’s management programs for both tidal and nontidal wetlands. This work involves review of individual permits in the tidal program, development and implementation of assessment and monitoring protocols for the nontidal program, and issue-driven investigations in support of both.The meeting begins at 6:45 at the James City County Rec at 5301 Longhill Road, Williamsburg 23188. See you there!

March 11th: Stonehouse Habitat Workday

Join Sue Voigt on Saturday morning for a Stonehouse Habitat work day at the Stonehouse Habitat Garden, 3651 Rochambeau Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23188.
Contact Susan for more information (svoigt1@cox.net; 804-966-8487, or cell 804-815-6085).

February 18th: Nude Tree Walk

February 18, 10:00 am. Walk with Charlie Dubay to learn about identification of trees in winter condition. At the top of the hill is a nice comparison of 3 Virginia pines – loblolly, Virginia, and shortleaf. Participants may park in the William and Mary Hall parking lot, which is open to the public on weekends. Meet Charlie at the Sports Center, 400 Brooks Street to walk to the College Woods. And although most trees will be nude at this time of year, it is usually cold in February, so wear enough clothes! Contact Charlie Dubay at 757/870-0284 to register, and in case of bad weather.

January 28th: Skunk Cabbage Walk

Saturday, January 28, 10 am. Come look for skunk cabbage in Longhill Swamp with Helen Hamilton, and Gus Hall will lead a walk through nearby upland woods. Meet at the Christian Life Center on Longhill Road across from Lafayette High School and wear waterproof footwear. To register, call Helen at 757/564-4494 or email at helen48@cox.net. Snow, ice and bad weather will cancel this walk.

2016


November 20th: Fall Color Walk

Peninsula Master Naturalist Susie Yager will lead this colorful walk and discuss how the power of observation can help us identify fall trees from a distance by their general growth habit and leaf color. In addition to the autumn leaves, there will be color from fruiting American Holly, Winterberry Holly, Partridgeberry, and Swamp Rose. Migrating waterfowl often stop over at Lake Maury, so you may want to bring a camera or binoculars.

November 19th: Native Uses of Native Plants

On Saturday, November 19 at 10:00 am at Freedom Park Interpretive Center, 5537 Centerville Rd., Williamsburg, Helen Hamilton will deliver a PowerPoint talk about the food, structures, and medicines used by Native Americans. Helen will explore how the native materials provided the survival needs for early settlers of eastern North America, with an emphasis on the experience at Jamestown. This event is part of the Learn and Grow Educational Series sponsored by the Williamsburg Botanical Garden. The program is free, although a $5.00 donation to help the Garden grow is appreciated.

November 17th: November Chapter Meeting

At our November 17 meeting, Caitlin Cyrus will speak about “Floristic Change Spanning 45 Years of Global Change in the College Woods.” The College Woods, located in Williamsburg, is a natural preserve of approximately 960 acres owned by the College of William & Mary. The Woods supports a relatively diverse flora in a mature coastal-plain forest which has been under long-term biological study by members of the College. This talk encompasses the results of Caitlin’s 2016 graduate thesis, which contributes to the ongoing investigation of the Woods by documenting floristic and vegetation changes that have occurred over the last 45 years amidst a rising and uncontrolled white-tailed deer population.

November 12th: Stonehouse Habitat Work Day

Join Sue Voigt at 9:00 on Saturday morning for a Stonehouse Habitat work day at the Stonehouse Habitat Garden, 3651 Rochambeau Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23188.

October 14th and October 15th: James City County Marina Plant Rescue

We will be removing the native plant garden at the site of the former Eco Discovery Park. Bring shovels. Email Patti Gray at patriciagray67@gmail.com or Cortney Langley at clangley@plantrescue.org to help us get a head count and for more information. We’ll start at 10:00 am both days.

October 8th: Wahrani Trail Walk n’ Talk n’ Picnic

Robert Wright, VNPS member and vocational ecologist from Richmond, will lead an “ID walk n’ talk” followed by a afternoon picnic at the shelter at Wahrani Trail, Route 33 at Eltham, New Kent. This hike will explore the entire trail system at Wahrani and will search the ravines, bottoms, slopes, and streambanks documenting the high diversity of vegetation at the park. Come prepared to inspect hillsides, slopes, and grassy openings. Expect late summer flora and nice conditions. Bring a bag lunch, water, camera, note pad, bug spray and lots of enthusiasm. You must sign up for this event. Email or call Robert at robertwright_1@hotmail. com or 571-228-8144 to register. A minimum of 12 participants is required.

September 24th: NIA Plant Rescue

National Institute of Aerospace, 100 Exploration Way, Hampton We will be rescuing in adjacent woods. No need to register, but contact Cortney Langley at 757-291-1500 or clangley@plantrescue.org for directions or more information on what to wear or bring.

September 17th: Clothed Tree Walk

Join Stewart Ware for a fun and informative walk all about trees. The woods around Wellspring United Methodist Church have most of our common upland trees, and Dr. Ware will show how to identify them, as well as some rarer trees. Meet in the parking lot at Wellspring Church on Longhill Road, just east of the junction with Old Towne Road. Contact Stewart at 757-565-0657 or saware@wm.edu for more information.

September 17th: Ford’s Colony Potting Party

A member is offering us plants from her yard for our 2017 Plant Sale. It should be an easy opportunity to help and visit a beautiful yard landscaped with native and nonnative plants. We will start at 9:30 am at the Ford’s Colony home. Since you need to be announced ahead of time to enter Ford’s Colony, please let Lucile Kossodo know at lkossodo@cox.net by Sept 15 so that your name can be given to the gate and you can receive instructions on how to get there. We will dig in Ford’s Colony and then pot plants at Joan Etchberger’s yard (our rain date is October 8). Your help is needed—bring water, insecticide, gloves and a shovel!

September 15th: September Chapter Meeting

Joni Carlson is an expert on rearing monarch butterflies, and her talk will also cover a general understanding of the butterfly’s life cycle and how to grow plants that sustain a variety of butterfly species. Her focus will be on the importance of native plants, especially milkweeds, and on a “natural” rather than a manicured garden in order to support butterfly species. She will also speak of the need for diapausal (reduced activity) of migrating butterflies at the end of the season, how you can become a citizen scientist to monitor and tag monarchs, and what it takes to turn your yard into a certified monarch way station, and will use live samples to illustrate butterfly life cycle stages. The meeting begins at 6:45 at the James City County Rec at 5301 Longhill Road, Williamsburg 23188. See you there!

September 10th: Fern Walk in Freedom Park

Meet Helen Hamilton at the Freedom Park Interpretive Center for a walk to see native ferns with their “flowers.” Contact Helen at 757-564-4494 or helen48@cox.net for more information.

August 27th: Stonehouse Habitat Work Day

August 13th: Newport News Park Field Trip

Peninsula Master Naturalist Susie Yager will lead a walk through this lakeside woodland. Meet at Newport News Park’s Ranger Station, Constitution Way. Contact Susie Yager to register at soozigus@cox.net.

August 13th: Stonehouse Habitat Work Day

July 24th: Stonehouse Habitat Work Day

July 23rd: Freedom Park Ravine Walk

9:00 am–11:00 am: A Cool Ravine Bottom in Freedom Park with Donna Ware to see Bulbous Buttercup, Great Blue Lobelia, Butternut, Log Fern, and Skunk Cabbage. For information and to register contact Donna at 757-565-0657 or dmeware@verizon.net.

July 21st: July Chapter Meeting

John Clayton Chapter meeting at the Newport News Main St. Library, 110 Main St, Newport News. The meeting will feature “Hometown Habitat, Stories of Bringing Nature Home,” a film by Catherine Zimmerman made as part of The Meadow Project and featuring Doug Tallamy.

July 16th: W&M Herbarium and Greenhouse Tour

Herbarium and Greenhouse Tour with Beth Chambers, Curator of the herbarium at the College of William and Mary. Beth will lead a tour through the herbarium and also take the group through the new greenhouse at the Integrated Science Center if its construction is complete. Meet in front of Phi Beta Kappa Hall, 601 Jamestown Road. Contact Beth at 757-221-2213 to register and for more information.

June 18th: Williamsburg Farmer’s Market Booth

Our chapter will have a booth at the Williamsburg Farmer’s Market this coming Saturday, June 18th—please stop by to ask native plant questions and join the fun! 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.

June 11th: Campus Tree Walk with Beth Chambers

Meet at Phi Beta Kappa Hall, 601 Jamestown Rd. Leaves will have fresh leaves and flowers will be in bloom in the Wild- flower Refuge. Contact Beth at 757-221-2213 to register and for more information.

June 4th: Marsh Plants at Sandy Bottom Nature Park

Join Meegan Wallace for a look at a wetland restoration and early summer flowering plants.
Contact Meegan at 757 291 1099 to register and for more information about plants that will be seen.

May 21st: A Moss Walk in Eden Woods

Moss Gardener Norie Burnet will lead our group through her lovely garden of trees, shrubs and perennials carpeted with 30 species of moss. Meet at the Lightfoot Post Office at 8:30 am to carpool to Norie’s home in North Chesterfield, 1915 Montaigne Drive, Richmond, Va. Contact Helen Hamilton for more information at 757-564-4494 or helen48@cox.net.

May 19th: May Chapter Meeting

Our speaker is Ann Jurczyk, Virginia Outreach and Advocacy Manager for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). Her topic will be “Living Shorelines: Protecting Property, Saving the Bay.” The meeting begins at 6:45 pm at the Yorktown Public Library at the intersection of Battle Road and Route 17 in Yorktown. See you there!

April 30th: Spring Plant Sale

The sale will be held at Jamestown Beach Park. More details to Come!

April 23rd: Grafton Ponds Walk

Environmental consultant Meegan Wallace will be the leader on this walk in the Grafton Ponds area. Showy Orchis (Galearis spectabilis) should be in bloom as well as many other spring wildflowers. Traveling east on Fort Eustis Blvd (VA-105) from Rte. 143, after you pass Richneck Road on the right, look for a small parking area on the left marked with VNPS signs.
Contact Meegan at 757/291-1099 to register and for more information.

April 16th: Freedom Park Walk

Join Donna Ware for a walk at Freedom Park to see native and non-native weeds such as bluets (Houstonia spp.) and Veronica spp. of early spring in the big fields near the Interpretive Center and to visit a calcareous ravine to see Showy Orchis (Galearis spectabilis) and other species that prefer high-nutrient soils. Meet at the Freedom Park Interpretive Center park- ing lot. For information and to register contact Donna at 757/565 0657 or dmeware@verizon.net

March 17th: March Chapter Meeting

Michael McConkey, with over 30 years of gardening experience and owner of Edible Landscaping, Afton, VA will give a presentation describing his nursery, its programs, and longstanding commitment to raising sustainable and edible native plants suitable for landscaping.

March 13th & 14th: Williamsburg Home Show

The chapter will host an information table at show at William & Mary Hall on the campus of William & Mary at 751 Ukrop Way in Williamsburg

February 13: Nude Tree Walk

Walk with Charlie Dubay to learn about identification of trees in winter conditions. At the top of the hill is a nice comparison of 3 Virginia pines—loblolly, Virginia, and shortleaf. Participants may park in the William and Mary Hall parking lot, which is open to the public on weekends. Meet Charlie at the Sports Center, 400 Brooks Street, to walk to the College Woods. Contact Charlie Dubay at 757/870-0284 to register, in case of bad weather.

February 6th: Wahrani Nature Trail Walk

Join Gus Hall and Helen Hamilton at 10am on a quest for everything green on the Wahrani Nature Trail in New Kent County. Expect to see a lot of over-wintering plants—there are two species of orchids, several species of mosses, lichens, sedges, ground cedar, clubmoss, ferns, a grass or two, and a few herbaceous leaves. Dress for the weather and expect uneven trails and some muddy areas along the trail.

January 21st: January Chapter Meeting

Since 1994 Denise has been propagating and growing herbaceous perennials native to the Eastern U.S. and designing landscapes with an emphasis on creating low maintenance, wildlife friendly gardens. Her experience and knowledge of perennials and how to plant them so they thrive is an important step for each of us to learn. The conditions, challenges, and variety of places to grow natives varies greatly in the Coastal Plain. As a landscape designer, she has planned

and planted gardens at Westmoreland State Park Visitor’s Center, NASA Langley Research Center Employee Cafeteria, as well as Belle Island State Park Visitor’s Center. A visit to any of these places would impress the most experienced gardeners among us.

In this area, we are fortunate to be able to purchase her plants from the Williamsburg Farmer’s Market in the Spring and Fall. Learn what flower blooms when, so that rather than infilling with annuals that bloom continously, we can count on our natives to host and feed the pollinators that depend on them for their survival.

The meeting begins at 6:45 at the Queen’s Lake Clubhouse, 234 East Queen’s Drive, Williamsburg, VA (in Queen’s Lake subdivision). See you there—and note this new location!

January 31st: Skunk Cabbage Walk

Come look for skunk cabbage in Longhill Swamp with Helen Hamil- ton, and Gus Hall will lead a walk through nearby upland woods. Meet at the Christian Life Center on Longhill Road across from Lafayette High School at 1 pm (and wear waterproof footwear).

January 16th: Stonehouse Habitat Garden Workday

2015


 

November 19th: John Clayton Chapter Meeting

Gary Fleming, senior vegetation ecologist at the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Natural Heritage Program, will present “The Ecological Regions and Natural Communities of Virginia”. Join us to explore the large-scale environmental and biotic gradients that influence Virginia. The talk will provide an overview of the natural features and communities in each of five physiographic provinces that intersect the state. The status of natural area protection in these regions, as well as some of the management issues that natural area land managers deal with regularly, will also be addressed.

October 3rd: New Kent Plant Walk

Saturday, October 3, 10:00 am. Lisa Deaton, Forest Education Specialist, will lead a walk on the one-mile trail at the New Kent Forestry Center.  We can expect to see sweetleaf/horse sugar, prickly-pear cactus, farkleberry/sparkleberry, sand hickory, arrow arum, frog’s bit, American chestnut, longleaf pine and others.  Meet at the Education Center (the Grading Building on the map), 11301 Pocahontas Trail, Providence Forge.  Contact Helen Hamilton at 757 564 4494 or helen48@cox.net for more information.

September 19th: New Kent Forestry Center Walk

10:00 am: Lisa Deaton, Forest Education Specialist, will lead a walk on the one mile trail at the New Kent Forestry Center to look for unusual plants. Contact Helen 564-4494 or helen48@cox.net for more information.

September 17th: John Clayton Chapter Annual Meeting with Dr. Shawn Dash: Pollinators and Native Plants

Shawn Dash is from Baltimore, Maryland, where as a youngster he spent time exploring the natural world, devoting many hours to becoming familiar with the flora and fauna of the Maryland and surrounding areas, and making collections of rocks, pinecones, insects, skulls, and footprint casts. Shawn’s passion for nature followed him through middle and high school and as an undergraduate at the University of Delaware (majoring in both entomology and wildlife ecology). His Master’s degree (Louisiana State University) was the first formal survey of the ants of Louisiana. Shawn completed a Ph.D. at the University of Texas (El Paso) in evolutionary biology on the systematics of an understudied Neotropical ant genus (Hypoponera) and continues to work on ants and soil invertebrates in the context of evolution and ecology. He has given numerous outreach programs on insect ecology for audiences ranging from elementary to college students as well as nature club programs, and is finishing a paper on the ants of the Delmarva Peninsula and a project on the ants of Virginia. Shawn brings his passion for learning and understanding of biodiversity as a faculty member at Hampton University.

September 5th: Shrubs Galore on the Noland Trail

Susie Yager, Virginia Horticulturist and Peninsula Master Naturalist, will lead a walk at 9:30 a.m. on a portion of the Noland trail heading eastward from the Lion’s Bridge, for about a mile. Expect to see many native shrubs, lots of ferns, and herbaceous plants such as striped wintergreen and galax. Meet in the parking lot near the Peninsula Fine Arts Center,101 Museum Drive,  to carpool. Contact Susie at soozigus@cox.net for more information.

August 29th: Shadow Witch Orchid Walk

Saturday, August 29, 10:00 am (rain date August 30, 10am), sponsored by the John Clayton Chapter, Virginia Native Plant Society. This small plant occurs in only 7 southeastern counties in Virginia and one location is at the home of chapter members Hayes and Joyce Williams.  Along with other fall plants such as cardinal flower, jewelweed, Jerusalem artichoke, and goldenrods, Ponthieva racemosa should be in full bloom.
Hayes’ property is a mixed hardwood forest with many trees over 100 years old and wetlands created by hillside springs where bald cypress thrives.  American chestnut and American hazelnut will be in fruit as well as chokeberry, winterberry, and other hollies.
The address is 6351 Brookwood Lane, Gloucester Va.  Traveling north on Rt. 17, turn right 2 miles north of the White Marsh Post Office onto Hillside Drive, which is just past the flea market. (After the stoplight at T.C Walker, start to look for the flea market and Hillside Drive on the right.)  About two blocks from Rt. 17, on a gravel road, the second blue street sign identifies Brookwood Lane, the Williams’ driveway, and the house is not far.  Hayes will have the gate open.  For information and to register, call Hayes or Joyce at 804-693-4417.

August 22nd: Butterflies in Your Garden

Learn how to attract and identify local butterflies, and how to grow the plants that will feed their young, to make more butterflies. A talk in the Freedom Park Interpretive Center with powerpoint slides and handouts will be followed with a walk through the Botanical Garden to see butterflies feeding on their favorite flowers. Contact Helen 564-4494 or helen48@cox.net for more information.

July 25th: Ford’s Colony Trailblazer’s Swamp Plant Walk

Congregate in the parking lot of Wellspring United Methodist Church, 4871 Longhill Road (a short distance east of 7-ELEVEN store at Old Town Rd. and Longhill Rd.) to carpool. We may leave the boardwalk at times, so it would be a good idea to wear rubber boots unless sum- mer has been droughty. Among the species we will see are log fern (Dryopteris celsa), Southern lobelia (Lobelia georgiana), climbing hydrangea (Decumaria barbara), swamp black gum (Nyssa biflora), overcup oak (Quercus lyrata), cherrybark oak (Q. pagoda), and swamp chestnut oak (Q. michauxii). Please contact Donna Ware at dmeware@verizon.net or 757-565-0657 to register.

July 18th: Stonehouse Habitat Work Day

Join Phillip Merritt for a morning of weeding and mulching at the Stonehouse Habitat Garden at the Stonehouse Elementary School. From 8:30 to 11:30. Come by for 15 minutes or 3 hours. Every little bit helps! 3651 Rochambeau Drive, Toano.

July 16th: John Clayton Chapter Meeting

This meeting will be held at the Newport News Public Library at 110 Main St. 757-591-4858.

Dr. Shawn Dash will speak on “Ecological Lessons to be Learned from Plant and Insect Interactions.” Dr. Dash is from Baltimore, Maryland, where as a youngster he spent time exploring the natural world, devoting many hours to becoming familiar with the flora and fauna of the Maryland and surrounding areas and making collections of rocks, pinecones, insects, skulls, and footprint casts. Shawn’s passion for nature followed him through middle and high school and he attended the University of Delaware (majoring in both entomology and wildlife ecology), where he conducted research on cucumber beetle mating behaviors and helped with studies on hive beetles, box turtles, and other wildlife.

June 30th: Stonehouse Habitat Plant Walk

Join Landscape Architect Phillip Merritt for a walk around the plant- ings at this elementary school on Rochambeau Road. Phillip has taken responsibility for maintenance of this area, which was established by Jan Newton. Nearly every Saturday he will be working in the garden, ensuring that all the native plants are thriving. Many species should be in full bloom and Phillip can provide ideas about their uses in home gardens. For information and to register, contact Phillip at phillip.merritt@gmail.com.

June 13th: Grafton Ponds Plant Walk

This Natural Area Preserve, right here in Newport News Park, is Vir- ginia’s best example of a coastal plain pond complex, formed when the underlying calcareous deposits dissolved, creating shallow sinkholes above. Several unusual animals (Mabee’s salamander) and plants such as southern twayblade, slender spikerush, and water tolerant black gum and overcup oak grow here. Leader Meegan Wallace is an environmental consultant who conducts rare plant surveys, forest inventories, and invasive species mapping for the Department of Defense, which manages more than 25 million acres nationwide and supports more than 300 federally listed species. Contact Meegan at 757-291-1099 to register and for more information.

June 6th: Chickahominy Riverfront Park Plant Walk

Join Charlie Dubay on a walk around this park to see and identify (given Charlie’s unique memory system!) many species of oaks. Also, common hackberry and sugarberry, American and slippery elm, mockernut and pignut hickory, and 3 species of pines are growing here. While Charlie has given us his wildly popular “Nude Tree Walk” in winter, he promises that all these trees will indeed be covered with their leaves! For information and to register, contact Charlie Dubay at 870-0284.

May 30th: Gloucester Plant Walk

Edie Bradbury will lead a short walk around her property in Gloucester, to see her collection of native wildflowers, and how shrubs and trees can be incorporated into a home landscape. Then a short car trip to Brent and Becky’s to meet Rhododendron expert George Mc- Clellan, who will guide the group through several of Brent’s gardens, including the group of native plantings. After these walks, there are several very good restaurants in Gloucester Courthouse off Rt. 17. Contact Edie to register and for more information at 804-693-4190 or ediebradbury@cox.net.

May 21st: John Clayton Chapter Meeting

Helen Hamilton will present “Native Uses of Native Plants” at at 6:45 the Yorktown Public Library at 8500 George Washington Memorial Highway.

“This is the store”—as the Jamestown colonists surveyed the marshy
wilderness they had chosen for a new home, how did they find shelter, food, cloth-
ing, medicines, tools? Native American tribes had met these needs from what grew around
them. Trees, shrubs, and herbs furnished shelter, food, household items and medicines. Fish and game were plentiful in early America, but the early settlers had little knowledge nor interest in using natural resources for their needs.

May 9th: William & Mary Plant Walk

Join retired Botany Professor Dr. Marty Mathes for a walk around the campus of the College of William and Mary. Dr. Mathes was responsible for many of the plantings on campus and will have some interesting stories about the trees. Meet in front of Phi Beta Kappa Hall (parking is free on weekends). Register by calling 757 564 4494 or helen48@cox.net.

May 2nd: 2nd Spring Plant Sale

10am–2pm: Second John Clayton Chapter Spring Plant Sale at New Quarter Park in the Queens Lake Neighborhood of York County.

April 25th: Annual Plant Sale!

9am–2pm: John Clayton Chapter Spring Plant Sale at Jamestown Beach Park in James City County.

April 19th: Lafayette High School Plant Walk

Join Helen Hamilton and Gus Hall who will be looking for blooming Pawpaw, Spring Beauty, Pink Lady’s Slippers, and many ferns including Adder’s Tongue. Meet at 1:30 pm in the parking lot at the front of Lafayette High School, which has easy access to the school’s Nature Trail. Register with Helen Hamilton, 757/564-4494, or helen48@cox.net.

April 14th: Williamsburg/James City County Community Center Plant Walk

5:15 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (or whenever you need to leave).  Come see blue-flowered bluets, white-flowered bluets, wild forget-me-nots, water-blinks (related to Claytonia!), and many other small plants that bloom in lawns and ditches in the springtime.  Leader:  Donna Ware.  No need to register.  Please bring a hand lens if you have one and park in the portion of the lot nearest the wing of the building.

March 31st: Potting Party

2pm: Second potting party at Joan Etchberger’s home, 100 Woodland Rd. in James City Co. (757-784-2882).

March 29th: “What is that weed?”

Helen Hamilton will lead this walk in the Freedom Park area on Saturday, March 22nd at 1:30 p.m. to identify emerging spring weeds and wildflowers. Learn which weeds are welcome and why others should be eliminated, and expect to see the first flowers of spring! Meet at the Freedom Park Interpretive Center parking lot. Contact Helen at 564-4494 or helen48@cox.net for more information. This walk was originally scheduled for March 14th but delayed due to cold weather.

March 28th: Potting Party

9:30am: First Spring potting party at Judith Kator’s home, 119 Rich Neck Rd. in James City Co. (757-229-0714).

March 19th: John Clayton Chapter Meeting

Teta Kain will speak about “The Moths Among Us” at 6:45 the Yorktown Public Library at 8500 George Washington Memorial Highway. Teta’s presentation focuses on the many species of moths found right here in Virginia, and she includes many surprising facts she has learned and strange adventures she has experienced while studying these interesting insects. She will delve into some of the good, bad, and mysterious aspects of moths that affect our lives.

February 8: Naked Tree Walk

Join Helen Hamilton and Charlie Dubay for a walk around Freedom Park and the Williamsburg Botanical Garden on Sunday, February 8th at 1:30 p.m. to identify trees in their winter condition. Learn how to distinguish woody plants by their growth habit, bark, buds, bud scales and leaf scars. Meet at the Freedom Park Interpretive Center parking lot. Contact Helen at 564-4494 or helen48@cox.net for more information.