Volunteer Opportunity and Continuing Education

April 14th: In-person training, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm, Belle Isle Visitors Center. Field training included. Dress for field.

Thursday, May 6: 4 surveyors needed each week. We rotate assignments so that everyone gets a turn at each of the tasks. It takes a little bit longer in the beginning, but once you become familiar it’s about two hours.

If this activity would be of interest to you for the 2022 season, please contact Audrey Vaughn at virginiariverbreeze@gmail.com or by phone at 703-863-3234.

Background:

Are insects emerging earlier each year? Are birds migrating early enough to take advantage of insects and other arthropods that are an important food source to raise their young? Are caterpillars more abundant on certain tree species?

If you are interested in a citizen science project that seeks to answer some of these questions, please consider joining a group of likeminded Master Naturalists for Caterpillars Count. Started by researchers at the University of North Carolina, the activity involves surveying native tree branches weekly from late April through the avian breeding season, July or early August.

The activity was established last year at Belle Isle State Park, with 30 survey branches.

Interested in setting up another Caterpillars Count! survey site?
Come for the training. We’re happy to coach others in set up and surveying.