A Brief History of the Northern Neck Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists

In 2005, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and other State Agencies started the Master Naturalist program In Virginia. Just a few months later, in 2006, Harry Wells, Courtenay Altaffer and Temple Moore were on a bird walk with US Fish and Wildlife biologist Sandy Spencer and mused that we were sadly lacking in our knowledge of the natural world that we were investigating. It was mentioned that there was a new state program that might be our answer. A call was made to Michelle Prysby who was, and is, the Director for the program. We were told that unfortunately the application deadline was in three weeks and there was not enough time to form a Chapter. Undeterred, we called back, pleaded our case and Ms Prysby agreed to give us an extra month.

A committee was formed to create the chapter from scratch even though there was very little input from the Commonwealth. As to mission, organization and syllabus requirements only an outline was provided. We were extremely fortunate in having Rebecca Wilson of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation appointed as Chapter advisor. She was new to the program but hugely instrumental in knowing and arranging for instructors. Then completely unexpected, we were joined by Dr Dorothy Tompkins who had recently moved to the Northern Neck and was a Master Naturalist in one of the original Chapters. Dorothy in real life was a Medical School professor at UVA and was our guiding light in constructing the syllabus. Together with these two wonderful women, a group of hard working volunteers put together the necessary requirements for Chapter approval and the Northern Neck Master Naturalists became official as one of the early Chapters in 2007.

The Chapter began with 19 members, several of whom are still active. Paula Boundy was elected as the first President and Belle Isle State Park Ranger Charlene Talcott came on as co-advisor. Current Chapter advisors are Tara Brent and Wendy Herdman of Virginia Cooperative Extension. As of April 2021 there are 64 members, of which 47 are certified.

—Temple Moore, BTC‘07

IN MEMORIAM

Earline Walker

February, 1940 — March 9, 2022

Earline was a founding member (2007) of the Northern Neck Chapter, Virginia Master Naturalists, and a truly passionate environmentalist.

“Earline was one of the original Northern Neck Master Naturalists and always a bright spot both in class, on field trips and on many projects. Unlike some who rarely participated in class discussions, she always took part, asked serious questions and kept an instructor on message. Earline was one of those very dependable folks that you could always count on when you needed a volunteer or someone to help with an event. I particularly remember traipsing around in the Spring woods with Earline and Tom Teeples while we searched for emergent flowers like Spring Beauty and others. Earline and Jay were also gracious hosts at their lovely home on more than one occasion for a NNMN get together. Earline was one of the rare people who never seemed to be having a bad day and you could always see that wonderful smile and enthusiasm. I will miss her.
— Temple Moore