Blue Ridge Foothills & Lakes Virginia Master Naturalists: Virginia Has Been Invaded Again!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Virginia Has Been Invaded Again!

Pretty, Green—and Deadly

Don’t be fooled by the names: Garlic mustard and tree of heaven are among many alien plant species that threaten Virginia’s natural heritage. PAULA STEERS BROWN tells us what to look for and how to fight the invaders.

The environmental alchemy that wows tourists every fall, with spectacular leaf color in the Blue Ridge Mountains, also produces gorgeous bloom displays in the spring and summer for all to enjoy. Our state treasure is, however, being threatened from east to west by invasive plant species. A favorite native beauty, for instance—Virginia bluebells—is slowly being displaced throughout the state’s floodplains and river bottoms by garlic mustard, an extremely destructive non-native transplant that will completely overtake these areas unless concerned citizens respond.

Read this entire article from Virginia Living Magazine here.

As always BRFAL Chapter of Virginia Master Naturalist wants you to get outside, explore and learn something new today. Get involved in something cool and take your kids and grandkids with you! Learn more about the Virginia Master Naturalist program here

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Mission

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 Virginias become Master Naturalists through training and volunteer service.

Who Can Participate?

People who are curious about nature, enjoy the outdoors, and want to be a part of natural resource management and conservation in Virginia are perfect candidates to become Virginia Master Naturalists. It is open to all adults regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status.

Overview

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. An important part of the certification process is the required 40 hours of volunteer service. More information click here

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