Monday, February 18, marked the new beginning for some promising Virginia Master Naturalists in the High Knob Chapter. We welcomed 11 students in our new basic training class. They look forward to learning more about geology, astronomy, herpetology, climatology, ornithology, botany, entomology, dendrology, forest ecology and resource management, ecology/citizen science/research skills, and mammalogy. They also plan to attend several field trips including the Powell River Project, Wetlands Estonoa Learning Center, First Day of Spring Bird Walk at Natural Tunnel State Park, Breaks Interstate Park, The Cedars Natural Area Preserve, Flag Rock BioBlitz, and Pine Mountain Naturalist Rally. During their class, they are expected to assemble a journal with entries including:
* A short description of a naturalist they admire
* Sketches of geological features
* Summary of something they learned after the astronomy class that fascinated them
* Sketches of a reptile and an amphibian
* Comparison of local weather reports with Appalachian Climate Center's forecast
* A "sound map" of bird calls
* Descriptions of native plant species and invasive plant species
* Observations of a living and active insect
* Identification of specific trees or woody plants
* Thoughts on the value and importance of citizen science to their community
