Potomac Valley Audubon Society Events

Monday August 10 9:00am - Friday August 14 3:00pm EDT

Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Road, Charles Town, WV, 25414, United States

Discovery Camp: Camp Survivor

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Camp Survivor (entering grades 1-6)Get ready for one of our most popular camp sessions, Camp Survivor! This camp is all about learning those all-important outdoor survival skills. Campers will come away with many essential skills, incl......More

Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Road, Charles Town, WV, 25414, United States

Monday August 10 9:00am - Friday August 14 3:00pm EDT

Yankauer Nature Preserve, 438 Whitings Neck Road, Martinsburg, WV, 25404, United States

Discovery Camp: Woodland Theater

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Woodland Theater (entering grades 1-6)Woodland Theater Camp is the perfect place to express your creativity and imagination. Our theater camp is unique from others, as it challenges campers to create their own stories, characters, scri......More

Yankauer Nature Preserve, 438 Whitings Neck Road, Martinsburg, WV, 25404, United States

Wednesday August 12 9:30am - 3:00pm EDT

Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Road, Charles Town, WV, 25414, United States

Case Nature Center Open Day

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Join us for a day of discovery at Case Nature Center!PVAS Host: PVAS Nature Center Ambassadors Free and open to the public. All ages are welcome, though youth must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is not required. Visit ......More

Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Road, Charles Town, WV, 25414, United States

Wednesday August 12 1:30pm - 4:00pm EDT

Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Road, Charles Town, WV, 25414, United States

Trail Stewards Volunteer Workday at Cool Spring Preserve

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Join the Land Management and Conservation team for trail stewardship at Cool Spring Preserve!PVAS Host: Alexus Smetzer Free and open to the public. Please note that we may not have an age-appropriate task for children, as these volunteer workdays are geared towards ages 16+. Children under 16 are welcome to attend, as long as they are accompanied by an adult. Registration is not required, but is appreciated for planning purposes. If you do not register, we cannot contact you about event changes or cancellations. PVMN Volunteer Hours Eligible Summer is the BUSIEST time at the Nature Preserves! Help us maintain the trails and preserve features for summer campers and all of our visitors. All hands are welcome and helpful! Walking Distance: Approximately 1 milePace/Activities: Moderate to leisurely with several breaksExposure: Mostly under canopy coverTerrain: Grass covered hard ground/walking trailRestroom: Port-o-pot on siteParking/Where to Meet: The group will meet in the front parking lotWhat to Bring: Participants should wear sturdy, close-toed footwear, dress appropriately for the prevailing weather conditions. Bring your work gloves, a refillable water bottle, and any accessories that will help you stay comfortable.Register Here!Registration will remain open until the start of the program. Read our pricing structure & policies. About Alexus: Alexus is a recent Shepherd University graduate with a B.S. in environmental studies with a focus in aquatics. During her time there she worked in the aquaponics laboratory at “Tabler Farm”, was a member of Pi Epsilon, and served on the executive board for her sorority Delta Zeta that was very active in the community. Alexus has always had a love for conservation and is very excited to work with the PVAS team! Alexus loves being in nature, hiking, reading and spending time with her two dogs Clover and Banks as well as her two cats Spruce and Juniper.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Road, Charles Town, WV, 25414, United States

Wednesday August 12 5:30pm - 7:30pm EDT

Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Road, Charles Town, WV, 25414, United States

Weed Warrior Training at Cool Spring Preserve

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Become a PVAS Weed Warrior!PVAS Host: KC Walters and Alexus Smetzer This is a free/donation-based program. For ages 12 and older. All youth (under 18) must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required. This program has a max of 15 participants. PVMN Continuing Education Credit Eligible If you want to volunteer at our nature preserves, but can’t make it to the scheduled volunteer workdays, this training is for you! Our Associate Director of Conservation and Operations – KC Walters – will lead this PVAS Weed Warrior Certification training. Certified Weed Warriors will be given the knowledge and the tools needed to tackle invasive species at the preserves on their own schedules. Plus, they will be connected with other Weed Warriors to work together. No work gloves or tools are needed for the training, but long pants and bug spray are recommended. After successful completion of training, participants will become certified PVAS Weed Warriors! This certification comes with distinction, an awesome t-shirt to wear while performing duties, and exclusive access to the best tools of the trade. Register Here!Registration will remain open until the start of the program. If the required minimum # of people do not register by 4 pm the evening prior, the program will be cancelled. Read our pricing structure & policies. About our Host: Katelyn (KC) Walters, a Shepherdstown native, is our Associate Director of Conservation and Operations. KC is a Shepherd alumna, and holds a M.S. in Biology, with a focus in forest ecology, from James Madison University. Her master’s thesis evaluated the long-term effectiveness of treating hemlock trees for hemlock woolly adelgid infestation in Shenandoah National Park. During her college education, she interned with The Conservation Fund: Freshwater Institute and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. After graduation, she worked with the US Fish and Wildlife Service in southeastern Louisiana where she served as a forestry technician and became a certified Wildland Firefighter. KC then returned home to Shepherdstown and worked with Sustainable Solutions LLC as the Lead Natural Resources and GIS Technician. She joined the PVAS Team in April 2018 as the Land and Conservation Manager. Just shy of five years later, in January 2023, KC was promoted to the Associate Director position she holds today. KC enjoys riding horses, working with her dog, Paisley, on agility training, and stewarding the natural resources on her own property.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Road, Charles Town, WV, 25414, United States

Saturday August 15 10:00am - 1:00pm EDT

Poor House Farm Park, Poor House Rd, Martinsburg, WV, 25403

Nature Journaling at Poor House Farm Park | Dragonfly Days

Join Jessica Ramey for Nature Journaling!PVAS Host: Jessica Ramey This is a free/donation-based program. All ages are welcome, though youth must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required and limited to 12 participants. PVMN Continuing Education Credit Eligible Capture the energy of late summer as dragonflies, insects, and vibrant activity fill the air. Sketch, note patterns, and engage your senses in a playful exploration. Walking Distance: Approximately 1 mile, though it could be longer.Pace/Activities: Leisurely (meandering, many breaks to stop and observe)Exposure: Partial shade. Some areas of full sun.Terrain: Hard ground/hiking trail in some areas, mowed grass in other areas. Gentle slopes/rolling hills, though there may be some steeper areas the group may choose to take.Restroom: Restrooms are available for this program.Parking/Where to Meet: Meet at the pavilion near the pond.What to Bring: Come with your nature journal supplies, a chair (if you’d like), water, and an open mind to trying new materials and techniques!Register Here!Registration will remain open until the start of the program. If the required minimum # of people do not register by 4 pm the evening prior, the program will be cancelled. Read our pricing structure & policies. About our Host: Jessica lives in Martinsburg, WV and is a middle school science and special education teacher with a passion for helping others connect with the natural world. Her journey into nature journaling began after attending the Hog Island Audubon Society summer camp for educators, sponsored by PVAS. Since then, she has embraced journaling as a way to slow down and deepen her connection to nature. She leads a nature journaling club at her school and is currently a Master Naturalist candidate through PVAS. Jessica is excited to lead this program and hopes participants of all ages—regardless of artistic ability—will discover the joy of observing and documenting the natural world through words, drawings, and personal reflections.

Poor House Farm Park, Poor House Rd, Martinsburg, WV, 25403

Wednesday August 19 7:30am - 10:30am EDT

Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Road, Charles Town, WV, 25414, United States

Bird Walk at Cool Spring Preserve

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Join Bill Telfair for a morning bird walk at Cool Spring Preserve!PVAS Host: Bill Telfair This is a free/donation-based program For ages 8 and older. All youth must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required and limited to 15 participants. Join trip leader Bill Telfair for a bird walk at Cool Spring Preserve! Anyone with an interest is welcome to come along, regardless of their birding skills. The trails at Cool Spring Preserve have a lot to offer! From well-maintained footpaths to gorgeous views, the 74 acres of this preserve are home to much wildlife. Click here to see a list of birds commonly observed at Cool Spring Preserve in August! Walking Distance: Approximately 1 -2 miles.Pace/Activities: Leisurely (meandering, many breaks to stop and observe)Exposure: Partial shade/winter canopy. Some areas of full sun.Terrain: Hard ground/hiking trail in some areas, mowed grass in other areas. Gentle slopes/rolling hillsRestroom: At the start of the program, Port-a-Pottys will be available. At the end of the program when the Case Nature Center is open, indoor flushing restrooms will be available.Parking/Where to Meet: Participants should meet at the back deck (just down from the parking lot) of the Nature Center.What to Bring: Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, and bring water. If you have them, binoculars and cameras are recommended. You may also want to consider installing free birding apps created by the Cornell Lab or Ornithology to your mobile device: 1) Merlin (https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/) and 2) eBird (https://ebird.org/about/ebird-mobile/).Register Here!Registration will remain open until the start of the program. Read our pricing structure & policies. About Bill: Bill has been birding since he was 8 years old. He has been on EBird since 2003, with a life list of 1,820 and a US list over 500. He has participated in Christmas Birds counts in both CA and WV, as well as the C&O bird count for 10 years. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Road, Charles Town, WV, 25414, United States

Wednesday August 26 7:00am - 9:30am EDT

Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Road, Charles Town, WV, 25414, United States

Trail Stewards Volunteer Workday at Cool Spring Preserve

Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Road, Charles Town, WV, 25414, United States

Wednesday August 26 9:30am - 3:00pm EDT

Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Road, Charles Town, WV, 25414, United States

Case Nature Center Open Day

Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Road, Charles Town, WV, 25414, United States

Wednesday August 26 6:30pm - 7:30pm EDT

Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Road, Charles Town, WV, 25414, United States

Turtle Time at Cool Spring Preserve

Join us for a turtle-filled evening at the Case Nature Center!PVAS Host: Amy Thomas $8/person (PVAS members receive a 10% discount). Kids aged 4 and under may attend for free and without being registered. All ages are welcome, though youth must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required and limited to 20 participants. This program has a minimum of 5 participants. PVMN Continuing Education Credit Eligible Enjoy a unique opportunity to connect up close with the amazing animals who live at the Case Nature Center at Cool Spring Preserve. Meet Willow the Wood Turtle, Scute the Box Turtle, and the rest of PVAS’s Animal Ambassadors as they enjoy dinner and exercise while a PVAS naturalist shares about their stories, behaviors, habitats, and how we can best support animals of their species to thrive in the wild. We will begin with an all-group welcome and introduction and then break out into smaller groups. Participants will have opportunities to help feed some of the Animal Ambassadors and gently touch them while learning what makes each species special. We will have other activities as well! Your registration directly supports the care and enrichment of PVAS’s Animal Ambassadors, including food, habitat maintenance, and more. Can’t make this event? Visitors can also meet many of the Animal Ambassadors for free during Nature Center Open Days, held most Wednesdays and select Saturdays. See our calendar for upcoming dates and details. Walking Distance: Little walking except for in and around the building, including going up and down steps.Exposure: This event is held partly indoors depending on the weather conditions, we may hold some of this program outside near the back, covered deck of the Case Nature Center. It’s great when our Animal Ambassadors can get some sunshine!Restroom: Indoor, flushing restrooms are available in the Case Nature Center.Parking/Where to Meet: Meet inside the Case Nature Center.Register Here!Registration will remain open until the start of the program. If the required minimum # of people do not register by 4 pm the evening prior, the program will be cancelled. Read our pricing structure & policies. About our Host: Amy is our Lead Teacher and Naturalist. She first worked for PVAS starting in 2012 as a camp counselor for three summers and then as camp director in 2015. While studying at Towson University, Amy interned with the National Aquarium and Irvine Nature Center and worked for the University’s Office of Sustainability as a Compost Educator. Amy was also very involved in her university’s Outdoor Adventure program where she worked as an Outdoor Trip Leader, Kayak Clinic Instructor, Challenge Course Facilitator and Climbing Gym Supervisor. After earning her BA in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Informal Environmental Education in 2015, she served as a Chesapeake Conservation Corps member, working as a naturalist at Meadowside Nature Center in Rockville, Maryland. Most recently, Amy worked as a field instructor at the Mountain Institute at Spruce Knob, West Virginia, where she led students on backpacking trips and taught Watershed Education programs. In her free time, Amy enjoys backpacking, biking, rock climbing, kayaking and cross-country skiing.”

Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Road, Charles Town, WV, 25414, United States

Thursday August 27 1:00pm - 3:30pm EDT

Yankauer Nature Preserve, 438 Whitings Neck Road, Martinsburg, WV, 25404, United States

Trail Stewards Volunteer Workday at Yankauer Nature Preserve

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Join the Land Management and Conservation team for trail stewardship at Yankauer Nature Preserve!PVAS Host: Alexus Smetzer Free and open to the public. Please note that we may not have an age-appropriate task for children, as these volunteer workdays are geared towards ages 16+. Children under 16 are welcome to attend, as long as they are accompanied by an adult. Registration is not required, but is appreciated for planning purposes. If you do not register, we cannot contact you about event changes or cancellations. PVMN Volunteer Hours Eligible Summer is the BUSIEST time at the Nature Preserves! Help us maintain the trails and preserve features for summer campers and all of our visitors. All hands are welcome and helpful! Walking Distance: Approximately 1 milePace/Activities: Moderate to leisurely with several breaksExposure: Mostly under canopy coverTerrain: Dirt covered hard ground/walking trailRestroom: Composting toilets on siteParking/Where to Meet: The group will meet in the front parking lotWhat to Bring: Participants should wear sturdy, close-toed footwear, dress appropriately for the prevailing weather conditions. Bring your work gloves, a refillable water bottle, and any accessories that will help you stay comfortable.Register Here!Registration will remain open until the start of the program. Read our pricing structure & policies. [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]About Alexus: Alexus is a recent Shepherd University graduate with a B.S. in environmental studies with a focus in aquatics. During her time there she worked in the aquaponics laboratory at “Tabler Farm”, was a member of Pi Epsilon, and served on the executive board for her sorority Delta Zeta that was very active in the community. Alexus has always had a love for conservation and is very excited to work with the PVAS team! Alexus loves being in nature, hiking, reading and spending time with her two dogs Clover and Banks as well as her two cats Spruce and Juniper.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Yankauer Nature Preserve, 438 Whitings Neck Road, Martinsburg, WV, 25404, United States

Tuesday September 1 3:00pm - 5:30pm EDT

Yankauer Nature Preserve, 438 Whitings Neck Road, Martinsburg, WV, 25404, United States

Trail Stewards Volunteer Workday at Yankauer Nature Preserve

Yankauer Nature Preserve, 438 Whitings Neck Road, Martinsburg, WV, 25404, United States

Tuesday September 1 5:00pm - 6:30pm EDT

Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Road, Charles Town, WV, 25414, United States

Monarch Tagging Workshop at Cool Spring Preserve

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]An evening learning about and tagging Monarch butterflies!PVAS Host: Laurel Schwartz This is a free/donation-based program. All ages are welcome, though youth must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required and limited to 12 participants. PVMN Continuing Education Credit Eligible The Monarch Watch Tagging Program is a large-scale community science project that was initiated in 1992 to help understand the dynamics of the monarch’s spectacular fall migration through mark and recapture. The Monarch butterfly’s migration to Mexico began in early August, near Winnipeg, Manitoba. The migration peaks in our area in mid September, so this is a perfect time for Monarch tagging! Learn about the monarch life cycle and how to conduct this community science with PVAS Naturalist Laurel Schwartz! Walking Distance: Approximately 1 milePace: Moderate (steady but able to maintain a conversation)Exposure: Partial shade. Some areas of full sun.Terrain: Hard ground/hiking trail – though depending on conditions some areas of the trail may be wet/soggy. Gentle slopes/rolling hillsRestroom: Yes, at the start of the programParking/Where to Meet: Participants should meet at the back deck (just down from the parking lot) of the Nature Center.What to Bring: Dress for the weather and wear shoes that you don’t mind getting a bit muddy. Depending on ground moisture conditions, this program may access a pond trail that is usually closed to the public. Bug spray is also recommended. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, bring along insect repellent and drinking water. Tagging nets will be provided.Register Here!About Laurel: Laurel Schwartz is our Watershed Program Coordinator and has been working in this role with PVAS since September 2021. She serves as Site Director at Yankauer for Summer Camp. Laurel is a lifelong Jefferson County resident and Shepherd University graduate. She graduated from Shepherd University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and a concentration in Sustainable Resource Management. During the summers between the school year, she worked as a seasonal Park Ranger for both the National Park Service, at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, and the Army Corps of Engineers, at Loyalhanna Lake Recreation Area. After graduation, Laurel served an AmeriCorps year (2019-2020) with us as an Environmental Educator. Through this role, she fell in love with youth education and nature interpretation. After her AmeriCorps year, Laurel worked for Virginia Tech as a Soil Science Research Associate and a Jefferson County Substitute Teacher. In her free time, Laurel can be found hiking, spending time with her dogs, relaxing in a hammock, or in the kitchen trying out new recipes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Road, Charles Town, WV, 25414, United States

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