Potomac Valley Audubon Society Events

Friday April 24 5:00pm EDT

Sunny Meadows Garden Center, 7437 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro, MD, 21713

Spring Native Plant Sale: Pre-order!

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=ââ]Pre-order and day-of shopping options available!This fundraiser supports the Monarch Waystation grant program and educational activities of The Monarch Alliance, a program of the Potomac Valley Audubon Society! [/vc_column_text]......More

Sunny Meadows Garden Center, 7437 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro, MD, 21713

Wednesday May 6 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=ââ]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 May 6 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

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

Turtle Time at Cool Spring Preserve

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=ââ]Join us for a turtle-filled morning at the Case Nature Center!PVAS Host: Amy Thomas Free and open to the public. While this is a free program, we encourage you to consider donating to our âCritter Careâ fund to contribute to the......More

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

Wednesday May 6 6:00pm - 8:00pm EDT

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

Nature's Palette Watercolor Workshop: Northern Flicker

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=ââ]Join us for a monthly celebration of nature, creativity, and curiosity! This monthâs subject is the Northern Flicker.$15/person (PVAS members receive a 10% discount). For ages 12 and older. All youth must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required and limited to 15 participants. This program has a minimum of 4 participants. PVMN Continuing Education Credit Eligible Join us each month as we explore a new corner of the natural world through watercolor. Weâll begin by getting to know the monthâs themeâwhether itâs a bird, plant, or seasonal sceneâthrough a short, engaging lesson. Then weâll guide you step-by-step through creating a watercolor painting inspired by that subject, using reference photos we provide. The process is great for beginnersâno experience is necessary! Along the way, weâll chat about fun facts, artistic details we notice, and whatever else comes up in good company. Youâll head home with a beautiful watercolor creation: maybe a 5Ă7â greeting card or a piece worthy of your fridge or a frame. Come ready to learn, create, and enjoy the processâtogether. Walking Distance: Little to no walkingRestroom: Indoor, flushing restrooms are available in the Case Nature Center.Parking/Where to Meet: Meet upstairs, inside the Case Nature Center.What to Bring: Supplies will be provided, but we welcome you to bring any favorite supplies of yours that you would like to use!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 instructor, Lindsay Chase: Lindsay has always loved all things nature, from birds to bugs to wildflowers and everything in between. After moving to West Virginia in 2024, she fell even more in love with all the wild and wonderful beauty of the region. Her joy and sense of place has only grown through her involvement with PVAS and completing the 2025 Master Naturalist program. Lindsay loves meeting new people and sharing her passion for nature, creativity, and connection with her community. Photo credit: Harla Jean Bisbey/Audubon Photography Awards[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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

Saturday May 9 7:00am - 10:00am EDT

C&O Canal/Antietam Aqueduct

Bird Walk at the C&O Canal/Antietam Aqueduct | Mobility-friendly

Join Wil Hershberger and Carol Winckler for a guided bird walk along the C&O Canal!PVAS Host: Wil Hershberger, Carol Winckler This is a free/donation-based program. For ages 12 and older. All youth must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is requiredÂ and limited to 15 participants. Join Wil and Carol this spring migration season along the historic C&O Canal, when the green tunnel comes alive with birds on the move. We will enjoy a relaxed, guided bird walk together. Beginner birders welcome! Walking Distance: Approximately 1 -2 miles.Pace/Activities: Leisurely (meandering, many breaks to stop and observe)Exposure: Mostly shadedTerrain: Mostly gravel The route is generally flat.Restroom: Parking/Where to Meet: Park along Canal Road (https://maps.app.goo.gl/fZuc9hHn8tb26rJi6). Note there is a loop nearby after Canal Road turns sharply to the west, but that loop is for dropoff-only and you may be ticketed if you park there. After parking along Canal Road, head just a little into the woods to meet along the canal towpath.What to Bring: Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather (including a hat), and bring water. If you have them, binoculars and cameras are recommended. You may also want to consider installing free birding apps creating by the Cornell Lab or Ornithology to your mobile device: 1) Merlin (which helps you identify birds!) and 2) eBird (which you can use to submit your sightings!)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 Wil: Wil Hershberger is a lifelong naturalist whose award-winning photography and sound recordings reflect more than a decade of dedicated observation of the natural world. His work, especially of birds, frogs, and insects, has been published in books, magazines, and calendars, and his recordings are archived at the Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Wil and his wife Donna share their passion for nature through their West Virginia-based business, Nature Images and Sounds, LLC. Learn more at natureimagesandsounds.com. About Carol: Carol has had an interest in birding since childhood when grandma would take her for walks on the family farm in Illinois, letting her hold her bird book and look through her binoculars. She is a retired elementary school teacher and has been a Master Naturalist since 2017. She became a PVAS member in 2007 while taking her first Birding 101 class. She continues to enjoy participating in bird walks, helping teach birding classes, and take part each year with the Christmas Bird Count and Birdathon.

C&O Canal/Antietam Aqueduct

Saturday May 9 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT

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

Beginner Nature Photography Workshop

Join Master Naturalist Bob Thompson for an introduction to nature photography!PVAS Host: Bob Thompson $10/person (PVAS members receive a 10% discount). For ages 16 and older. All youth must be accompanied by an adult. This program is limited to 20 participants. This pro......More

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

Saturday May 9 1:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

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

CANCELED | Foraging Workshop | Six Spring Plants to Know and Use

This program has been canceled due to the early arrival of plants this spring. This program was scheduled for a date too late for the foraging activities as intended. We look forward to hosting this program next year, this time earlier in the spring! Join us for a beginner-friendly journey into the world of everyday edible and useful plants!PVAS Host: Susan Wolcott, Emily Gordon $10/person (PVAS members receive a 10% discount). For ages 16 and older. All youth must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required and limited to 15 participants. This program has a minimum of 5 participants. PVMN Continuing Education Credit Eligible Perfect for beginners, this workshop is designed for anyone who isnât yet confident in identifying wild plants. Together, weâll focus on six abundant and useful species: dandelion, nettle and dead nettle, lambâs quarters, violets, and garlic mustard. By learning a few clear identifying features, youâll gain the confidence to recognize these plants wherever you encounter them. Participants will receive a simple handout with key identification tips along with basic culinary, medicinal, and practical uses. Along the way, weâll explore how paying attention to common plants can deepen your connection with the landscape around you. Some of these species are invasive, so learning to identify and harvest them can also help support local ecosystems. Walking Distance: 1 mile or lessPace/Activities: Leisurely (meandering, many breaks to stop and observe).Exposure: Partial shade. Some areas of full exposure/clear view of the sky.Terrain: Hard ground/hiking trail in some areas, mowed grass in other areas. Gentle slopes/rolling hillsRestroom: Port-a-Pottys will be available.Parking/Where to Meet: Meet in the Cool Spring parking lot near Case Nature Center.What to Bring: Paper and something to write with something to put plants in, if desired (paper bag, notebook)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 Susan: Susan earned her Master Naturalist certification in 2022. As a lifelong maker, Susan enjoys many creative pursuits, and especially likes working with paper and in nature. She has explored journal making for several years and finds the process satisfying and relaxing. She is interested in projects and activities that help people make a connection with nature. She also has a keen interest in edible and medicinal plants. â One of the great things about being older is that I have a lot of knowledge to share.â About Emily: Â Image credits: Dandelion: H. Zell (CC BY-SA 3.0)Deadnettle (Kira Sims, CC0)Garlic mustard (NY State IPM Program, CC BY 2.0)Lambâs Quarters (NY State IPM Program, CC BY 2.0)Nettle (Robert Vicol, CC BY 2.0)Violet (Kjetil Lenes, CC BY 2.5)

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

Monday May 11 6:00pm - 8:00pm EDT

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

Volunteer Training: Animal Ambassador Caretakers

Join us to learn how to be a volunteer Animal Ambassador Caretaker!PVAS Host: Amy Thomas Free and open to the public. This program is generally for adults, although teenagers 14 years and older may attend but must be accompanied by an adult on all future volunteer shifts. Pre-registration is required and limited to 10 participants. PVMN Continuing Education Credit Eligible Are you interested in helping care for the Case Nature Centerâs resident Animal Ambassadors, which include four turtles, a snake, and Hissing Cockroaches? As an Animal Ambassador Caretaker, youâll help feed and enrich the lives of our educational animals, support basic housekeeping in collaboration with PVAS staff and AmeriCorps members. This training is a great way to deepen your connection with wildlife and conservation through meaningful volunteer service. Animal Ambassadors are fed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The times of day are flexible and can include evenings. Friday shifts can be done on Saturdays to fit within the caretakerâs schedule. Structured training activities will last no more than two hours, to allow plenty of time for questions, hands-on exploration of the space and supplies, and anything else you need to get comfortable. Walking Distance: This volunteer position involves walking around the downstairs of the Case Nature Center, moving objects like bins that contain water. We will be learning through hands-on practice during an actual Animal Ambassador feeding.Restroom: Indoor, flushing restrooms are available.Parking/Where to Meet: Meet inside the Case Nature Center.What to Bring: No special supplies are required, but there is a chance you may have some âturtle waterâ splashed on your clothes, so keep this in mind as you dress!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 Universityâs Office of Sustainability as a Compost Educator. Amy was also very involved in her universityâs 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.â

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

Tuesday May 12 7:30am - 10:30am EDT

Rolling Ridge Conservancy Land, 138 Tupelo Lane, Harpers Ferry, WV

Rolling Ridge Conservancy Bird Walk

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=ââ]Join Bill Telfair and Master Naturalist Scot DeGraf for a morning bird walk at Rolling Ridge Conservancy!PVAS Host: Bill Telfair, Scot DeGraf 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. Explore the habitat and the bird life with others on the gorgeous trails of Rolling Ridge Conservancy, the largest privately-owned wilderness area near Washington DC and along the entire Appalachian Trail. Anyone with an interest in birding is welcome to join trip leaders Bill and Scot as they explore some of the 1500 acres of protected woodlands. These walks are held on the second Tuesday of every month. Click here to see a list of birds seen in past Mays! (Some places may not have an eBird list for that month, so that is a great opportunity for you to add the birds you see at this bird walk!) Rolling Ridge Conservancy welcomes donations, which can either be accepted on the morning of the walk or through their website (https://www.rollingridgeconservancy.org/donate). Please ask Bill or Scot how your donations will help foster their mission. Walking Distance: ~2-3 milesPace/Activities: Leisurely (meandering, many breaks to stop and observe)Exposure: Forested with dense canopy coverTerrain: Earthen trail with some hilly, rocky sections that could be slippery when wet Mostly flat, some gentle slopesRestroom: Restrooms are available for this program.Parking/Where to Meet: Meet at 138 Tupelo Ln, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425. The buildings in this area are in a circle and people can park anywhere off the circle.What to Bring: Please wear sturdy walking shoes, bring along drinking water, and dress for the weather. Walking poles are encouraged. Binoculars will be available for anyone who needs them.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 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. About Scot: Scot is a Potomac Valley Master Naturalist. Â Photo credit: Scot DeGraf[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Rolling Ridge Conservancy Land, 138 Tupelo Lane, Harpers Ferry, WV

Wednesday May 13 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 May 13 6:30pm - 8:00pm EDT

Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education, 213 N King St, Shepherdstown, WV, 25443

Monthly Program | Main Street: A Proven Strategy for Historic Small Towns

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=ââ]The Potomac Valley Audubon SocietyÂ welcomes Erin Barnes, President and CEO of Main Street America!This in-person program is free and open to the public.Â All ages are welcome to attend. PARKING: Both Shepherdstown City parking and Shepherd University Campus parking are available. A map of city parking is here. Meters are not enforced after 6 pm. Spots along High Street are recommended.A map of campus parking is here. You may park in any of the Red lots. C and A are closest to the Byrd Center. Part of B lot is gated, but you may park in any spots near the Facilities building that are not behind the gate.SCHEDULE 6:30 PM: Social time with light refreshments. In order to reduce waste, we are asking that people bring their own mugs.7:00 PM: Presentation begins!8:00 PM: Approximate end of the program â though it may last longer depending on questions and discussion!We will also be offering this program virtually! Here is the Zoom linkÂ so you can join in from home.Â If you are not able to attend live, in-person or virtually, you can view a recording of the Monthly Program presentation later! We typically post the recording within several days. Presentation Description â This presentation, cosponsored with the Historic Shepherdstown Speaker Series, will address the success of the Main Street movement over the past 45 years in demonstrating the effectiveness of a combination of historic preservation, including preservation of green spaces, economic development, marketing and business restructuring strategies in strengthening the competitiveness of the downtowns of historic small towns and historic urban neighborhoods. Main Street America, with a network that currently includes 1,200 towns in 44 states, continues to adapt to changing economic, demographic and retail trends and pressures facing Americaâs small historic towns â which Ms. Barnes will address in her talk. Main Street America is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which created the initiative in the early 1980s in response to historic small town downtowns throughout the country where historic buildings were decaying and business competitiveness was not being adequately addressed. In 2024, the network had $7.65B of local reinvestment and 10,126 building rehabs. Image credit: https://shepherdstown.info/plan-your-visit/About the Presenter: For 15 years, Erin was CEO of ioby, an organization she cofounded, designed to mobilize neighbors who have good ideas to become powerful civic leaders who plan, fund, and make positive change in their ownneighborhoods. The Rockefeller Foundation awarded Erin and her co-founders at ioby the Jane Jacobs Medal for New Technology and Innovation. She has also been a freelance writer on climate change andother environmental issues. Earlier in her career, she was a community organizer and public information officer at the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition in Portland, Oregon. Erin holds aÂ B.A. in English andAmerican Studies from the University of Virginia and a Master of Environmental Management from Yale University. Â [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education, 213 N King St, Shepherdstown, WV, 25443

Thursday May 14 9:30am - 12:30pm EDT

Sunny Meadows Garden Center, 7437 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro, MD, 21713

Plant Order Sorting for the Spring Native Plant Sale

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=ââ][vc_row][vc_column width=â1/1âł][vc_column_text]Sign-up to volunteer to sort plant pre-orders for the SpringÂ Native Plant Sale!Free and open to the public. For ages 16 and older. All youth must be accompanied by an adult. Regi......More

Sunny Meadows Garden Center, 7437 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro, MD, 21713

Thursday May 14 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT

Virtual

Kingfisher Kahoot Virtual Trivia Night | Remarkable Reptiles

Join Master Naturalist Roy Boyle for a fun evening of trivia and learning!PVAS Host: Roy Boyle This is a free/donation-based program. Anyone is welcome to join in. Pre-registration is required and limited to 25 participants. PVMN Continuing Education Credit Eligible Kah......More

Virtual

Saturday May 16 8:30am - 2:30pm EDT

Sunny Meadows Garden Center, 7437 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro, MD, 21713

Volunteer at the Spring Native Plant Sale

[vc_row][/vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][vc_column_text css=ââ]Help make the Spring Native Plant Sale a success!PVAS Host: KC Walters and Ellen Kinzer Free and open to the public. For ages 12 and older. All youth (under 18) must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required. PVMN Volunteer Hours Eligible Multiple positions and shifts for this major spring event! Pre-Order Pick Up Assistance â Volunteers work in the back greenhouse of Sunny Meadows alongside KC to help load trays of plants into cars of customers picking up their pre-orders. AM Shift â 9:30-12:00 or PM Shift â 12:00 -2:30 Day-Of Sale Assistance â Volunteers work alongside Ellen in the front greenhouse of Sunny Meadows to help customers chose plants and load up their carts. Volunteers will also be responsible for working at the PVAS/TMA information table. AM Shift â 8:30-11:30 or PM Shift â 11:30-2:30 Walking Distance: N/APace: Ebbs and flows throughout the day!Exposure:Â Either in green houses or full sunTerrain: FlatRestroom: There are port-o-pots on siteParking/Where to Meet: Volunteers will be emailed prior to the day of the event with detailsWhat to Bring:Â Please bring a water bottle, sunscreen, and a chair![/vc_column_text][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=âDay-of Sale Assistance | AM Shiftâ color=âwarningâ align=âcenterâ i_icon_fontawesome=âfa fa-solid fa-leafâ css=ââ add_icon=âtrueâ link=âurl:https%3A%2F%2Fevents.civicchamps.com%2Forganizations%2F3134%2Fevent_links%2F4b7MbRPgje-KDO9P8rjq5âł][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=âDay-of Sale Assistance | PM Shiftâ color=âwarningâ align=âcenterâ i_icon_fontawesome=âfa fa-solid fa-leafâ css=ââ add_icon=âtrueâ link=âurl:https%3A%2F%2Fevents.civicchamps.com%2Forganizations%2F3134%2Fevent_links%2FIZNrrbJNsn-K99XPr2NPVâ][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=âPre-Order Pick Up Assistance | AM Shiftâ color=âwarningâ align=âcenterâ i_icon_fontawesome=âfa fa-solid fa-truck-pickupâ css=ââ add_icon=âtrueâ link=âurl:https%3A%2F%2Fevents.civicchamps.com%2Forganizations%2F3134%2Fevent_links%2FVqHBY9L0TG5EDXt8laan3âł][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=âPre-Order Pick Up Assistance | PM Shiftâ color=âwarningâ align=âcenterâ i_icon_fontawesome=âfa fa-solid fa-truck-pickupâ css=ââ add_icon=âtrueâ link=âurl:https%3A%2F%2Fevents.civicchamps.com%2Forganizations%2F3134%2Fevent_links%2FqQ0m40JJkbw5JkVAxPK10âł][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Sunny Meadows Garden Center, 7437 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro, MD, 21713

Saturday May 16 9:00am - 2:00pm EDT

Sunny Meadows Garden Center, 7437 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro, MD, 21713

Spring Native Plant Sale: In-Person Sale!

Sunny Meadows Garden Center, 7437 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro, MD, 21713

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Spring Native Plant Sale: Pre-order!

Case Nature Center Open Day

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Nature's Palette Watercolor Workshop: Northern Flicker

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