On Monday, January 17, 2011 the nation will remember the Day of Service has been chosen as a time to highlight volunteer opportunities available at many Virginia State Parks.
Village Building Auditorium in Powhatan Courthouse.
Featured speakers include Tom Kneipp, Interpretive Program Manager for Bear Creek Lake State Park in Cumberland County; Anne Wright, VCU Coordinator for Life Sciences Outreach Education; and Ann Larrick, SOL Coordinator for Powhatan Public Schools.
Kneipp, a certified Master Naturalist, will present the history of Virginia’s State Parks, opportunities within the new AmeriCorps State Interpretive Project, conservation and stewardship programs, Friends of the Parks organizations, State Park volunteer and career opportunities, and other available State Park programs.
Wright and Larrick will discuss programs presently underway or completed that involve students in authentic learning experiences in nature in a local, regional and national movement involving parents, educators and agencies. The speakers will highlight a unique opportunity identified by Larrick to involve the Powhatan school system in such a project. The pilot program brings together a school system, two state agencies, and university faculty, staff and students in developing a long-term data collection and monitoring program at the future Powhatan State Park on the Historic James.
The event is open to the public at no charge. For further information, contact Tom Kneipp at 804-492-4410 or Bobby Wilcox at 804/598-2901.
On Tuesday, January 18, 2011, a presentation on the AmeriCorps program and the Virginia State Parks Interpreter Project will be given to the Virginia Master Naturalist Central Piedmont Chapter at their annual meeting. These citizen scientists already give so much, and might find that the AmeriCorps project blends well with their dedication to a healthy environment and a more nature-aware society.
By reaching out, Bear Creek Lake State Parks hopes to inform Virginia citizens about the resources and volunteer opportunities at Virginia State parks. More important will be the message that in giving your time to care for our environment, you strengthen our society and get much more in return.