Page Jackson Elementary School students check out the outdoor classroom’s mud kitchen and raised bed garden, during its grand opening celebration on Oct. 20. Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN — The COVID-19 Pandemic has forced many local organizations to operate in a limited capacity, since it hit the Eastern Panhandle in March 2020. But for at least one Shepherdstown-based organization, the pandemic has in no way restricted its work.

In fact, according to co-chair Rich Brager, the Potomac Valley Master Naturalists have remained surprisingly active throughout this past year.

“We have been quite busy in this year, despite doing a good job of staying safe during another COVID-19 Pandemic year,” Brager said, mentioning his 15-year-old chapter, which is part of the West Virginia Master Naturalists, has members throughout the Eastern Panhandle, along with a few in Maryland.

“Like many organizations, the year 2021 has proved quite challenging due to the continuing pandemic. But not only did we persevere, we have thrived, due to our dedicated membership,” Brager said.

One of the many things PVMN has undertaken this year, has been the PVMN 2021 Cohort Training. Those who have completed the training so far this year, include: Janice Boserman, Roy Boyle, Dave Curfman, Becky Guthrie, Bruce Guthrie and Allen Miller. Four former training program graduates — Leslie Boyd, Dave Martz, Rachel Michaels and Karli Rogers — have completed their initial Master Naturalist requirements this year, according to Brager.

“Scheduling and conducting training for our new class proved exceedingly challenging this year,” Brager said. “In order to become a certified Master Naturalist, 62 hours of nature training and 30 of volunteer service must be completed. Conducting some training via Zoom and adapting to changing safety precautions, including moving training from indoors to outdoors, was an ongoing task for PVMN Student Coordinator Lisa Kovatch, Instruction and Training Coordinator Kris Phillips and Facilitator Stacy Toup.”

PVMN’s second major project from this year was the outdoor classroom construction at Page Jackson Elementary School, according to Brager.

“Jennifer Walter is a second-grade teacher at Page Jackson Elementary School, who had a vision of creating outdoor classroom activities for her students, where they could learn about nature as well as get their hands dirty, quite literally,” Brager said. “In collaboration with Roger Ethier of Engineers Without Borders and with the assistance of a number of PVMN volunteers and Page Jackson teachers, Ms. Walter’s dream was brought to fruition.”

On Oct. 20, PVMN held a grand opening celebration for the outdoor classroom, which includes a fenced-in, raised-bed vegetable garden; a pollinator garden; a wetlands observation area/science center; a bluebird trail with six bluebird boxes; a multifaceted art center with a “music wall” and a classroom with boulders for seats.

The third major undertaking that PVMN participated in this year, was the United Way Day of Caring at the Potomac Valley Audubon Society’s Cool Spring Nature Preserve on Sept. 14.

“It was a great Day of Caring at the Cool Spring Preserve, with approximately 25-plus members or volunteers of PVMN and PVAS, sharing in four major outside projects,” said PVMN member Peter Mulford. “With bright sun and clear skies overhead, the group painted and weatherproofed all outside benches and picnic tables, planted a butterfly garden at the building entrance and repainted the entrance door. Everyone enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and making new ones with and among ‘those who care’ about preserving and improving our natural environment.”

PVMN is accepting applications for its 2022 cohort, now through Jan. 31. The application can be found at pvmn.org. Accepted candidates will be notified in the middle of February, and their classes will begin in March. The 2022 PVMN class schedule will be available in January.

To become a PVMN member, visit https://www.potomacaudubon.org/master-naturalists.