Natural Area News A publication of the Ivy Creek Foundation, Volume 23, No. 1 

 Summer 2017 Newsletter 

Ivy Creek to Begin “Voices from the Land” Fall Program with Local Boys and Girls Clubs 

Beginning in September, ICF volunteers will offer children in the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Virginia weekly one-hour after-school lessons “to connect children to the local landscape and foster a love for the natural world.” The program, “Voices from the Land: Integrating Language and Landscape, Art and Culture” (“Voices”), will involve Ivy Creek guides, Piedmont Master Naturalists, and others as leaders at four Boys and Girls Clubs locations: Cherry Avenue, Southwood, Jack Jouett, and James River. The “Voices” program will be delivered in a series of activities that will culminate in a field day at Ivy Creek Natural Area (ICNA) later in the fall. The children will create and photograph their art at ICNA and write a poem about their experience. Then they will perform their poem for their family and friends at their local clubs. Finally, they will create a poster that captures the photo and poetry.

A QU AR TERLY NEWSLETTER

This summer, training will be offered to volunteer leaders at Ivy Creek by Erik Mollenhauer, materials designer from the Monarch Teachers Network, and by the local ‘Voices’ team which includes Alice Cannon, Jane Erwine, Diana Foster, Karen Mulder, and Marilyn Smith. About 18 volunteer leaders have been recruited to date, but the team invites others who are interested in either the June 24-25 or July 21-22 workshop to register by contacting Marilyn Smith at voicesicf@gmail.com. The trainings will be at the Ivy Creek Education Building and prospective teachers

will learn how to conduct “Voices” projects for any group of students. Marilyn Smith, ICF President, writes, “What we like about ‘Voices From the Land’ is the expandability of the

program for groups of all ages. We can easily utilize this in area schools as well as in a multitude of adult programs at Ivy Creek. We do have openings in these sessions for local educators who would like to bring this nature program to their classroom. “Voices” projects have been successfully implemented across the United States and around the world in preschool to secondary-level classrooms, with students of average, gifted or special needs. Although the instruction is valued at $125, there is no cost, thanks to generous grants from the Prana Fund and Bama Works.”

“Train the Trainer” Voices Workshops Set for June and July 

Ivy Creek Foundation News

Spotlight on Our Volunteers 

The Foundation Library Gets a Professional Makeover

by Lorna Werntz

The foundation’s “library” has been a disorganized and unruly collection of books, pamphlets, monographs, maps and children’s games, for at least two decades. In 2016, volunteer Carol Hogg decided to start organizing the collection and enlisted the help of Lorna Werntz. Under the direction of Bruce Gatling-Austin, staff Education Coordinator, they began to sort the books. It soon became apparent that they really needed some professional help. A new volunteer appeared at the end of 2016, and in February 2017, the Archives and Library Working Group was born. It quickly became obvious that the library needs its own direction and Ruth Barco, our new volunteer, is perfect for the task: A professional librarian! In late 2016 the ICF Education Committee launched an initiative to collect, organize, catalog, protect, and then make available to members, researchers, and the public the selected artifacts of the Ivy Creek Foundation and Ivy

Creek Natural Area, including documents, photographs, maps, histories, discussions, presentations, meeting minutes, and objects such as farm implements, natural history specimens and the like. An archives working group was created to carry out this mission and Ana Marie Liddell has been lending her expertise in the science of archiving in order to guide ICF in organizing and preserving our important records. Yet again, volunteers with their unique expertise join us to advance our mission.

Ruth Barco Archives & Library Task Force

Ruth Barco moved to Charlottesville af-ter spending 30 years as a school librarian in the Virginia Beach school system. “When my neighbor, Lorna Werntz, found out that I was a librarian, she immediately persuaded me to come out of retirement to assist ICF in organizing and cataloging the books in the Ivy Creek Education Building,” she says. “As an educator, I was excited to learn about the education component of Ivy Creek and their work with local students. A properly organized library will support and enrich the goals of Ivy Creek and I look forward to helping Ivy Creek meet those goals.”

When the other Archives and Library Task Force members groaned about organizing all the library materials, Ruth jumped in with, “Oh, that’s easy! This won’t be hard at all!” That is exactly the enthusiasm and commitment needed to get this job done. Her professional skills are so welcome. “I have learned that Ivy Creek is so much more than just a place for locals to take a stroll through the woods. What a gem this place is!” ICF considers Ruth to be a gem, too.

Ana Marie Liddell Archives & Library Task Force

One of our newest volunteers, Ana Marie Liddell, has been enjoying the beauty of Ivy Creek Natural Area “for years and years,” she says, and when an opportunity to lend some of her professional expertise to the new Archiving Project presented itself, she jumped right in. Hearing that ICF had launched the archives working group, Ana Marie realized that her background as a museum professional would be useful.

“Ana Marie’s knowledge as an art museum profesional has been absolutely key to moving this important project forward,” commented Lorna Werntz, who is coordinating the work. Ana Marie has a degree in Studio Art and is certified in Arts Management. Previously, she was the exhibitions coordinator at the Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia. Ana Marie is an advocate of preserving natural resources and she saw an opportunity at Ivy Creek “to utilize my professional skills and experiences to work collaboratively with others who are also devoted to that mission.” As she contemplates preserving her favorite spot at Ivy Creek—the quiet beauty of Martin’s Branch down the Red Trail by the rocks with its great diversity of plants and animals—Ana Marie says, “It’s a pleasure and honor to be a part of the team of volunteers who are committed to the foundation’s work.”

Archives Crew: Tatyana Patten, Ruth Barco, Bruce Gatling-Austin, Lorna Werntz, Dede Smith, Ana Marie Liddell, Alice Cannon (Chair). Missing: Carol Hogg, Rochelle Garwood.

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Ruth Barco

Anne Marie Liddell

I V Y C R E E K F O U N D A T I O N N E W S

I V Y C R E E K F O U N D A T I O N N E W S

Ivy Creek Foundation

President: Marilyn Smith Vice President: John Edelen Secretary: Diana Foster Treasurer: Phil Stokes Executive Director: Tatyanna Patten Ed. Coordinator: Bruce Gatling-Austin Newsletter Editor: Sharon Baiocco Newsletter Layout: Susan Thomas

info@ivycreekfoundation.org

(434) 973-7772

Ivy Talks are offered in the fall and spring on Sundays at 2 pm at the ICF Education Building. Space is limited, so plan to come early for these special nature talks. Sep 10. "Virginia Bears: Forest, Field and Front Porch." Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries district wildlife biologist David Kocka. Oct. 8. "The Genius of Birds." Local science and nature writer Jennifer Ackerman.

Nov 12. “Leaf, Blossom, Seed: A Brush with Nature.” Master naturalist and botanical artist Lara Gastinger. Feb 11. "Tapes in the Attic.” Local resident and past director of ICF Dede Smith. Mar 11. "Raptors!" Ron and Wendy Perrone of Three Rivers Avian Center. Apr 18. “Albemarle’s Historical Story Mapping.” Erik Interkauf.

Circle These Dates for Upcoming Ivy Talks

More details to come in our fall and winter issues!

  Central Virginia History Researchers   Featured Partner Organization

Central Virginia History Researchers (CVHR), a group of anthropologists, genealogists, local historians, and area residents, began meeting in 2005. Some members were researching their own families, while others were using family history to illustrate larger social and cultural trends in Albemarle County. They were awarded a Digital Start-Up Grant in April, 2010, by the National Endowment for the Humanities. With this support, CVHR was able to create a pilot database, the African American Families Database (AAFD) now available on its website: http://www.centralvirginiahistory.org/about.shtml. This database is designed to locate ante-bellum ancestors and

descendants of enslaved individuals, visualize communities, research projects, and map social networks. On the CVHR website two plantations, Hydraulic Mills and Bleak House, were selected to illustrate techniques for finding biographies of African Americans in historic documents. Because of their focus on Hydraulic, ICF has often been the beneficiary of this group’s research. Hydraulic was a house, plantation, and a millworks located about five miles north of Charlottesville, at the junction of Ivy Creek and the South Fork of the Rivanna River. From 1829 to 1860, Hydraulic was owned by Nathaniel

Burnley (1786-1860), a saddler and tavernkeeper at Stony Point for some years before purchasing the Hydraulic Mills. By the time of his death, Burnley owned more than 800 acres, including the Rio Mills further down the Rivanna. CVHR meets monthly at the Jefferson Heritage Center (2nd floor) at 4 pm on the first Thursday of every month (with some exceptions).

Stanley Martin Homes Becomes ICF’s First “Corporate Friend” 

Ivy Creek Foundation welcomes Stanley Martin Holmes as its first corporate sponsor in a new program designed to engage local businesses in our mission. The ICF Board has established three

“levels” of support: $500, $1000, and $2500. For 50 years Stanley Martin has designed and built homes in Maryland and then expanded to Northern Virginia and, most recently, Charlottesville, Richmond, and Raleigh, North Carolina. Special thanks to Chris Sylves, director of sales, for supporting our efforts.

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Ivy Creek Foundation News 3

Bess Murray, a founding board member and an early Coordinator of the Ivy Creek Foundation passed on to another natural world on March 31 of this year. Bess dedicated her life to advocating for the protection of Virginia’s spectacular natural heritage, not just here at Ivy Creek, but throughout the state, most notably working

for legal protection of Virginia’s last wild places with the Virginia Wilderness Committee. Bess served three years on Ivy Creek’s first Board of Directors; then, in 1982, she stepped into the role of “coordinator,” a title she preferred over executive director, to do justice to the work of the legions

of volunteers she worked alongside to create the area’s first, and for many years the only, natural area dedicated to stewardship, environmental education, and preservation of the natural landscape. Knowing Bess’ undying love for all things Virginia, one might assume she was native to the area, except for the distinctive and lyrical British accent that so endeared her to everyone she met. Her love of Ivy Creek, our natural

heritage, and her family always came through in her entertaining stories. Bringing her talents as writer, naturalist, and spokeswoman together, Bess produced a weekly 5-minute radio spot called “Natural History Note” in conjunction with WTJU. Starting in 1992, the show was so popular that it ran for nearly 15 years. Today, ICF is working to digitize, archive and make available to a larger audience, these timeless jewels of interpretation. Stay tuned!

Nancy Swygert couldn’t have been more different from Bess, but was as well loved by all who had the golden opportunity to walk with her. As one of Ivy Creek’s most dedicated guides, Nancy’s down-home backwoods southern drawl was as irascible as it was irresistible and her knowledge of everything nature was unparalleled. Nancy delighted in the smallest of creatures, and never failed to point out the seemingly naughty tendencies of the natural world. She was funny. She was generous. She was immensely knowledgeable. And she was fiercely dedicated to Ivy Creek.

by Dede Smith

Earth Day the Ivy Creek Way by Tatyanna Patten

I woke up Saturday, April 22, excited for an Earth Day event in a way I hadn’t been since 2008. After many years of spending the holiday at sidewalk festivals, I was going to spend it at the Ivy Creek Natural Area. When my husband and I drove in to set up ICF’s table and signs at 8:15 am, I was delighted to see the parking lot had few openings. Apparently, the Monticello Bird Club’s walk brought in early risers. Dave Hogg had already lead the group around to the Purple Trail as I was walking in. George Barlow put up a canopy opposite the kiosk and we put out our materials, greeting folks as they came in to set up their own activities. It was hard to know whether to commit to an outside fair with the rain threat and occasional drizzle hanging over our area. But that didn’t stop volunteers, friends, and partners from putting on a great event. As expected, it was the all-outdoor activities, such as the photography and wildflower

walks, that suffered from a lack of participants. A full crew from the Tree Stewards had arrived to lead the charge against our invasive plants. A couple of stalwart ICF members and a small crew from the Eddie Bauer-Stonefield who wanted to make a difference on Earth Day joined them.

The Halls brought in three tables of goodies from the Central VA Beekeepers Association to show how important our pollinators are to our daily food supply.

Taking advantage of the break in the weather, Marjie Giuliano cleverly set up an excellent Scavenger Hunt station right at the edge of the parking area. It caught the eye of kids and adults alike, who all seemed to be fascinated by the bones. A plant swap, set up in the barn by the Charlottesville Time Bank and Rochelle Garwood, was very well attended. It drove foot traffic for the next couple of hours and everyone had a story about their gardens to share. They were succeeded in the space by Blue Ridge PRISM with an impressive educational display on invasive plants. The Rivanna Master Naturalists, with Ida Swenson leading, joined the celebration at midday—setting up crafts, displays, educational games, and puppets in the Education Building. The energy was high, and I’m sure a couple of the young nature detectives will be back. Although things wound down around 2 pm due to the next impending storm front, I found the event rejuvenating and fun. And as for the showers—who minds a little bit of nature on Earth Day?

I V Y C R E E K F O U N D A T I O N N E W S

Ivy Creek Mourns the Loss of Two Great Matriarchs 

The ICF table at our Earth Day event

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Bess Murray

Left: Plant Swap. Right: The Native

Showy Orchid. Below Left: Marjie Giuliano Leading Little Naturalists

Walks with Children and Parents. Below Right: Karen Hall’s

Exhibit on Bee Keeping.

Earth Day at Ivy Creek: A Success Despite the Weather!  

Into the Woods by Tatyanna Patten Have you ever wanted to go into the woods with purpose, discover forgotten trails, adopt a piece of mountain? Take a look at this vista . . . it is the visual reward for hiking up Dudley Mountain on a work day at Woods Natural Heritage Area (Woods NHA). ICF is in need of a dedicated crew of stewards to take turns walking the Woods NHA property. The parcel is not open to the public yet, so this is an excellent chance to get in on the ground trail, so to speak. Your eyes will be our eyes, and your reports will help us and Albemarle County Parks form a plan for its future uses and management. Let us know if you are willing to adopt this gorgeous stretch of the Ragged Mountains. We would love to put some more boots on the ground starting this summer. You can contact Building & Grounds Chair, Phil Stokes at philipfs@embarqmail.com to volunteer!

Photo by Lonnie Murray

Ivy Creek Foundation News 5

Art & Nature Celebration 

Join singer-songwriter Blue O'Connell and members of the Live Poets Society on Sunday, June 11, at 2 pm, for a celebration of the natural world. A unique multi-art blending of music, photography, poetry, and art will be followed by a short nature walk (approximately 45 minutes). Songwriters and poets, including Blue O'Connell, Maia Oden, and Monica Adams with other members of the Live Poets Society, will perform and read. During our break with refreshments and conversation, enjoy photography by Tony Russell and artwork by other local artists.

Join Us for Our Summer Events

Ivy Creek Foundation 

P. O. Box 956 

Charlottesville, VA 22902 

 

Change Service Requested 

Non‐Profit Organization 

U.S. Postage Paid 

Charlottesville, VA 

Permit No. 299 

Native Plant Walks June 17, July 15, Aug. 19, at 9 am. Free! Meet by the kiosk near the parking lot. Co-sponsored by the Jefferson Chapter of theVirginia Native Plant Society.

Dragonfly Walk Sat., June 3, at 11 am. See and learn about the dragonflies and damselflies of Ivy Creek. Led by Jim Childress and Emily Luebke.

How to Hike Second Saturdays at 9 am. Meet by the barn. Dan Kulund shows how to weave simple rhythmical movements (Motos), a walking stick, and your six senses into what otherwise would be an ordinary walk in the woods. Dr. Kulund is a former United States Air Force Chief of Health Promotion and Research Professor of Public Health at George Washington University.

Historic Building Tours: ICF Barn

Fourth Saturdays at 10 am. Meet in the ICF barn. Dan Kulund explores the history and architecture of our barn, as well as life on the farm. Dr. Kulund formerly led historic building tours at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

Butterfly Walks July 9, Aug. 27 at 1 pm. Free! Meet in the ICF Education Building to get an introduction to identification skills and see Mike Scott’s impressive display of the butterflies of Ivy Creek. Continue on the trails to enjoy a butterfly walk with with Mike. Fun for the whole family.

Little Naturalists Mondays , June 12, July 10, Aug 14; Thursdays, June 29, July 27, Aug. 31 at 10 am. Meet in the Education Building.

Blue O’Connell Mike Scott

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