The June 2026 members meeting was held on Wednesday, June 17th at the Oakland Christian Church community center. Dinner consisted of spaghetti, garlic bread, green salad and an array of deserts.
The guest speaker for the evening was Susan Stanley. Susan is a wildlife biologist who is currently acting as director of the Great Dismal Swamp Wildlife Refuge (GDS). Her presentation covered some of the recent developments at the refuge. The GDS fire crew has been merged into a new consolidated agency. All federal fire programs have been moved under the U. S. Wildland Fire Service.
The Pocosin Enhancement project is an area of the refuge being developed to enhance the habitat for the Red-Cockaded woodpecker. Clearing of some trees and underbrush better suits the woodpecker’s habits. The Brothers Field Tract grassland project is an on-going project designed to establish a grassland area in the refuge,
Susan also described some of the public programs offered at the refuge such as the April Bird Walk weekends, a Christmas bird count and a July butterfly count. These programs are volunteer led and organized events. Speaking of volunteer organizations, she discussed how the chapter and the Virginia Division were instrumental in the original establishment of the refuge. It was noted that the chapter and division have raised funds and provided many volunteer hours. The chapter has also partnered with the refuge on numerous projects including providing advocacy and assistance on many levels.
The presentation was ended with a discussion about the Suffolk Public Schools Fourth Grade Program involved in teaching local fourth graders about the refuge. Volunteers receive training in order to give in classroom presentations. If you are interested in volunteering for this program or learning more about it, contact Chris Lowie at lowie25@gmail.com.
The 2025 Chapter Tobin award was presented to Chris Trimpey by chapter president Chris Ferguson. Chris was recognized for his expansion of the chapter’s Youth Program. The youth program added several new events designed to get more youth involved in the outdoors. In addition to our traditional fishing rodeo and Teddy Bear Hunt, he along with the other youth program committee members developed a scavenger hunt, a build a bird house and compass orientation event. Chris personally donated a significant amount of fishing equipment, greatly increasing the chapter’s ability to afford more youth an opportunity to learn to fish. The Tobin award is an annual award presented to the chapter member who has contributed the most to facilitate the chapter’s operation and the achievement of chapter goals. Congratulations Chris!
Three new members were sworn in by chapter president Chris Ferguson. They were Marc Davis, Josh and Jetta Roof (with son Jaxson). By the way, Josh is members Bob and Kathy Marchant’s grandson, making them 3rd and potentially 4th generation IKES.
David Perdue, the chapter scholarship committee chair, presented Ethan Caggiano with one of the two $1,000.00 scholarships for 2026. Ethan was valedictorian for his graduating class at Smithfield High School. He plans on attending William and Mary majoring in geology with a minor in geographic information systems. His goal is to build a career in environmental conservation using science and mapping technology to better understand land use, support sustained agriculture and protect natural ecosystems.