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The guest speaker was Ashley Stimpson who is currently conducting research on east cost swamps; her current focus is the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Ashley is a free-lance environmental journalist and is currently the president of the Outdoor Writers Association of America.\nBesides writing by-lines for the New York Times, National Geographic and other national and local publications, Ashley is working on an article for Outdoor America about the Great Dismal Swamp and the Chapter\u2019s involvement with the Refuge. She is conducting research to support her upcoming book on the natural and cultural history of swamps in the United States.
\nHer presentation, \u201cSwamp People\u201d, was about the five major east coast swamps and some of the key stories associated with each swamp and how they became national wildlife refuges.
\nShe discussed the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge here in Virginia, the Congaree National Park in South Carolina, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and the Big Cypress National Park both in Florida.
\nHer presentation concluded with a discussion of the importance of swamps for water filtration, flood control, wildlife habitat and the contact with nature for humans.
\nDarden swore in new members Isaac Macias, and Autumn and Dominic Lipari (pictured below left to right). \ufffc
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\nRichard Wentz provided a summary of the BBQ fundraiser. In total, 440 tickets were sold, 199 sold by Darden Langston.
\nRay Powell reminded everyone that there is a 6-week window left to earn participation hours. There will be a members e-blast to provide park maintenance tasks for those who need additional hours. He reminded everyone that the calendar on the Chapter\u2019s website is updated with opportunities to participate. Participation forms must be submitted by December 1.
\nTim Doxey displayed an IWLA quilt that was made in honor of a former member. The quilt was donated and will be raffled off at the Chili Cook-off in February.
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\nCalendars for 2027 are still available. Contact Virginia Wahab if you would like to purchase a calendar.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"