Remarkable Trees of Virginia Project

Remarkable Tree Tour
Author Bio Jeff Kirwan is Extension Specialist and Professor in the Department of Forestry at Virginia Tech, where he leads a statewide 4-H and youth natural resources program. For the past eight years he has coordinated the Virginia Big Tree Program, and has pioneered the use of information technology to engage citizens of all ages in the care and appreciation for trees. He serves on the state advisory committees for Project Learning Tree and the Master Naturalist Program. He has degrees from Bridgewater College, University of Minnesota, and the University of Virginia. Jeff is a tree farmer and a member of the Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians on his native Eastern Shore of Maryland. He and his wife, Judy, live in Blacksburg.
Update- Remarkable Trees of Virginia Project Virginia Tech Forestry Professor and 4-H Extension Specialist, Dr. Jeff Kirwan, will be visiting schools, libraries and other public venues for the purpose of promoting the Remarkable Trees of Virginia Project, which seeks to engage a new generation of Virginians with recognizing, enjoying and protecting our Commonwealth's most significant trees. Along with co-author Nancy Ross Hugo and fine-art photographer Robert Llewellyn, the team has documented over 1,000 trees that were nominated by citizens and will be celebrated in a fine art book distributed by University of Virginia Press. Dr. Kirwan will show pictures of trees to illustrate how old trees get, how big, and those that were living during important events in American History, including Jamestown, French and Indian War, Civil War, even the beginnings of NASCAR. He will talk about trees that are culturally important to American Indians and African Americans. He will describe the economic and social benefits of trees, and challenge students to improve their world with trees. His presentation mixes science, history, literature, and beautiful photographs to capture the imaginations and minds of youth grades 3 and up. Press Release Virginia Tech forestry professor and 4-H extension specialist, Jeff Kirwan, will speak about his four-year search for Virginia's most remarkable trees, and his new book that features 100 of the oldest, largest, most beautiful and historic trees, at [enter location, time and place here]. Kirwan will focus on [enter locality here] -area trees that are featured in the book, Remarkable Trees of Virginia, including [enter local examples of trees here]. These trees were selected from over 1,000 trees that were nominated to the project by citizens over the past three years. Co-author Nancy Ross Hugo and photographer Robert Llewellyn hope their book will engage a new generation of Virginians in recognizing, enjoying and protecting our Commonwealth's most significant trees. A tour of local trees will follow. Promotional Photos Please contact the author for a promotional photo. jkirwan@vt.edu; 540-231-7265. 2009 events January \| February \| March \| April \| May \| June \| July \| August \| September \| October \| November \| December 2010 = January \| February \| March \| April \| May \| January 10 Roanoke Project Learning Tree January 24 Blacksburg Hahn Horticulture Garden Project Learning Tree January 30-31 4-H Natural Resources Weekend, Holiday Lake 4-H Center February 2 Virginia Association of Forest Health Professionals, Staunton. Contact: Chris Anderson, Page County Environmental Coordinator, (540) 743-4808, canderson@pagecounty.virginia.gov. February 12 D.J. Montague Elementary, James City County February 13 Jewish Community Center pre-school, Richmond February 13 Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond March 3 Keister Elementary, Harrisonburg March 19 Pleasant View Elementary School, Amherst. March 19 Charlottesville, Festival of the Book, Ballyshannon Forum, PVCC, 7PM March 21 Culpeper County Library, 2 PM, contact: Niki Staunton, 540-547-2813; nstaunton@earthlink.net April 2-3 Hampton (Contact Debbie Blanton, Clean city Commission, 727-1130; hccc@hampton.gov) April 2 Sandy Bottom Nature Center, 4 - 6 PM Langley Elementary School, – 9:15 a.m. Remarkable Trees Teacher Workshop, 4 – 6 p.m. Jones Magnet Middle School's 6th grade gifted program April 3 Bryan Elementary School, 9 a.m. Bethel High School, 11 a.m. and 1:10 p.m. (Randall Giordano’s classes) Remarkable Trees Tour 3:30 – 5:30 (Contact Debbie Blanton, hccc@hampton.gov; 757-727-1130 April 4 - Arbor Day at Byrd Park, Richmond, 10 AM until 2 PM, with talk at Noon. Contact Louise C. Seals, Tree Steward, 804-355-4523, 804-389-8798 (c), louise.seals@gmail.com. April 16 - 18 Fairfax County April 16 Kings Glen Elementary, Springfield. Contact: Sam Elson, Principal, 703-239-4000, Sam.Elson@fcps.edu Congressional Schools, Pinecrest and Montessori Schools, Falls Church, 703-533-9711 Clifton Elementary Contact Arthur Polton, Principal, 703-988-8000 or 988-8907. Audubon Society of Northern Virginia meeting, Congressional Schools, 7 - 9 PM, contact Stacey Evers, stacey.evers@cox.net. April 17 Lake Anne Elementary, Reston. Contact Ms. Hajj, 703-326-3500 Spring Hill Elementary, McLean. Contact Alicine Bauer, Vice-Principal, 703-506-3400 Waynewood Elementary School, Alexandria, VA 22308. Contact Ms. Nancey D'Orazio, 703 704 7151 April 18 American Horticultural Society, Alexandria, 10 AM, contact James Gagliardi, jgagliardi@ahs.org, (703) 768-5700 ext. 115, followed by tree tour to Lake Braddock District. Braddock & Springfield Districts Tree Tour 3:00 pm, Braddock District Office, 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA 22015 April 23-25 - Virginia Beach area April 23 Virginia Native Plant Society, 7 PM, Norflok Botanical Gardens, contact Brenda Huff, bhuff@cox.net April 24 Virginia Beach Regional Master Gardeners meeting, Virginia Beach, Central Library April 28 - Abingdon, VA May 8 - Blandy Farm (State Arboretum) Clarke County, 10 AM, contact Steve Carroll, 540-837-1758 ext. 287, scarroll@virginia.edu May 28 - Bath County Garden Club, 11:15 am to Noon, The Homestead, contact Kay Alexander, kka@tds.net) followed by presentations to area schools May 29 - Highland County schools (proposed) June 12-13 - Galax, String and Leaf Festival June 18 - Holiday Lake Forestry Camp, Buckingham/Appomattox State Forest June 23 - Historical Society of Western Virginia, Roanoke, 7:30 PM,. Christ Lutheran Church, Grandin Rd. & Brandon Ave. Contact: georgekegley@verizon.net July 15 - PLT Facilitator Meeting; Graves Mountain Lodge. Contact: Lisa Deaton or 804-328-3031 July 27 - Matthews State Forest, Grayson County. 6 PM. Contact: zachary.olinger@dof.virginia.gov or 276.236.2322. July 31- Fishburn Park ES, Roanoke, contact: Amber Hodges, Roanoke Extension Office August 3- Nature Camp, Vesuvius, contact: Philip P. Coulling, director@naturecamp.net, (540) 377-2491 September 9 & 10 - Virginia Environmental Education conference, Hampton University; Contact: Debbie Blanton, Hampton Clean City Commission, hccc@hampton.gov September 15 - Rockingham County Master Gardeners, Contact Wes Ford, vafords@shentel.net September 17- Three Rivers Environmental Educators, Northumberland Public Library, Heathsville, 12 - 2:30 PM, contact Julie Tritz, Extension Agent, 804-462-5780 September 27 - Roanoke Native Plant Society Tree Tour (proposed) October 1- Hillsboro 4-H Club and Grandale Farm, Loudoun County, 4 PM. Contact Dr. Tom Orme, tom@grandalefarm.com October 1- Loudoun county Master Gardeners, 7 PM, contact: Loudoun Extension Office (703-777-0373) October 2 - Rust Nature Sanctuary, Leesburg. Contact Ann Garvey, Banshee Reeks Master Naturalists, ahgarvey@aol.com October 14 - Hillside Garden Club, Lynchburg, 10:30 AM; Contact: Sonya Wodicka, sonwod@comcast.net October 14 - Bedford Hills Elementary School, 2:30 PM; Contact: Robert S. Quel, Principal, quelrs@lcsedu.net 434-384-2221 October 15 - Fairfax County, Hollin Meadows Elementary School, 1 PM, Contact: Casey Arnold, caseyarnold@cox.net October 16 - Ayr Hill Garden Club - 3:00 PM at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 2589 Chain Bridge Rd., Vienna, Virginia, 22181. Contact Nancy Moats: 703 281 1206, smoats5555@aol.com. October 19 - 23 Jr. Hokies Showcase (area schools visiting VT campus) October 25 - Museum of Middle Appalachians, Saltville, 2 PM October 29 - Rockbridge Master Gardeners, Lexington (proposed) contact Helen Smith, 540-839-6958 October 31 - Southwestern Piedmont Virginia Master Naturalists, Martinsville. Contact Larry Turner, ltct59@comcast.net November 19 - 21 Virginia Educational Media Association Conference, Roanoke December 8 - Jonesville Middle School and Flatwoods Elementary; Contact: Sheila Belcher. December 9 - Bridle Creek Elementary School, Grayson County, VA. Contact person is Erin Creed, artgirl_781@hotmail.com. 2010 February 6, 1:00 p.m. Mid-Atlantic Home and Flower Show, Virginia Beach Convention Center, contact Brenda Huff, Virginia Native Plant Society, bfhuff@cox.net February 16, 2010 - 10:00 a.m. at The Garden Center on Colonial Avenue in Roanoke; Contact: Jan Taylor - 540-798-7210. May 27, 11- 11:45 AM. American University. Contact James Gagliardi, River Farm Horticulturist, American Horticultural Society, jgagliardi@ahs.org, (703) 768-5700 ext. 115
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Update- Remarkable Trees of Virginia Project

Virginia Tech Forestry Professor and 4-H Extension Specialist, Dr. Jeff Kirwan, will be visiting schools, libraries and other public venues for the purpose of promoting the Remarkable Trees of Virginia Project, which seeks to engage a new generation of Virginians with recognizing, enjoying and protecting our Commonwealth's most significant trees. Along with co-author Nancy Ross Hugo and fine-art photographer Robert Llewellyn, the team has documented over 1,000 trees that were nominated by citizens and will be celebrated in a fine art book distributed by University of Virginia Press.

Dr. Kirwan will show pictures of trees to illustrate how old trees get, how big, and those that were living during important events in American History, including Jamestown, French and Indian War, Civil War, even the beginnings of NASCAR. He will talk about trees that are culturally important to American Indians and African Americans. He will describe the economic and social benefits of trees, and challenge students to improve their world with trees. His presentation mixes science, history, literature, and beautiful photographs to capture the imaginations and minds of youth grades 3 and up.

Press Release

Virginia Tech forestry professor and 4-H extension specialist, Jeff Kirwan, will speak about his four-year search for Virginia's most remarkable trees, and his new book that features 100 of the oldest, largest, most beautiful and historic trees, at [enter location, time and place here].

Kirwan will focus on [enter locality here] -area trees that are featured in the book, Remarkable Trees of Virginia, including [enter local examples of trees here]. These trees were selected from over 1,000 trees that were nominated to the project by citizens over the past three years. Co-author Nancy Ross Hugo and photographer Robert Llewellyn hope their book will engage a new generation of Virginians in recognizing, enjoying and protecting our Commonwealth's most significant trees. A tour of local trees will follow.

Promotional Photos

Please contact the author for a promotional photo. jkirwan@vt.edu; 540-231-7265.

2009 events

January 10 Roanoke Project Learning Tree
January 24 Blacksburg Hahn Horticulture Garden Project Learning Tree
January 30-31 4-H Natural Resources Weekend, Holiday Lake 4-H Center

February 2 Virginia Association of Forest Health Professionals, Staunton. Contact: Chris Anderson, Page County Environmental Coordinator, (540) 743-4808, canderson@pagecounty.virginia.gov.
February 12 D.J. Montague Elementary, James City County
February 13 Jewish Community Center pre-school, Richmond
February 13 Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond

March 3 Keister Elementary, Harrisonburg
March 19 Pleasant View Elementary School, Amherst.
March 19 Charlottesville, Festival of the Book, Ballyshannon Forum, PVCC, 7PM
March 21 Culpeper County Library, 2 PM, contact: Niki Staunton, 540-547-2813; nstaunton@earthlink.net

April 2-3 Hampton (Contact Debbie Blanton, Clean city Commission, 727-1130; hccc@hampton.gov)
April 2
- Sandy Bottom Nature Center, 4 - 6 PM
- Langley Elementary School, – 9:15 a.m.
- Remarkable Trees Teacher Workshop, 4 – 6 p.m.
- Jones Magnet Middle School's 6th grade gifted program
April 3
- Bryan Elementary School, 9 a.m.
- Bethel High School, 11 a.m. and 1:10 p.m. (Randall Giordano’s classes)
- Remarkable Trees Tour 3:30 – 5:30 (Contact Debbie Blanton, hccc@hampton.gov; 757-727-1130
April 4 - Arbor Day at Byrd Park, Richmond, 10 AM until 2 PM, with talk at Noon. Contact Louise C. Seals, Tree Steward, 804-355-4523, 804-389-8798 (c), louise.seals@gmail.com.
April 16 - 18 Fairfax County
April 16

Kings Glen Elementary, Springfield. Contact: Sam Elson, Principal, 703-239-4000, Sam.Elson@fcps.edu
Congressional Schools, Pinecrest and Montessori Schools, Falls Church, 703-533-9711
Clifton Elementary Contact Arthur Polton, Principal, 703-988-8000 or 988-8907.
Audubon Society of Northern Virginia meeting, Congressional Schools, 7 - 9 PM, contact Stacey Evers, stacey.evers@cox.net.

April 17
- Lake Anne Elementary, Reston. Contact Ms. Hajj, 703-326-3500
- Spring Hill Elementary, McLean. Contact Alicine Bauer, Vice-Principal, 703-506-3400
- Waynewood Elementary School, Alexandria, VA 22308. Contact Ms. Nancey D'Orazio, 703 704 7151
April 18
- American Horticultural Society, Alexandria, 10 AM, contact James Gagliardi, jgagliardi@ahs.org, (703) 768-5700 ext. 115, followed by tree tour to Lake Braddock District.
- Braddock & Springfield Districts Tree Tour 3:00 pm, Braddock District Office, 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA 22015
April 23-25 - Virginia Beach area
- April 23 Virginia Native Plant Society, 7 PM, Norflok Botanical Gardens, contact Brenda Huff, bhuff@cox.net
- April 24 Virginia Beach Regional Master Gardeners meeting, Virginia Beach, Central Library
April 28 - Abingdon, VA

May 8 - Blandy Farm (State Arboretum) Clarke County, 10 AM, contact Steve Carroll, 540-837-1758 ext. 287, scarroll@virginia.edu
May 28 - Bath County Garden Club, 11:15 am to Noon, The Homestead, contact Kay Alexander, kka@tds.net) followed by presentations to area schools
May 29 - Highland County schools (proposed)

June 12-13 - Galax, String and Leaf Festival
June 18 - Holiday Lake Forestry Camp, Buckingham/Appomattox State Forest
June 23 - Historical Society of Western Virginia, Roanoke, 7:30 PM,. Christ Lutheran Church, Grandin Rd. & Brandon Ave. Contact: georgekegley@verizon.net

July 15 - PLT Facilitator Meeting; Graves Mountain Lodge. Contact: Lisa Deaton or 804-328-3031
July 27 - Matthews State Forest, Grayson County. 6 PM. Contact: zachary.olinger@dof.virginia.gov or 276.236.2322.
July 31- Fishburn Park ES, Roanoke, contact: Amber Hodges, Roanoke Extension Office

August 3- Nature Camp, Vesuvius, contact: Philip P. Coulling, director@naturecamp.net, (540) 377-2491

September 9 & 10 - Virginia Environmental Education conference, Hampton University; Contact: Debbie Blanton, Hampton Clean City Commission, hccc@hampton.gov
September 15 - Rockingham County Master Gardeners, Contact Wes Ford, vafords@shentel.net
September 17- Three Rivers Environmental Educators, Northumberland Public Library, Heathsville, 12 - 2:30 PM, contact Julie Tritz, Extension Agent, 804-462-5780
September 27 - Roanoke Native Plant Society Tree Tour (proposed)

October 1- Hillsboro 4-H Club and Grandale Farm, Loudoun County, 4 PM. Contact Dr. Tom Orme, tom@grandalefarm.com
October 1- Loudoun county Master Gardeners, 7 PM, contact: Loudoun Extension Office (703-777-0373)
October 2 - Rust Nature Sanctuary, Leesburg. Contact Ann Garvey, Banshee Reeks Master Naturalists, ahgarvey@aol.com
October 14 - Hillside Garden Club, Lynchburg, 10:30 AM; Contact: Sonya Wodicka, sonwod@comcast.net
October 14 - Bedford Hills Elementary School, 2:30 PM; Contact: Robert S. Quel, Principal, quelrs@lcsedu.net 434-384-2221
October 15 - Fairfax County, Hollin Meadows Elementary School, 1 PM, Contact: Casey Arnold, caseyarnold@cox.net
October 16 - Ayr Hill Garden Club - 3:00 PM at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 2589 Chain Bridge Rd., Vienna, Virginia, 22181. Contact Nancy Moats: 703 281 1206, smoats5555@aol.com.
October 19 - 23 Jr. Hokies Showcase (area schools visiting VT campus)
October 25 - Museum of Middle Appalachians, Saltville, 2 PM
October 29 - Rockbridge Master Gardeners, Lexington (proposed) contact Helen Smith, 540-839-6958
October 31 - Southwestern Piedmont Virginia Master Naturalists, Martinsville. Contact Larry Turner, ltct59@comcast.net

November 19 - 21 Virginia Educational Media Association Conference, Roanoke

December 8 - Jonesville Middle School and Flatwoods Elementary; Contact: Sheila Belcher.
December 9 - Bridle Creek Elementary School, Grayson County, VA. Contact person is Erin Creed, artgirl_781@hotmail.com.

2010

February 6, 1:00 p.m. Mid-Atlantic Home and Flower Show, Virginia Beach Convention Center, contact Brenda Huff, Virginia Native Plant Society, bfhuff@cox.net
February 16, 2010 - 10:00 a.m. at The Garden Center on Colonial Avenue in Roanoke; Contact: Jan Taylor - 540-798-7210.

May 27, 11- 11:45 AM. American University. Contact James Gagliardi, River Farm Horticulturist, American Horticultural Society, jgagliardi@ahs.org, (703) 768-5700 ext. 115

Remarkable Tree Tour