Montpelier, James Madison's Home
ORMN Project Contact: Adam Downing - adowning(at)vt.edu
Project Background
James Madison, the fourth President of the United States and widely regarded as the Father of the U.S. Constitution, advocated protecting America’s woodlands and educating its citizenry. In keeping with his views, the Montpelier Foundation (an independent, non-profit organization) manages this 2,650 acre estate in Orange County, VA. The estate includes two distinct woodlands: the James Madison Landmark forest is preserved in a natural, minimally-managed state; the Demonstration Forest (also called the Working Woods) is a managed woodland developed as an educational and outreach forest.
The overall purpose of this project is to reach new sectors of society with research-based forest systems and management information to increase awareness and appreciation of Virginia’s forest resources. Approaching the forest as part of the ecosystem, the managed (i.e. working woods) forest conveys that active forest management is not haphazard or abusive but rather is stewardship of a renewable resource society depends on.
All activities are on Montpelier grounds, precise parking/meeting instructions will be given as activities are scheduled. Montpelier is located near Orange, VA:11407 Constitution Highway, Montpelier Station, VA 22957. Click for directions.
James Madison, the fourth President of the United States and widely regarded as the Father of the U.S. Constitution, advocated protecting America’s woodlands and educating its citizenry. In keeping with his views, the Montpelier Foundation (an independent, non-profit organization) manages this 2,650 acre estate in Orange County, VA. The estate includes two distinct woodlands: the James Madison Landmark forest is preserved in a natural, minimally-managed state; the Demonstration Forest (also called the Working Woods) is a managed woodland developed as an educational and outreach forest.
The overall purpose of this project is to reach new sectors of society with research-based forest systems and management information to increase awareness and appreciation of Virginia’s forest resources. Approaching the forest as part of the ecosystem, the managed (i.e. working woods) forest conveys that active forest management is not haphazard or abusive but rather is stewardship of a renewable resource society depends on.
All activities are on Montpelier grounds, precise parking/meeting instructions will be given as activities are scheduled. Montpelier is located near Orange, VA:11407 Constitution Highway, Montpelier Station, VA 22957. Click for directions.
ED (Education) Activities with Montpelier
Project Contact: Marie Reidel - mkratlilwash(at)yahoo.com
Montpelier Forest Walks with LEAF (Link to Education About Forestry)
LEAF is a program that seeks to increase public awareness and appreciation of Virginia's forest resources. Approaching the forest as an ecosystem that is important to society in its provision of products, habitat and ecosystem services, LEAF emphasizes active forest management as part of stewardship.
ORMN volunteers lead groups of Montpelier visitors through the Demonstration Forest and Landmark Forest, educating them on conservation and cultivation strategies that generate mutual benefits to humans and nature. The walks educate the public of all ages about our understanding of nature from Madison's contributions to our present stewardship.
Montpelier Forest Walks with LEAF (Link to Education About Forestry)
LEAF is a program that seeks to increase public awareness and appreciation of Virginia's forest resources. Approaching the forest as an ecosystem that is important to society in its provision of products, habitat and ecosystem services, LEAF emphasizes active forest management as part of stewardship.
ORMN volunteers lead groups of Montpelier visitors through the Demonstration Forest and Landmark Forest, educating them on conservation and cultivation strategies that generate mutual benefits to humans and nature. The walks educate the public of all ages about our understanding of nature from Madison's contributions to our present stewardship.
- Location: Demonstration Forest and Landmark Forest
Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: May involve exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes, and insect bites/stings. Participants are required to hike 3-4 miles over moderate terrain. - Special Requirements: Participants are required to deal with the public.
- Time Commitment: The regularly-scheduled walks in both forests occur once a quarter for a total of 8 walks. They last about 2 hours. Considerable time is required for team leaders to prepare the presentations and become knowledgeable and comfortable with presenting the material to public groups.
Report volunteer hours and travel time on VMN-Better Impact.
Nature Education at Montpelier
ORMN volunteers help with special events involving nature education, such as the Eco Rodeo, or visits by school or other groups. Volunteers will help the Montpelier horticultural staff prepare exhibits and hands-on activities for schoolchildren aged 7 and up, as well as for adults.
ORMN volunteers help with special events involving nature education, such as the Eco Rodeo, or visits by school or other groups. Volunteers will help the Montpelier horticultural staff prepare exhibits and hands-on activities for schoolchildren aged 7 and up, as well as for adults.
- Location: Montpelier grounds
Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: May involve exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes, and insect bites/stings. An event may include a hike of up to 2 miles over moderately uneven terrain. - Special Requirements: Participants are required to deal with the public, including children. When schools are involved, teachers and parents will accompany children. If working with minors, ORMN volunteers must review the Risk Management policy on the Virginia Master Naturalist website, paying special attention to the "Above Suspicion Policy."
- Time Commitment: Events generally last 3-4 hours and are held 2-3 time annually from spring through fall.
Report volunteer hours and travel time on VMN-Better Impact.
ST (Stewardship) Activities with Montpelier
Habitat Restoration/Invasive Plant Removal
Aiding the protection of native species, ORMN volunteers remove invasive plants from both the Landmark Forest and the Demonstration Forest, by digging, pulling and cutting. Target plants are wine berry, garlic mustard and Perilla.
Aiding the protection of native species, ORMN volunteers remove invasive plants from both the Landmark Forest and the Demonstration Forest, by digging, pulling and cutting. Target plants are wine berry, garlic mustard and Perilla.
- Location: Landmark Forest and Demonstration Forest (Working Woods), depending on the invasive species being removed.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Involvement in this activity may include exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes, and insect bites/stings. Some walking over moderate terrain is required.
- Special Requirements: Any special requirements are announced at the time the activity is publicized.
- Time Commitment: Six – eight days are scheduled each year for invasive removal. Each day’s work lasts approximately 3 hours. Volunteers determine how much time they are able to commit to the activity.
Report volunteer hours and travel time on VMN-Better Impact.
Other Possible Montpelier Activities (TBD)
Other activities may arise on a case-by-case basis, such as maintaining the trails through the Landmark and Demonstration Forests and becoming the coordinator for a particular activity. The latter involves working with the Point of Contact to keep the activity moving smoothly. This may involve sending volunteer opportunity notices, helping to organize planning meetings, keeping records, communicating with ORMN members, and assisting with publicity for outreach events by writing and distributing press releases.
Other activities may arise on a case-by-case basis, such as maintaining the trails through the Landmark and Demonstration Forests and becoming the coordinator for a particular activity. The latter involves working with the Point of Contact to keep the activity moving smoothly. This may involve sending volunteer opportunity notices, helping to organize planning meetings, keeping records, communicating with ORMN members, and assisting with publicity for outreach events by writing and distributing press releases.
- Locations: Varies depending on the activity. Much of the work as an activity coordinator can be done at home from one’s home computer.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Varies depending on the activity.
- Special Requirements: None
- Time Commitment: The time commitment for case-by-case activities varies, and volunteers determine how much time they are able to commit to the activity.
Report volunteer hours and travel time on VMN-Better Impact.
Tree Seedlings and Deer Exclosures
Occasionally, activities such as planting and monitoring tree seedlings, and maintaining and monitoring deer exclosures occur. These activities are announced through the ORMN Google Groups e-mail announcements and provide the details needed concerning those activities.
- Location: Demonstration Forest (Working Woods)
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Involvement in these activities may include exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes and insect bites/stings. Some walking over moderate terrain is required.
- Special Requirements: Any special requirements are announced at the time the activity is publicized.
- Time Commitment: The time commitment for these activities varies, and volunteers determine how much time they are able to commit to the activity.
Report volunteer hours and travel time on VMN-Better Impact.