February 15, 2018 Meeting - The Northern Neck Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society (NNNPS) invites the public to its first meeting of 2018 at 12 noon on February 15 in the Parish Hall of the Wicomico Parish Church (Episcopal) on Route 200 in Wicomico Church.

“We are delighted to announce that wildlife biologist Lauren Cruz will address Building Habitat at the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge,” said NNNPS president, Kevin Howe. “One of four refuges in the Eastern Virginia Rivers National Wildlife Refuge Complex, its four units protect 8700 acres of land along the Rappahannock between King George County and the Laurel Grove Unit near Farnham.”

 Cruz has a diverse background in biology and wildlife conservation, having studied otter populations, bird strikes at wind turbines and nesting shorebirds. She investigated light sensitivity among Olive Ridley Sea Turtle hatchlings at a national park in Costa Rica for her M.S. research.

 Howe added, “After stints in other mid-eastern states, Lauren now conducts vegetation surveys at the Rappanhannock River Valley refuge units, where she is making a positive contribution to environmental conservation and management."

Bring a brown bag lunch; light refreshments may be served.