From The Director:

As we welcome the new year and offer well wishes to all in the interest of peace and understanding on our precious planet. I would be remiss if I did not share with members what we have accomplished
with your volunteer and financial help during 2024.

• Our diligent quarterly stream monitoring of all of Wintergreen’s streams enabled us to locate and immediately remedy a sewage leak accident downstream from the construction of the new Water Treatment plant. Once discovered we were able to engage the Nelson County Service Authority and work with WPOA to get the problem fixed. The Wintergreen Nature Foundation (TNFW) monitors all 5 Chesapeake Bay headwaters streams that flow from Wintergreen’s
  11,000 acres.
• We worked with the Resort to mitigate a minor accidental diesel spill that could have impacted the stream leading to Shamokin Falls. Resort management did a very credible job of reporting the spill and following protocol for cleanup on the site and TNFW did multiple tests downstream to confirm that the damage was minimal citing by letter to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality that no permanent damage resulted.
• Our work with WPOA monitoring whitetail deer populations continues. 4 times per year TNFW continues to supply WPOA with population counts on whitetail deer, with the goal of reaching 20-25 deer per square mile. After many years of the Wintergreen Police Department gradually reducing numbers, we are much closer to the recommended threshold, protecting landscaping and disease within the healthy herd of deer that live at Wintergreen. The TNFW/WPOA management plan for deer has been sought out by others as one of the best management plans in the Commonwealth.
• We are carefully monitoring what may be a return of gypsy moth defoliation. (Now called Spongy Moth) While we hope that intervention will not be necessary, with TNFW’s monitoring thresholds, we and WPOA are ready.
• Members may be aware of the nationally ranked scientists and educators that serve on TNFW’s Science and Education Advisory Committee but may not know that most of these scientists are conducting research at Wintergreen and most bring their own funding to perform this research. Most recently Committee member geologist, Dr Ann Witt (Geohazard Specialist for VA) brought grant funding from FEMA and other institutions to complete a published a 5-year study of debris avalanche potential in western Nelson County and western Albemarle County. TNFW and WPOA cooperated in this study early on by allowing use of our 36-mile hiking trail system to allow easy access to one of the largest tracts of mountain land in Nelson County and one more likely to be affected by extreme rainfall events. While no catastrophic event is imminent, this study will prepare Wintergreen if an event like the recent Western North Carolina event were to become a possibility. Her study was presented at Trillium House on October 11ᵗʰ with an audience of about 50 individuals. Ann also presented her study to Wintergreen and Nelson County’s emergency service and management personnel in January.

In addition to the dozens of hikes and special field trips offered to the families of our members and resort guests, TNFW has been actively pursuing innovative strategies to strengthen our partnership through education with Nelson County Schools. Our summer STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) camps, designed for economically disadvantaged and English Language Learner (ELL) students, continue to see increased
participation each year. These camps provide students with hands-on learning experiences, often guided by our collaborating research scientists who visit classrooms to demonstrate how research informs our ability to adapt to a changing world. Each year, the program emphasizes agriculture, a theme deeply
relevant to the Nelson County community. Students explore the evolution of agricultural practices, from historical techniques used by Native Americans to modern-day sustainable technologies. Through the guidance of regional and nationally recognized scientists, they gain insight into the effectiveness of these advancements and their impact on sustainable agriculture.

Thanks again to all our members who support us in so many ways.

Doug Coleman

Biologist/Executive Director

Volunteer Floodlight

In the past, we have had volunteer spotlights featuring groups of individual volunteers at various TNFW activities. Today, however, we are shining a FLOOD LIGHT, not a spotlight, on our wonderful, dedicated volunteers who contributed over 3300 hours of time so that you may see the multitude of people who, along with TNFW staff, enable TNFW to provide the diverse activities and programs you enjoy. Of course, many of our volunteers are involved in more than one activity, some of which are clearly public while others are behind the scenes. The following is not a complete listing of volunteers but a representative sample to give you an idea of the number of Wintergreen individuals making your enjoyment of Wintergreen more complete.

Although you are likely familiar with our 36 miles of mountain and valley hiking trails, you may not be aware of the reason these trails are so well-maintained, safe and enjoyable. The TRAIL MAINTENANCE VOLUNTEERS are the backbone of what you see when walking in the woods at Wintergreen. Rich Velletri and Josh Palumbo and their group of volunteers monitor each trail, trimming and cutting and reinforcing as necessary. Several times a year, they have an “Elephant Day” for larger projects requiring more bodies and equipment, focusing on Paul’s Creek and Shamokin Springs in 2024. What you see when you hike is the result of all that work. Volunteers are assigned a section of trail that they adopt and are responsible to maintain small details and report major issues to the forest manager.

Trail maintenance volunteers include:

Bob Clouston, Bruce Slater, Lynn Magrum, Rich Velletri, Carolyn Velletri, Judy Oglethorpe, Kim Bryant, Tony Slotwinski, Anne Slotwinski, Ed Foley, Bill Hohe, Libby Carmines, Rob Pritchard, Emily Ferguson, Stuart Meyerson, Eric Solomon, Pam Solomon, Cory Grey, Doug Sandler, Fred Garber, Robert May, Tania Kitchen, Rick Termeer, Jody Termeer, Victoria Barrow, Charlie Forbes, Carl Robinson, Mike Naglin, Robert May, Ken Heise

For the past several years, our AUCTION COMMITTEE, chaired by Cindy Coy, has arranged and hosted an annual live and silent auction resulting in a grand event enjoyed by over a hundred participants each year, even going virtual when live was not an option. The funds raised from this auction have helped sustain TNFW activities, especially the science and environmental education of Nelson County children and others.

In 2024, the For Love of the Land Auction Committee expanded with three new energetic, creative members – Michelle Callan, Michelle Gamble and Peggy Gearhart. They joined long time veterans Cindy Coy, Judy DeWitt, Judy Giarla, Wilma Gormley, Bev Holloway and Maria Spence with Foundation staff Amanda Winegar. Together these ladies raised $41,000 for environmental education outreach.

This level of success is largely due to the commitment of Wintergreen Resort, Jay Gamble and Nancy Tynes, our wonderful volunteers, the June dinner and auction format, and the generous donations of local organizations, businesses and Foundation and Resort members.

The mission of the NATIVE PLANT PROPAGATION PROGRAM is to support the native plants on the mountain through growing and selling locally sourced plants, maintaining native plant gardens, and providing education about the plants. Under the guidance of Abigail and John James, our volunteers offer advice to homeowners about native and invasive species as well as relocating native species when necessary. They collect plants, seeds, and cuttings from native species and grow them for sale to homeowners, WPOA, and the Resort. In the summer months, they maintain the native plant gardens around Trillium House, the Lady Bird Johnson Garden next to the Devils Grill, and the grounds of the Founder’s Overlook. This year, 26 volunteers gave 1076 hours to the program. Total proceeds from plant sales this year were over $12,000.

Members include Jean Bertelsen, Terri Brooks, Mary Burke, Libby Carmines, Mary Carlson, Fran Davis, Joanne Feickert, Louise Flittner, Kathy Gregory, Jack Gough, Dayna Hutchings, John James, Abigail James, Amy Johnson, Holly Korab, Jill Kulic, Reuben Miller, Georgia Orphan, Dabney Richardson, Carl Robinson, Carolyn Sharbaugh, Sallie Singletary, Pam Solomon, Trisha Smith, Jody Termeer, Rick Termeer

A record of their work is in an Instagram account which can be found at: @nativewintergreen.

The very popular ANNUAL SARA OTT GOLF TOURNAMENT is organized and managed by the golf committee under the leadership of Greg Robertson, assisted by a large group of volunteers, many of whom have been working with the tournament for several years.

Barbara Tinsley and Barbara Spencer recruit and work with the 30-35 volunteers who monitor our Par 3 holes and watch for holes-in-one and closest to the pin during the golf tournament. Pam Quarterman and Ginny Pool solicit and obtain hole sponsorships for the tournament usually getting 27-30 hole sponsors. Judy Giarla is chairperson for player registration for the 100-120 golfers. Peter Gallant and Sarah Robertson are responsible for contacting auto dealerships in the area and obtaining an automobile to be placed on our par 3 holes during the tournament. Amanda Winegar is the Nature Foundation employee who handles tournament spreadsheets, the Foundation Website, and is our contact with the Foundation itself.

Our golf professionals who work with the committee and the golf course superintendent to make certain the golf course is set up properly for the tournament are Geoff Redgrave, Matt Collins, and Joey Faulconer.

Another group of volunteers coordinated by Kathie Driscoll includes 8 SATURDAY HIKE LEADERS (Lynn Magrum, Emily Ferguson, Anthony Slotwinski, Richard Velletri, Abigail James, John James, Mack Faulkner, and Lena Kroll) who guide hikes on our Wintergreen trails for both TNFW members and the general public, sharing their knowledge of the mountain’s natural history and fostering enthusiasm for our community.

Four SHOPPE VOLUNTEERS (Linda Agee, Judy DeWitt, Kim Bryant, and Kathy Gregory) assist staff by greeting visitors, providing trail and TNFW information, answering phone calls, and selling items in our gift shoppe.

Four EDUCATION VOLUNTEERS (Renee Lyman, Gerry DeWitt, Emily Ferguson, and Mack Faulkner) support groups of children and adults during field trips, lectures, and other group activities.

Also noted is the diligent work of the TNFW Board of Directors, as well as members of the Finance Committee: Terri Brooks, Whit Broome, and Jim Holloway, and the Endowment 2025 Committee: Terri Brooks, John Claman, Don Felling, Emily Ferguson, Jim Hamill, Chastity Morgan, Sallie Singletary, and John Taylor.

The time and effort of these individuals make TNFW activities possible, enjoyable, and educational. We welcome new interested volunteers at any time. If you would like to join in these or other activities, please sign up here: https://tnfw.org/volunteer-signup/.

Deer Population Results

The Nature Foundation at Wintergreen (TNFW) has conducted deer population surveys around Devils Knob, Blackrock, and Stoney Creek since 2011 to help manage the deer population.

 The 42nd Spring Wildflower Symposium welcomed approximately 100 participants in what is one of Virginia’s oldest traditional natural history events hosted by TNFW at Trillium House and on Wintergreen’s 36-mile trail system.