Photo: Cobra Clubtail, Gary Myers
A new feature, alternating with the President’s Corner, to introduce some of our board members, coordinators, and friends
Judy Gallagher
You may have seen my name as the author of the monthly “Notes from Meadowood” feature in the Potomac Flier, which also features my photographs of insects, some of our most important natural resources. I have participated in the wildlife surveys at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area, Metz Wetlands in Neabsco Regional Park, and Occoquan Regional Park for eight years. The surveys have broadened and deepened my appreciation for and knowledge of natural resources. But more about that later.
I’ve been an ASNV Board Member for almost three years. I'm on the Adult Education, Citizen Science and Conservation Committees, and I moderate some of our adult education programs. Like many of you, I became an ASNV member because I joined National Audubon Society, which gave me the additional benefit of membership in the local chapter. I was unaware of ASNV’s long-term projects and many program offerings until I started receiving the Potomac Flier, our monthly newsletter.
I’ve been interested in nature since I was young. My father was a keen observer of nature with a particular interest in native plants and their uses, and he made sure that he exposed his children to plants, birds and so on. I fell in love with insects in 10th grade when students had to make an insect collection. I was awed by the sheer volume of different insects and their differing forms and colors.
My career was in IT, but I spent a lot of my free time out in nature. I was a charter member of the Prince William Wildflower Society, and I enjoyed bird watching and bird and flower photography. As I neared retirement, I wanted to focus more on nature, so I took a Virginia Master Naturalist course in 2010. That reawakened my childhood interest in insects. Seeking further education, I took a series of ten-week classes at Nature Forward and eventually earned a Certificate in Natural History Field Studies.
Judy Gallagher with Cobra Clubtail, Gary Myers
On one of my nature walks, I met someone who participated in ASNV’s wildlife surveys. The surveys had been going on for more than 20 years, and I was intrigued by the dedicated volunteers who documented birds, butterflies, dragonflies and blooming plants. Although I was concerned that I wasn’t an expert in any of those areas, I contacted the survey’s leader, Jim Waggener, and asked if I could attend a survey. Jim welcomed me, and before long I was a regular participant.
Survey volunteers have various areas of interest – many are long-time birders, and there are several who are very good at plants. Others are more interested in dragonflies, damselflies, and butterflies, and everyone shares their observations and knowledge. Some are talented photographers, and we've had many a spirited discussion trying to identify the species that we have photographed. We learn from each other and educate and encourage new participants. Park managers use our data, and my colleagues have become my friends. The surveys are now in their 34th year.
I’m still most interested in insects and spiders. I use my camera to document insect diversity on our surveys. So far, I have documented 353 insect and arachnid species at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 577 species at Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area, 311 species at Julie Metz Wetlands, and 387 species at Occoquan Regional Park. Another insect and spider season will begin soon, and I expect to add more species to the lists.
I hope to see you at an ASNV activity soon. Please introduce yourself - I'd love to hear your nature tales.