Ivy Creek News and Notes: Winter 2020

In This Issue:

Events
Ivy Talk: Odonata: Dragonflies and Damselflies!
Learn the Songs of Frogs and Toads
Ivy Talk: Ivy Creek and the Union Ridge Community

Milestones
New Executive Director Sue Erhardt Welcomed at Open House
Lightning Protection for the Barn
Descendent of Carr Greer Family Honored at Ivy Creek
Work Beginning Soon on Historic Farmhouse

Observations
Nature News: This Valentine's Day, Show Your Love to Mother Nature
February Fun

Get Involved
Volunteers Wanted!
Become a Friend of Ivy Creek
Shopping on Amazon? Be Our Valentine!

Events
Ivy Talk: Odonata: Dragonflies and Damselflies!
Presentation will focus on dragonflies and damselflies with a particular emphasis on the species observed in Albemarle County. We will discuss their natural history and ecology including their fascinating life cycles, role as predators and prey, preferred habitats, and some basic anatomy and tips for ID. Specimens of adults, larvae, and exuviae will be available for viewing. Jim Childress and Emily Luebke will present the program. 

Sunday, March 8, 2:00 – 4:00 PM at the Education Building. Come early; seating is limited.
Learn the Songs of Frogs and Toads
We hear them every spring. First the spring peepers, then the...well, what are they, anyway? Come to this presentation by Michelle Prysby, Virginia Master Naturalist Program Director, to learn how to identify frog and toad calls and find out who you're listening to.

Tuesday, March 10, 7:00-9:00 PM in the Education Building.
Ivy Talk: Ivy Creek and the Union Ridge Community
Did you know that the Ivy Creek area that we know today was once part of the land owned and farmed by formerly enslaved African American, Hugh Carr? As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Carr's River View Farm, a panel will look at the historical landscape of this property and its place in the vibrant surrounding African American Community known as Union Ridge. Local Geographic Information Systems analyst Erik Irtenkauf, who developed Ivy Creek's interactive story map, will lead the panel. 

Sunday, April 5 (note: one week early due to Easter), 2:00-4:00 PM in the Education Building.
Milestones
New Executive Director Sue Erhardt Welcomed at Open House
On January 27, new Executive Director Sue Erhardt was welcomed with an open house. It was well-attended by Friends (members) of Ivy Creek and representatives of our partner groups. News coverage was provided by CBS19 ( link to story). Ms. Erhardt comes to Ivy Creek with proven experience in non-profit administration, farm and protected lands management, education program development and outreach, as well as fundraising. She was greeted with enthusiasm.
Lightning Protection for the Barn
Big thanks to Albemarle County Parks and Recreation Department, along with funding by the City of Charlottesville, for the recent replacement of the lightning protection system on the historic barn. The barn was built in the 1930s by Hugh Carr's son-in-law Conly Greer, the first African-American extension agent in Albemarle County, to be a model barn for the farmers he served. The barn roof looks beautiful and the work should help preserve the barn for generations to come.
Descendent of Carr-Greer Family Honored at Ivy Creek
Manfred Jones, grandson of Conly and Mary Carr Greer, visited the former River View Farm on January 21. Mr. Jones and long-time friend, Mrs. Earlyne Payne, traveled from out of state to see the home he shared for eight years in his youth with his grandmother, Mary Carr Greer. Walking the land and visiting the farmhouse, barn and grounds, Mr. Jones imparted memories of his grandmother and of the farm as it was in former times. He and Mrs. Payne were then honored with a lovely luncheon in the Education Center, provided by former ICF Executive Director Dede Smith, who had arranged for their visit. Mr. Jones later wrote in a letter to ICF: "Thank you for the work you do to preserve our family history and the land. — Manfred Greer Jones." Mr. Jones' visit contributed not only to adding significant information about the farm and family, but also informed plans for the eventual rehabilitation of the Carr-Greer Farmhouse.  ICF, the County of Albemarle and the City of Charlottesville respect and appreciate descendent involvement in River View Farm at Ivy Creek Natural Area.
Work Beginning Soon on Historic Farmhouse
A joint project of Albemarle County Parks and Recreation Department, Ivy Creek Foundation and the City of Charlottesville to stabilize and repair the exterior of historic River View Farm farmhouse will begin soon. The project, which may last through April, will focus upon the stabilization of the exterior of the home of Hugh and Texie Mae Carr and their descendants for over 100 years. Thank you for your respect of construction boundaries during this time. Longer term plans for the farmhouse are being developed.
Observations
Nature News: This Valentine's Day, Show Your Love to Mother Nature
 by Marlene A. Condon
Most people think of Valentine’s Day as a time only for expressing romantic love, but I’ve always thought it was a nice time of year to also show my love for family and friends, especially those far away. Sending a card or e-mail lets folks know you are thinking of them, and who doesn’t appreciate such a caring gesture?
 
This Valentine’s Day, why not show your love to the natural world, too, by planning a nature-friendly garden? A good place to start is by minimizing the area of your lawn as it doesn’t provide much food, shelter or nesting sites for wildlife.


February Fun
Two young brothers took advantage of a warm February day to enjoy a visit to Ivy Creek Natural Area.
Get Involved
Volunteers Wanted!
Do you have a love for nature, history or both? Consider sharing it with our visitors as a school tour guide or barn docent!

Our school tour program is one of our oldest and most treasured programs. School tours are held March-May in the mornings of Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. Come bring your love of nature and children and join our team of dedicated guides, some of whom have been guiding at Ivy Creek for 40 years. Our training begins in mid March and meets for six consecutive weeks on Tuesday afternoons.

Ivy Creek opens the barn to the public between 2-4pm, weekend days between April-November. This is one of the best ways we have of telling the history of River View Farm and of introducing visitors to the magic of Ivy Creek. Visitors can examine the interpretative panels, search for the queen bee in the demonstration hive and ask questions of the trained docents on hand. If you love Ivy Creek and want to share it with others, come join our team of docents. We will offer introductory training for docents twice at the end of March.

For either program, please contact Catherine Boston at catherine@ivycreekfoundation.org or (434) 973-7772.
Become a Friend of Ivy Creek
Are you a regular on the trails at Ivy Creek? Do you enjoy coming to Ivy Talks, or bringing your little one to Little Naturalists? The Ivy Creek Foundation provides stewardship and trail maintenance for the Ivy Creek Natural Area and programming for thousands of participants of all ages. We couldn't do it without the support of people like you! If you're not a Friend of Ivy Creek now, please consider becoming one. More information on how to donate is available at https://ivycreekfoundation.org/membership.
Shopping on Amazon? Be Our Valentine!
Shopping for Valentine's Day (or anything else)? If you shop through smile.amazon.com/ch/54-1112932, AmazonSmile gives ICF a portion of the proceeds. Thanks for your help!
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