Audubon Partnership

The Virginia Living Museum and the National Audubon Society participated in a bio-survey at Ft. Monroe in September 2010 as part of Toyota's "Together Green" project on Public Lands Day.

Along a narrow strip of beach and marsh that is no more than 3/4 mile long and 1/8 mile wide, the VLM/Audubon bio-survey teams identified an amazing number of plant and animal species, including 43 different birds, 89 plants, 30 insects (including 11 different butterflies and moths) and much more.

As expected, the survey area contained natives and non-native species. Some invasive non-natives like porcelain berry vine with its brilliant blue and purple fruit,s were introduced as ornamentals but have now grown out of control and threaten to smother the surrounding vegetation. One small plant, a relatively rare species of Portulaca, was identified during a Ft. Monroe bio-survey 10 years ago. The team was very pleased to find it again.

The VLM, Audubbon and volunteers also refurbished the vulture's mountain habitat on the Museum's outdoor trail just prior to Halloween.

Audubon will have an exhibit at Reptiles: Bizarre and Beautiful Feb. 19-21 and plans to participate in Earth Day Celebration April 16 and Mother's Day in the Garden May 8. All events are part of Toyota's Together Green.