VIRGINIA BEACH — There was never a shortage of fun things to do when I was a child growing up in Virginia Beach. Beach, bay or backyard, some of my best times were those spent goofing off in nature.
A favorite activity involved investigating insects. My friends and I pretended we were master entomologists. Old mason jars made nifty terrariums. Twigs, grass, leaves and flowers filled out handmade habitats for what we captured.
The coolest thing was when one of us nabbed a caterpillar or stumbled upon a chrysalis. How utterly astounding that a plump, multi-legged arthropod could spin a silken sheath around itself and later emerge as a vibrant, colorful butterfly.
Metamorphosis is an amazing thing. It isn’t just about the beginning and the end. It’s also about the journey of becoming something new while maintaining the essence of the original.
One of my favorite places in Virginia Beach is Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. It is a natural resource located in the southern part of the city within an important watershed, and it has undergone its own changes over the years. These include the addition of land and habitat in an area that is near rural communities, suburban neighborhoods and the residential resort of Sandbridge.
A constant at the refuge is the dedication and support of people who care deeply about Back Bay.
Organizations such as Back Bay Restoration Foundation, Friends of Back Bay, Lynnhaven River Now, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and False Cape State Park have played a big part in the improvements seen in and around Back Bay and, by extension, the refuge. The U.S. Navy and the city of Virginia Beach have also been involved in several different projects.
Refuge staff, volunteers and members of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Society – the official “friends” group of the refuge – remain committed to the protection, conservation and enhancement of the natural resources within the refuge.
We hope people who care about the refuge will continue supporting these efforts. One of the most valuable ways to do this is by volunteering. I’ll share a few of the things the people who care about the refuge are working on.
Recently, the society completed trail work with refuge interns and volunteers. Osprey nest platforms have been erected. And attractive new signage and Chronolog photo stations have been installed.
In its way, the Chronolog project tracks change here.
Visitors are encouraged to stop at the Chronolog stations, snap a picture, and email their photo to the address on the sign. Once emailed, the photos become part of a time-lapse record displaying various vistas throughout the refuge. You can learn about Chronolog at the refuge online via chronolog.io/project/BKB.
More and more people are finding their way to the refuge. During the pandemic, visitation doubled from the previous year. Even with the increased attendance, the refuge’s wide-open spaces allow for plenty of elbow room. It rarely feels crowded.
People long for a place where they can step away from the demands of life and immerse themselves in the beauty and simplicity of nature. The refuge rejuvenates and restores – whether it’s biking or hiking the trails, fishing, kayaking or simply being still and enjoying beautiful vistas, fresh ocean air, outstanding bird watching and spectacular sunsets.
Lots of opportunities await for continued positive growth and transformation at the refuge. The society has several projects underway, and we need support to realize this work.
One such project involves helping pollinators. We’ve been hearing more and more about these important creatures and their role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Examples of pollinators are bees, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, wasps, birds, bats and small mammals. Unfortunately, pollinators are threatened by habitat loss, pesticide use, disease and parasites.
The refuge staff and the society have identified several areas around the Visitor Center that would benefit from having pollinator gardens. These gardens provide aesthetic value to the refuge. More importantly, beneficial plants will be incorporated to support pollinators and educate the public of the symbiotic relationship between plants and animals.
Volunteers are needed to help establish these gardens. No experience is required, but the first phase of the project is starting soon. Please contact Charlie Ellin via email at charlie.ellin@gmail.com for information about ways you can help.
It’s critical that Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge remains a place of sanctuary, protection, beauty and relaxation for generations to come. This is not just for wildlife and the ecosystem. It is for people, too – from children beginning to learn the value of nature to the adults who realize such lessons pay dividends throughout our lives.
The society is looking for like-minded people to continue the ongoing and important work of the refuge. I hope you will join us on the journey.
The author is volunteer and board member with the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Society. The society is a nonprofit that promotes and supports the refuge in its mission to conserve, protect and enhance natural resources. Visit backbaynwrsociety.org/membership to learn about becoming a member or making a donation.
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