May 1-3, 2026
A look at the Nature Foundation at Wintergreen’s
new symposium
The Nature Foundation at Wintergreen’s major annual presentation not only has a new name, but is set at a different time of year.
“We have moved the date to be able to hike amongst the spring flowers at their peak,” Josh Palumbo says.
The name change from “Wildflower Symposium” to “Spring Awakening” reflects how the presentations focus not only plants, but rocks, animals, weather, and everything nature. (Wildflowers remains on the program, of course.)
This year’s aggressive program includes 14 themed “walks” in Wintergreen’s woods with highly trained specialists, 10 lectures by both accredited scientists and nature activists, a hands-on art workshop, and ends with a Sunday morning “exploratory.” In three days there are 25 presentations along with social activities taking place in a little over 48 hours.
Note: The program is aligned where several presenters are offering their insights with both a field trip and accompanying lecture, offering an in-depth educational experience.
Download the Nature Foundation’s flyer on the program here. The cost is $130 for foundation members, $150 for non-members.
This year’s symposium ends on Sunday, May 3rd, with a 30 minute drive to the “Vernal Pools of Maple Flat” in Augusta County at 8 am [map].
The field trip will be lead by the Nature Foundation at Wintergreen Executive Director, Elizabeth Long and Geologist Chuck Bailey.
Read more about this nearby ecological oddball here.
Below are insights about each the program’s speakers.
Elizabeth Long, Ph.D., Ecologist, Executive Director, Nature Foundation at Wintergreen
Saturday, May 2, 3:30 pm–Hike, “Butterflies in Bloom.”
Sunday, May 3, 8 am–”Exploring the Vernal Pools at Maple Flats.”
That Elizabeth is going to talk about butterflies isn’t a surprise. Butterflies was the focus of the dissertation that earned her a Ph.D. Learn more here about the new Executive Director.
Ashley Peele, Ph.D., Science Integration Coordinator, Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture at Virginia Tech
Saturday, May 2 at 7 am–A two-hour walk, “Birding in the Blue Ridge.”
Saturday, May 2, 1:15 pm–Lecture, “Watching Over Our Birds: Population Trends Powered by Citizen Science.”
Ashley’s current work focuses on applying community science methods to a range of avian conservation questions and data gaps in the Appalachian region. She is an avian ecologist who has spent 18 years studying avian conservation and management in the US and Caribbean. She completed a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Tulane University and the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center.
Shawn Kurtzman, Research Biologist, The Conservation Management Institute
Saturday, May 2, 10:15 am–A two-hour walk, “Salamanders: Our Native Amphibians.”
Saturday, May 2, 3:30 pm–Lecture, “Scaled Creatures of the Blue Ridge.”
Shawn is a Research Biologist at the Conservation Management Institute, which is part of Virginia Tech. His work primarily involves field ecology and biological surveying. Projects associated with his research include Avian Surveys, Waterfowl Monitoring, Collaborative Conservation. See this short video to learn more.
Emily Ferguson, Botanist, Master Naturalist, Tree Steward, and Beekeeper
Friday, May 1 at 3 pm–A two-hour moderate hike, “Welcome Back to the Blue Ridge.”
Emily is a prominent botanist, Master Naturalist, and Tree Steward. She is widely recognized for her deep knowledge of the local flora and her leadership within The Nature Foundation at Wintergreen.
Josh Palumbo, Forester, Nature Foundation at Wintergreen
Saturday, May 2, 10:15 am–A two-hour hike, “Tree Identification.”
It is (probably) not true that Josh has named every tree at Wintergreen, but it is true there is no one who knows more about the woods and streams of Wintergreen. In his role with the Nature Foundation, Josh serves as the primary consultant to both the resort and the Wintergreen Property Owners Association regarding managing the land responsibility.
Chuck Bailey, Ph.D., Professor of Geology, William & Mary
Saturday, May 2, 9 am–A two-hour hike,“Unique Geology of Wintergreen.”
Saturday, May 2, 2:15 pm–Lecture, “Climate in the Blue Ridge: From Deep Time to Tomorrow.”
Sunday, May 3, 8 am–”Exploring the Vernal Pools at Maple Flats.”
Chuck is well-known at Wintergreen. He served as interim executive director of the Nature Foundation at Wintergreen last year. He’s also invested in Wintergreen as a scientist.
He has a national reputation as well, serving as the President of the Geological Society of America in 2023 and 2024. See his ChuckBaileyRocks website here.
Harmony Dalgleish, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, William & Mary
Saturday, May 2, 11:15 am–Lecture, “The Microbiome and Milkweed.”
Harmony is Director of William & Mary-St Andrews University Joint Degree Programme. Her current research examines biological interactions critical to American chestnut reintroduction and the potential consequences of successful establishment of blight-resistant chestnut for the ecology and carbon dynamics of eastern US forests.
Kevin Howe, Aquatic Ecologist, Active Master Naturalist
Saturday, May 2, 9 am & 4:30 pm–Lecture. “Poisonous Mushrooms in Virginia.”
Kevin is serving as first vice president of the Virginia Native Plant Society. Now retired, he has worked as a teacher, did research in ichthyology and aquatic ecology at various universities in the Northwest and the South before ending up at the Smithsonian Institution working in environmental education.
Johnny Townsend, Senior Botanist, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage
Saturday, May 2, 8 am–A two-hour hike, “Appalachian Spring Wildflowers.”
Saturday, May 2, 1:15 pm–Lecture, “Adventures in Plant Geography: What Grows Where and Why?”
Johnny is a Senior Botanist with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Division of Natural Heritage, specializing in rare vascular plants and their conservation. He is a noted expert on Virginia’s flora, a contributor to the Flora of Virginia, and leads efforts to discover and protect endangered species throughout the state.
Suzanna Stone, Teacher, Clinical Herbalist, Founder of Owlcraft Healing Ways
Saturday, May 2, 8 am & again at 1:15 pm–A two-hour walk, “Backyard Medicine: Healing Properties of Our Common Wild, Abundant Weeds.”
Suzanna is a practicing clinical herbalist and teacher with over 20 years of experience, specializing in traditional foodways and plant spirit medicine. In 2008, she founded Owlcraft Healing Ways, an outdoor school in Scottsville, Va., offering apprenticeship programs focused on deep connection with nature and clinical herbalism.
Mary Jane Epps, Ph.D., Natural Areas Biologist, Virginia Natural Heritage Program
Saturday, May 2, 9 am–Two-hour hike, “Flora of the Blue Ridge.”
Saturday, May 2, 3:30 pm–Two-hour hike, “Exploring Plant Relationships with Insects and Fungi.”
Last year Mary Jane became the first natural areas biologist for the Virginia Natural Heritage Program, part of the Department of Virginia’s Conservation and Recreation. She’s based in the Shenandoah Valley. DCR calls her an “all-around naturalist.” She was previously a tenured professor at Mary Baldwin University where she lead the curation of their entomology collections, and taught entomology, botany, conservation science and field biology.
Shawn Dash, Ph.D., Biologist, Hampton University
Saturday, May 2, 10:15 am–A two-hour hike, “Bug Hunt.”
Saturday, May 2, 4:30 pm–Lecture, “The Mixed Blessings for Garden Insects.”
Shawn’s research interests are broad, but as his lecture topic reveals, he does focus on insects. His work with undergraduates centers on biodiversity, especially in invertebrates like ants, as well as animal behavior and urban ecology. His lab at Hampton University has openings for students interested in bird ecology using large datasets, insect biodiversity, and the study of microplastics in the Hampton River.
Flip Coulling, Botanist & Executive Director of Nature Camp, Vesuvius, Va.
Saturday, May 2, 11:15 am–Lecture, “The Life and Times of Appalachian Oaks.”
Saturday, May 2, 1:15 pm–Hike to the area’s at Appalachian Oaks.
Nature Camp opened in the summer of 1942 as a project of the Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs. It has been an independent organization since 2006. Flip Coulling first attended Nature Camp in 1979 and has served as camp director since 2004.
Dom Ciruzzi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Geology, William & Mary
Saturday, May 2, 1:15 pm–Hike, “Hydroecological Processes of Trees.”
Saturday, May 2, 7 pm–Keynote Lecture,“Trees as Living Environmental Sensors.”
Dom’s current research investigates the influence of vegetation processes (mainly trees) on the water cycle and, conversely, how changes to the water cycle influence ecosystem structure, function, and services. Learn more.
Carolyn Velletri, Nature Artist and Author, TNFW volunteer
Saturday, May 2, 2:15 pm–Workshop, “Seeing Nature Like an Artist.”
Carolyn is a artist, author, and instructor. As an active volunteer at the Nature Foundation, authored the illustrated book "Leave No Stone Unturned" (a collection of her regular columns the foundation’s newsletters) and offers an introductory workshop on the basics of watercolor at the Nature Foundation.
Details and register at TNFW.org
-Charles Batchelor
