This webinar is part of the Virginia Master Naturalist program's Continuing Education Webinar Series for volunteers. 

Description: The Cleopatra Project is a multi-chapter Virgina Master Naturalist educational project conducted in partnership with the University of Virginia School of Medicine and the Blue Ridge Poison Center. Ten Virginia Master Naturalists from 5 different VMN chapters produced The Cleopatra Project - Poisonous and Venomous Animals in Virginia with support from 6 peer reviewers and 36 photographers. The publication is an online reference guide to 32 poisonous and venomous animals that  live in Virginia.

Written in non-technical language and filled with full color photographs, the publication is intended to be a reference for parents, educators, medical service providers, and the general public. Each of the 32 animal entries--ranging from Ants to Wasps and Bees--includes a description of the animal, its habitat and likely geographic range in Virginia, the source of poison or venom, potential physical symptoms and possible animal "look-alikes." It emphasizes the vital role that poisons and venoms play as these animals gain food, protect themselves from predators, and defend their territory and young. In this webinar we will discuss poison center data reflecting calls and ER visits, the role of poisons and venoms, and a sampling of the animals.  Our goal is for readers to learn to live safely and respectfully with these fellow inhabitants of Virginia.

Presenters:
Kathleen Aucoin: Kathleen has been a Virginia Master Naturalist since 2018.  She lives in far western Culpeper County on a wooded lot with her husband, chickens, ducks, and a vast array of native Virginia wildlife.  

Bonnie Beers: A Virginia Master Naturalist since 2018, Bonnie works with her husband to restore 57 acres in Rappahannock County to native habitat.  

Christopher P. Holstege, M.D. is a Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics and Chief of the Division of Medical Toxicology at the University of Virginia’s School of Medicine. He also directs the Blue Ridge Poison Center and is a Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine. 

Webinar host: Michelle Prysby, Virginia Master Naturalist Program Director

Zoom Recording ID: 81193448273 UUID: Ban/EtPeSKqFbAkwrtjTCw== Meeting Time: 2023-05-08 03:29:04pmGMT