Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail

The Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail (VBWT) is a statewide driving trail composed of 65 loops connecting the best sites in Virginia for watching birds and other wildlife. Established in three phases between 1999 and 2004, it was the first statewide trail of its kind in the country. All sites are marked with signage, and a guide to the trail is available in print and electronically on DWR’s website at http://www.dwr.virginia.gov/vbwt/.

About the Projects

The purpose of these volunteer projects is to ensure that the VBWT remains a high-quality, reliable, relevant, and highly visible trail program. The effort is divided into three main projects:

Birdability Project

The goal of this project is to provide all wildlife viewers with detailed, site-specific information to better access the outdoors. Volunteers verify the accessibility status of VBWT locations and add sites that meet predefined criteria to the Birdability Map. This information is also incorporated into the VBWT site pages.

To get involved:

• Watch a mandatory training webinar.
• View the list of available sites and sign out ones for review using the site selection form.
• Conduct a Birdability Site Review using the Birdability Site Review Checklist.
• Submit the completed review to Birdability and complete the DWR Site Review Submission Form.

Any individual VMN volunteers may participate, but the project must be approved at the chapter level. Resources include:

• Detailed Project Guide and Mandatory Training Webinar
• Available VBWT Site List and Volunteer Site Selection Form
• Birdability Site Review Checklist and Birdability Access Considerations for Birding Locations
• Submit to the Birdability Map
• DWR Site Review Submission Form

Education & Outreach Project

This project involves:

• Giving presentations and promoting VBWT sites and loops in the local area.
• Sharing VBWT information and promotional materials at events.
• Nominating new VBWT sites that provide high-quality wildlife viewing opportunities.
• Alerting DWR’s Watchable Wildlife staff about sites that should be removed from the trail.

Each participating VMN chapter must designate a liaison as the main point of contact for DWR. Chapters must commit to the project and email Michelle Prysby to get started. The project must be approved at the chapter level.

For more details, download and read the VBWT Education & Outreach project form.

Site Visits Project

This project entails:

• Regularly adding bird and wildlife observations to eBird and iNaturalist (at least once a year, but no more than monthly).
• Reviewing VBWT loop pages to ensure they are relevant to the area.
• Documenting site accessibility.
• Collecting other site information as needed.

Each participating VMN chapter must designate a liaison as the main point of contact for DWR. Chapters must commit to the project and email Michelle Prysby to get started. The project must be approved at the chapter level.

For more details, download and read the VBWT Site Visits project form.

Training Videos for Site Visits Project

Watch the following training videos to learn how to submit information to iNaturalist and eBird:

• Create Accounts on iNaturalist and eBird
• Submitting eBird Checklists from a Desktop Computer
• Submitting eBird Checklists from a Mobile Device
• Submitting iNaturalist Observations from a Desktop Computer
• Submitting iNaturalist Observations from a Mobile Device

Other important links:

• Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail
• Virginia Wildlife Mapping Project on iNaturalist
• eBird