NAPS 2024 - Year in Review
Another busy year for NAPS – here are some highlights...
Another Successful NAPS Highway Cleanup
A crew of 12 volunteers cleared the roadsides and gullies during the Spring 2024 NAPS Highway Cleanup, Sunday, April 7th. Fifteen large bags of trash plus several oversized items were removed from Route 200 between Wicomico Church and Tipers Bridge to be disposed of or recycled.
NAPS 9th Annual Earth Day Festival
NAPS hosted its 9th. Annual Earth Day Festival in “downtown” Heathsville, Sat., April 20, with dozens of environmental exhibits and activities set up by NAPS and other local organizations. The “All-Electric Vehicle” exhibit was the largest yet, thanks to the Drive Electric RVA EV club providing several of the vehicles.
Thanks to all the wonderful organizations that participated: Bartlett Tree Experts, Northern Neck Electric Cooperative, Northern Neck Land Conservancy, Northern Neck Master Gardeners, Northern Neck Master Naturalists, Northern Neck Native Plant Society, Northumberland County Anti-Litter Committee, Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends, Reedville Fishermen’s Museum, & Tidewater Oyster Growers Assn. (TOGA).
NAPS Awards $6,000 in Scholarships
In recognition of their academic achievement and service to the community, NAPS awarded a $4,000 scholarship to Caroline Neale, and $1,000 scholarships to Nathalie Biddlecomb and Nash Withers during the Senior Recognition ceremony at the Northumberland High School auditorium, April 29.
NAPS Sponsors “Teaching With Small Boats” STEM Program
The “Teaching with Small Boats” June/July program was hosted by Reedville Fishermen’s Museum (RFM), engaging middle school students in hands-on learning, including maritime concepts, boat-building techniques, and nautical skills. Participants built and launched their own small boats, guided by RFM’s expert instructor, David Clark. NAPS donated $1,000 to provide each student with a toolbox and materials for the project, and several NAPS members donated their time and effort.
The program was featured along with other NAPS initiatives at the Special Program/Annual Meeting held July 21st at RFM.
Annual Meeting - New Board Members & Officers
Congratulations to Andy “Sit” Sitison who was elected unanimously to the NAPS Board of Directors during its annual meeting, July 21st. The membership also voted unanimously to leave a vacant seat open for a student board member to be appointed during the school year.
At the first regular board meeting after the Annual Meeting, Mike Ahart was elected to fill a board vacancy. Ahart was elected president, Sitison was elected vice president, Ian Brownlee was elected treasurer, and Katie Wilkins was re-elected secretary. At its Nov. 14 board meeting, Layla Cordova was nominated and unanimously elected to the student board member seat.
NAPS Sponsors 25-Student Tangier Island Tour
Northumberland County 5th and 6th grade gifted (TAG) students embarked on an exciting educational field trip aboard the Chesapeake Breeze to Tangier Is., VA Fri., Sept. 20, sponsored by NAPS. Prior to the trip, the students researched the challenges faced by residents of the remote island, particularly the environmental threats of erosion and rising sea levels. Students also learned about the island’s rich history and significance in Virginia’s colonial and post-colonial development.
NAPS 2024 Creek Cleanup: 65 Volunteers Clear Trash From the Great Wicomico River
NAPS launched a flotilla of skiffs and kayaks to clean up the Upper Great Wicomico River, Sunday, Sept. 27. Captains, crews, and land-based volunteers assembled at the Mallard Bay Community Clubhouse for a free lunch, then shoved off in search of shoreline trash. The unusually high water lightened the haul of bottles, bags and cans, but the crews cleared the waterway of many floating deck boards causing potential hazards to boaters!
NAPS’ Too-Good-to-Throw-Away Shed Reopens
Closed in 2020 due to COVID concerns, the county recently allowed the reopening of the Too-Good-to-Throw-Away Shed at the Horsehead trash/recycling center. NAPS built the shed in 2012 to help keep usable items from going to the landfill. Unfortunately, some people break the rules and leave large trash items in or around the shed, and we need help to keep it usable. If you notice problems, please let us know ASAP - email Stewardship@NAPSva.org – and let us know if you pass by frequently and would like to be one of our “Too-Good” angels!
NAPS Produces New Updated & Upgraded Paddler’s Guide
NAPS’ new, improved and completely updated Paddler’s Guide tri-fold is available in information kiosks and displays all over the region!
The six downloadable detail maps add lots of additional content, including experience-rated paddling routes – and they will be updated regularly with new routes and info. See NAPSva.org/paddlers-guide
New NAPS Initiative: Ghost Crab Pot Roundup
Did you know approximately 20% of commercial crab pots become unbuoyed or abandoned each year? They trap countless crabs, turtles, fish, otters, muskrats and other wildlife, constantly “re-baiting” the trap until it deteriorates – often many years later! NAPS is exploring ways to remove these killers, within the strict guidelines provided by Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Want to help this winter? Email Stewardship@NAPSva.org
NAPS Fall Social, & Congratulations to the 2024 Northumberland Distinguished Citizens: The Staff & Volunteers of the Northumberland Co. Animal Shelter
NAPS members and guests celebrated the 2024 Northumberland Distinguished Citizens at the NAPS Fall Social, Sun. Oct. 27, 4pm-7pm at the Tavern Meeting Building in Heathsville.
In a brief speech, shelter manager Gabby Vaculovicova praised her staff, the county Animal Control officer, and the many volunteers of FNCAS. “It takes a village” to rescue, care for, and find homes for the many animals who come through the shelter, said Vaculovicova, adding that most of the building maintenance is also performed by volunteers. She explained that many rural shelters are dark, uninviting places, but thanks to the efforts of the “village,” NCAS is bright and cheerful. “Every dog gets walked daily…rain or snow” thanks to the devotion of the volunteers, said Vaculovicova, adding that the shelter’s cats and kittens also get daily socialization and play.
The shelter has sustained a “no kill” status since 2016 and has successfully placed nearly 500 dogs and 200 cats into new homes over the last two years, according to shelter records. The environmental benefits of their efforts include limiting the local feral and homeless pet population through care, placement, and neutering/spaying programs, and recycling useful items through its Thrift Shop in Burgess.
The shelter was established in the 1980s and is a division of the County Sheriff’s Department. The volunteer program at the shelter began in the 2000s, and over a decade later FNCAS, a 501(c)(3) all-volunteer organization, was established.
There are eight county employees who work at the shelter. The manager and assistant manager are full-time employees, and the other six are part-time with no benefits and limited hours per week. The small staff is responsible for the total care of an average of 35 homeless pets daily, 365 days a year. There are no ‘holidays’ when it comes to pet care. Daily tasks include:
Kennel cleaning (often more than once per day due to dogs not being house trained)
Laundry
Assisting the county Animal Control Officer when needed
Assisting the public
Daily feeding (puppies/kittens and pregnant mothers require multiple feedings each day), including washing bowls before each feeding
Medication administration
Doctor visits including transportation to/from (some require specialized medical visits)
Several walks a day and/or time in the play yard (dogs only)
Meets and greets between potential adopters and adoptable pets
Maintaining the safety and security of all animals
Other cleaning chores (shelter lobby, kitchen, bathrooms, medication room)
The shelter’s staff cannot do it alone, especially when a large group of neglected pets are rescued or seized by the county Animal Control. That’s where the FNCAS volunteers come in. They provide support in three primary areas:
Animal Shelter: Volunteers walk dogs outdoors for exercise and wellness; transport dogs and cats to local events, veterinarian visits, and rescue partners; maintain the FNCAS website which showcases adoptable dogs and cats; and, since the county is not required to house homeless cats, a dedicated group of volunteers clean, feed, and socialize cats every day. In 2022 and 2023, an average of 8,600 volunteer hours were logged at the shelter.
FNCAS Thrift Shop in Burgess: Volunteers collect, clean, price, and display donated items. Proceeds from sales help fund items not budgeted by the county, including heartworm treatments, ongoing vet care, medications, special food, vaccinations, bedding, toys and other items. In 2022 and 2023, volunteer hours averaged over 3,400 in this area.
FNCAS Board of Directors: The directors provide administrative and operational support for the animal shelter and thrift shop. This includes maintaining financial records, fundraising, and managing improvement and maintenance projects at the shelter and thrift shop. In 2022 and 2023, volunteer hours averaged nearly 3,000 in this area.
That’s over 15,000 hours in each of the past two years by volunteers clearly committed to the wellbeing of homeless pets, and more than $62,000 was spent on care and maintenance during the last twelve months.
The Northumberland Distinguished Citizen Award is presented by NAPS to honor an individual, team, organization, or business making a positive impact in Northumberland county. For a list of past awardees, visit NAPSva.org/awards-and-grants.
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