For the past several years, the Northern Neck chapters of the National Audubon Society, Virginia Native Plant Society and the Virginia Master Naturalists have sponsored a New Year’s Day walk at Hickory Hollow Natural Area Preserve in Lancaster County.

Longtime Native Plant Society member Nick Ferriter and his wife Jackie started this walk several years ago and a few years back, their group began offering guided walks to the public to get people outside and to welcome in the New Year with nature. Led by knowledgeable members, the walks became a well-attended adventure for all.

This walk is held on New Year’s Day every year, in part to get the members and public outside in nature. Little did anyone know that this year’s pandemic would make getting outside even more welcoming, but just not in a group.

“Sadly, we cannot accommodate for an open-to-the-public walk this coming New Year’s Day,” said Kevin Howe, past president of the Northern Neck Native Plant Society, vice president ...