More than 30 Gloucester residents took part in an educational night out on Friday, July 26, at Beaverdam Park, learning all about moths with the newly-chartered Middle Peninsula Master Naturalist chapter.

While waiting for sundown, children and adults attended a nature walk led by biologist Elisabeth Wilkins that focused on using senses beyond sight to enjoy and appreciate the park’s natural resources.

Dragon Run educator and local naturalist Teta Kain presented a slideshow of moths that might be seen locally. At dark it was time to view the moths that were attracted to the sweet fermented brews painted on the trees by the master naturalists.

Patrons also observed moths and other flying insects attracted to lights set up by naturalist/photographers Seig and Alice Kopinitz. The Gloucester Clean Community office handed out native seeds and tips for attracting pollinators by landscaping with native plants.

The Virginia Master Naturalist Program is a statewide corps of volunteers...