Chincoteague Natural History Association

   The Chincoteague Natural History Association (CNHA) is a non-profit, cooperating association established in partnership with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  The purpose of the CNHA is to promote a better understanding and appreciation of the Chincoteague refuge, the Eastern Shore of Virginia refuge, and the natural history and environment of Virginia's Eastern Shore in general.  The CNHA produces and provides interpretive and educational material for refuge visitors.  Proceeds from memberships and items sold in the gift shops are used to support and enhance interpretive programs, projects, and activities at both of the refuges.

   CNHA helps both the Chincoteague and Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuges in many ways.  We provide new and revised environmental education material, exhibits, and signs; fund student interns to assist with environmental education and interpretive programs; and have sponsored workshops .  By having developed and printed teachers' manuals and by funding teacher workshops, we encourage teachers to use refuge resources as part of their science and environmental education curriculum.

   We've also supported the production of trail guides, the development of posters featuring threatened and endangered species of the refuges, and the construction of bins to collect and separate recyclable trash left by refuge visitors.  CNHA support also enables the refuges to receive matching grants that allow continuing intern, teacher workshop, Junior Refuge Manager, Junior Lighthouse Keeper, and Junior Birder programs.  CNHA conducts programs and develops exhibits concerning wildlife and habitat protection, and hosts activities for special events such as International Migratory Bird Day.