Become a VMN Volunteer

The Virginia Master Naturalist program is for everyone who is curious about nature and who wants to be in a supportive group working together on natural resource conservation. We seek to build a diverse and inclusive volunteer corps that is accessible to all.

Apply to the Program Through a Chapter

Becoming a Virginia Master Naturalist volunteer starts with applying to join a basic training course with one of our local chapters. Most chapters offer training once a year and accept applications for several months beforehand.

Find a local chapter

six people's arms, with gloves on, reaching into a pile of oysters
VMN volunteers help restore Virginia’s oyster populations through the Virginia Oyster Shell Recycling Program. Photo by Cindy Andrews.

Complete the VMN Basic Training Course

The basic volunteer training course prepares participants for their service and fosters connections with people, places, and projects. No prior knowledge is required, only a desire to learn and volunteer. Engage your passions as you dive into a host of fascinating topics, including:

  • Biology and identification of plants and animals
  • Management and conservation of ecological systems such as forests and streams
  • Teaching and interpretive skills
  • Naturalist skills, such as observation and and data collection

Each course covers the background knowledge and skills that every naturalist volunteer needs to have. Each chapter tailors the course to fit its local environment and community so that you’ll connect with experts, natural places, and volunteer opportunities near you. Along with classroom time, every course includes outdoor field time to explore local natural areas, see natural resource management firsthand, and practice skills. Courses typically range from 40 to 60 hours of training. To graduate from basic training, you will complete assessments in the form of an open-book exam and a demonstration of your naturalist skills and readiness to become a full-fledged VMN volunteer.

an instructor with a camera and shirt with text "Arlington Regional Master Naturalists" showing a frog in a jar
Alonso Abugattas of Capital Naturalist is one of many expert scientists, naturalists, and land managers who provide instruction during VMN basic training courses. Photo by Geneviève de Messières.

Impact Your Community

The basic volunteer training course prepares participants for their service and fosters connections with people, places, and projects. No prior knowledge is required, only a desire to learn and volunteer. Engage your passions as you dive into a host of fascinating topics, including:

  • Biology and identification of plants and animals
  • Management and conservation of ecological systems such as forests and streams
  • Teaching and interpretive skills
  • Naturalist skills, such as observation and and data collection

Each course covers the background knowledge and skills that every naturalist volunteer needs to have. Each chapter tailors the course to fit its local environment and community so that you’ll connect with experts, natural places, and volunteer opportunities near you. Along with classroom time, every course includes outdoor field time to explore local natural areas, see natural resource management firsthand, and practice skills. Courses typically range from 40 to 60 hours of training. To graduate from basic training, you will complete assessments in the form of an open-book exam and a demonstration of your naturalist skills and readiness to become a full-fledged VMN volunteer.

a volunteer works alongside a Virginia Department of Forestry professional to plant trees along a stream bank
A VMN volunteer in the Headwaters Chapter works alongside a forester to plant live stakes along a stream bank, creating a riparian buffer that will protect water quality. Photo courtesy of Karen Milne.

Continue Your Lifelong Learning

VMN volunteers are committed to continuing to learn and build new skills through continuing education. You’ll find a plethora of approved continuing education opportunities offered by the VMN State Office, your local chapter, and local partner organizations. Opportunities include webinars, workshops, presentations, conferences, and more.

five volunteers standing next to a pond, peering into the water. One volunteer is holding an aquatic dip net and another is pointing at something in the water with a stick
VMN volunteers conduct surveys of hundreds of vernal pools across the state, sharing data to help local land managers better conserve these wetland habitats and the wildlife species that depend on them. Photo by VMN volunteer Lesha Berkel.
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