Slide 1

Stewardship

Virginia Master Naturalists clean up, restore habitat, and help manage natural resources at hundreds of public parks, trails, and natural areas!

six volunteers on a forested hillside, planting trees and putting plastic protective tubes around them

Old Rag Master Naturalist volunteers joined several other volunteer groups to plant more than 330 native shrubs and trees at Rappahannock County Park. These plantings will help protect water quality in the Rush River. Photo by VMN volunteer Bonnie Beers.

Slide 2

WHAT WE DO

Participatory Science

Virginia Master Naturalist volunteers contribute to natural resource monitoring and research.

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.

Slide 3

WHAT WE DO

Education and Outreach

Virginia Master Naturalists lead walks and give presentations to share their knowledge and enthusiasm for nature throughout their communities.

A Fairfax Master Naturalist volunteer teaches youth about reptiles, helping to inspire the next generation of natural resource stewards. Photo by VMN volunteer Jerry Nissley.

Slide 3

WHAT WE DO

Chapter Leadership

Virginia Master Naturalists lead the delivery of the program in their local communities by serving on their chapters' boards and committees, recruiting and training volunteers, and organizing service projects and partnerships.

group of more than 30 people posed together, holding a blue flag with an image of Planet Earth

Volunteer leaders in the Rivanna Master Naturalist chapter have organized 19 annual VMN basic training courses, graduating more than 400 people as VMN volunteers. They were recognized for their positive collective impacts by another local conservation organization. Photo by VMN volunteer Pat Klima.

What’s the Virginia Master Naturalist Program All About?

By mprysby / December 7, 2016

Virginia Master Naturalist chapters in Bath County, Franklin County, Lynchburg, Abingdon, Isle of Wight County, Blacksburg, Madison County, Newport News, Chesterfield County, Charlottesville, and Virginia Beach are all currently accepting applications for new volunteers. If you have a desire to actively participate in conserving Virginia’s natural resources and a yearning to learn more about the natural world around you, consider joining our volunteer corps. Visit our chapters page to connect with a chapter near you.

This video, generously produced by VMN volunteer Sonny Bowers (Historic Rivers Chapter), gives viewers a great sense for what it means to be a VMN volunteer and why the program is so important. It even includes an important message from our governor! Thank you to Sonny for all the time put into this wonderful film.

theNaturalist.State from Sonny Bowers on Vimeo.

Stewardship

Participatory Science

Education and Outreach

Chapter Leadership

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