What is a Master Naturalist?
A naturalist is a person who is curious about nature, enjoys the outdoors, and wants to be part of natural resource management and conservation.
Virginia Master Naturalists complete a training course, participate in continuing education, and do volunteer work.
Virginia Master Naturalists complete a training course, participate in continuing education, and do volunteer work.
Who can be a Master Naturalist?
The Virginia Master Naturalist program is open to anyone aged 18 and older regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.
Youth 14-17 participating with a parent may be accepted under some circumstances.
Youth 14-17 participating with a parent may be accepted under some circumstances.
How do I join the Virginia Master Naturalists?
Every Master Naturalist completes a basic training course. To be notified about the next course or to learn more about Basic Training, click here.
Is it free to join the Virginia Master Naturalists?
There are annual dues for VMN members.
The first year, when you take the Basic Training class, the dues are higher.
In all years, dues are kept as low as possible. To inquire about the current due schedule, contact the Central Piedmont Chapter here.
The first year, when you take the Basic Training class, the dues are higher.
In all years, dues are kept as low as possible. To inquire about the current due schedule, contact the Central Piedmont Chapter here.
Do Master Naturalists get paid?
Virginia Master Naturalists do not get paid. VMN is a volunteer organization.
Where can I learn more?
The Virginia Master Naturalist Program website is a good starting point to learn more.
What, exactly, does a Master Naturalist do?
A VMN volunteers in many service areas related to the natural world.
A VMN might spend a Saturday morning picking up trash along the Appomattox River or identifying and reporting bird species in a wildlife conservation area.
Another VMN might give a few hours a month to writing a newsletter for the chapter or transcribing scans of handwritten plant identification cards to help with herbarium digitization.
There are volunteer opportunities for those who are very active and for those with more limited mobility.
There are projects for those with flexible schedules and those who work full time.
Some volunteer opportunities take you outdoors and others can be done from your computer.
Whoever you are, there's a way you can make a difference to Virginia's natural resources.
Learn about the service areas and see photos here.
A VMN might spend a Saturday morning picking up trash along the Appomattox River or identifying and reporting bird species in a wildlife conservation area.
Another VMN might give a few hours a month to writing a newsletter for the chapter or transcribing scans of handwritten plant identification cards to help with herbarium digitization.
There are volunteer opportunities for those who are very active and for those with more limited mobility.
There are projects for those with flexible schedules and those who work full time.
Some volunteer opportunities take you outdoors and others can be done from your computer.
Whoever you are, there's a way you can make a difference to Virginia's natural resources.
Learn about the service areas and see photos here.
The Virginia Master Naturalist program is open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.