About Us & Contact Us

Old Rag Master Naturalists
contact@oldragmasternaturalists.org
General Delivery
Syria, VA 22743

The Area We Serve

The Old Rag Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist program is based in Madison, Virginia, and serves the Rapidan–Upper Rappahannock Watershed. The service area includes the counties of Culpeper, Rappahannock, Madison, Greene, and the western portions of Fauquier and Orange. The large geographic area of these counties, rural in nature, includes major natural resources rich in biodiversity. Among these are the headwaters and tributaries of the Rapidan and Rappahannock rivers, Shenandoah National Park, and two Virginia Wildlife Management Areas.

Corp of Volunteers

The Virginia Master Naturalist Program is a statewide corps of volunteers providing education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities. Interested Virginians become Master Naturalists through training and volunteer service. For more information on the Virginia program, visit www.virginiamasternaturalist.org.

Stewardship

We at the Old Rag Chapter value the role and the beauty of nature and wish to play a part in the stewardship of our natural resources. State employees can only do so much in support of our wildlife, our forests, our flowers, our water, our soil, and air. As a knowledgeable group of volunteer educators and citizen scientists, we can add depth and breadth to the conservation and management of Virginia’s natural environments. What we learn through our training, we give back through volunteer service to Virginia and our local communities.


	Our first class at graduation.

Our Chapter

The Old Rag Chapter was formed in 2007. As of July 2010, three class groups have completed basic training. The first class (pictured) celebrated graduation on December 3, 2007, with 25 graduates.

Class members go on to start service projects and attend advanced training. Individuals become certified Virginia Master Naturalists when all their requirements for certification are met.

On December 3, 2007, the graduates and other members of the Chapter elected the Old Rag Master Naturalists Chapter's first Board of Directors; on January 7, 2008, the first chapter officers were selected.

The current Board includes:

President: Edward Dorsey
Vice President: Elizabeth Johns
Secretary: Mary Frances leMat
Treasurer: Alfred E. Goossens

Adele Baker
Cynthia Crook
Edward Dorsey
Jenny L. Fitzhugh
Alfred E. Goossens
Joyce Harman
Elizabeth Johns
Mary Frances leMat
T. Jack Price
Dana Squire
Roger Temples
Robin K. Williams

Virginia Master Naturalists

Visit the Virginia Master Naturalists website for information about the state-wide program and other chapters, and to download documents about the state program.

Going Wild in Your Backyard . 2012-02-04 — Our chapter's first wildlife habitat open house (see program) sure to be a big event. Get it on your list!

NABA Butterfly Count in Rappahannock County. 2012-07-28 — This is our second annual butterfly count. Our results are reported to the North American Butterfly Association. Last year we counted over 1200 butterflies in 40 species. Come join us!

Master Naturalist Training. Spring 2012 — The next training course is from March 13 - May 29, 2012. Applications accepted Jan. 1 - Feb. 11, 2012. The class is limited to 20 participants.

ORMN Hosts Wildlife Habitat Open House. 2012-02-04 — Details for our open house. Download the program here. Additional information may be added later, so check back often.

ORMN on the Front Lines in the War on Invasives. 2011-12-01 — Twenty ORMN have been aggressively attacking invasives in the Shenandoah National Park and their efforts are really paying off.

Old Rag Butterfly Count 2011. 2011-10-10 — July 2011 Butterfly Count in Rappahannock County.

Miracles Happen at Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. 2011-08-15 — The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute has an interesting history and provides a hopeful future for endangered species.

Shenandoah National Park Celebrates Its 75th Birthday. 2011-06-13 — This is the first in a series of articles about the 75th Anniversary of SNP, prepared by the Association President, our own ORMN Jack Price. Plan to attend some of the events throughout the coming year.

The Wilderness Act of 1964. 2011-03-15 — This is the second in a series of articles about the Shenandoah National Park, which celebrates its 75th Anniversary in 2011.

The Sky is Falling!. 2011-01-26 — What causes the variation in the amount of hard mast in the forest? Last year there was a poor crop, but this year, it's dangerous to walk in the woods without an umbrella or helmet to protect your head.

Environmental Ethics and the Naturalist's Perspective. 2010-11-16 — Here is another perspective on ethics that naturalists will want to consider.

New Hope for an Old Friend: Breeding a Blight-Resistant American Chestnut Forest. 2010-10-24 — Cathy Mayes talks about American Chestnut restoration efforts.

The Process of Making Charcoal. 2010-09-28 — On September 4, 2010, Master Naturalists participated with the Department of Forestry and VCE in turning Ailanthus into usable charcoal.

Old Rag Chapter Quarterly Meeting. 2010-09-23 — The chapter had a well-attended and informative quarterly meeting at the Madison County Extension Office on September 20, 2010.

Butterfly Gardening by Trial and Error. 2010-09-10 — An ORMN discusses her experience with butterfly gardening. It has been rewarding and educational and continues to raise questions for her about butterflies.

Class IV of ORMN is launched!. 2010-08-19 — The fourth class began on August 12, 2010, with twelve members.

Appalachian Trail Exotic Invasive Plant Management Project. 2010-08-02 — This project introduces volunteers including school children, summer camp groups, scouts and ofter recognized volunteer groups to invasive plant identification and removal along the Appalachian Trail.

All Photos
Photo Essays:
Botany Field Trip to the Jones' Farm
Class III of the Old Rag Chapter
Learning About Stream Assessment
Forestry Field Trip to Conway River Tract
Buck Hollow Garlic Mustard Pull

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Kathy Poush
Hosting & applications by
Mary Graham