Becoming a Virginia Master Naturalist (VMN)        

Applications Closed as of 9/25/2025 - 20 applications have been received​

Are you curious about nature, love spending time outdoors, and want to play a role in conserving Virginia’s natural resources?
If so, you may be a perfect fit for the Virginia Master Naturalist (VMN) Program. VMN is a statewide corps of trained volunteers who support natural resource education, conservation, and stewardship in their communities.

To become a certified Virginia Master Naturalist, you must complete a Basic Training Course offered by a local chapter.

About the Old Rag Master Naturalist Chapter
​The Old Rag Chapter serves residents of Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock counties.
Our training program prepares volunteers with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to contribute meaningfully
​to conservation efforts.

After completing the course, volunteers serve in one or more of four core areas:
• Citizen science
• Stewardship
• Education and outreach
​• Chapter administration
Old Rag Master Naturalist Chapter Training
Click here  ​to Apply for Training & Membership
​


​About the Basic Training Course

​The Old Rag Chapter’s Basic Training course is designed with a focus on the natural environment of our local region.

Training runs from March through May, with weekly evening classes (4:00–8:00 PM) held in Culpeper, VA, along with four weekend field trips.

Course Requirements
  • 40–50 hours of classroom and field instruction
  • In-person attendance is required for all sessions
    • You may miss up to two classes and one field trip, but they must be made up within one year
    • Attendance at the first class is mandatory
  • Basic computer skills, a Gmail address, and reliable internet access are strongly recommended
  • All class materials are accessed via Google Classroom
  • A criminal background check is required for all applicants​ ​
Topics Covered
  • Introduction to the Virginia Master Naturalist (VMN) program and its mission
  • Roles of Virginia’s state agencies in natural resource management
  • Scientific method, citizen science, and nature journaling
  • Biogeography of Virginia, including the physiographic regions and their geological and ecological distinctions
  • Geology (includes a field trip)
  • Ecology, biodiversity, and invasive species
  • Soils and fungi
  • Weather, climate, and climate change
  • Entomology
  • Ornithology (includes a field trip)
  • Botany, trees, forest ecology, and invasive plants (includes a field trip)
  • Herpetology and ichthyology
  • Mammalogy
  • Aquatic ecology and wetlands (includes a field trip)
You’ll also learn how to:
  • Use field guides and identification keys
  • Record and share nature observations
  • Communicate scientific knowledge effectively
  • Research reliable, science-based information
  • Participate in chapter-led conservation projects
​

After completing the training, members will  continue their learning through webinars, field trips, and chapter events.

  • Applications open: Monday, September 1, 2025 

  • Beginning September 1, you’ll be able to click a link posted here that takes you directly to the Virginia Master Naturalist application site (Better Impact). There, you’ll create a username and password to get started. Once you’ve registered, you’ll be taken to the introduction page for the application form.

  • Deadline: Monday, September 30, 2025 — or when 20 qualified applications are received 
 
  • All qualified applications will be considered in the order in which they are received.
​
  • Each applicant will participate in an in-person interview with a member of the Old Rag Master Naturalist Chapter. This is an opportunity for both you and the chapter to get to know one another, ask questions, and determine if the program is a good fit.
 
  • Waitlist: If more than 15 eligible applications are received by the deadline then up to 5 additional qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist in order of the application received.​
 
  • There is a $200 Basic Training Course fee, which includes the cost of the training as well as ORMN chapter dues for 2026. This fee is nonrefundable and must be paid within two weeks of receiving your acceptance into the class.
   
  • Scholarship support is available
  ​ ​

​​Is the Old Rag Master Naturalist Program Right for You?

Ask yourself:
  • Am I curious about nature?
  • Do I enjoy spending time outdoors?
  • Do I want to make a positive impact on the environment?
  • Do I care about protecting natural areas and native species in my community?
  • Am I interested in helping conserve, manage, and educate others about Virginia’s natural resources?
  • Do I have the time and commitment to complete the training?
  • Am I able and willing to volunteer?
  • Do I enjoy being part of a team and connecting with others who share a passion for the natural world?
If you answered “yes” to most of these questions — then YES, this program may be a great fit for you!

​But also consider…
  • Am I primarily interested in the training but not committed to volunteering?
  • Am I seeking certification mainly for professional advancement or to enhance my résumé?
  • Do I plan to use the certification as a platform for environmental advocacy?
  • Am I more focused on promoting personal beliefs than on gaining science-based, research-supported knowledge?
  • Do I expect Master Naturalist volunteer hours to fulfill Master Gardener service requirements?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, this program may not be the right fit.

​
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        (This quiz adapted from the Rivanna Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists.)
Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.
​​The Old Rag Master Naturalists chapter is organized as a non-profit §501(c)(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Service Code.
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