Becoming a Virginia Master Naturalist (VMN)
People who are curious about nature, enjoy the outdoors, and want to be a part of natural resource management and conservation in Virginia are perfect candidates to become Virginia Master Naturalists. The VMN 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. (VMN Basic Training Webpage)
To become certified VMNs, volunteers are required to attend a Basic Training Class sponsored by a chapter that is near or includes their geographic location in Virginia. The Old Rag Chapter represents master naturalists living in Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock counties. The basic training course covers the background knowledge and skills to prepare you for service as a VMN volunteer. This includes a wide range of topics in many areas relating to the natural sciences.
Initial certification, as well as annual recertification, requires 8 hours of approved continuing education and 40 hours of approved volunteer service within a year following completion of your basic training course. You can complete your volunteer service in any of four key areas: citizen science, stewardship, education and outreach, and chapter administration.
To become certified VMNs, volunteers are required to attend a Basic Training Class sponsored by a chapter that is near or includes their geographic location in Virginia. The Old Rag Chapter represents master naturalists living in Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock counties. The basic training course covers the background knowledge and skills to prepare you for service as a VMN volunteer. This includes a wide range of topics in many areas relating to the natural sciences.
Initial certification, as well as annual recertification, requires 8 hours of approved continuing education and 40 hours of approved volunteer service within a year following completion of your basic training course. You can complete your volunteer service in any of four key areas: citizen science, stewardship, education and outreach, and chapter administration.
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Old Rag Chapter Training: What You'll Learn
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Applying for Training and Membership
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The basic training course covers background knowledge and skills that are essential to naturalists. The Old Rag Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists tailors the course to our local environment and communities. Monthly webinars, field trips, and chapter programs support continuing education opportunities following completion of the basic training course.
The basic training curriculum (40-50 hours of classroom and field instruction), will include:
You also will be able to…
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If you have any questions about our training or would like more information about a scholarship, please email us at: oldragnaturalists@gmail.com and put "Master Naturalist Training" in the subject line. |
ORMN Chapter Mentors and Their Role:
Prior to the start of the Basic Training Course, each participant is paired with a member/mentor from the Old Rag Chapter. Mentors play a vital role in welcoming individual class members and supporting their learning. Mentors are expected to:
• Have a current VMN certification
• Initiate contact with their mentee before the first basic training class
• Attend the first class and ideally, more
• Be available to provide guidance, information, encouragement to mentee from start of class through mentee's initial certification
• Provide assistance, if needed, with the mentee’s final class presentation
• Be available to help the mentee find projects to volunteer on and if possible, work with the mentee on at least one project
• Be able to use VMN-Better Impact for logging volunteer hours; be available to help the mentee with the system, if needed
• To the extent possible, sustain a longer-term connection with mentee to provide support and foster participation in the chapter
Prior to the start of the Basic Training Course, each participant is paired with a member/mentor from the Old Rag Chapter. Mentors play a vital role in welcoming individual class members and supporting their learning. Mentors are expected to:
• Have a current VMN certification
• Initiate contact with their mentee before the first basic training class
• Attend the first class and ideally, more
• Be available to provide guidance, information, encouragement to mentee from start of class through mentee's initial certification
• Provide assistance, if needed, with the mentee’s final class presentation
• Be available to help the mentee find projects to volunteer on and if possible, work with the mentee on at least one project
• Be able to use VMN-Better Impact for logging volunteer hours; be available to help the mentee with the system, if needed
• To the extent possible, sustain a longer-term connection with mentee to provide support and foster participation in the chapter
Is the Old Rag Master Naturalist program for you? Ask yourself…
- Am I curious about nature?
- Do I enjoy the outdoors?
- Do I want to make a positive difference in the environment?
- Do I care about the natural areas and native species in my community?
- Do I want to be actively involved conserving, managing, and educating about Virginia’s natural resources?
- Do I have both the time and the resolve to complete the required training?
- Do I have the time to complete the volunteer service?
- Am I interested in being part of a local team and interacting with others who care about natural resources?
- Am I only interested in getting the training and less interested in volunteering?
- Do I want the certification for my job or to add to my resume?
- Do I want to use the certification for environmental advocacy?
- Do I want to promote my personal opinion about the environment vs acquire research-based knowledge?
- Do I think that Master Naturalist volunteer service will count towards Master Gardener service requirements?
(This quiz is courtesy of the Rivanna Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists.)
Virginia Master Naturalist programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age color. disability. 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.
The Old Rag Master Naturalists chapter is organized as a non-profit §501(c)(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Service Code.
Virginia Master Naturalist programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age color. disability. 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.
The Old Rag Master Naturalists chapter is organized as a non-profit §501(c)(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Service Code.