Applications for our 2023 class opens September 7, 2022
Learn more here about becoming a Virginia Master Naturalist.
Learn more here about becoming a Virginia Master Naturalist.
Becoming a Virginia Master Naturalist
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.
In order to become Certified Virginia Master Naturalists, 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.
Please see the VMN Basic Training Webpage for further information about basic training topics.
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. training, volunteers must earn additional continuing education credits (a minimum of 8 hours) and provide at least 40 hours of approved volunteer service to the community to become certified.
In order to become Certified Virginia Master Naturalists, 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.
Please see the VMN Basic Training Webpage for further information about basic training topics.
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. training, volunteers must earn additional continuing education credits (a minimum of 8 hours) and provide at least 40 hours of approved volunteer service to the community to become certified.
Old Rag Master Naturalist Training: What You'll Learn
The basic training course covers the 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…
If you have any questions about this training, please email us at: oldragnaturalists@gmail.com "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 and encouragement their mentee beginning the first day of the class through the 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 the mentee to provide support and encourage participation in the chapter
The basic training course covers the 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:
- All aspects of the Virginia Master Naturalist program, including the mission, objectives, participation guidelines
- Roles of Virginia state agencies in the management and conservation of natural resources
- The role of a naturalist, including the scientific method, citizen science and nature journaling; and the significance of naturalists and natural history
- Biogeography of Virginia, including the physiographic regions and their geological and ecological distinctions
- Basic concepts of geology and soils (including field trip)
- Basic concepts of ecology; biodiversity; non-native, invasive species; biogeography
- Fundamental principles of weather, climate and climate change
- Entomology
- Ornithology (including field trip)
- Botany, trees, forest ecology and invasive species (including field trip)
- Herpetology and ichthyology
- Mammalogy
- Aquatic ecology and wetlands (including field trip)
- Reading the landscape (including field trip)
- Student capstone presentations
You also will be able to…
- Use a key to identify organisms
- Use a field guide
- Share knowledge with others (verbally and/or in writing)
- Make and record observations in nature
- Seek out answers from people, books, or other reliable resources
- Volunteer in one or more projects on a regular basis to help conserve natural resources on public lands in Virginia
If you have any questions about this training, please email us at: oldragnaturalists@gmail.com "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 and encouragement their mentee beginning the first day of the class through the 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 the mentee to provide support and encourage participation in the chapter
Applying for Training and Membership
- Target class size is 15 participants, with a maximum of 20.
- The program is geared toward adults, aged 18 or older. Youth, aged 14-17, may apply under specific conditions.
- Training duration is approximately 14 weeks, generally in the March - June timeframe
- Classes will be held on weekdays; five field trips will be on selected Saturdays. (Classes and field trips will adhere to Virginia Master Naturalist Program guidance related to the coronavirus in effect at the time of the class.)
- Attendance at classes and field trips is mandatory for graduation and VMN membership. Up to two classes and one field trip may be missed. These are to be made up within 12 months of completion of basic training in one of the following ways: by watching a recording of the class; during the Basic Training Course scheduled within the upcoming year; attending the missed module with another VMN chapter; or by making special arrangements with approval from the Training Committee Chair.
- The class fee is approximately $140, payable at the first class. This covers basic training, course materials and first year VMN and chapter dues. (Scholarships are available).
- It is highly recommended that trainees have basic computer and web navigation skills, a Gmail address, and internet access. We will communicate important course and class information via email. In addition, class materials are accessible online through our Google Classroom. To access these materials, you must have access to a PC or Mac computer, as well as reliable internet access throughout the duration of the course.
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.