Become a VIrginia master naturalist

  Old Rag Master Naturalists
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Spring 2023:  Class 12 training sessions...
​
When:   Wednesdays, March 15 - May 24, 2023;  4-8pm
Where:  St. Stephen's Church in Culpeper, VA  
And....... five field trips on selected Saturdays during this period
​   

​ Our application period for
Spring 2023 ​is now closed 


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.​​  
Old Rag Chapter Training: What You'll Learn 
Applying for Training and Membership
​
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: 
  • The Virginia Master Naturalist program, including the mission, objectives,  participation guidelines
  • Roles of Virginia state agencies in the management and conservation of natural resources
  • Role of naturalists: scientific method, citizen science, nature journaling; 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
  • Fundamentals of weather, climate, 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 and a field guide to identify organisms​
  • Share knowledge with others (verbally and/or in writing)
  • Make and record observations in nature
  • Seek out answers from people, books, reliable resources
  • Volunteer on chapter projects that help conserve natural resources on public lands in Virginia
​
  • ORMN class size is limited to 15 people.

  • The program is geared toward adults, aged 18 or older. Youth, aged 14-17, may apply under specific conditions.  

  • Spring 2023 (Class 12) training sessions with be held on Wednesdays, March 15-May 24 from 4-8pm at St Stephens Church in Culpeper, VA.  Five field trips will be conducted on selected Saturdays during this period.   ​
​
  • 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 $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. 
​
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

​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?​
If so… then, YES this program might be for you!   But also ask yourself…
​
  • 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?
If so… then, NO this program may not be for you.
​

(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.
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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Chapter Administration
    • Sponsoring Agencies & Partners
    • In Memory Of
  • Events & News
    • Upcoming Events
    • Chapter Awards & Recognition
    • Spotlight on Members and Presenters
    • Newsletters
  • Training & Education
    • Become a VMN
    • Continuing Education >
      • Continuing Education Programs
      • CE Resources >
        • Field Guides
        • Nature Books & Readings
  • Volunteer Projects
    • Approved Volunteer Projects
    • Project Accessibility Information
    • Activities by Interest >
      • Activities From Home
      • Animals
      • Birds
      • Habitats & Trails
      • Plants & Trees
      • Pollinators
    • New Project Proposal Request
  • Nature Blog
  • Contact Us