Become a Virginia Master Naturalist
Are you curious about nature, love spending time outdoors, and want to make a real impact on Virginia’s environment?
Join a community of volunteers who turn curiosity into conservation.
What You’ll Learn
The Virginia Master Naturalist (VMN) Program 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 with us, you’ll complete ORMN’s Basic Training Course and volunteer in key areas such as:
Citizen Science
Collect data that supports real-world research.
Stewardship
Restore, maintain, and protect natural habitats.
Education & Outreach
Teach others about Virginia’s native ecology.
Chapter Administration
Help guide and support our chapter’s operations.
About the Old Rag Chapter
The Old Rag Master Naturalists serve Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock counties, a region known for its diverse landscapes, from river valleys to mountaintops.
Our training prepares volunteers with the foundational knowledge and hands-on skills needed to contribute meaningfully to conservation efforts across the Piedmont Region.
Basic Training Course Overview
Topics Covered:
Ecology, biodiversity, and invasive species
Geology, soils, and fungi
Entomology, ornithology, herpetology, ichthyology, and mammalogy
Forest ecology and botany
Aquatic systems, wetlands, and weather patterns
Citizen science, nature journaling, and communication skills
You’ll Learn :
Use field guides and identification keys
Record and share observations
Communicate scientific knowledge
Participate in conservation projects
Course Reqs:
40–50 hours of instruction
In-person attendance required (up to two absences allowed with make-up)
Mandatory attendance at the first class
Basic computer skills, Gmail, and internet access required
Background check required
Application Details
Applications Open:
September 1, 2026
Deadline:
September 30, 2026 (or when 20 qualified applications are received)
All qualified applications are reviewed in the order received.
Each applicant completes an in-person interview with a chapter member.
If more than 15 qualified applications are received, up to 5 will be waitlisted.
Course Fee:
$200.00 — includes training materials and chapter dues.
The option to select a different registration fee based on your need is available as part of the volunteer application process.
This fee is nonrefundable and must be paid within two weeks of acceptance.
