Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH)
ORMN Project Contact: Projects Committee chair - Carolyn Smith - catheal(at)mac.com
Project Background
The Virginia Museum of Natural History is based in Martinsville, VA. The VMNH mission is to interpret Virginia’s natural heritage within a global context in ways that are relevant to all citizens of the Commonwealth. VMNH has award-winning exhibits, ground-breaking scientific research and collections, and innovative educational programs for all ages. With its main facility located in Martinsville, the Virginia Museum of Natural History serves as the Commonwealth’s natural history museum with diverse programs in research, collections, education and exhibits. The museum conducts outreach and distance learning programs for statewide audiences, while also maintaining a traveling exhibits program that brings museum collections to statewide and regional audiences.
The Virginia Museum of Natural History is developing a master plan for a proposed VMNH natural science interpretive facility in Downtown Waynesboro.
The Virginia Museum of Natural History is based in Martinsville, VA. The VMNH mission is to interpret Virginia’s natural heritage within a global context in ways that are relevant to all citizens of the Commonwealth. VMNH has award-winning exhibits, ground-breaking scientific research and collections, and innovative educational programs for all ages. With its main facility located in Martinsville, the Virginia Museum of Natural History serves as the Commonwealth’s natural history museum with diverse programs in research, collections, education and exhibits. The museum conducts outreach and distance learning programs for statewide audiences, while also maintaining a traveling exhibits program that brings museum collections to statewide and regional audiences.
The Virginia Museum of Natural History is developing a master plan for a proposed VMNH natural science interpretive facility in Downtown Waynesboro.
CS (Citizen Science) Activities with Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH)
Virginia Cicada Project
Scientists from VMNH and Clemson University are studying the cicadas of Virginia, with the findings to be published by the VMNH "Insects of Virginia" series. ORMN volunteers assist the project by collecting dead cicadas and submitting them for examination. To participate, contact Dr. Art Evans at arthurevans(at)verizon.net.
Scientists from VMNH and Clemson University are studying the cicadas of Virginia, with the findings to be published by the VMNH "Insects of Virginia" series. ORMN volunteers assist the project by collecting dead cicadas and submitting them for examination. To participate, contact Dr. Art Evans at arthurevans(at)verizon.net.
- Location: Anywhere in Virginia.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: None known.
- Special Requirements: None.
- Time Commitment: Up to each volunteer. Project ends September 30, 2021.
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ED (Education) Activities with Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH)
Events & Assistance
ORMN volunteers assist VMNH staff at public events and with other staffing needs, such as assisting with registration of attendees, preparing information folders, placing traffic signs, setting up and staffing exhibits, directing visitor flow and answering questions.
ORMN volunteers assist VMNH staff at public events and with other staffing needs, such as assisting with registration of attendees, preparing information folders, placing traffic signs, setting up and staffing exhibits, directing visitor flow and answering questions.
- Location: Varies.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: None known.
- Special Requirements: If youth are involved, ORMN volunteers must review the Risk Management policy on the Virginia Master Naturalist website, paying special attention to the “Above Suspicion Policy.”
- Time Commitment: Varies.
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Possible Virginia Museum of Natural History Activities (TBD)
Many volunteer opportunities may be available with the Virginia Museum of Natural History, though no specific activities have as yet been developed for ORMN members. The VMNH website is an excellent source of information about the Museum and provides detailed information about activities that could lend themselves to volunteer opportunities. Interested ORMN members are encouraged to review the website, and contact the ORMN POC above with any questions.
- Assisting museum scientists (CS): VMNH scientists conduct research throughout the state of Virginia and there are opportunities for interested volunteers who are willing to travel to the research sites. The VMNH website lists the following areas of research (view the Science tab, and key on Research Areas in the drop-down menu): Archeology, Geology, Mammology, Marine Biology, Paleontology, and Recent Invertebrates. A Curator is listed for each research area. ORMN members may contact the Curators directly, or request assistance from the ORMN Contact listed above.
- Outreach programming (ED): View the Education tab, and key on Outreach Programming in the drop-down menu for descriptions of VMNH’s outreach programming activities.
- Staffing booths at special events (ED): View the Events and Programs tab. VMNH might also be interested in having volunteers staff booths at events in the local counties covered by the ORMN Chapter.
- Writing articles for use in Museum newsletters and other publications (ED): VMNH is primarily interested in articles for web-based publication and in assistance with blogs and social media.