Overview
The Virginia Master Naturalist (VMN) program is a corps of volunteers dedicated to conserving our natural heritage and resources with sponsoring state agencies and local partnering groups, such as schools, parks and environmental groups Our chapter includes members of all ages, interest and backgrounds, united by a desire to educate, gather scientific data, receive training as citizen scientists, and participate in a variety of service projects that protect and preserve our shared ecosystem.
The Training Course is the first step to complete if you wish to become a certified Virginia Master Naturalist. Training includes classroom time and field experiences that provide volunteers with background knowledge and a regional grasp of the areas in which they will pursue service projects, as well as online or printed references to consult for guidance. Note that entry into the Training Course is competitive, as the program is quite popular.
General Schedule and Facts
The Training Class usually begins the first week of February and runs until mid- to late May. Following VMN guidelines, initial certification requires 40 hours of in-class participation and 15 hours of field experience. During even-numbered years, class meets on Wednesday mornings, and during odd-numbered years, class meets on Tuesday evenings. Application materials will be posted on this page in the Fall and are due, with three references, the first week of January. Applicants will be informed of acceptance by mid-January, and there is often a waiting list. A $150 tuition charge, which pays in part for more than a dozen guidebooks, is required. Scholarship funds are available.
Click here to download a sample schedule.
Note that class runs Tuesdays pm or Wednesdays am depending on the year.
Click this link to get into our Better Impact Application.
If applying, download this Recommendation Form and send to three recommenders who will vouch for your volunteer enthusiasm.
Click here to view the “Introducing the RMN” PDF
Continuing Education
To be certified after graduating from Basic Training, students have one year to complete 40 hours of volunteer work, and EIGHT HOURS of Continuing Education or Advanced Training in live or livestreaming presentations. The RMN offers a monthly speaker on the last Thursday of the month, which is advertised to members, and accepts CE hours for presentations that pertain to nature-related topics in other groups, such as Wild Virginia, Ivy Creek Ivy Talks, Rivanna Conservation Alliance, Sierra Club, or Piedmont Bird Club.
To be recertified each year, all RMN members must attend eight hours of continuing education or advanced training, in addition to their annual 40 hours of volunteer work as approved by the RMN Projects Chair at rmnprojectschair@gmail.com.
Questions about the validity of CE hours for specific presentations outside the RMN can be sent to rivannamn.info@gmail.com.
Ongoing Certification
After completing the initial certification (above), annual recertification requires that RMNs complete and record 40 hours of volunteer work and 8 hours of continuing or advanced education or training.
About Volunteer Service
To attain, and then maintain the status of certified Master Naturalist, members must contribute and record at least 40 hours of volunteer service in their local community each year. Volunteer service is generally pre-approved by Chapter’s Volunteer Project Chair at RMNprojectschair@gmail.com, but can also be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Once certified, members have access to a list of more than 90 RMN-approved projects in Citizen Science, Education, and Stewardship. Individuals doing board work or committee work can count up to 30 hours for Administration towards recertification–additional Admin hours still go into the member’s lifetime hours count. During COVID’19, the VMN has reduced the required hours for recertification, but when the all clear is called, we will revert to the 40 plus 8 requirement—write us at rivannamn.info@gmail.com to check on this.
VOLUNTEER PROJECTS FOR TRAINEES (3 HOURS):
Those taking the Basic Training Class need only complete 3 hours of volunteer work to graduate. To be certified, trainees have one calendar year to complete 40 volunteer hours. All service projects are in our local area; are approved by the Projects Chair; are listed in our volunteer hours management system (switching in early 2021 to a new system). All projects must be for public benefit rather than personal gain, and meet the Master Naturalist mission. Projects are listed under the categories (C) Citizen Science, (E) Education, (S) Stewardship, and (A) Administration.
Recognitions, Certification, Milestones
New Class Graduates: If you’re getting your first certification after completing the training class, please be sure to enter your hours by June 30th. Initial certification and renewed certifications require 40 hours of volunteer hours and 8 CE hours per year. June 30th is the deadline for new trainees to be certified for the present calendar year.
Questions? Contact our Member Chair, Debbie, at rivannamnmembership@gmail.com.
See Volunteer Projects under Members Only for further information. For questions about this, please email rmnprojectschair@gmail.com.
Virginia Master Naturalist programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, 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.
Individuals with disabilities desiring accommodations in the application, class or volunteer
process should notify the Chapter Advisor Ellen Powell at ellen.powell@dof.virginia.gov