Class 1: Introduction to the Virginia Master Naturalist program, personal introductions/icebreaker, history and basic skills of naturalists, intro to the process of science, intro to interpretation
Class 2: Basic ecology
Class 3: Virginia geology, physiographic regions, soils, Karst/ Caves and land use- (demonstration of bat identification- sonar detectors)
Class 4: Forest ecosystems: Basic taxonomy, dendrology, classification, land use history and management
Class 5: Field Trip to the Big Survey Wildlife Management Area- identification, Botany, ornithology, mammalogy, entomology, Citizen Science Skills-water quality monitoring at Hemlock Cove using VA SOS protocol ( at the base of the Big Survey Watershed)
Class 6: Urban/suburban, ecology and management, wildlife interaction/habitats, ornithology, botany, dendrology, Lepidoptera, management and restoration of natural area.
Class 7: Wetland ecosystems: characteristics, ecological processes and management, botany, herpetology, invertebrate biology,
Class 8: Ichthyology, aquatic ecology with fish shocking demonstration then Field trip- to Lake Estanoa-reclamation of wetlands / land use
Class 9: Natural resource management (forest, wetland, freshwater aquatic, coastal/estuarine, urban/suburban), roles of state agencies in conservation and management of resources.
Class 10: Geology Field Trip- Ground water, Karst sites, caves, affect on water quality, history of land use and management in Karst country- point and non point pollution and possible remediation. Wythe Bland and Smyth County
Class 11: Interpretive skills, Citizen Science skills, wrap up, assessment and discussion of volunteer opportunities
All classes are 3 hours unless otherwise specified. Thursday evenings will begin at 7PM. There may be a scheduling conflict for two of our speakers so the topics may need to be switched to accommodate them. You will be notified if any chances are necessary.
Master Naturalists from Beagle Ridge were recently featured in a Wytheville Enterprise newspaper article.
Virginia Master Naturalist programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.