Hello, VMNs. We hope you’re enjoying the much-needed rain! If you find yourself with a soggy afternoon and can’t get out to your planned activity, you can catch up on the VMN program’s Bi-weekly emails.
This email includes:
Being a VMN - You can achieve initial certification any year in your VMN career
If you are a currently enrolled VMN volunteer who has not yet achieved initial certification, we want to make sure you know this –
Any VMN volunteer can achieve initial certification in any given calendar year by completing and logging 40 hours of approved volunteer service and 8 hours of approved CE between January 1 - December 31.
The VMN State Office is in the process of completing the Mid-year Reports and we noticed that there are a lot of volunteers out there who have never achieved initial certification but have come close several times. As we pass the mid-point of 2024, it might be a good time to take a look at your hours and see if, with a little planning, you can get that 40+8 this year!
For more information on how certification works, please review the VMN Volunteer Policy Handbook, starting on page 19, “VMN Certification and Recertification”.
Continuing Education Opportunities
Eco Friendly Gardening in a Changing Climate Symposium
Date: Saturday, September 14
Location: Daniel Technology Center, 18121 Technology Dr, Culpeper, VA 22701
Cost: $95
Organizers: Rapidan River Master Gardeners
Description: “Eco-Friendly Gardening in a Changing Environment” is a daylong symposium with presentations to address climate change made by national practitioners, organized by the Rapidan River Master Gardeners serving four counties in Virginia’s Northern Piedmont.
More info and registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/symposium-eco-friendly-gardening-in-a-changing-climate-tickets-874148490667
For additional information contact: Mark Hoerath, Rapidan River Master Gardener, [email protected]
DEQ 101 Webinar
Date: Tuesday, August 27, 6:30-8:00 pm
Description: The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the environmental agency for Virginia, responsible for administering laws and regulations related to air quality, water quality, water supply, renewable energy and land protection. In keeping with our mission and vision, we protect and enhance the environment of Virginia so that all of us can enjoy cleaner water, better air quality and the productive reuse of land that was once contaminated. But what does that mean in practice? Join us for this webinar as we outline the basics of DEQ’s programs, including permitting, monitoring, enforcement, planning, and environmental enhancement.
Cost: Free
To register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1639095199522147421
Recordings: Recordings from the DEQ’s educational webinar series are made available at https://www.deq.virginia.gov/get-involved/education-series.
Other Opportunities To Know About
Which Tree Should I Plant?: A Guide for Selecting Riparian Trees and Shrubs in Virginia
The Upper and Middle James River Riparian Consortium has a new and handy woody plant guide to aid in riparian restoration projects. The digital version is available at https://jamesriverconsortium.org/landowner-resources/plant-guide/
Questions? Contact Amber Ellis at the James River Association, Amber Ellis, [email protected].
Shaping Virginia’s First Ocean Plan
Although this event doesn’t necessarily fit for VMN service or CE, we thought VMN volunteers might want to know about it.
What: The Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program is hosting a Community Open Forum to collect input from Virginians to help shape the first "Virginia Ocean Plan". How and where do you interact with the Ocean? What ocean uses are important to you? What issues or concerns should we be considering? This cafe style event will allow attendees to move through a series of staffed tables/exhibits to learn about the plan process and provide input at their own pace. During and afterwards attendees can enjoy several aquarium exhibits.
Where: Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, 717 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. Free parking!
When: August 15, 2024 from 6:30 PM-9:30 PM. Attendees can come at any point during that time frame.
How: Attendees are encouraged to register using this link for our planning purposes. However, registration is NOT necessary.
What Else? This event is free and open to the public and is kid friendly with activities, giveaways, and access to select aquarium exhibits. Can't make this event? Go to the DEQ Website to see other ways to provide input including taking a survey, attending a virtual "townhall meeting", or sending us an email, voicemail, or text.
This email includes:
- Being a VMN
- Continuing Education Opportunities
- Other Opportunities
Being a VMN - You can achieve initial certification any year in your VMN career
If you are a currently enrolled VMN volunteer who has not yet achieved initial certification, we want to make sure you know this –
Any VMN volunteer can achieve initial certification in any given calendar year by completing and logging 40 hours of approved volunteer service and 8 hours of approved CE between January 1 - December 31.
The VMN State Office is in the process of completing the Mid-year Reports and we noticed that there are a lot of volunteers out there who have never achieved initial certification but have come close several times. As we pass the mid-point of 2024, it might be a good time to take a look at your hours and see if, with a little planning, you can get that 40+8 this year!
For more information on how certification works, please review the VMN Volunteer Policy Handbook, starting on page 19, “VMN Certification and Recertification”.
Continuing Education Opportunities
Eco Friendly Gardening in a Changing Climate Symposium
Date: Saturday, September 14
Location: Daniel Technology Center, 18121 Technology Dr, Culpeper, VA 22701
Cost: $95
Organizers: Rapidan River Master Gardeners
Description: “Eco-Friendly Gardening in a Changing Environment” is a daylong symposium with presentations to address climate change made by national practitioners, organized by the Rapidan River Master Gardeners serving four counties in Virginia’s Northern Piedmont.
More info and registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/symposium-eco-friendly-gardening-in-a-changing-climate-tickets-874148490667
For additional information contact: Mark Hoerath, Rapidan River Master Gardener, [email protected]
DEQ 101 Webinar
Date: Tuesday, August 27, 6:30-8:00 pm
Description: The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the environmental agency for Virginia, responsible for administering laws and regulations related to air quality, water quality, water supply, renewable energy and land protection. In keeping with our mission and vision, we protect and enhance the environment of Virginia so that all of us can enjoy cleaner water, better air quality and the productive reuse of land that was once contaminated. But what does that mean in practice? Join us for this webinar as we outline the basics of DEQ’s programs, including permitting, monitoring, enforcement, planning, and environmental enhancement.
Cost: Free
To register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1639095199522147421
Recordings: Recordings from the DEQ’s educational webinar series are made available at https://www.deq.virginia.gov/get-involved/education-series.
Other Opportunities To Know About
Which Tree Should I Plant?: A Guide for Selecting Riparian Trees and Shrubs in Virginia
The Upper and Middle James River Riparian Consortium has a new and handy woody plant guide to aid in riparian restoration projects. The digital version is available at https://jamesriverconsortium.org/landowner-resources/plant-guide/
Questions? Contact Amber Ellis at the James River Association, Amber Ellis, [email protected].
Shaping Virginia’s First Ocean Plan
Although this event doesn’t necessarily fit for VMN service or CE, we thought VMN volunteers might want to know about it.
What: The Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program is hosting a Community Open Forum to collect input from Virginians to help shape the first "Virginia Ocean Plan". How and where do you interact with the Ocean? What ocean uses are important to you? What issues or concerns should we be considering? This cafe style event will allow attendees to move through a series of staffed tables/exhibits to learn about the plan process and provide input at their own pace. During and afterwards attendees can enjoy several aquarium exhibits.
Where: Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, 717 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. Free parking!
When: August 15, 2024 from 6:30 PM-9:30 PM. Attendees can come at any point during that time frame.
How: Attendees are encouraged to register using this link for our planning purposes. However, registration is NOT necessary.
What Else? This event is free and open to the public and is kid friendly with activities, giveaways, and access to select aquarium exhibits. Can't make this event? Go to the DEQ Website to see other ways to provide input including taking a survey, attending a virtual "townhall meeting", or sending us an email, voicemail, or text.
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