Training | Projects | Sponsors
Contact Information
Photo by Brooke Melville
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Virginia Master Naturalist. The Central Rappahannock Chapter will be holding a training course from August-December 2010.
The purpose of the training is to prepare participants for volunteering as Master Naturalists in our community. Though it is an excellent training opportunity, our purpose is for establishing a base of natural resource volunteers.
An Orientation/Introductory class will be held on August 9th at 6:30 PM at Mott’s
Applications for the training can be downloaded here or obtained by calling 540-663-0181 or emailing or .
The cost for the training is $150.
To enroll, submit your application. Fees are due by August 9th and may be paid at the Oreintation Session. Make checks payable to VMN-
Enrollment is limited to 20 on a first come basis.
Applications should be submitted to:
Master Naturalist Program
If you have questions, please contact Jim Scibek at or Karen Snape, 540-663-0181 or email .
Please note the following:
1. To become a Certified Master Naturalist, a trainee must: 1) Complete the 40 hours basic training course with a minimum of 25% time in the field; 2) Pass the post-training assessment with a score of 70% or higher; 3) Complete a minimum of 8 hours of advanced training, approved by the Central Rappahannock Chapter; and 4) Complete a minimum of 40 hours of service, approved by the Central Rappahannock Chapter. Each volunteer has a maximum of 12 months from the last day of basic training to complete the remaining requirements for certification. Certification is valid through the calendar year following the year in which the requirements were completed. To maintain certification, volunteers complete an additional 8 hours of advanced training and 40 hours of service annually.
2. Due to statewide regulations, applicants must be 18 years old by the start of the training session (August 9, 2010) or aged 14-17 and accompanied by an adult who is responsible for them, as long as they are both registered participants in the program.
3. Training Class Schedule and Location–
Classes will be held Monday evenings from 6:30-8:45PM at
Master Naturalist guidelines require 25% of the training to take place outdoors. Four required Saturday sessions are scheduled. Saturday classes usually last four hours and will be held at Motts Run, the Friends of the
4. Trainees may not miss more than 2 classes, and all missed sessions must be made up by attending the appropriate class(es) within 12 months of the completion of the training or other approved make-up activities.
5. Additional information on the Virginia Master Naturalist Program can be found at http://www.virginiamasternaturalist.org
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Master Naturalist Schedule – 2010 |
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Day |
Date |
Topic |
Teacher |
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Mon. |
Aug. 9th |
Orientation/Intro to Virginia Master Naturalist Program |
Karen & |
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Mon. |
Aug. 16th |
Administrative Info./American Naturalists/Risk Management |
Karen & |
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Mon. |
Aug. 23rd |
Ecological Concepts |
Ruth Ann Alliare |
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Mon. |
Aug. 30th |
Botany |
Ruth Ann Alliare |
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Mon. |
Sept. 13th |
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Karen Snape |
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Sat. |
Sept. 18th |
Bird Walk |
Donna Finnegan |
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Mon. |
Sept. 20th |
Ornithology |
Donna Finnegan |
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Sat. |
Sept. 25th |
Plant Walk |
Harry Puffenberger & Linda Bailey |
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Mon. |
Sept. 27th |
Interpretation and Teaching Skills |
Linda Bailey |
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Mon. |
Oct, 4th |
Land Use/ Urban Systems |
Adam Downing |
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Mon. |
Oct. 11th |
Geology/ Biogeography |
Cathy Pritchett |
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Sat. |
Oct. 16th |
Wetlands and Coastal Ecology |
Frank Reilly |
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Mon. |
Oct. 18th |
Weather and Climate/ Soil Science |
Cathy Pritchett/ Ron Wisniewski |
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Mon. |
Oct.25th |
Citizen Science and Presentations |
Michelle Prysby |
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Sat. |
Oct. 30th |
Biological and Chemical Water Monitoring and Icthyology |
Chuck Hoysa |
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Mon. |
Nov. 1st |
Mammalogy |
Doug Harpole |
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Mon. |
Nov. 8th |
Herpetology |
Chuck Hoysa? |
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Mon. |
Nov. 15th |
Entomology – Tests Distributed |
Guy Mussey |
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Mon. |
Nov. 29th |
TESTS DUE BACK to DOF-King George (Karen’s Office) by |
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Tues.. |
Dec. 7th |
Graduation and Chapter Meeting |
*Planned Schedule – Order subject to change pending speaker availability.
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.
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact VDOF at 540-663-0181 (TDD number 1-800-828-1120 during business hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.
Certified Master Naturalist Donna Finnegan fixes the roof on a bluebird nestbox at Lake Anna State Park, where volunteers monitor 17 boxes on a "Bluebird Trail" and report to the Virginia Bluebird Society. This box had five nestlings in it at the time and the rain was coming right in after a raccoon no doubt must have tried to get to them and ripped off the overhang. The new predator guards installed in the spring are working, and these five birds fledged. Photo by Martin Wright |
MN Volunteers have restored and extended a nature trail on the grounds at Belmont, Gari Melchers Home and Studio, in Stafford, Virginia. Improvements included erosion control, bridge repair, extending the existing trail to a natural spring, preparing and placing plant ID markers and creating trail guides. Guided nature walks are given the last Sunday of each month at 2:00pm and will leave from the visitor’s center.
Links to Free Lance Star articles about the Belmont Nature Trail:
http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2008/042008/04192008/371558
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2008/022008/02102008/354338
 Photo by Lori Rys Bridge on the |
Volunteer Hour form
Project Application Form
Application for Master Naturalist Basic Training Class
Contact Brooke Melville for additional project information: .
*indicates that advanced training is required to volunteer
Virginia Master Naturalist Program Projects
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Name of Project |
Description |
Where |
When |
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Alum Spring Park |
Volunteers will restore a park trail. Projects will include: shoring up a section of badly eroding bank under a sandstone overhang, removing tree limbs from historic mill race, moving limbs off trail, spreading mulch onto path. |
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As needed |
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Annual Tree Seedling |
Volunteers will bundle or pot tree seedlings |
Spotsylvania |
March |
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At the Rivers Edge |
Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) presents outdoor environmental programs for school children (pre-K through high school) to promote respect and stewardship of the river and its watershed. Volunteers will assist staff. Most programs are offered at the |
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On-going |
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Audubon Society: |
Observe and count local bird species and report data. |
Varies |
Christmas bird count |
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Construction of a new 3.5 mile trail at the park. Volunteers will bench the trail on hillsides, install water control structures, construct and install benches and signs, construct boardwalks and bridges. |
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Volunteers will restore and maintain a nature trail on the grounds at |
Gari Melchers |
On-going |
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Belmont Trail Interpretive Sign Design |
Volunteers will work with park staff to develop interpretive displays for a new trail at |
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Citizen |
Volunteers perform water quality tests once per month |
Spotsylvania |
Water testing |
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Coach Wildlife Habitat |
Volunteers will meet with team members and review study material with them as well as work with them in the field to identify habitat requirements and learn management methods to improve the habitat. Coaches meet with team 1 to 2 times per week for 2 hours. Competition is April 21, from 8am to 3pm. |
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Volunteers will monitor 8 bluebird boxes two to three times a week and record nesting activity. Each volunteer may be required to visit the boxes every week (or every other week-depending on how many Volunteers sign up). |
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Exhibits/Booths at Public Events, |
Volunteers will provide an exhibit on the Master |
Public or |
On-going |
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Friends of the |
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On-going |
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Friends of the |
Volunteers will assist camp staff in teaching children how to respect and enjoy the river in a safe manner by engaging them in, hikes, art projects water activities, and exploring the river and its surroundings |
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Summer |
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Frog and Toad |
Volunteers will learn frog and toad calls for the |
Central Rappahannock |
On-going |
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Growing Native |
Our Master Naturalists Chapter will organize a seed collection event at some public land in our area. We will have to advertise the event, orient the seed collectors, sort the seeds and deliver them to the nursery or growing native regional coordinator. |
Central Rappahannock Chapter area. |
On-going |
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Livable Neighborhood |
Lead neighborhood groups (teams) in learning about and implementing activities that will improve water quality in their communities. Volunteer leaders will hold neighborhood gatherings, provide materials and instruction. There will be a 4 hour training in February. |
Neighborhoods |
On-going |
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Meaningful Day |
TCC is responsible for presenting watershed information at this event to 4th graders. Volunteers will help TCC by using the enviroscape to demonstrate a watershed. An enviroscape is a relief model of a watershed that gives children hands on experience while learning about our local |
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Volunteers will open and close center, feed snake, |
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Saturdays and |
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Motts Run |
“Trailkeepers” will be assigned a section of a trail as “theirs” for a one year commitment. Volunteer will remove sticks and limbs from path; trim overhanging branches to 7 feet; and report dangerous limbs, yellow jacket nests, and damage bridges. |
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Begins March 2007 least 2 visits per year |
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Teach summer camp counselors about natural history and how to incorporate it into summer camp. |
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Natural Resources |
Volunteers will be assisting w/ club activities: 2) Trail maintenance at |
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Year round: |
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Natural Resources |
Help a natural resources themed club at the high school in |
High Schools in |
Begin in Feb 2007 |
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Volunteers will create and outdoor education area for and elementary school. It will include a meadow area with nature trail, raised garden beds and a covered teaching pavilion. |
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Outdoor Classroom |
Volunteers will assemble "buckets," in conjunction with Tri-County/City Soil and Water Conservation District, filled with supplies that will help children explore the outdoors. Approximately 1200 buckets will be distributed to elementary schools in |
Home of Art Hart |
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Volunteers will create and outdoor education area for |
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Speaking at Public |
Volunteers will cover appropriate natural resources |
Public events or other |
On-going |
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Locate land in |
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State Parks |
Volunteers will prepare and present educational |
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On-going |
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Survey of Shore Flies |
Volunteers will collect, prepare, and keep records for shore |
Near lakes, rivers, swamps |
Once per month |
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Teach Entomology |
Teach cub scouts about insects by using games, play |
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Garrisonville |
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Trail Restoration at |
Volunteer will beautify and restore existing trails. |
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Virginia |
Inform 4-H leaders of various resources available to them so they can incorporate natural resources into their clubs. |
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Volunteers will identify and estimate the abundance of birds and document signs of breeding activity using sight and sound. |
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Water Quality Testing |
Volunteer will test and monitor water quality. |
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Wildlife Mapping in |
Volunteers will perform field studies, as part of Virginia Dept. of Game and Inland Fishers (VDGIF) Wildlife Mapping program. Volunteers will observe and record wildlife present in our own "backyards". Information will contribute to the state distributional data on a variety of species. Volunteers must complete the Wildlife Mapping Training by VDGIF. (Volunteers can receive up to 1/2 hour of observation time per month in their own backyards plus the time it takes to record your observations in the wildlife data base). |
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On-going |
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Boy Scout/Girl Scout |
Volunteers will act as advisors or counselors to scouts earning badges. Training may be required. |
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On-going |
The Virginia Master Naturalist program is sponsored jointly by Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Virginia Department of Forestry, and the Virginia Museum of Natural History.
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Karen Snape at 540-663-0181 between 8 AM and 5 PM (TDD number 1-800-828-1120) to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event. 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.
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