About Us

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Virginia Master Naturalist. The Central Virginia Chapter will be holding our third basic training course every Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 9:30 in Hopwood Hall on the campus of Lynchburg College. Mark your calendars now! The classes will start on September 10, 2008 and end on December 10. Our chapter has a unique legacy! It was started in 1995 by Mike Hayslett and has followed him through several Central Virginia communities, training over 200 individuals.

Training

Central Virginia Master Naturalist chapter application for training course (MS Word)

Central Virginia Master Naturalist chapter application for training course (PDF)

The purpose of the basic training is to prepare participants for volunteering as Master Naturalists in our community and establishing a base of natural resource volunteers.

Applications for the training can be down loaded by following the links above or may be obtained by calling Carla Bruce 434.525.8526, or by e-mailing .

The cost for the training is $100.

To enroll, submit your application by July 31, 2008 with a check for $100 made out to CVMN. Enrollment is limited to 40 participants on a first paid basis. The CVMN committee will notify you of your acceptance (or wait list) by August 15. No refunds will be made after September 5. Payment arrangements or partial scholarships may be available upon request, please note your needs on your application.

Submit application and fees to:
Central Virginia Master Naturalist
PO Box 6
Lynchburg, VA 24505

By submitting your application you are agreeing to the following.

To become a Certified Master Naturalist, a trainee must:

• Complete the 40 hours of basic training course with participation in all of the field trips. A maximum of 2 absences is allowed and must be made up.
• Past the post-training assessment with a score of 70% or higher
• Complete a minimum of 8 hours of approved advanced training
• Complete a minimum of 40 hours of approved volunteer service
• Serve the chapter in some capacity to earn up to 10 of the 40 required volunteer hours
• You have 1 year from the last day of basic training to meet these requirements
• Certification is valid through the calendar year following the year in which you complete your requirements
• To maintain certification you must complete 8 hours of approved advanced training and 40 hours of approved volunteer service annually
• Applicants must be 18 years old by the start of basic training. Youths ages 14 to 17 are welcomed provided an adult is responsible for them and they are both registered participants in the class.

Questions?

If you have additional question you may e-mail the Basic Training Coordinator, Carla Bruce at   or call 434-525-8526, leave a message with your name and phone number.

You may also e-mail cvmasternaturalist@hotmail.com

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.  Virginia Master Naturalist is 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 Carla Bruce at or call 434-525-8526, leave a message with your name and phone number (TDD number 1-800-921-1120) five days prior to any event.

Tentative Basic Training Course Schedule for Fall 2008

Week	Date	Subject	Presenter
1	9/10	Welcome & introduction, ice breaker, binders, review guidelines and schedule. Break/Above Suspicion Training A history and skills of naturalists	Carla Bruce Bill Perry Mike Hayslett
2	9/17	Basics for Naturalists Ecology 101 Break Taxonomy: what do you call that thing?	Greg Eaton Mike Battaglia
3	9/24	Abiotic basis for nature in the piedmont The geology & physiography of Virginia Soils of the piedmont	Rebecca Ambers John Nicholson
Field Trip	9/27 Sat.	Claytor Nature Center Stream/river/pond Fresh water issues/research training opportunities	TBA
4	10/1	Botany Break Wildflowers	Janet Steven Nancy Cowden
5	10/8	Herpetology & amphibians Break Ichthyology	Mike Hayslett Scott Smith
Field Trip	10/11 Sat.	Sweet Briar College – Wetlands Wetland Ecology Overview Wetlands DEQ Vernal Pools	TBA
6	10/15	Class meets tonight at Randolph College! Ornithology Break Mammology	Thelma Dalmas Ron Gettinger
7	10/22	Dendrology & forest management Break Forest ecosystems	Bill Perry Mike Battaglia
Field Trip	10/26 Sun.	Claytor Nature Center & Peaks of Otter Overview & ecosystem differences Successional Growth Peaks forests	TBA
8	10/29	Backyard habitat Break Urban ecology	Carol Heiser Greg Eaton
9	11/5	Entomology overview & natural history perspective Break Open	Michael LaChance Open???????
10	11/12	Watershed/Urban Issues Break Open calendar	Tom Shahady open
Field Trip	11/16 Sun.	College Lake – Blackwater Creek – James River Watershed issues Urban development concerns	TBA
11	11/19	James River Watershed/Regional Issues Take home test handed out. Volunteer Fair/Opportunities	Bill Street Various sponsors & group representatives
12	11/26	Enjoy and be Thankful! No Class – Thanksgiving Break
13	12/3	Interpretive Skills Break Citizen Science & give and take lesson? Hand in test.	Shearer Ramsey
14	12/10	Candidate presentations – share 3 minute “show & tell” Graduation: Presentation of Certificates Refreshments Entertainment	All of us!

News

Learn about the Central Virginia Master Naturalist chapter's work on the Sweet Briar Nature Trail System: http://www.sbc.edu/news/?id=1936

Last revised on Tuesday, June 24, 2008