wood rail fence in foreground with field, trees, and mountains in background

two people using kick net in streamAbout 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 close up view of insects collected in kick nettraining 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.

people looking at plants in field with pond in backgroundTo become a Certified Master Naturalist, a trainee must:

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!

cardinal flower bloom

tree next to large rock slab by stream

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

group of people looking through insects collected from stream

Last revised on Tuesday, June 24, 2008