Virginia Master Naturalist Chapters

Chapters are the heart of the Virginia Master Naturalist Program.  They are community-based and self-governed by a board made up of officers and committee chairs. Chapters recruit members, plan and produce training courses, and work with sponsors and partners to organize volunteer service projects. 

To find a chapter near you and relevant contact information, click a map icon or scroll down the page.  You can enlarge the map by clicking on the box in the top right corner of the map or you can open it in a new window.  


Alleghany Highlands Chapter
Based in Alleghany, Bath, and Highland counties
Chapter Advisor: Christine Hodges, VCE

Arlington Regional Chapter
Based in Arlington
Chapter Advisor: Kirsten Ann Conrad, VCE

Banshee Reeks Chapter
Based in Loudoun County
Chapter Advisor: Jordan Green, DGIF

Beagle Ridge Chapter
Based in Wytheville and Wythe, Bland, Grayson, and Carroll counties
Chapter Advisor: Zack Olinger, DOF

Blue Ridge Foothills and Lakes Chapter
Based in Franklin and Bedford counties
Chapter Advisor: Ryan Klopf, DCR

Central Blue Ridge Chapter
Based in Nelson County
Chapter Advisor: Corissa Vanden Hoek, VCE
Now accepting applications for the Spring 2020 basic training course that starts January 22. Deadline is January 15, 2020. Please contact Corissa Vanden Hoek, at wcorissa@vt.edu for information and application
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Central Piedmont Chapter
Based in Buckingham, Cumberland, Prince Edwards, and surrounding counties
Chapter Advisor: In transition
There will be a Spring 2020 basic training class. For more information, please contact the chapter.

Central Rappahannock Chapter
Based in Fredericksburg and Stafford, King George, Spotsylvania, and Caroline counties
Chapter Advisor: Andrew Peal, DCR

Central Virginia Chapter
Based in Lynchburg and Amherst, Bedford, Campbell, and Appomattox counties
Chapter Advisors: Bill Perry, DOF and Brian Watson, DGIF

Eastern Shore Chapter
Based on Virginia's Eastern Shore
Chapter Advisor: Dot Field, DCR

Fairfax Chapter
Based in Fairfax County
Chapter Advisor: Jim McGlone, DOF
Visit website fairfaxmasternaturalists.org to sign up for monthly email newsletter to receive information about next training class

Headwaters Chapter
Based in Rockingham and Augusta counties
Chapter Advisors: Paul Bugas, DGIF and Tyler Urgo, DCR
Now accepting applications for the Spring 2020 basic training course, which runs from Mar-May and Sept-Nov, 2020. Application deadline is Jan. 1, 2020

High Knob Chapter
Based in Lee, Wise, Scott, and Dickenson counties
Chapter Advisor: Phil Meeks, VCE

Historic Rivers Chapter
Based in Williamsburg and James City and York counties
Chapter Advisor: John Gresham, DCR

Historic Southside Chapter
Based in Surry, Isle of Wight, Southampton, and Sussex counties
Chapter Advisor: Livvy Preisser, VCE
Now accepting applications for the Spring 2020 basic training course.

Holston Rivers Chapter
Based in Abingdon, Bristol, and Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, and western Grayson counties
Chapter Advisor: Tanya Hall, DCR

James River Chapter
Based in Goochland and Powhatan counties
Chapter Advisor: Carol Heiser, DGIF

Merrimac Farm Chapter
Based in Prince William County
Chapter Advisor: Joe Ferdinandsen, DGIF

Middle Peninsula Chapter
Based in Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex, King & Queen, and King William Counties
Chapter Advisor Karen Duhring, VIMS-CCRM

New River Valley Chapter
Based in Blacksburg and Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, and Floyd counties
Chapter Advisor: John Copeland, DGIF
Now accepting applications for the Spring 2020 basic training course, which runs January 13 to May 18, 2020. Deadline is December 2, 2019. Click here for more information.

Northern Neck Chapter
Based in Northumberland, Westmoreland, Lancaster, Richmond, King George, Essex, and Middlesex Counties
Chapter Advisor: Tara Brent and Wendy Herdman, VCE

Old Rag Chapter
Based in Greene, Madison, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Orange, and Fauquier counties
Chapter Advisor: Jack Kauffman, DOF
Now accepting applications for the Spring 2020 basic training course. Applications will start being reviewed in Fall 2019. Deadline is December 15, 2019.

Peninsula Chapter
Based in Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, Gloucester, and lower York county
Chapter Advisor: Megan Tierney, VCE
Now accepting applications for the Spring 2020 basic training course which runs March to June, 2020. Application deadline is January 31, 2020.

Pocahontas Chapter
Based in Chesterfield County and the Richmond Metro Area
Chapter Advisor: Rebecca Whalen, DCR
Now accepting applications for the Spring 2020 basic training course, which runs January to April, 2020. 
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Rivanna Chapter
Based in Charlottesville and Albemarle and Fluvanna counties
Chapter Advisor: Page Hutchinson, DOF
Now accepting applications for the Spring 2020 basic training course, which runs February 5 to May 20. Application deadline is Jan. 3, 2020. 

Riverine Chapter
Based in Hanover County and the Richmond Metro Area
Chapter Advisor: Kathleen Ogilvy, DOF
Now accepting applications for the Spring 2020 basic training course, which runs January to April, 2020. Deadline is November 15, 2019.

Roanoke Valley Chapter
Based in Roanoke County
Chapter Advisor: George Devlin, DEQ
Now accepting applications for the Spring 2020 basic training course.

Shenandoah Chapter
Based in Clarke, Warren, Page, Shenandoah, and Frederick counties
Chapter Advisor: Tim Skinner, DCR

Southwestern Piedmont Chapter
Serving the cities of Martinsville and Danville, and the counties of Henry, Patrick and Pittsylvania.
Chapter Advisor: In transition

Tidewater Chapter
Based in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Portsmouth
Chapter Advisors: Jennifer Huggins, DCR and Jessica Ruthenberg, DGIF