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, DWR

Blue Ridge Foothills and Lakes Chapter
Based in Franklin and Bedford counties
Chapter Advisor: Ryan Klopf, DCR
Now accepting applications for the spring training course.

Central Blue Ridge Chapter
Based in Nelson County
Chapter Advisor: Justin Barnes, DOF
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Central Piedmont Chapter
Based in Buckingham, Cumberland, Prince Edwards, and surrounding counties
Chapter Advisors: Linda Eanes (VCE) and Katie Martin (DWR)

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, DWR
Their 2022 training course is currently underway; it will run April through October.

Eastern Shore Chapter
Based on Virginia's Eastern Shore
Chapter Advisor: Shannon Alexander, DCR
This chapter is currently accepting applications for their 2022 class! Their 2022 training course will be each Thursday from September 8 - November 10 in Onancock, VA. Applications will be accepted beginning in mid-May until the class is filled. Please click on their chapter name to see their website for more details.

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: Jason Hallacher, DWR

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 Advisors: John Gresham, DCR and Meagan Thomas, DWR
Applications for the 2022-23 class will be accepted June 1-30, 2022. Classes will begin on September 6, 2022 and will end March 1, 2023.

Historic Southside Chapter
Based in Surry, Isle of Wight, Southampton, and Sussex counties
Chapter Advisor: Livvy Preisser, VCE

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: Dan Gugliocciello, DCR

Merrimac Farm Chapter
Based in Prince William County
Chapter Advisor: Joe Ferdinandsen, DWR
Applications are currently being accepted for their 2022 training class which will run August 2022 through January 2023.

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 Advisors: Karen Snape (VCE) and Ryan Stubblebine (DCR)

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

Old Rag Chapter
Based in Greene, Madison, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Orange, and Fauquier counties
Chapter Advisor: Kinner Ingram, DOF

Peninsula Chapter
Based in Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, Gloucester, and lower York county
Chapter Advisors: Megan Tierney, VCE and Meghan Mulroy-Goldman, DOF
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2022 class. The application deadline is August 17, 2022. The class will run from August 31 - November 16, 2022. Contact the chapter for more information.

Pocahontas Chapter
Based in Chesterfield County and the Richmond Metro Area
Chapter Advisor: Rebecca Whalen, DCR
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Rivanna Chapter
Based in Charlottesville and Albemarle and Fluvanna counties
Chapter Advisor: Ellen Powell, DOF

Riverine Chapter
Based in Hanover County and the Richmond Metro Area
Chapter Advisor: Kathleen Ogilvy, DOF

Roanoke Valley Chapter
Based in Roanoke County
Chapter Advisor: George Devlin, DEQ

Shenandoah Chapter
Based in Clarke, Warren, Page, Shenandoah, and Frederick counties
Chapter Advisor: Kevin Bowman, DCR

Southern Piedmont Chapter
Based in Mecklenburg and adjacent counties
​Chapter Advisor: Taylor Clarke, VCE

Southwestern Piedmont Chapter
Serving the cities of Martinsville and Danville, and the counties of Henry, Patrick and Pittsylvania.
Chapter Advisor: Christy Deatherage, VMNH
Applications are currently being accepted. The deadline for submission is July 1, 2022. Class will run from August 8-November 12, 2022. 

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