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
Applications for the spring 2023 course will be available later this fall.

Banshee Reeks Chapter
Based in Loudoun County
Chapter Advisors: Jordan Green, DWR and Kevin Bowman, DCR
The 2023-2024 training course is filled.

Blue Ridge Foothills and Lakes Chapter
Based in Franklin and Bedford counties
Chapter Advisor: Travis Wyman, DCR

Central Blue Ridge Chapter
Based in Nelson County
Chapter Advisor: Justin Barnes, DOF
Now accepting applications for the spring 2024 course.
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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: Robby O'Brien, DCR
The 2023 fall training course is underway.

Central Virginia Chapter
Based in Lynchburg and Amherst, Bedford, Campbell, and Appomattox counties
Chapter Advisors: Bill Perry, DOF and Brian Watson, DWR
Applications for the spring 2024 training course will be available later this fall.

Eastern Shore Chapter
Based on Virginia's Eastern Shore
Chapter Advisor: Shannon Alexander, DCR
The 2023 fall training course is underway.

Fairfax Chapter
Based in Fairfax County
Chapter Advisors: Jamie Leeuwrik, DCR and Melina Cienski, DOF
Visit website fairfaxmasternaturalists.org to sign up for monthly email newsletter.  Training courses are typically held twice annually in spring and fall.

Headwaters Chapter
Based in Rockingham and Augusta counties
Chapter Advisors: Jason Hallacher, DWR
The 2023 training course is currently underway.

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
The 2023-2024 training course is underway.

Historic Southside Chapter
Based in Surry, Isle of Wight, Southampton, and Sussex counties
Chapter Advisor: Livvy Preisser, VCE
Now accepting applications for the 2024 course, which starts in January.

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, Powhatan, and Louisa counties
Chapter Advisors: Amber Gaddis, DCR, and Hilda LeStrange, DCR
The 2023 course is underway.

Merrimac Farm Chapter
Based in Prince William County
Chapter Advisors: Lindsey Long, DOF and Camron Robertson, DWR
The 2023 course is underway. 

Middle Peninsula Chapter
Based in Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex, King & Queen, and King William Counties
Chapter Advisor Karen Duhring, VIMS-CCRM
The Fall 2023 course is underway.

New River Valley Chapter
Based in Blacksburg and Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, and Floyd counties
Chapter Advisors: Karen Snape (VCE) and Ryan Stubblebine (DCR)
The application period for the 2023 training course has closed.

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
Applications are being accepted for the spring 2024 training course through October 15.

Peninsula Chapter
Based in Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, and lower York county
Chapter Advisors: Megan Tierney, VCE and Stephen Living, DWR
Applications for the spring 2024 training course will be available in September.

Pocahontas Chapter
Based in Chesterfield County and the Richmond Metro Area
Chapter Advisor: Rebecca Whalen, DCR
Applications for the spring 2024 training course will open in mid-October.
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Rivanna Chapter
Based in Charlottesville and Albemarle and Fluvanna counties
Chapter Advisor: Ellen Powell, DOF
Applications for the spring 2024 training course will open later this fall.

Riverine Chapter
Based in Hanover County and the Richmond Metro Area
Chapter Advisor: Kathleen Ogilvy, DOF
Applications for the spring 2024 training course are due October 15.

Roanoke Valley Chapter
Based in Roanoke County
Chapter Advisors: Dennis McCarthy, DOF and Lindsay Caplan, DOF
Applications for the spring 2024 training course will open later this fall.

Shenandoah Chapter
Based in Clarke, Warren, Page, Shenandoah, and Frederick counties
Chapter Advisor: Patrick McNamara, DCR

Southern Piedmont Chapter
Serving Brunswick, Charlotte, Halifax, Lunenburg, and Mecklenburg 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
The Fall 2023 training course is underway.

Tidewater Chapter
Based in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Portsmouth
Chapter Advisor: Jennifer Huggins, DCR