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
Applications for the next training course, which begins in September 2024, are due July 15.

Arlington Regional Chapter
Based in Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church
Chapter Advisors: Kirsten Ann Conrad, VCE and Jacob Zielinski, DOF
Applications for the fall 2024 course will be available soon.

Banshee Reeks Chapter
Based in Loudoun County
Chapter Advisors: Jordan Green, DWR and Kevin Bowman, DCR
The 2024-2025 training course is filled.

Blue Ridge Foothills and Lakes Chapter
Based in Franklin and Bedford counties
Chapter Advisor: Travis Wyman, DCR
The 2024 training course is underway.

Central Blue Ridge Chapter
Based in Nelson County
Chapter Advisor: Justin Barnes, DOF
The spring 2024 course is filled.
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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
Now accepting applications for the 2024 training course which begins September 4.

Central Rappahannock Chapter
Based in Fredericksburg and Stafford, King George, Spotsylvania, and Caroline counties
Chapter Advisors: Robby O'Brien, DCR, and Gayle Powell, DCR
Applications due June 22 for the fall 2024 training course which begins in August.

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

Eastern Shore Chapter
Based on Virginia's Eastern Shore
Chapter Advisor: Shannon Alexander, DCR
The Eastern Shore chapter is currently accepting applications for their 2024 class. More information can be found on their website at https://www.esmn.org/

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
Applications are due July 15 for the next training course, which runs August 2024-March 2025.

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: Meagan Thomas, DWR and Daniel Brooks, DOF
Applications open until June 30 or until the course is filled for the 2024-2025 training course.

Historic Southside Chapter
Based in Surry, Isle of Wight, Southampton, Sussex, Suffolk, and Prince George counties
Chapter Advisor: Livvy Preisser, VCE and Elizabeth Cooper, 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, Powhatan, and Louisa counties
Chapter Advisors: Amber Gaddis, DCR, and Hilda LeStrange, DCR
Next basic training course planned for 2025.

Merrimac Farm Chapter
Based in Prince William County
Chapter Advisors: Lindsey Long, DOF and Camron Robertson, DWR

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
Applications coming soon for the 2024 training course which starts in September.

Old Rag Chapter
Based in Greene, Madison, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Orange, and Fauquier counties
Chapter Advisor: Kinner Ingram, DOF
The 2024 course is filled.

Peninsula Chapter
Based in Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, and lower York county
Chapter Advisors: Megan Tierney, VCE and Stephen Living, DWR

Pocahontas Chapter
Based in Chesterfield County and the Richmond Metro Area
Chapter Advisor: Rebecca Whalen, DCR
Applications for 2025 basic training will open in mid-October 2024. 

Rivanna Chapter
Based in Charlottesville and Albemarle and Fluvanna counties
Chapter Advisor: Ellen Powell, DOF
Next course in winter/spring 2025.

Riverine Chapter
Based in Hanover County and the Richmond Metro Area
Chapter Advisor: Kathleen Ogilvy, DOF
Next course in winter/spring 2025.

Roanoke Valley Chapter
Based in Roanoke County
Chapter Advisors: Dennis McCarthy, DOF and Lindsay Caplan, DOF

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

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