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
Now accepting applications for the Fall 2019 basic training course, which runs September 9-December 9.  Applications are due August 9.

Banshee Reeks Chapter
Based in Loudoun County
Chapter Advisor: In transition
Now accepting applications for the Fall 2019 basic training course, which runs September 14, 2019-April 25, 2020. Click here for more info.

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
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Central Piedmont Chapter
Based in Buckingham, Cumberland, Prince Edwards, and surrounding counties
Chapter Advisor: Irene Frentz, DCR 

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

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
Now accepting applications for the Fall 2019 basic training course, which runs September 5-November 7.  Applications are due by August 19. Call Mimi Stitt at (757) 678-7879 for more information.

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

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
Now accepting applications for the Fall 2019 basic training course, which runs September 3, 2019-March 11, 2020. Applications are due August 10. 

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: Carol Heiser, DGIF
Applications are due by July 31 for the Fall 2019 basic training course, which runs September 7-December 17.

Merrimac Farm Chapter
Based in Prince William County
Chapter Advisor: Joe Ferdinandsen, DGIF
Now accepting applications for the Fall 2019 basic training course. More info can be found on their website here.

Middle Peninsula Chapter
Based in Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex, King & Queen, and King William Counties
Chapter Advisor Karen Duhring, VIMS-CCRM
Applications are due by August 1 for the Fall 2019 basic training course, which runs August 28, 2019-November 27, 2019.
Click here for more information.

New River Valley Chapter
Based in Blacksburg and Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, and Floyd counties
Chapter Advisor: John Copeland, DGIF

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

Pocahontas Chapter
Based in Chesterfield County and the Richmond Metro Area
Chapter Advisor: Rebecca Whalen, DCR

Rivanna Chapter
Based in Charlottesville and Albemarle and Fluvanna counties
Chapter Advisor: Page Hutchinson, 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: 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
Now accepting applications for the Fall 2019 basic training course, which runs August 13-December 3, 2019. For more information, please email swpmnn@gmail.com

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