group of 11 adults outside gathered around a small tank with a fish inside
Fairfax Master Naturalists receive hands-on instruction in the Basic Training Course. Photo by Doreen Peters.























 


close up of a person's hand holding a dragonfly
Chapter members participate in a variety of service projects, such as the Dragonfly Survey at Riverbend Park. Photo by Doreen Peters.

Welcome | Newsletter | Training | Service Projects | Chapter Events | Contact Us


Welcome to the Fairfax Chapter web page!

If you love being outside, are curious about nature and want to make a difference in your community, consider becoming part of our dedicated volunteer corps.  We provide basic training in natural resource topics and perform service projects in the areas of stewardship, citizen science, and education at parks and natural areas.

The process for becoming a certified Virginia Master Naturalist typically takes 6 to 12 months. Master Naturalist volunteers are a vital part of Fairfax County's natural resources management community, providing much-needed support to the many environmental organizations striving to protect natural resources in a rapidly growing urban area.

Virginia Master Naturalist Program from Big Shoulders on Vimeo.


Newsletter

Fairfax Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist program named 2011 Cooperator of Year by the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District!

January 2009 issue (pdf)

April 2009 issue (pdf)

July 2009 issue (pdf)

April 2010 issue (pdf)

October 2010 issue (pdf)

January 2011 issue (pdf)

Fall 2011 issue (pdf)

Training

waterfall emptying into a pool of water on a stream with trees and boulders in the background
Scotts Run Nature Preserve is one of only two preserves in Fairfax County, and it is being degraded by urban pollution.  Photo by Don Sweeney.

Fairfax Master Naturalist Spring 2012 Training Course Application

Dates: March 1 - May 24 2012 (no class April 5)

Time: Thursday nights, 6:30-9:30 PM

Location: Huntley Meadows Park Visitor Center, 3701 Lockheed Boulevard, Alexandria, VA 22306

and

Saturdays: Field trips to Fairfax County natural areas will be held during the course from 9 am-3 pm. The field trip dates are to be determined.

(Note: Attendance at the 12 classes and 4 field trips is mandatory. Up to three classes (or two classes and one field trip) may be made up within 12 months of completion of basic training (e.g., during the next training cycle, with another master naturalist chapter, or by making special arrangements with approval from the Training Committee Chair).

Once the course is completed, initial certification and annual re-certification as a Master Naturalist requires 8 hours of advanced training and 40 hours of volunteer service each year, along with $15 for membership dues.

Please fill out the application completely; do not leave blanks instead write none or not applicable.  Email the application to .  A hard copy of the completed/signed Application Form and a check in the amount of $200 (made out to Fairfax Master Naturalists) must be submitted to the address below and postmarked no later than 30 January 2012*:

Fairfax Master Naturalists Application
c/o Jim McGlone
Virginia Department of Forestry
12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 904
Fairfax, VA 22035

Checks will not be cashed unless an applicant is accepted; uncashed checks will be returned.  A limited number of need-based scholarships are available**.  All applicants will be notified by late-February 2012 of their selection status.

The Basic Training Course

The 60-hour Basic Training Course is a combination of classes and fieldwork, providing participants with a foundation in natural history and ecology.

Our highly qualified faculty consists of over 20 recognized environmental and scientific experts from organizations such as the Fairfax County Park Authority, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, the Virginia Department of Forestry, Virginia Tech, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Sample Basic Training Course Schedule
(from Fall 2011)

Class/  Field Trip # Date Topics  
1 8-Sep  
Introduction  
   
   
   
2 15-Sep Geology and Soils  
Field Trip 1 17-Sep Geology and Soils, Citizen Science @ Riverbend Park; Stream Monitoring @ Difficult Run  
3 22-Sep Ecological Concepts  
Aquatic/Estuarine/Coastal Ecology & Mgmt (including hydrology)  
4 29-Sep Botany  
Nature of Naming & Introduction to Dichotomous Keys  
Field Trip 2 1-Oct Botany & Wastewater Tx Tour  @Ellanor C Lawrence & USOA Plant  
5 6-Oct Dendrology  
Forest Ecology  
6 13-Oct Entomology  
Mammals  
7 20-Oct Herpetology  
Service Project Student Reports   
Field Trip 3 22-Oct Forest Ecology and Dendrology,  Entomology and Herpetology  @  Mason Neck SP  
8 27-Oct Wetlands Ecology & Mgmt  
Watershed Dynamics  
9 3-Nov Ornithology   
Ichthyology  
Field Trip 4 5-Nov Ornithology and Wetlands @ Huntley Meadows  
10 10-Nov Virginia Biogeography  
Land Use in Virginia  
Urban/Suburban Systems  
11 17-Nov Interpretation/Teaching Skills  
Weather and Climate  
12 1-Dec Student Presentations  
Graduation TBD Graduation and Chapter Meeting VMN Hospitality

Virginia Master Naturalist programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. VMN is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

* Individuals with disabilities desiring accommodations in the application process should notify the Chapter Advisor, Jim McGlone at (703) 324-1480 (TDD number 1-800-828-1120) by the application deadline.
**Email to request a scholarship application.

 

Welcome | Newsletter | Training | Service Projects | Chapter Events | Contact Us

Service Projects

two women in kayaks in the water

Master Naturalist volunteers meet other people and help their community – all while enjoying the great outdoors. Photo by Diana Handy.

A Fairfax Master Naturalist Chapter Event was held September 10, 2011 to replace fencing at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale. The event was coordinated by member Bob Dinse. A good time was had by all and the fencing replaced in record time! View photos from this event on the Virginia Master Naturalist photo sharing site.

The Fairfax Chapter is sponsored by the Virginia Department of Forestry.

Local partnerships are the cornerstone of the Fairfax Master Naturalist program. We rely on partner organizations for volunteer service opportunities, publicity of the program, and resources such as instructors, technical expertise, facilities, and materials.  In turn, we can provide trained volunteers for their service projects, as well as publicity and participants for their events and training programs. The following organizations are our valued partners. Please visit their web sites for more information.

Audubon Society of Northern Virginia
www.audubonva.org

Bat World NOVA
www.batworld.org

Clean Fairfax
www.cleanfairfax.org

Fairfax County Park Authority
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks

Fairfax County Wildlife Biologist
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/living/animals/wildlife

Fairfax ReLeaf
www.fairfaxreleaf.org

Lands and Waters
www.forlandsandwaters.org

Long Branch Nature Center
www.arlingtonva.us/departments/ParksRecreation/scripts/nature/ParksRecreationScriptsNatureLongbranch.aspx

Mason Neck State Park
www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/mas.shtml

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
www.nvrpa.org/park/meadowlark_botanical_gardens

Northern Virginia Conservation Trust
www.nvct.org

Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority
www.nvrpa.org

Northern Virginia Soil & Water Conservation District
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd

One Good Tern
www.onegoodtern.com

Virginia Department of Forestry (Fairfax Chapter sponsor)
www.dof.virginia.gov

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
www.dgif.virginia.gov

Virginia Native Plant Society, Potowmack Chapter
www.vnps-pot.org

Welcome | Newsletter | Training | Service Projects | Chapter Events | Contact Us

Chapter Events

Contact the Community Outreach Chair at to join the Fairfax Master Naturalist email list and receive news on Chapter meetings/events that are open to the public.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Chapter Advisor, Jim McGlone at (703) 324-1480 (TDD number 1-800-828-1120) during business hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.



Welcome | Newsletter | Training | Service Projects | Chapter Events | Contact Us

Contact Us

photo of trees in fall colors and blue sky

The Hidden Oaks Nature Center is one of the county’s premiere nature education centers, which has a children’s corner, interactive exhibits, amphibians, reptiles, and an indoor turtle pond.  Photo by Don Sweeney.

Last revised on Tuesday, January 4, 2011




Thanks for your interest in the Fairfax Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist Program.  To learn more about the Virginia Master Naturalist Program, visit www.virginiamasternaturalist.org.

Contact the Community Outreach Chair at if you have questions or to join the Fairfax Master Naturalist email list and receive news on Basic Training Courses and Chapter meetings/events that are open to the public.