Fairfax Master Naturalists receive hands-on instruction in the Basic Training Course. Photo by Doreen Peters.
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.
Training
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
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
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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.