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A Community-Based Natural Resources Volunteer Program

Virginia Master Naturalists are volunteer educators, citizen scientists, and stewards helping Virginia conserve and manage natural resources and public lands.

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2016 Virginia Master Naturalist Year in Review

1/24/2017

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Multiple chapters planted new habitats for pollinators in 2016, including this one planted by our Pocahontas Chapter at Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield County. Photo by VMN-Pocahontas Chapter.
The Virginia Master Naturalist program continues to grow!  We have just finished compiling 2016's numbers, and we think you'll agree that they are very impressive.
 
In 2016, 1,756 volunteers reported nearly 146,000 hours of service, more than 24,000 hours of continuing education, and more than 106,000 face-to-face exchanges of educational information about natural resources.  Their service in 2016 is valued at  $3.8 million, based on the 2015 value of a volunteer hour in Virginia as calculated by IndependentSector.org (2016 value is not yet published.) 

Our number of active volunteers grew by ~5% in 2016 compared to 2015, but, even more exciting, the number of volunteer hours they contributed increased by 21%!  We saw especially high increases in the areas of education, citizen science, and chapter administration.  Keep an eye out for the spring issue of our quarterly newsletter and on our Facebook page, where we will share some specific stories of outcomes and impacts of this service.

Thank you to all the volunteers who contributed, either through reporting their service, or by submitting their chapters' annual reports so that we can learn about the great work that you do!

 
2014
2015
2016
New VMN trainees
485
529
476
VMN members
2,594
2,790
2,916
Active volunteers (reported service that year)
1,467
1,679
1,756
Certified Virginia Master Naturalists
1,022
1,078
1,204
Continuing Education hours
20,868
21,831
24,190
Service hours: Education
26,355
27,934
35,432
Service hours: Citizen Science
35, 092
35,751
43,517
Service hours: Stewardship
25,047
26,532
29,852
Service hours: Administration and Travel
32,822
30,111
37,195
Total service hours
119.317
120,328
145,996
Monetary value of service
$2.97 million
$3.14 million
$3.81 million
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Virginia Master Naturalist Program | 460 Stagecoach Road, Suite E201 | Charlottesville, VA  22902 | Phone: 434-872-4587 | Fax: 434-872-4578

The Virginia Master Naturalist program is open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.