We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2021 awards for:
You also can watch the video at video.vt.edu.
- VMN New Volunteer of the Year
- VMN Chapter Advisor of the Year
- VMN Chapter Leader of the Year
- VMN Most Impactful Project of the Year
- VMN Volunteer of the Year
- and a special Better Impact Hero award!
You also can watch the video at video.vt.edu.
VMN New Volunteer of the Year
Even though she only graduated from VMN basic training in June 2021, Charlene Uhl has already completed 800 hours of service on projects ranging from butterfly counts to the DWR Adopt-a-Trail to developing a monthly newspaper column with natural history information.
Even though she only graduated from VMN basic training in June 2021, Charlene Uhl has already completed 800 hours of service on projects ranging from butterfly counts to the DWR Adopt-a-Trail to developing a monthly newspaper column with natural history information.
VMN Chapter Advisor of the Year
Justin Barnes is the Deputy Regional Forester with the Virginia Department of Forestry's Central Region and an engaged and active new advisor for the VMN Central Blue Ridge Chapter. His chapter calls him "all-around helpful"!
Justin Barnes is the Deputy Regional Forester with the Virginia Department of Forestry's Central Region and an engaged and active new advisor for the VMN Central Blue Ridge Chapter. His chapter calls him "all-around helpful"!
VMN Chapter Leader of the Year
As President and Basic Training Chair of the Northern Neck Chapter, Camille Grabb helped her chapter greatly increase communications and cohesion, despite the pandemic. Her chapter says, "Camille is dedicated, engaged, flexible, fearless, creative and fun. And loves nature! Her welcoming smile lights up both the room and zoom!”
As President and Basic Training Chair of the Northern Neck Chapter, Camille Grabb helped her chapter greatly increase communications and cohesion, despite the pandemic. Her chapter says, "Camille is dedicated, engaged, flexible, fearless, creative and fun. And loves nature! Her welcoming smile lights up both the room and zoom!”
VMN Most Impactful Project of the Year
The Rain Garden at Bellemeade Park, a project by volunteers in the Riverine Chapter of VMN in partnership with several other organizations, is an excellent example of what can be accomplished with the help of dedicated volunteers, local and state agencies, and ardent members of the community.
The Rain Garden at Bellemeade Park, a project by volunteers in the Riverine Chapter of VMN in partnership with several other organizations, is an excellent example of what can be accomplished with the help of dedicated volunteers, local and state agencies, and ardent members of the community.
VMN Volunteer of the Year Nominees
We recognize all the Volunteer of the Year nominees, because we think being nominated by one of your fellow volunteers is really special!
We recognize all the Volunteer of the Year nominees, because we think being nominated by one of your fellow volunteers is really special!
- Mac and Judy McCord of the New River Valley Chapter
- Susan Crockett of the Middle Peninsula Chapter
- Bruce Grimes of the New River Valley Chapter
- Carolyn Smith of the Old Rag Chapter
- Tom Ligon of the Merrimac Farm Chapter
- Ed Coleman of the Southwestern Piedmont Chapter
- Karen Cifranick of the Tidewater Chapter
VMN Volunteer of the Year - a Twofer!
Judy and Mac McCord have been members of the New River Valley Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists since 2015, and their volunteer work is usually undertaken together. Their work in natural resource education is focused primarily on Claytor Lake State Park, where they run the Discovery Center, organize other volunteers, present campfire talks, lead hikes, volunteer at festivals, and more.
Judy and Mac McCord have been members of the New River Valley Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists since 2015, and their volunteer work is usually undertaken together. Their work in natural resource education is focused primarily on Claytor Lake State Park, where they run the Discovery Center, organize other volunteers, present campfire talks, lead hikes, volunteer at festivals, and more.
Better Impact Hero Award
We recognized all the volunteers who helped get their chapters going on our new volunteer management system, Better Impact. The Peninsula Chapter received a special award for having the highest percentage of their volunteers log on to the system by the end of 2021.
We recognized all the volunteers who helped get their chapters going on our new volunteer management system, Better Impact. The Peninsula Chapter received a special award for having the highest percentage of their volunteers log on to the system by the end of 2021.