Old Rag Chapter
Virginia Master Naturalist Program
General Delivery Syria, Virginia 22743
Cathy Mayes, Local Coordinating Committee Chair: (540) 364-4525,
The Old Rag Chapter, based in Madison, Virginia, serves the Rapidan–Upper Rappahannock Watershed. This includes the counties of Culpeper, Rappahannock, Madison, Greene, and the western portions of Fauquier and Orange. The large geographic area of these counties, rural in nature, includes major natural resources rich in biodiversity. Among these are the headwaters and tributaries of the Rapidan and Rappahannock rivers, Shenandoah National Park, and two Virginia Wildlife Management Areas.
We at the Old Rag Chapter value the role and the beauty of nature and wish to play a part in the stewardship of our natural resources. State employees can only do so much in support of our wildlife, our forests, our flowers, our water, our soil and air. As a knowledgeable group of volunteer educators and citizen scientists, we can add depth and breadth to the conservation and management of Virginia’s natural environments. What we learn through our training, we give back through volunteer service to Virginia and our local communities.
Master Naturalist Certification
The process for becoming a certified Virginia Master Naturalist typically takes 6 to 12 months and requires the following:
- 40 hours of basic training, including classroom sessions and field trips
- 8 hours of advanced training
- 40 hours of volunteer service.
Volunteerism is at the core of the program, so applicants should ensure they have the time to meet their volunteering commitment to the program before applying.
Training
In joining the Virginia Master Naturalist Program through the Old Rag Chapter, you will receive broad training in the natural resources of Virginia, particularly of the Blue Ridge and Piedmont biogeographic regions.
Courses
C
ourses offered in the chapter’s 2007 training will cover the core knowledge and skills that every naturalist needs to have:
- Introduction to the Virginia Master Naturalist Program
- Ecology—Land and Water; Hydrology of Virginia; Watershed Formation
- Research Methodology
- Water and Wetlands; Ichthyology
- Climate and Weather
- Geology; Hydrology
- Ornithology; Entomology
- Botany
- Forests
- Mammalogy; Herpetology
- Biodiversity
Trainees may miss up to two classes, and the chapter will provide makeup opportunities. For more information on the Program’s policies regarding training and certification, go to www.virginiamasternaturalist.org/documents.html.
Dates and Tentative Course Schedule
Training will be once a week, 9:30–12:30 p.m., Monday or Wednesday.
Mon. 9/17 – Introduction - Michelle Prysby -
Mon. 9/24 – Ecology - Lou Verner -
Sat. 9/29 – Field Trip - Ornithology - Cathy Mayes
Mon. 10/1 – Interpretation, Scientific Methodology and Record Keeping - Kristen Zimet and Marilyn Poris -
Wed. 10/10 – Ornithology, Ichthyology -
Sat. 10/13 – Field Trip - Macro Invertebrates and Stream Assessment - Greg Wickens
Tues. 10/16 – Geology/Hydrology Intro -
Wed. 10/24 – Climate and Weather - Madison -
Sat. 10/27 – Field Trip - Botany - Jean Kane and Allison Bremner
Mon. 10/29 – Botany- Jean Kane and Allison Bremner -
Mon. 11/5 – Forests - Mike Santucci and Adam Downing
Sat. 11/10 – Field Trip - Forests - Mike Santucci and Adam Downing
Wed. 11/14 – Water and Wetlands and Entomology - TBD - Peter Warren -
Mon. 11/19 – Mammology, Herpetology, Amphibians - Ron Hughes -
Wed. 11/28 – Biodiversity - Alan Williams -
Mon. 12/3 – Graduation -
Location
Classes will alternate between the Madison County Extension office and the Rappahannock County Library; field trip locations are still to be determined.
Instructors
Our instructors are knowledgeable professionals from diverse backgrounds in natural history. Their affiliations include Virginia Departments of Game and Inland Fisheries, Forestry, and Conservation and Recreation; Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech); the University of Virginia; and James Madison University.
Cost
$120, with up to $30 in additional fees
Applying
The Old Rag Chapter's basic training course is currently full, with a waiting list.
Partners
The Old Rag Chapter is partnering with local government agencies, and conservation and community groups on volunteer projects. Partners include Shenandoah National Park, Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District, Rural Madison, Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection (RLEP), Rappahannock Friends and Lovers of Our Watershed (RappFLOW), the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC), Montpelier Historic Site, as well as the program’s sponsoring agencies. Any organization or government agency wishing to partner with our chapter should contact us. (See our contact information above.)
Volunteer Projects
Our chapter, working with our sponsors and partners, is developing a list of potential projects in which our members can choose to participate. All projects must be approved by the chapter to count toward the volunteering commitment of the participating member. The following projects have been approved, and more are being developed:
- Stream Monitoring (Rural Madison. Madison County)
- Tree Identification (Rural Madison, Madison County) Butterfly Count (RLEP, Rappahannock County)
- Wildlife Habitat Open House (RLEP, Rappahannock County)
- What Makes Trillium Happy? (Thompson Wildlife Management Area, Fauquier County)
Members can choose from this list or be creative in developing other projects with our partners.
Keep checking this page for updates on Old Rag Chapter training and projects.
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. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
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