Virginia Master Naturalist - Riverine Chapter
Chapter Contact: Kathleen Ogilvy, Virginia Department of Forestry
Riverine Chapter Newsletter
Riverine Chapter Volunteer Application and Enrollment
To apply, please save the completed application form to your computer and email it as an attachment to
. If you prefer, you may mail the completed application to Riverine Chapter of Virginia Master Naturalists, c/o Kathleen Ogilvy, P.O. Box 241, Ashland, VA 23005.
Riverine Chapter Master Naturalist Volunteer Application and Enrollment Form (MS Word)
Riverine Chapter Master Naturalist Volunteer Application and Enrollment Form (PDF)
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.
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, Kathleen Ogilvy, at the Department of Forestry office at (804) 798-8362 (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.
Virginia Master Naturalist-Riverine Chapter Syllabus
Summary for 2009 Class
Class 1 (1/8/09): Introduction to the Virginia Master Naturalist Program
- Requirements and responsibilities of a VMN
- Basic skills and training
- Volunteer service projects, including citizen science, education/interpretation, and stewardship projects
- Public policy: state and regional
- Five sponsoring agencies of the program
Class 2 (1/15/09): Ecological Concepts
- Defines basic ecology (communities, population, distribution, abundance, diversity, interaction, etc. of organisms)
- Balance of ecosystems, predation & competition, key species
- Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Carbon cycles
- Food web
- Habitat quality
- Succession & climax (stable) community
Class 3 (1/22/09): Geology of
- Geologic history of
- Characteristics of geology in
- Physiographic provinces
Class 4 (1/29/09): Conservation
- Land conservation
- Impact of land conversion
- Current land conservation initiatives
Class 5 (2/5/09): Watersheds, Aquatic Systems & Water Quality
- Watersheds
- Aquatic system characteristics
- Macroinvertebrates
- Water quality
- TMDLs (total maximum daily load)
Class 6 (2/12/09):
- Forests
- Characteristics: geology, soils, climate
- Succession process in forests
Class 7 (2/19/09): Coastal and Estuarine Systems
- Characteristics of estuaries and coastal systems
- Coastal management
Class 8 (2/26/09): Mammals in
- Overview of species in
- Habits and habitats
Class 9 (3/5/09): Urban & Suburban Systems
- Land use issues
- Backyard ecology and habitat improvement
- Human/wildlife interface
- Protection of native flora and fauna
Class 10 (3/12/09): Wetlands
- Characteristics
- Ecology
Class 11 (3/19/09): Research and Interpretive Skills
- Written & visual interpretation
- Citizen science and research skills
Class 12: (3/26/09) Risk Management; Class project presentation; Class and Individual Assessment
Class 13: (4/2/09) Make-up Class for a Cancelled Session
Fieldtrips: Ten hours of field training is required to complete basic training. At least three 5-hour field training sessions will be offered. Trainees must attend two of these outdoor training trips to be eligible for certification.
Note: This syllabus is subject to change depending on the availability of our instructors.
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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