Virginia Master Naturalist Statewide Conference and Volunteer Training 2025
April 29, 2025
Lodging information and link added!
Lodging information and link added!
Overview | Schedule At-a-Glance | Venue & Lodging | Registration | Travel Info | Sessions and Instructors | Volunteering | ADA Accommodation
Overview
When
The 2025 Virginia Master Naturalist Statewide Conference and Training will be Friday, September 5 through Sunday, September 7. Pre-conference field trips and activities will take place during the day on Friday and the main event will run Friday evening through Sunday mid-day.
Where
Our Pocahontas and Riverine Chapters welcome VMN volunteers from across Virginia to the Richmond region. We will be based at the Westin Richmond in Richmond, Virginia.
What
The Virginia Master Naturalist Statewide Conference and Volunteer Training is an opportunity for VMN volunteers to share ideas and learn from each other, to participate in high-quality continuing education sessions, and to learn about a region of Virginia that may be different from their home communities.
Each year, one or more of our local VMN chapters serve as the host chapter(s) for the conference, helping to choose programming that showcases their local natural areas, presenters, and style. The programming includes both on-site sessions and off-site field trips to visit natural resource highlights of the area. We emphasize hands-on learning and skill-building, trying to choose sessions that relate to the education, citizen science, and stewardship volunteer work that VMN volunteers do.
Who
Due to the nature and limited space of our VMN conference, only certified VMNs, VMN members, VMN trainees, and partners from our state agency sponsors (including chapter advisors) may attend.
When
The 2025 Virginia Master Naturalist Statewide Conference and Training will be Friday, September 5 through Sunday, September 7. Pre-conference field trips and activities will take place during the day on Friday and the main event will run Friday evening through Sunday mid-day.
Where
Our Pocahontas and Riverine Chapters welcome VMN volunteers from across Virginia to the Richmond region. We will be based at the Westin Richmond in Richmond, Virginia.
What
The Virginia Master Naturalist Statewide Conference and Volunteer Training is an opportunity for VMN volunteers to share ideas and learn from each other, to participate in high-quality continuing education sessions, and to learn about a region of Virginia that may be different from their home communities.
Each year, one or more of our local VMN chapters serve as the host chapter(s) for the conference, helping to choose programming that showcases their local natural areas, presenters, and style. The programming includes both on-site sessions and off-site field trips to visit natural resource highlights of the area. We emphasize hands-on learning and skill-building, trying to choose sessions that relate to the education, citizen science, and stewardship volunteer work that VMN volunteers do.
Who
Due to the nature and limited space of our VMN conference, only certified VMNs, VMN members, VMN trainees, and partners from our state agency sponsors (including chapter advisors) may attend.
Conference Schedule - At-a-glance
*This is a draft schedule and subject to change
Friday, September 5
8:00am-4:00pm -- Pre-conference Field Trips
4:00-6:00pm -- Registration
5:00-6:00pm -- Welcome Reception
6:00-7:00pm -- Dinner
7:00-8:00pm -- Chapter Share Fair
8:00-9:00pm -- Evening Activities (optional)
Saturday, September 6
7:30-9:00am -- Registration
9:00am-12:00pm -- Morning Sessions
12:15-1:15pm -- Lunch
1:00-4:30pm -- Afternoon Sessions
5:30-6:00pm -- Social
6:00-7:00pm -- Dinner
7:00-8:30pm -- Evening Activities (optional)
Sunday, September 7
7:30-8:30am -- President's Breakfast
7:30am-1:00pm -- Boxed Lunches available for pickup
9:00am-12:00pm -- Sunday Sessions
*This is a draft schedule and subject to change
Friday, September 5
8:00am-4:00pm -- Pre-conference Field Trips
4:00-6:00pm -- Registration
5:00-6:00pm -- Welcome Reception
6:00-7:00pm -- Dinner
7:00-8:00pm -- Chapter Share Fair
8:00-9:00pm -- Evening Activities (optional)
Saturday, September 6
7:30-9:00am -- Registration
9:00am-12:00pm -- Morning Sessions
12:15-1:15pm -- Lunch
1:00-4:30pm -- Afternoon Sessions
5:30-6:00pm -- Social
6:00-7:00pm -- Dinner
7:00-8:30pm -- Evening Activities (optional)
Sunday, September 7
7:30-8:30am -- President's Breakfast
7:30am-1:00pm -- Boxed Lunches available for pickup
9:00am-12:00pm -- Sunday Sessions
Lodging
Lodging will be at The Westin Richmond. The group rate will be $168 per night plus tax for a single king room or a double queen room.
Attendees can book using this group link or by calling 1-888-627-8867.
The group rates closes on August 14, 2025. If you try to book before that date and there are no group rate rooms available, please contact Tiffany at [email protected].
Lodging will be at The Westin Richmond. The group rate will be $168 per night plus tax for a single king room or a double queen room.
Attendees can book using this group link or by calling 1-888-627-8867.
The group rates closes on August 14, 2025. If you try to book before that date and there are no group rate rooms available, please contact Tiffany at [email protected].
Registration
Registration Dates
Registration will open on July 24 at 6:00pm.
Registration will close on August 18.
Registration Tickets and Fees
Ticket and price information will be posted here in May 2025.
Registration Dates
Registration will open on July 24 at 6:00pm.
Registration will close on August 18.
Registration Tickets and Fees
Ticket and price information will be posted here in May 2025.
Travel Information
Conference Sessions and Instructors
Information about conference sessions will be posted here in May 2025.
Information about conference sessions will be posted here in May 2025.
Volunteering at the Conference
Volunteer information will be posted here in 2025.
Volunteer information will be posted here in 2025.
ADA Accommodation
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact VMN Program Assistant Tiffany Brown at 540-231-0790 (TDD*) during business hours of 9am-5pm to discuss accommodations at least 5 days prior to the event.
*TDD number is (800) 828-1120
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact VMN Program Assistant Tiffany Brown at 540-231-0790 (TDD*) during business hours of 9am-5pm to discuss accommodations at least 5 days prior to the event.
*TDD number is (800) 828-1120