Virginia Master Naturalist Statewide Conference and Volunteer Training
In one session at the 2017 VMN Statewide Conference and Volunteer Training, volunteers learned about bat conservation and build bat boxes.
About the Event
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. It's a time and place to recognize and reward volunteers and chapters for all their efforts.
Each year, one of our local VMN chapters serves as the host chapter 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.
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. It's a time and place to recognize and reward volunteers and chapters for all their efforts.
Each year, one of our local VMN chapters serves as the host chapter 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.
The 2019 VMN Conference
Our 2019 event will be Friday, September 20 through Sunday, September 22. 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.
In 2019, our VMN-Headwaters Chapter welcomes VMN volunteers from across Virginia to the Shenandoah Valley. We'll be based at the Massanetta Springs Camp & Conference Center, five miles from downtown Harrisonburg. From there, it is a short trip to terrific field trip sites, including Shenandoah National Park, George Washington National Forest, several DCR Natural Area Preserves, the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum, and more.
Registration for the event will open in summer 2019, and all current VMN volunteers will receive notifications about registration dates and procedures via emails through the Volunteer Management System.
Our 2019 event will be Friday, September 20 through Sunday, September 22. 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.
In 2019, our VMN-Headwaters Chapter welcomes VMN volunteers from across Virginia to the Shenandoah Valley. We'll be based at the Massanetta Springs Camp & Conference Center, five miles from downtown Harrisonburg. From there, it is a short trip to terrific field trip sites, including Shenandoah National Park, George Washington National Forest, several DCR Natural Area Preserves, the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum, and more.
Registration for the event will open in summer 2019, and all current VMN volunteers will receive notifications about registration dates and procedures via emails through the Volunteer Management System.
VMN Statewide Photo Contest 2019
Welcome to the 2019 VMN Statewide Photo Contest! Please scroll down to find links to the rules and submission forms. Chapters are encouraged to submit in any/all categories that they would like. We allow one submission per category per chapter. Deadline for submissions is August 9, 2019. Please make sure to follow the submission instructions in the Contest Rules.
We look forward to seeing your 2019 photos!
2019 Photo Contest Rules (PDF)
2019 Photo Contest Entry Form (PDF)
The Massanetta Springs Camp & Conference Center has on-site lodging, dining, and meeting rooms, as well as trails and outdoor spaces. (Photo credit: Massanetta Springs Camp & Conference Center.)