Virginia Master Naturalist Statewide Conference and Volunteer Training 2023
Updates for May 24, 2023!
Conference Schedules and Instructors updated. Check out these sections: Conference Schedule, Sessions, Instructors
Conference Schedules and Instructors updated. Check out these sections: Conference Schedule, Sessions, Instructors
Overview | Conference Schedule | Lodging Information | Registration | Travel Information | Volunteering |
Sessions | Instructors
Sessions | Instructors
Our 2023 VMN Conference venue - the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center.
Overview
When
The 2023 Virginia Master Naturalist Statewide Conference and Training will be Friday, September 29 through Sunday, October 1. 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 Holston Rivers Chapter welcomes VMN volunteers from across Virginia our southwest region. We will be based at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, 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 2023 Virginia Master Naturalist Statewide Conference and Training will be Friday, September 29 through Sunday, October 1. 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 Holston Rivers Chapter welcomes VMN volunteers from across Virginia our southwest region. We will be based at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, 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.
View from Whitetop Mountain, Grayson County, VA. Photo by Michelle Prysby.
Conference Schedule - At-a-glance
Friday, September 29
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 30
7:30-9:00am -- Registration
9:00-10:15am -- General Session
10:30am-12:00pm -- Morning Classroom Sessions (on-site)
12:15-1:15pm -- Lunch
1:00-4:30pm -- Afternoon Field Trips (off-site) and Classroom Sessions (on-site)
5:30-6:00pm -- Social
6:00-7:00pm -- Dinner
7:00-8:30pm -- Evening Activities (optional)
Sunday, October 1
7:30-8:30am -- President's Breakfast
7:30am-1:00pm -- Boxed Lunches available for pickup
9:00am-12:00pm -- Field Trips (off-site) and Classroom Sessions (on-site)
Friday, September 29
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 30
7:30-9:00am -- Registration
9:00-10:15am -- General Session
10:30am-12:00pm -- Morning Classroom Sessions (on-site)
12:15-1:15pm -- Lunch
1:00-4:30pm -- Afternoon Field Trips (off-site) and Classroom Sessions (on-site)
5:30-6:00pm -- Social
6:00-7:00pm -- Dinner
7:00-8:30pm -- Evening Activities (optional)
Sunday, October 1
7:30-8:30am -- President's Breakfast
7:30am-1:00pm -- Boxed Lunches available for pickup
9:00am-12:00pm -- Field Trips (off-site) and Classroom Sessions (on-site)
Lodging Information
We have lodging blocks for the conference available at two different locations. The rates and method of reservation is different for each hotel so please read through the information provided before you take next steps. All reservations are first come, first served in terms of room availability. We blocked what rooms we could and we cannot guarantee that we can get more rooms at either property. Our weekend is a busy time in the Abingdon area.
Country Inn and Suites
940 East Main Street
Abingdon, VA 24210
Phone: 276-676-2829
Room block rates (amount listed plus applicable taxes)
Thursday, $139/night
Friday, $159/night
Saturday, $159/night
Types of room available: Single king rooms, Double queen rooms
Room block cutoff date: August 28, 2023
After this date, block rates no longer apply. Any reservation made would be at the regular rate.
Reservation method: use this link to book a room; make sure to adjust your dates for when you will be staying.
You can also call the hotel and reserve under the group name "Virginia Master Naturalist Group"
Quality Inn and Suites
930 East Main Street
Abingdon, VA 24210
Room block rate: $88/night plus applicable taxes
Types of room available: Single king rooms, Double queen rooms
Room block cutoff date: September 15, 2023
After this date, block rates no longer apply. Any reservation made would be at the regular rate.
Reservation method: use this link to book a room.
NOTE! This link defaults to a check-in date of September 28. If you click the link and get an error message, then the room block on September 28 might be full. Adjust the check-in date September 19 and you should be fine.
We have lodging blocks for the conference available at two different locations. The rates and method of reservation is different for each hotel so please read through the information provided before you take next steps. All reservations are first come, first served in terms of room availability. We blocked what rooms we could and we cannot guarantee that we can get more rooms at either property. Our weekend is a busy time in the Abingdon area.
Country Inn and Suites
940 East Main Street
Abingdon, VA 24210
Phone: 276-676-2829
Room block rates (amount listed plus applicable taxes)
Thursday, $139/night
Friday, $159/night
Saturday, $159/night
Types of room available: Single king rooms, Double queen rooms
Room block cutoff date: August 28, 2023
After this date, block rates no longer apply. Any reservation made would be at the regular rate.
Reservation method: use this link to book a room; make sure to adjust your dates for when you will be staying.
You can also call the hotel and reserve under the group name "Virginia Master Naturalist Group"
Quality Inn and Suites
930 East Main Street
Abingdon, VA 24210
Room block rate: $88/night plus applicable taxes
Types of room available: Single king rooms, Double queen rooms
Room block cutoff date: September 15, 2023
After this date, block rates no longer apply. Any reservation made would be at the regular rate.
Reservation method: use this link to book a room.
NOTE! This link defaults to a check-in date of September 28. If you click the link and get an error message, then the room block on September 28 might be full. Adjust the check-in date September 19 and you should be fine.
Registration
Registration Dates
Registration Types and Fees
Registration Dates
- Registration will open on August 17 at 6pm
Registration Types and Fees
- This information will be posted on or around June 1
Travel Information
Making travel plans
Wherever you are coming from, once you hit I-81, it is a straight shot. That said, Abingdon is a pretty long drive for most of you so carpooling is recommended and be sure to allow plenty of time!
GPS will get you to the SWVA Education Center just fine.
Registration and Dinner on Friday night
Registration on Friday night will be available until 6:00pm. If you miss that window, you can register on Saturdayr morning. Dinner will be available until 7:00pm. If you were to miss that window, you would be on your own for dinner.
Parking at venue
Parking at the Southwest Virginia higher Education Center is free.
Making travel plans
Wherever you are coming from, once you hit I-81, it is a straight shot. That said, Abingdon is a pretty long drive for most of you so carpooling is recommended and be sure to allow plenty of time!
GPS will get you to the SWVA Education Center just fine.
Registration and Dinner on Friday night
Registration on Friday night will be available until 6:00pm. If you miss that window, you can register on Saturdayr morning. Dinner will be available until 7:00pm. If you were to miss that window, you would be on your own for dinner.
Parking at venue
Parking at the Southwest Virginia higher Education Center is free.
Volunteering at the Conference
Volunteer information will be added on or around June 1.
Volunteer information will be added on or around June 1.
Conference Sessions
NOTE: This schedule is subject to change.
NOTE: This schedule is subject to change.
Conference Instructors