Virginia Master Naturalist Statewide Conference and Volunteer Training 2024
Updates for April 16, 2024!
Conference Theme and Registration dates added.
Conference Theme and Registration dates added.
Overview | Theme | Schedule At-a-Glance | Platform | Registration | Volunteering | Sessions | Instructors
Overview
The Virginia Master Naturalist 2024 Statewide Conference and Volunteer Training will be virtual! The event will be held September 27-29, 2024. As with our in-person conferences, this event aims to provide high-quality continuing education for VMN volunteers and to promote networking amongst volunteers and program partners.
The Virginia Master Naturalist 2024 Statewide Conference and Volunteer Training will be virtual! The event will be held September 27-29, 2024. As with our in-person conferences, this event aims to provide high-quality continuing education for VMN volunteers and to promote networking amongst volunteers and program partners.
Conference Theme -
Connections: Humans, nature, and their mutual impacts
Our 2024 Virginia Master Naturalist conference theme focuses on the role that VMN volunteers can play in building positive connections between people and the rest of the natural world in which we exist. Research shows that time spent in nature has positive benefits for human physical, mental, and social well-being. Unfortunately, individuals often face barriers to spending more time in nature or do not have correct information about natural resources. And, humans’ impacts on species, ecosystems, and natural resources can be positive or negative, depending on our actions.
Virginia Master Naturalist volunteers are well-positioned to help people build more positive connections to nature. They can provide safe and enjoyable experiences in nature along with research-based information through their educational programs. They can also steward publicly accessible natural areas so that they are better spaces for both humans and native flora and fauna. In addition, VMNs can help increase our understanding of natural resources through science.
Sessions in this conference may be focused on a particular species or ecological system, a natural resource issue or management strategy, a volunteer project, or a skill, but all of them will relate in some way to connections between humans and the natural world.
Connections: Humans, nature, and their mutual impacts
Our 2024 Virginia Master Naturalist conference theme focuses on the role that VMN volunteers can play in building positive connections between people and the rest of the natural world in which we exist. Research shows that time spent in nature has positive benefits for human physical, mental, and social well-being. Unfortunately, individuals often face barriers to spending more time in nature or do not have correct information about natural resources. And, humans’ impacts on species, ecosystems, and natural resources can be positive or negative, depending on our actions.
Virginia Master Naturalist volunteers are well-positioned to help people build more positive connections to nature. They can provide safe and enjoyable experiences in nature along with research-based information through their educational programs. They can also steward publicly accessible natural areas so that they are better spaces for both humans and native flora and fauna. In addition, VMNs can help increase our understanding of natural resources through science.
Sessions in this conference may be focused on a particular species or ecological system, a natural resource issue or management strategy, a volunteer project, or a skill, but all of them will relate in some way to connections between humans and the natural world.
Conference Schedule - At-a-glance
This schedule is subject to change and will be finalized by June 2024.
Friday, September 27
6:00-7:00pm - Virtual Meet & Greet
7:00-8:00pm - Online Opening Plenary Session
Saturday, September 28
8:00am-12:30pm - Online Sessions
1:30-6:00pm - Outdoor Time, Volunteer Service Activity (Chapter organized or volunteers on their own)
7:00-8:00pm - Holding, Possible Online Plenary Session
Sunday, September 29
9:00-10:00am - Holding, Possible Online Plenary Session
10:00am - Outdoor Time, Continuing Education or more Volunteer Service (Chapter organized or volunteers on their own)
This schedule is subject to change and will be finalized by June 2024.
Friday, September 27
6:00-7:00pm - Virtual Meet & Greet
7:00-8:00pm - Online Opening Plenary Session
Saturday, September 28
8:00am-12:30pm - Online Sessions
1:30-6:00pm - Outdoor Time, Volunteer Service Activity (Chapter organized or volunteers on their own)
7:00-8:00pm - Holding, Possible Online Plenary Session
Sunday, September 29
9:00-10:00am - Holding, Possible Online Plenary Session
10:00am - Outdoor Time, Continuing Education or more Volunteer Service (Chapter organized or volunteers on their own)
Conference Platform
We will be using Zoom Events for the 2024 VMN Virtual Conference. More details will be posted here in 2024 along with information about tutorials for those that might need them.
We will be using Zoom Events for the 2024 VMN Virtual Conference. More details will be posted here in 2024 along with information about tutorials for those that might need them.
Registration
Registration opens -- August 5, 2024
Registration closes -- September 16, 2024
Last day to request a refund -- September 19, 2024
Access to Zoom Events opens for attendees -- September 20, 2024
Registration types and fees will be posted here in Summer 2024. Registration fees will include access to session recordings.
Registration opens -- August 5, 2024
Registration closes -- September 16, 2024
Last day to request a refund -- September 19, 2024
Access to Zoom Events opens for attendees -- September 20, 2024
Registration types and fees will be posted here in Summer 2024. Registration fees will include access to session recordings.
Volunteering at the Conference
Volunteer information will be posted here in 2024.
Volunteer information will be posted here in 2024.
Conference Sessions
Information on conference sessions will be posted here in 2024.
Information on conference sessions will be posted here in 2024.
Conference Instructors
Information on conference sessions will be posted here in 2024.
Information on conference sessions will be posted here in 2024.