From Our State Agency Sponsors – Fall 2026
The Virginia Master Naturalist program is fortunate to have seven state agency sponsors. They each provide funding, support, personnel, and collaboration for the program. Each quarter, we share their news!
From the Virginia Institute of Marine Science: Document Shoreline Features with MapMyShore!
MapMyShore is a free citizen science app that engages the community in documenting shoreline features to help scientists track changes along Virginia’s coastline over time. Interested in using MapMyShore? Learn more about MapMyShore.
From Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation – Virginia State Parks: Earning Benefits as a Volunteer
Contributed by Crystal Hughes, Virginia State Parks Community Engagement Coordinator and Scarlett Stevens, Virginia State Parks Community Engagement and Volunteerism Manager
A public service announcement from Virginia State Parks: The “old” benefits from the system that Virginia State Parks used to use for volunteer hours will expire this January. Direct questions about using old benefits (which were weeks of camping or cabin stays, as opposed to loyalty points) to vspvolunteer@dcr.virginia.gov.
Meanwhile, any Virginia Master Naturalist volunteering in a Virginia State Park should also be logging their volunteer hours in the Virginia State Parks volunteer database. If you have not already applied to be a volunteer in Virginia State Parks, visit Volunteer opportunities and complete a volunteer application. Volunteers in a Virginia State Park must register and complete a background check. This guarantees the safety of all park visitors and volunteers!
When your application is complete, the volunteer coordinator at your preferred park will assist you on how to use the volunteer database, YODA. Logging your volunteer hours in the Virginia State Parks database provides important data to help capture the value of volunteers. Volunteers also receive benefits and loyalty points that give discounts to volunteers on annual passes, camping and cabin reservations. If you need help back dating hours served in a state park, contact crystal.hughes@dcr.virginia.gov. We truly want to celebrate all the work Virginia Master Naturalist volunteers provide in our parks, logging your hours and being in the State Parks volunteer database is the best way we can show you our appreciation!
From Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation – Virginia Natural Heritage Program: Make Your iNaturalist Observations Count!
Contributed by Emi Endo, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Did you know your iNaturalist observations could be reviewed for inclusion in official state records?
The Virginia Natural Heritage Program at the Department of Conservation and Recreation, which tracks rare animals and plants, is analyzing iNaturalist data. State biologists have reviewed hundreds of observations so far, and added more than 100 to their database!
Learn more: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/insights/how-to-make-your-inaturalist-observation-count
Crossings, Not Collisions: Virginia’s Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund
The Virginia Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund (WCGF) supports projects that conserve or enhance wildlife corridors prioritized in Virginia’s Wildlife Corridor Action Plan, including wildlife crossing infrastructure. The Fund became active on July 1, 2026, and there are three ways to contribute!
Three ways to donate:
- Donate directly: Anyone can make a contribution at any time through the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources’ WCGF donation page, dwr.virginia.gov/corridors/.
- Through Department of Motor Vehicles transactions: Virginians can contribute during certain Virginia DMV transactions, such as when registering a vehicle.
- Through Virginia income tax returns: VA taxpayers can elect to contribute to the Fund through their state income tax return.
What the Fund can support:
- Wildlife crossings, road underpasses or overpasses, and projects that conserve or enhance priority wildlife corridors
- Fencing that keeps wildlife off roads and directs animals toward safe crossings
- Data collection, monitoring, feasibility studies, designs, and project plans
- Matching funds to leverage federal grants
- Maintenance of completed projects
- Administration and personnel associated with the Fund
Projects can advance the Wildlife Corridor Action Plan by turning habitat connectivity priorities into safer roads, fewer costly collisions, and more resilient communities and ecosystems.
From Virginia Department of Environmental Quality: Apply for 2027 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards
The Virginia Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards celebrate successful, creative, and impactful environmental programs and projects across Virginia. Organizations of all types are encouraged to share their achievements and highlight their work that protects and enhances our natural resources. Categories include:
- Environmental and Sustainability - Program
- Environmental and Sustainability – Project
- Green Commonwealth
- Land Conservation
- Virginia Outdoors Plan Implementation
Instructions and applications for each category are available on the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Program webpage.
Applications are due December 8, 2026.
Award recipients will be recognized at a ceremony on Earth Day 2027, where leaders from across the Commonwealth will gather to celebrate environmental excellence and innovation.
Showcase your organization’s leadership — submit your application and help inspire others across the Commonwealth.
