Rivanna Chapter
Virginia Master Naturalists
Serving the
Central Piedmont of Virginia
Approved Citizen Science Volunteer Projects
People who enjoy studying nature and science may volunteer as citizen scientists, helping to collect data on wildlife populations or water quality. Rivanna chapter members should consult the listserv for a comprehensive description of each project.
- Albemarle County Parks - Wildlife and Plant Inventory
What: Identify the plant and animal life in county parks where trails are planned to avoid disturbing sensitive areas
When: Ongoing
Where: Albemarle County parks and public lands
How: Wildlife mapping training is periodically available - Charlottesville Parks – Tree Identification Project
What: Record tree species, diameter and general condition of street trees
When: Ongoing
Where: Select neighborhoods in the city of Charlottesville
How: Knowledge of urban tree species expected - Cornell Laboratory – Great Backyard Bird Count
What: Gather data on local bird populations
When: Four days in February: 15 minutes are more each day
Where: In your locality such as backyard
How: Bird Identification skills necessary; self-training - Lake Monticello Owner’s Association – Water Testing
What: Take water samples for water quality and send to testing facility
When: Monthly October – April; biweekly in summer
Where: Lake Monticello
How: Training provided by Lake Preservation Committee - Monticello Bird Club – Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch
What: Work with other volunteers in locating, counting, identifying and documenting migratory raptors
When: 4-hour shifts at least 4 times between August 12-November 19
Where: Inn at Afton at Rockfish Gap
How: One hour indoor training followed by on-site training. Need own binoculars - Monticello Bird Club - Bluebird Nest Box Monitoring
What: Adopt one or more bluebird nest boxes on a 350-box Bluebird trail to monitor for use, repair, predator control, etc. and keep records of nesting data
When: Weekly from early April to early August
Where: Charlottesville/ Albemarle and surrounding area
How: Training provided - Rivanna Conservation Society – Rivanna River Water Testing
What: Take and ttest water samples from Rivanna River for E.Coli
When: Flexible; each sample takes several hours
Where: Sites along the Rivanna River
How: Training provided - Rivanna Trails Foundation – Natural Resource Inventory
What: Identify plants and/or animals in Rivanna Trail corridor for purposes of protection and managment
When: Flexible
Where: Along Rivanna Trail; you select section
How: Identification skills for resource(s) being monitored - StreamWatch – Stream water quality monitoring
What: Sample local streams for benthic macroinvertebrates
When: periodic; 12-20 hours per year after training
Where: A stream site in the Rivanna watershed
How: Six hour training available quarterly -
Tandem Friends School – Habitat and Ecosystem Mapping at the School
What: Work with upperclassmen to identify and compile inventory of wild plants and animals on school grounds
When: 3-5 weeks during school year; 8:30-10:00 four days a week
Where: Tandem Friends School on Route 20 South
How: Knowledge of common plants and animals expected; work with teacher - Virginia Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries – Frog and Toad Calling Survey
What: Record frog species by call recognition
When: Between February 16- July 14: 4 runs to 10 sites; 4 times/year; 20-30 hour commitment for three years minumum
Where: Ten sites in Albemarle County
How: Tape of calls provided: volunteer must pass test of call recognition - Virginia Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries – Wildlife Mapping
What: Record wildlife sightings in your locality
When: Regularly and at your convenience; report monthly
Where: In the state of Virginia
How: 5-hour training course required; offered periodically at Ivy Creek - Virginia Society of Ornithology: 2008 Riparian Bird Survey
What: Collect data on the distribution and abundance of avian species associated with forested riparian areas
When: June 2008
Where: In the state of Virginia including Albemarle County
How: Detailed instructions, maps and data sheets will be provided
