Rivanna Chapter
Virginia Master Naturalists
Serving the
Central Piedmont of Virginia
Approved Education Volunteer Projects
People who enjoy teaching, public speaking, or working with youth may want to do education-related service projects. The following list is in alphabetical order by sponsoring organization and/or location. Rivanna chapter members should consult the listserv for a comprehensive description of each project. Members can get details and contact information on the members page.
- Albemarle County Schools: Meaningful Water Educational Experience
What: Serve as a station leader to conduct lessons on topics such as water quality testing, macroinvertebrate collection and identification, and nature walks.
When: Seasonal
Where: Sites in Albemarle County
How: Two hours advanced training provided. - Charlottesville High School – McIntire Park Walks
What: Lead ninth grade students on inquiry-based nature walks at McIntire Park.
When: Three seasons; fall, winter, spring; one hour walks
Where: McIntire Park
How: Work with the CHS teacher on topics and concepts to emphasize
- Charlottesville Parks – Educational Materials for Azalea Park Kiosk
What: Design a rotating series of educational materials for the kiosk at Azalea Park. Topics may include watershed issues, riparian buffers, native plants, birds and wildlife, aquatic systems, etc.
When: Flexible
Where: Planning flexible; Display at Azalea Park
How: Work with the City’s Environmental Administrator, Landscape Manager and Volunteer Coordinator to design. - Charlottesville Parks – SOL based Curriculum for Select Park Sites
What: Develop SOL-based curriculum materials for K-6 teachers to use before and after field trips to city parks. The Master Naturalist volunteer may also want to conduct an in-service field visit for teachers to orient them to the natural features at each site.
When: Flexible
Where: Washington, Greenleaf and Azalea Parks in Charlottesville.
How: Curriculum and/or teacher experience would be preferable.
- Chesapeake Bay Foundation – Virginia Watershed Education
What: Take students on field trips by canoe along major rivers, tributaries and standing bodies of water locally. Activities include discussion of good and bad examples of land use and management practices, identification of wildlife and their habitats, and some biological and chemical water analysis.
When: One day per season; all day.
Where: Locally
How: Provide canoe training and equipment. - Gordon Avenue Library – Children’s Programs
What: Develop and present a program on a natural theme that would be of interest to an audience of children, ages pre-K through elementary school.
When: Two times a year; seasonal; Leader discretion
Where: Gordon Avenue Library
How: Expertise and/or experience in topic area expected - Ivy Creek Natural Area – Nature Program/Walk Leader
What: Develop an interpretive nature program/walk geared to adults, families, and./or targeted youth groups on a topic the leader is well versed in.
When: Seasonal; Leader discretion
Where: Ivy Creek or Ragged Mountain Natural Area
How: Expertise and/or experience in topic area expected
- Ivy Creek Natural Area – School Tour Program
What: Volunteer nature guides lead a group of ten children on a one hour inquiry-based walk at the Ivy Creek Natural Area, accompanied by at least one other adult.
When: 2 hours per week in the spring and fall
Where: Ivy Creek Natural Area
How: Training provided; Tuesday mornings for 6 weeks - Ivy Creek Natural Area - 4-H / Junior Naturalist Club
What: Lead small groups of children ages 6-11 on outdoor activities.
When: Bimonthly; Every other Monday 4:00 - 5:30 pm
Where: Ivy Creek Natural Area and other sites
How: No training provided. - Lake Monticello Owner’s Association – Lake Health Public Education
What: Participants help write flyers, produce and participate in local television programs, meet with LMOA officials regarding the program, and produce other educational materials.
When: Ongoing; monthly meetings
Where: Lake Monticello
How: Expertise and/or experience in topic area expected
- Middle James Roundtable Education Projects
What: Write educational materials such as booklets, flyers, watershed maps, website and newsletter articles, present lectures and workshops on watershed stewardship, develop power point presentations on watershed stewardship issues, assist with distribution of educational coasters and other materials, and prepare and man informational tables at local events.
When: Ongoing
Where: Middle James River Watershed
How: Experience and expertise expected.
- Rivanna Conservation Society – Education Program
What: Write newsletter articles/other RCS publications, work on kiosk displays, man education tables at community events, make presentations to school groups, lead outings and walks such as float trips and walks at Scheier Natural Area.
When: Ongoing; quarterly newsletters
Where: Rivanna River Watershed; Scheier Natural Area
How: Training will be provided when needed - Rivanna Master Naturalists: Natural History Articles
What: This project will educate the public about natural history. Subject matter can be on local flora, fauna, geology, habitats, natural resources, water and soil conservation, natural areas and trails and history of land use.
When: Ongoing
Where: Rivanna chapter geographic boundaries
How: Write an article for a local publication on the natural history of the area. - Rivanna Master Naturalist Speakers Bureau
What: Give prepared presentations on topics concerning the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within the local community.
When: Ongoing
Where: Rivanna chapter geographic boundaries
How: Upon request and scheduling, presentations may be made to organizations open to the public without discrimination for race, creed or religion according to the Virginia Master Naturalists Guidelines. - Rivanna Master Naturalist Tabling Projects
What: Present information promoting the Rivanna Master Naturalist Chapter at community open house events and functions.
When: Ongoing
Where: Rivanna chapter geographic boundaries
How: The volunteer is required to create an interactive natural history exercise in which the public can participate. - Senior Center – 50+ Gardener and Naturalist Education Program
What: Develop and present a 90-minute presentation with a hands-on application on the enhancement of wildlife habitat in the landscape. A major component of the program is develop skills that can be transferred to home or other volunteer work by participants aged 50+.
When: Flexible
Where: Senior Center in Charlottesville
How: Work with Senior Center staff to develop. - TJ Soil and Water Conservation Disrict: Envirothon Team Training
What: Assisting students, coaches and the Envirothon organization to educate high school student teams on various environmental topics.
When: This project may be done as a year long project, several months, or even one day a year depending on the commitment level of the volunteer.
Where: Rivanna chapter geographic boundaries
How: The RMN volunteer will work with the sponsoring organization of the Envirothon team or TJSWCD.
- Virginia Cooperative Extension – GPS Orienteering Workshops
What: Lead a workshop to train participants in the basic functions of a GPS hand-held unit, such as E-Trex.
When: Periodic
Where: Rivanna chapter geographic boundaries
How: Must be well trained in the use of GPS.
- Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-H Environmental Education Club
- Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-H Summer Camp
- Wintergreen Nature Foundation – Educational Programs
