Rivanna Chapter
Virginia Master Naturalists
Serving the
Central Piedmont of Virginia
Training to be a Certified Master Naturalist
The next training session for the Rivanna Chapter will be in Spring 2009
Training to become a certified Virginia Master Naturalists is a three-step process:
Basic Training
Classroom instruction is part of Master Naturalist training
The first step to become a Virginia Master Naturalists is the successful completion of a 40-hour training course with your area chapter that includes both classroom and field experience. The training course is designed as a broad based survey course that provides volunteers with a background knowledge of the area in which they will pursue their service projects. This course is required only once in the life of a Virginia Master Naturalist. What to Expect
Please note, there is a class fee of $100 to cover materials and chapter operation costs. Enrolled participants will receive a Rivanna Master Naturalist notebook with the required curriculum materials, Peterson's Eastern Forests field guide, as well as various other field guides and books on local natural history topics.
Advanced Training
Plant identification walks are one example of an advanced training opportunity
In addition to the one-time 40-hour training course, Virginia Master Naturalists are required to attend eight hours of advanced training in their area of volunteer interest. Advanced training is intended to provide volunteers with the background knowledge and skills needed to effectively perform the volunteer service of their choice. Advanced training may be one eight hour workshop or several smaller programs. Advanced training is required annually for re-certification.
Volunteer Service
Sharing nature with children is a popular Master Naturalist volunteer activity
To attain the status of certified Virginia Master Naturalist, members must contribute at least 40 hours of volunteer service in their local community each year. Volunteer service must be in a project approved by the chapter. For a list of RMN approved projects, visit the Volunteer page.
Twenty hours (50%) of administrative service to the chapter can be used toward the volunteer requirement. Volunteer service is required each year for re-certification.