Virginia Master Naturalist Program - Riverine Chapter

Riverine Training Class Information

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Virginia Master Naturalist (VMN) with the Riverine Chapter. The VMN training class prepares you to become a Certified Virginia Master Naturalist volunteer. The VMN Program is a statewide corps of volunteers providing education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of public natural resources and natural areas within their communities.

Please note: VMN is a volunteer training and service-based program. If you do not intend to be an active volunteer and help to support our local natural resources through your volunteer service, then this class and organization are not for you. The Riverine Chapter program is not designed to be a professionally accredited training or certification program. It prepares you to serve as a volunteer.

The basic training course covers the background knowledge and skills to prepare you for service as a VMN volunteer. This includes a wide range of topics in many areas relating to the natural sciences. Initial certification, as well as annual recertification, requires 8 hours of approved continuing education and 40 hours of approved volunteer service within a year following completion of your basic training course. You can complete your volunteer service in any of four key areas: citizen science, stewardship, education and outreach, and chapter administration.

To be considered for membership in our organization and its basic training class, please complete the application, which can be accessed with the button to the right.

Basic Training Course details:

Classes will begin in January 19, 2027 and end April, 27, 2027.  Most classes will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6 pm to 9 pm, at Westminster Canterbury Richmond (1600 Westbrook Ave, Richmond, VA 23227) ).  The GRTC Westbrook and Crestwood bus stop is very near to this location.

Trainees must have computer facilities (see below) as back-up in case classes need to be held by Zoom due to weather or other interruptions, and to access class materials.

Several field trips will be held on Saturdays or Sundays during the course, with hours ranging from approximately 2 to 6 hours each. You should plan to have most Saturdays available for field trips to meet the 10-hour requirement plus additional trips you may want to attend.

Attendance at the classes and at least 10 hours on field trips is mandatory for graduation and VMN membership. Classes missed must be made up before completion of basic training.

Trainees must have a computer or laptop with a camera, an email address, and internet access. A smartphone is insufficient as the screen will not be large enough to see the detailed charts & graphs of the class materials.

The program is targeted toward adults, 18 or older. Children generally may not attend classes or field trips.  Youth who are 14 to 17 years old may apply and enroll only if they will be accompanied at all training classes, field trips and volunteer events by a parent or other designated adult guardian.

Class size is limited. We always receive more applications than there is space available, so please be clear and thoughtful with your answers on the application.

We are committed to reducing financial barriers to participation in the VMN program. The standard fee for the training course is $150. The option to select a different registration fee based on your need is available as part of the volunteer application process.

Applications are due by September 30, 2026, at 8pm. After that deadline, we will be reviewing applications, contacting references, and conducting interviews. We will let you know whether you have been accepted into the program by mid-December.

Please Note:

• The VMN application process uses Better Impact, which is also the volunteer management system we use for all volunteer communications, listing available volunteer activities, and recording volunteer service hours and other information. Using the volunteer management system for these functions will help you be an effective VMN volunteer.
• Your application needs to be completed in one sitting. There is not an option to save and complete it later.
• When you see a flag icon next to a question in the application form, that means that is a required field, and you must enter something there in order for the on-line application to be accepted.  However, please do not leave any question blank, even if the on-line program does not require an answer. If the question clearly does not apply to you, answer with "NA".
• When you see an “i” icon, you can click on it to get more information about that question or field.
• For assistance with filling out the application, you can access a "tip sheet" at this link:  https://www.virginiamasternaturalist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/VMN-Info-Sheet_Online-Application-Tip-Sheet.pdf
• If you have further questions about the application process, you can email pastpresident@riverinemn.org

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and local governments, and is an equal opportunity employer. For the full non-discrimination statement, please visit ext.vt.edu/accessibility.