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 run 15 weeks from January 9, 2025 – April 17, 2025 (14 weeks of classes plus a week off when schools have their spring break). Classes are held on Thursdays from 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm, at the Henrico Co. Extension Office (8600 Dixon Powers Dr). Trainees must have computer facilities (see below) as back-up in case classes need to be held by Zoom due to Covid or weather 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 14 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.
Program is targeted toward adults, 18 or older. Children generally may not attend classes or field trips.
Class size is limited to 30 trainees. There are usually more applicants than there is space available, so please be thoughtful with your answers on the application.
Course fee of $150.00 covers basic training and course materials, and will be collected only when you are accepted into the program. A limited number of full or partial need-based scholarships are available.
Applications are due by Oct 15, 2024, 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 see the Tip Sheet for Online Applicants found on this page!: http://www.virginiamasternaturalist.org/uploads/2/1/8/6/21860850/vmn_tip_sheet_for_online_application_completion_v2.pdf
If you still have questions after reading the tip sheet, you can email president@riverinemn.org
Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Edwin J. Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; M. Ray McKinnie, Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State University, Petersburg.
Mission Statement: The Virginia Master Naturalist Program is a statewide corps of volunteers providing education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities. Interested Virginians become Master Naturalists through training and volunteer service.
