About 

The Virginia Master Naturalist Program is designed to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Virginia Museum of Natural History is one of the five sponsoring agencies of the Virginia Master Naturalist program, along with the Virginia Cooperative Extension (College of Natural Resources and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences), the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (State Parks), and the Virginia Department of Forestry.

Upcoming Events:

The Southwestern Piedmont chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist program is hosting a free public presentation by noted author Dr. Jeff Kirwan at the Virginia Museum of Natural History on Thursday, March 11 at 6 p.m.  Kirwan will present a lecture on Virginia’s remarkable trees.  Click here to learn more.

Chapters

Chapters are running and in development across Virginia. While VMNH sponsors the program state-wide, it is closely involved with two specific chapters, the Southwestern Piedmont Chapter and the Rivanna Chapter.  To locate a chapter in other areas of the state and to learn the requirements for getting Master Naturalist certification, go to www.virginiamasternaturalist.org.

The Southwestern Piedmont Chapter represents Master Naturalists of Martinsville, Henry County, and the surrounding areas.  This chapter began its first training session for volunteers in August of 2007. The next training session is scheduled to take place in the fall of 2009.