Classes will be held on week nights and Saturdays at various locations around the Northern Neck and at least once on one of our rivers and/or the Chesapeake Bay (see pictures). The application process will start in September 2018. A number of Information Sessions will be held in/around the Northern Neck to answer questions and provide more insight into the overall Master Naturalist program and the upcoming Basic Training Course. The NN Master Naturalist website provides additional information on the program and is continuously updated with the latest news on the chapter events:
- Basic Training Page https://northernneckmasternaturalists.squarespace.com/basic-training
- Home Page https://northernneckmasternaturalists.squarespace.com
Virginia Master Naturalists are volunteer educators, citizen scientists, and stewards helping the state of Virginia to conserve and manage natural resources and public lands. The Northern Neck chapter includes volunteers from Northumberland, Richmond, Westmoreland, Lancaster, Essex, Middlesex, Gloucester, and Matthews Counties and, last year, provided more than 5000 hours working to maintain and support our local natural resources programs. A few recent projects include: clearing trails at Bush Mill, Hickory Hollow, and Voorhees preserves; updating trail maps & installing signs in public preserves; building/monitoring bluebird boxes, providing educational nature walks & informational seminars for the public, collecting data on plants and wildlife in public preserves, supporting educational outreach at local park/preserve events, and supporting the outreach events at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). The 2019 Basic Training Course includes at least 40 hours of instruction and will provide the background knowledge and skills that every Virginia naturalist needs. The course is tailored to fit our local Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula environment and community. In a year or less, a Master Naturalist trainee will develop a firm understanding of natural sciences in the context of Virginia’s ecological systems; deepen strong, foundational knowledge through field experience and advanced training; and extend that knowledge to the community through volunteer service.
For additional information on the Basic Training Course, the application process, or to be put on the mailing list, please contact the NN Master Naturalists at nnmnemail@gmail.com.
For more information on the Virginia’s Master Naturalist Program at the VA state level, go to www.virginiamasternaturalist.org.