2011 Training Class

Upcoming Master Naturalist Training


Thank you for your interest in becoming a Virginia Master Naturalist. The Central Rappahannock Chapter will be holding a training course from August-December 2011. The purpose of the training is to prepare participants for volunteering as Master Naturalists in our community. Though it is an excellent training opportunity, our purpose is for establishing a base of natural resource volunteers.

An Orientation/Introductory class will be held on August 15th at 6:30 PM at Mott’s Run Nature Center in Fredericksburg. The Center is located at 6600 River Road.

Applications for the training can be downloaded by clicking here or obtained by calling 540-663-0181 or e-mailing karen.snape@dof.virginia.gov or j-m-scibek@msn.com.

The cost for the training is $150.

To enroll, submit your application. Fees are due by August 15th and may be paid at the Orientation Session. Make checks payable to VMN-CRC.

Enrollment is limited to 20 on a first come basis. Applications should be submitted to:

Master Naturalist Program
Virginia Dept. of Forestry
11617 Caledon Road
King George, VA 22485

If you have questions, please contact Jim Scibek at masternaturalistcrc@gmail.com or Karen Snape, 540-663-0181 or e-mail karen.snape@dof.virginia.gov

Please note the following:

1. To become a Certified Master Naturalist, a trainee must: 1) Complete the 40 hours basic training course with a minimum of 25% time in the field; 2) Pass the post-training assessment with a score of 70% or higher; 3) Complete a minimum of 8 hours of advanced training, approved by the Central Rappahannock Chapter; and 4) Complete a minimum of 40 hours of service, approved by the Central Rappahannock Chapter. Each volunteer has a maximum of 12 months from the last day of basic training to complete the remaining requirements for certification. Certification is valid through the calendar year following the year in which the requirements were completed. To maintain certification, volunteers complete an additional 8 hours of advanced training and 40 hours of service annually.

2. Due to statewide regulations, applicants must be 18 years old by the start of the training session (August 15, 2011) or aged 14-17 and accompanied by an adult who is responsible for them, as long as they are both registered participants in the program.

3. Training Class Schedule and Location– Classes will be held Monday evenings from 6:30-8:45PM at Motts Run Nature Center in Fredericksburg starting with the Orientation and Introductory session on August 15th. Master Naturalist guidelines require 25% of the training to take place outdoors. Four required Saturday sessions are scheduled. Saturday classes usually last four hours and will be held at Motts Run, the Friends of the Rappahannock facility on Fall Hill Avenue or other location within the CRC chapter’s region. See schedule below.

4. Trainees may not miss more than 2 classes, and all missed sessions must be made up by attending the appropriate class(es) within 12 months of the completion of the training or other approved make-up activities.

5. Additional information on the Virginia Master Naturalist Program can be found at http://www.virginiamasternaturalist.org/

Master Naturalist Training Schedule – 2011*

Aug. 15th Orientation/Intro to Virginia Master Naturalist Program/Admin. Info/Risk Management/American Naturalist
Aug. 22nd Ecological Concepts
Aug. 29th Botany
Sept. 12th Forest Ecology and Management
Sept. 17th Plant Walk
Sept. 19th Ornithology
Sept. 26th Interpretation and Teaching Skills
Oct. 1st Bird Walk
Oct. 3rd Land Use/ Urban Systems
Oct. 10th Geology/ Biogeography
Oct. 15/22 Wetlands and Coastal Ecology
Oct. 17th Weather and Climate
Oct. 24th Soil Science
Oct. 31st Citizen Science
Nov. 5th Biological and Chemical Water Monitoring and Icthyology
Nov. 7th Mammalogy
Nov. 14th Herpetology
Nov. 21st Entomology – Tests Distributed
Dec. 5th TESTS DUE BACK to DOF- King George (Karen’s Office) by 5 PM
Dec. 6th Graduation and Chapter Meeting

*Planned Schedule – Order subject to change pending speaker availability.

Virginia Master Naturalist programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact VDOF at 540-663-0181 (TDD number 1-800-828-1120 during business hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.