2013 Virginia 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 2013.  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 12th at 9:00 AM at Mott’s Run Nature Center in Fredericksburg. The Center is located at 6600 River Road.

Applications for the training can be downloaded from www.virginiamasternaturalist.org or obtained by calling 540-621-9689 or emailing karen.snape@dof.virginia.gov or  j-m-scibek@msn.com.  It can also be found under "Forms" on the right side of this page.  The cost for the training is $150.

To enroll, submit your application.  Fees are due by August 12th 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:

Virginia Master Naturalist CRC

P. O. Box 5996

Fredericksburg, VA 22403

If you have questions, please contact Jim Scibek  at masternaturalistcrc@gmail.com  or Karen Snape, 540-621-9689 or email karen.snape@dof.virginia.gov.

Please note the following:

1. To become a Certified Master Naturalist, a trainee must do all of the following: 

a) Complete the 40 hours basic training course with a minimum of 25% time in the field; 

b)  Pass the post-training assessment with a score of 70% or higher;  

c)  Complete a minimum of 8 hours of advanced training, approved by the Central Rappahannock Chapter;  and 

d)  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 12, 2013) 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 mornings from 9:00 AM-12:00 Noon at Motts Run Nature Center in Fredericksburg starting with the Orientation and Introductory session on August 12^th.

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 Falls 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

The schedule for this class can be found here.