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 8th 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 The cost for the training is $150.
To enroll, submit your application. Fees are due by August 8th 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: 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 10, 2015) 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 8th. Master Naturalist guidelines require 25% of the training to take place outdoors. Three 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. 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 804-633-6992 or 540-621-9689 during business hours of 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Mon. – Thurs. to discuss accommodations.
Master Naturalist Schedule – 2016
Day Date Topic Instructor
Mon. Aug. 8th Orientation/Intro to Virginia Master Naturalist Program/Admin. Info/Risk Management/American Naturalist/Breaks
Karen Snape
Mon. Aug. 15th Geology/Biogeography Cathy Pritchett
Mon. Aug. 22nd Soil Science
Mon. Aug. 29th Botany Jill Spear
Sat. TBD Plant Walk/Botany/Trees Linda Bailey & Harry Puffenberger
Mon. Sept. 12th Ornithology Donna Finnegan
Sat. Sept. 17th Bird Walk Donna Finnegan
Mon. Sept. 19th Forest Ecology and Management Karen Snape
Mon. Sept, 26th Ecological Concepts Ruth Ann Allaire
Mon. Oct. 3rd Land Use/Urban Systems Adam Downing
Mon. Oct. 10th Weather and Climate Cathy Pritchett
Sat. Oct. 15th Wetlands and Coastal Ecology Frank Reilly
Mon. Oct. 17th Interpretation & Teaching Skills Linda Bailey
Mon. Oct. 24th Citizen Science Michelle Prysby
Mon. Oct. 31st Biological and Chemical Water Monitoring And Ichthyology Chuck Hoysa
Mon. Nov. 7th Mammalology Sammy Zambon
Mon. Nov. 14th Entomology - Tests Distributed Guy Mussey
Mon. Nov. 21st Herpetology Chuck Hoysa
Wed. Nov. 30th TESTS DUE BACK to P. O. Box 5996 or Parks & Rec. by 5 PM
Tues. Dec. 6th Graduation and Chapter Meeting
* Classes will be held at Mott’s Run Nature Center from 9:00 am until 12:00 Noon Sat. classes will vary.
