We have reached full capacity for our 2025 training class, and applications are  now closed. If you are interested in being added to a waitlist, please contact Christy Gabbard at Christine.Gabbard@gmail.com. Thank you for your interest in our program.

Becoming a certified Virginia Master Naturalist

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Virginia Master Naturalist (VMN) with the New River Valley chapter. The VMN training class prepares you to become a Certified Virginia Master Naturalist. The VMN Program is a statewide corps of volunteers providing education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities.

This program is for you if you intend to be an active volunteer, helping to support our local natural resources through your volunteer service.

The basic training course provides you with background knowledge and skills to prepare you for service as a VMN volunteer. This includes a wide range of topics in many areas relating to the natural sciences.

Initial certification, as well as annual recertification, requires 8 hours of approved continuing education and 40 hours of approved volunteer service within a year, following completion of your basic training course.

You can complete your volunteer service in any of the four key areas: citizen science, stewardship, education and outreach, and chapter administration. Sample volunteer opportunities include pollinator garden and trail maintenance, bluebird trail monitoring, Frogwatch and vernal pool monitoring, checking water quality of our local streams, invasive plant removal, and providing environmental education to all ages. These are just a few of the projects our volunteers undertake to make a difference.

Basic training course details:

• Classes will run August 4–December 1, 2025 on Mondays from 6:30–9 p.m. In person classes will be held at Blacksburg Presbyterian Church, 701 Church St. SE, Blacksburg, VA 24060.

• All trainees must attend 4 required field trips and 15 training classes to qualify for graduation and VMN membership. Trainees may miss up to 2 classes and/or field trips during the training session. However, those missed classes or field trips must be made up within 12 months of completion of basic training. If you know in advance that you will need to miss more than 2 classes and/or field trips, please wait and apply to a future training class.

• It is highly recommended that trainees have an email address and internet access, since program communications and volunteer hour reporting are usually done in this manner.

• The program is targeted toward adults 18 or older. Youth aged 14-17 may apply but must always be accompanied by a parent or guardian for both classes and field trips.

• The class size is limited to 25 trainees.

• We are committed to reducing financial barriers to participation in the VMN program. The standard fee for the training course is $65. The option to select a different registration fee based on your need is available as part of the volunteer application process.

• Once your application is submitted, you will be asked to complete a registration fee questionnaire. The questionnaire gives applicants the opportunity to indicate that the standard basic training fee is a financial hardship for them and to choose to pay a lower fee, or an applicant may want to pay more than the standard fee in order to help others. NOTE: Your answers on this questionnaire will not impact your potential acceptance.

• The final step is to submit 3 references and have a personal interview with a member of our membership committee prior to acceptance. More information about that process will be provided after your application is received.

• The application deadline is June 16, 2025. All applicants will be notified by email of their selection status. Submit your application.

Questions? Send an email to membership co-chairs Carol Kauffman (mrsudd0613@gmail.com) or Christy Gabbard (christine.gabbard@gmail.com).

Individuals with disabilities who desire accommodations should notify our chapter advisor, Karen Snape at (540) 760-6128 or TDD number 1-800-828-1120. 

Virginia Master Naturalists is a program of Virginia Cooperative Extension, which is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments.