The Organization:
The Virginia Master Naturalist Program is a local chapter-based program. Each chapter holds training (basic and advanced), and works with local and state partners to organize service projects to benefit individuals, groups, and the community. The program supports a statewide corps of volunteers providing education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within our communities.
The Members:
Virginia Master Naturalists are volunteer educators, citizen scientists, and stewards helping Virginia conserve and manage natural resources. A Virginia Master Naturalist (VMN) is an individual who, after receiving specialized training, provides education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within his or her community for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Certified volunteer participants successfully complete Chapter training and certification requirements, including advanced training and volunteer service requirements, during the current or past calendar year.
Who We Are:
The Dan River Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists was founded in 2008, chartered in 2008, and organized its first training by fall of that same year. Sixteen of the area's first Virginia Master Naturalists graduated from that first class - three already certified.
Our chapter is located in Southside Virginia. The Danville Parks and Recreation Ballou Park Nature Center and the Danville Science Center provide sites for our training course. We utilize local trails, forests, ponds and streams to conduct field studies, advanced training classes, and volunteer service projects. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is our advising state sponsor.
The Dan River Chapter is organizing a second training in the Fall of 2009. We offer an five-month training course for community members interested in certification as a Virginia Master Naturalist. The course covers topics in biogeography, botany, ecology, ornithology, management and conservation of ecological systems such as wetlands, forest and urban/suburban settings, as well as teaching and interpretive skills in citizen science.
Sponsorship:
- Virginia Cooperative Extension (chapter sponsor)
- Virginia Department of Forestry (chapter sponsor)
- Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
- Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (advising state sponsor)
- Virginia Museum of Natural History
Chapter E-mail: vmndanriver@gmail.com
Chapter Advisor: Stuart Sutphin, Extension Agent Virginia Extension Agency 128 434-799-6558 E-mail: ssutphin@vt.edu | State Coordinator: Michelle Prysby Virginia Master Naturalist Program 434-872-4580 FAX: 434-872-4578 E-mail: masternaturalist@vt.edu |
