Introductory Class Objectives Describe what a Master Naturalist volunteer is Identify and communicate the mission and goals of the Master Naturalist program and what makes it unique from other volunteer programs in Virginia ID: 692505
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Volunteer educators, citizen scientists, and stewards helping Virginians conserve and manage natural resources and public landsSlide2
Introductory Class Objectives
Describe what a Master Naturalist volunteer is
Identify and communicate the mission and goals of the Master Naturalist program and what makes it unique from other volunteer programs in Virginia
Identify and communicate the requirements and responsibilities of a Virginia Master Naturalist
Be familiar with the expected standards of conduct for Master Naturalists and the applicable laws and ethical issues relating to wildlife educators and researchers
Understand the role of learning as a lifelong pursuit
Understand the many possible options for volunteer service projects, including citizen science, education/interpretation, and stewardship projectsSlide3Slide4Slide5Slide6Slide7Slide8Slide9
Mission:
The Virginia Master Naturalist 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.Slide10
4,900 traineesSlide11
1800+ active volunteersSlide12
>957,000 hours ($23.8 M) of serviceSlide13Slide14Slide15
Virginia Master Naturalist Sponsors
Also supported by:
Sponsored by 7 agencies:
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VA Department of Forestry
Protects
15.8 million acres of forest land from fire, insects and disease.
Manages 17 State Forests and other state lands totaling 47,899 acres for timber, recreation, water, research, wildlife and biodiversity.
Assists non-industrial private forest landowners through professional forestry advice and technical management programs.
http://www.dof.virginia.gov
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VA Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
Manages Virginia's wildlife and inland fish to maintain optimum populations of all species to serve the needs of the Commonwealth
Provides opportunity for all to enjoy wildlife, inland fish, boating and related outdoor recreation; to promote safety for persons and property in connection with boating, hunting and fishing.
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov
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VA Department of Conservation and Recreation
Works with Virginians to conserve, protect, and enhance their lands and improve the quality of the Chesapeake Bay and our rivers and streams, promotes the stewardship and enjoyment of natural, cultural and outdoor recreational resources, and insures the safety of Virginia's dams.
State Parks
Soil and Water Conservation
Natural Heritage ProgramDam safety and floodplain managementLand conservation
Recreation planning
Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance
Virginia Office of Environmental Education
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov
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Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Protects and improves the environment for the well-being of all Virginians.
Administers state and federal laws and regulations for air quality, water quality, water supply and waste management.
DEQ issues permits, conducts inspections and monitoring, and enforces regulations and permitsOrganizes citizen water quality monitoringSlide20
Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences:Center for Coastal Resources Management
The Center for Coastal Resources Management (CCRM) develops and supports integrated and adaptive management of coastal zone resources. To fulfill this mission, the Center undertakes research, provides advisory service, and conducts outreach education.
ccrm.vims.eduSlide21
Virginia Museum of Natural History
Interprets Virginia's natural heritage within a global context in ways that are relevant to all citizens of the Commonwealth.
Maintains a state museum to provide a repository of the state’s natural heritage
Investigates natural history of Virginia and the world
http://www.vmnh.net
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Virginia Cooperative Extension
Enables people to improve their lives through an educational process that uses scientific knowledge focused on issues and needs.
A joint program among:Virginia’s land grant universities (Virginia Tech and Virginia State)
United States Department of AgricultureState and local governmentsProgram Areas:agriculture and natural resources
4-H youth developmentfamily and consumer sciences
community viability
http://www.ext.vt.edu
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Program Structure
Steering Committee
Develops program policies and advises program operations. Approves chapter activities.
Chapters
Led by volunteer officers
and committee chairs
Made up of certified Virginia Master Naturalists and individuals working towards certification
Chapter Advisor
Local representative of one of the 7 sponsoring agencies
State Office
(Director, ½ time Project Assistant, ½ time Volunteer Coordinator)
Leads program development, supports operations of program, provides a central source for program information
Local Partners
Providing training and volunteer opportunities
Executive Committee
Represents the sponsoring agencies and makes final decisions about policy, personnel, and budget.Slide24
Virginia Master Naturalist ChaptersSlide25
Program Structure
Master Naturalists are part of a
local team, or “chapter” that is volunteer-run.Participating in chapter governance, organization, and activities is an important part of being a Virginia Master Naturalist volunteer.
Master Naturalists are also part of a larger statewide structure. They must adhere to statewide policies and keep records of their service to report back to the state.
Volunteers and chapter advisors meet together at the 2006 New Chapter Coordinators’ TrainingSlide26
Certification Process
Certified Virginia Master Naturalist
+
+
=
Basic Training
40 hours
Classroom and field experiences
Natural history, conservation and management, teaching and research skills
Led by local experts
Continuing Education
8 hours
Specialized topics that build on basic training
Required annually to maintain certification
Volunteer Service
40 hours
Education, citizen science, or stewardship
Required annually to maintain certificationSlide27
A Virginia Master Naturalist Knows…
Mission, objectives, and guidelines of the program
Significance of naturalists and natural history Biogeography of VirginiaEcology (basic concepts)
Geology (basic concepts)Resource management (basic principles)Some native flora and fauna in the region Process of science
Roles of Virginia state agencies in the management and conservation of natural resourcesSlide28
A Virginia Master Naturalist Can…
Use a key to identify organisms
Use a field guideShare knowledge with others Make and record observations in nature
Recognize when he or she does not know the answer to a question, but be able to seek out answers from people, books, or other reliable resourcesSlide29
Continuing Education-Objectives
Promotes continued learning and development of naturalist skills
Provides knowledge and skills necessary to work in local volunteer efforts
Provides an opportunity to focus interests
Builds on the core curriculum initially provided
Provides information on natural resources and resource management applicable to VA
May be 8 hours of one training, or a series of shorter trainingsSlide30
Continuing Education-Examples
Short courses and workshops offered by state or local partners on specialized topics such as forest management or public speaking skills
Training specific to a planned service project such as invasive plant ID or stream monitoring
Public lectures on natural history topics if they meet the continuing education objectives and pertain to local natural resourcesSlide31
Education
Citizen Science
StewardshipSlide32
Volunteer Service Project Guidelines
Minimum of 40 hours to maintain certification
Must be dedicated to the beneficial management of the natural resources within the local community
Must be for public benefit, not personal gain
May be a series of short, unrelated experiences, a long-term commitment to single project, or a mix
Can be conducted independently or as a team
Can be part of an existing partner project, a new project developed by the volunteer, or a class projectSlide33
For volunteers spending time on chapter organization!
Note: Local Chapters, at their discretion, may limit the number of such hours credited to an individual’s annual volunteer requirement.
Volunteer Service: Administrative
Examples:
planning and supervising VMN
training classes,
serving as a board or committee member,
working on a chapter newsletter,
communication efforts,
other activities that support the effectiveness of the chapter and statewide programSlide34
Volunteer Service: Education
For volunteers who enjoy public speaking or working with youth!
Examples:
Being a volunteer interpreter at a state or local parkDeveloping an interpretive trailBeing a guest presenter on a natural resource topic in a classroomSlide35
Volunteer Service: Citizen Science
For volunteers who enjoy helping with scientific research!
Examples:
Recording data for the VA Wildlife Mapping programParticipating in a Christmas Bird CountConducting water quality monitoring
Organizing biodiversity inventory of a local parkSlide36
Volunteer Service: Stewardship
For volunteers who just want to get their hands dirty!
Examples:
Maintaining trails at a state parkPulling out exotic invasive plants and planting natives at a nature center
Restoring bird-friendly habitat at a local parkSlide37
Young Naturalist 4-H Camp at Bear Creek Lake State Park
Habitat Education at the Williamsburg Farmers MarketSlide38
Bat monitoring at Pocahontas State Park
Stream monitoring in the New River Valley Slide39Slide40
I have always enjoyed working together with my mom on VMN projects. Sharing experiences, going to new places, and learning new things together always makes me happy. Also, if we’re out doing a project or program, and one of us forgets a fact or location, the other usually remembers.
(Elena Swick, Central Rappahannock Chapter)Slide41
I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed the Master Naturalist program. It has opened new interests, provided education, and new friendships. It truly has changed the way I look at the world. The VMN program continues to be one of the highlights of my life.
(Temple Moore, Northern Neck Chapter) Slide42
The Virginia Master Naturalist program transforms lives: our own, and those of the people and other beings that we serve under VMN.
(Kim Scudera, Fairfax Chapter)Slide43
The Master Naturalist class was my first retirement project, a home run of a choice. I learned so much. The first project my husband and I did -- a trail guide for
Menokin -- pulled information from every class topic. It was a great final exam for me, the writer on the project. And my husband, who did 14 original watercolors to illustrate the trail guide (and also designed the brochure), said he enjoyed painting for a purpose, instead of just for a class or for himself.
(Jann Steele, Northern Neck Chapter)Slide44
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Master Naturalist class on Tuesday.
They are a sharp, curious, and attentive group; and I could only wish my undergraduate students had their zest for learning!
(Scott Eaton, guest instructor for Old Rag Chapter)Slide45
I am learning so much from this class , one of the best things I have ever done ! And it is only starting…
(John Holden, Rivanna
Chapter)Slide46
I was given the opportunity to be a seasonal educator for the Cradle of Forestry Interpretive Association…Had I not taken this path of the Master Naturalist, I never would have had the confidence to do it.
(Bunny Medeiros, Holston Rivers Chapter)Slide47
I want to say a big “THANK YOU” to you and all of the Old Rag,
Rivanna and Shenandoah Master Naturalists who came out to Montpelier and labored over two days to pull so much garlic mustard out. Your group was certainly a breath of fresh air . . . I love it that all of you actually enjoy doing this!
(Sandra Mudrinich, horticulturist at Montpelier)Slide48
Stay in touch with the Virginia Master Naturalist Program!
www.VirginiaMasterNaturalist.org
www.virginiamasternaturalist.smugmug.comwww.facebook.com/VirginiaMasterNaturalist
twitter.com/VA_Naturalists Slide49
Michelle Prysby, DirectorVirginia Master Naturalist Program
mprysby@vt.edu434-872-4571www.VirginiaMasterNaturalist.org