Rockbridge Master Naturalists

The Virginia Master Naturalist program is a grassroots effort to train a cadre of volunteers who will work in their local communities to improve the environment through education, outreach and service. Virginia Tech’s Forestry Department serves as the host department for the program. Partners include the Virginia Department of Forestry, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Virginia Museum of Natural History.  The Rockbridge chapter of the program graduated its first class of Virginia Master Naturalists in October.  To be certified as a Virginia Master Naturalist, volunteers must complete a basic training course that includes a minimum of 40 hours of combined classroom and field experiences. Within a year of graduating, they must also complete an additional eight hours of advanced training and 40 hours of service to become certified. To maintain certification, 40 hours of service and eight hours of advanced training must be completed annually. 

Two classes have graduated.  If you are interested in a future class, please contact Keith Maurer at vapapops@gmail.com or Faith Vosburgh at fvosburgh@gmail.com.