Master Naturalist program accepting applications for fall 2026 class
The NRV chapter provides a wealth of volunteer projects, including pollinator garden and trail maintenance, bluebird trail monitoring, Frogwatch and vernal pool monitoring, and more.
The New River Valley chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist (VNM) program is currently accepting applications for the fall 2026 training class. The application due date is Friday, June 12.
This program is for individuals that intend to be an active volunteer, helping to support our local natural resources through your service. The basic training course provides you with 40 hours of training, education, and field trips in the natural sciences to give you the background knowledge and skills needed to be a VMN volunteer.
After completion of your training, you may apply for certification. It requires eight hours of approved continuing education and 40 hours of approved volunteer service. Your certification must be renewed annually.
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You can complete your volunteer service in any of four key areas:
- citizen science
- stewardship
- education and outreach
- chapter administration
The NRV chapter provides a wealth of volunteer projects, including pollinator garden and trail maintenance, bluebird trail monitoring, Frogwatch and vernal pool monitoring, monitoring and reporting the water quality of our local streams, invasive plant removal, and environmental education presentations.
Basic training course:
Classes for 2026 will run Aug. 3 through Nov. 16 on Mondays from 6:30-9 p.m. In-person meetings will be held at Blacksburg Presbyterian Church, 701 Church St. SE, Blacksburg, VA 24060.
All trainees must attend four required field trips and 15 training classes to qualify for graduation and VMN membership. Trainees may miss up to two 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 two 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 years old 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 28 trainees.
VNM is committed to reducing financial barriers to participation in the VMN program. The standard fee for the training course is $120. 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 participation.
The final step is to submit three 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.
Learn more and complete an application for the program here.
