Service through Education, Stewardship, and Citizen Science
Master Naturalist Program
VMN Logo
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. The Peninsula Chapter, which serves Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, Gloucester and the lower half of York County, was one of four chapters formed in 2008 under the direction of the program's statewide committees. The presence of this program on the Peninsula provides a corps of volunteers for the agencies and organizations that manage our local natural resources and provides valuable educational resources to the community.
Becoming a Master Naturalist
Eastern Swallowtail caterpillars on a fennel plant (Shirley Chirch)
People who are curious about nature, enjoy the outdoors, and want to be a part of natural resource management and conservation in Virginia are perfect candidates to become Virginia Master Naturalists. It is open to all adults regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital, or family status.
In order to become a certified Virginia Master Naturalist, volunteers are required to attend a basic training class (a minimum of 40 hours of classroom and field instruction). After training, volunteers must have additional continuing education credits (a minimum of 8 hours), and provide at least 40 hours of approved volunteer service to the community to become certified.
To learn more about our Master Naturalist Course use the tab "About Us" in the navigation above.
In order to become a certified Virginia Master Naturalist, volunteers are required to attend a basic training class (a minimum of 40 hours of classroom and field instruction). After training, volunteers must have additional continuing education credits (a minimum of 8 hours), and provide at least 40 hours of approved volunteer service to the community to become certified.
To learn more about our Master Naturalist Course use the tab "About Us" in the navigation above.
Major Partners
Looking for Red Cockaded Woodpecker (Christiana Wilson)
Our relationship with several organizations is highlighted on our "Projects" page. The chapter's major partners include:
Virginia Living Museum
Newport News Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism
Hampton Clean City Commission
Sandy Bottom Nature Park
The Mariners' Museum and Park
Virginia Living Museum
Newport News Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism
Hampton Clean City Commission
Sandy Bottom Nature Park
The Mariners' Museum and Park
Sponsors
The York County/City of Poquoson Office of the Virginia Cooperative Extension provides support and a chapter advisor to the Peninsula Chapter.
The Virginia Master Naturalist Program is sponsored by seven state agencies:
The Virginia Master Naturalist Program is sponsored by seven state agencies:
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Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Edwin J. Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; Jewel E. Hairston, Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State, Petersburg.
