About Us
Mission![]() Pollinator Garden
Founded in 2008, the Peninsula Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist Program provides an opportunity for those who live on and around the Virginia Peninsula to become certified Virginia Master Naturalists and participate in local service projects designed to educate the public, maintain and manage local resources, and observe and report on the flora and fauna inhabiting the regional ecosystems.
This chapter has now performed 13 years of service. In 2021 we had 124 active members who, in spite of Corona virus limitations, contributed 1433 volunteer hours towards Education/Outreach projects, 2420 volunteer hours toward Citizen Science projects, and 2380 volunteer hours towards Stewardship projects. Virginia Master Naturalist
Peninsula Chapter 809 Aberdeen Rd #9263 Hampton, VA 23670 email: vmnpeninsula@gmail.com |
Your donation to Virginia Master Naturalist Peninsula Chapter is fully tax deductible and will directly support our environmental, volunteer projects on the Peninsula. To verify our status as a charitable organization go to: https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/. Click on the button to the left of "Are eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions." Input our Chapter's official name (Master Naturalists of the Virginia Peninsula) in the "Name" box, and click "Search." |
2022 Virginia Master Naturalists Course Information for Applicants
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Virginia Master Naturalist (VMN) with the Peninsula Chapter!

at Wildlife refuge during Training
The VMN 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 VMN training program prepares you to become a Certified Virginia Master Naturalist volunteer.
Importantly, VMN is a volunteer training and service-based program. If you do not intend to be an active volunteer and help to support our local natural resources through your volunteer service, then this class and organization are not for you.
The basic training course covers the background knowledge and skills to prepare you for service as a VMN volunteer. This includes a wide range of topics in areas relating to the natural sciences. Initial certification as a Virginia Master Naturalist, as well as annual recertification, requires 8 hours of approved continuing education and 40 hours of approved volunteer service within a year following completion of your basic training course. You can complete your volunteer service in any of four key areas: citizen science, stewardship, education and outreach, and chapter administration.
The VMN training program prepares you to become a Certified Virginia Master Naturalist volunteer.
Importantly, VMN is a volunteer training and service-based program. If you do not intend to be an active volunteer and help to support our local natural resources through your volunteer service, then this class and organization are not for you.
The basic training course covers the background knowledge and skills to prepare you for service as a VMN volunteer. This includes a wide range of topics in areas relating to the natural sciences. Initial certification as a Virginia Master Naturalist, as well as annual recertification, requires 8 hours of approved continuing education and 40 hours of approved volunteer service within a year following completion of your basic training course. You can complete your volunteer service in any of four key areas: citizen science, stewardship, education and outreach, and chapter administration.
The 2022 Schedule for Peninsula Master Naturalist Basic Training

2022_peninsula_master_naturalist_training_calendar.docx | |
File Size: | 26 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Applications for the 2022 training program are now being accepted. There will be an orientation program in late August 2022 and classes will begin in early September to be completed just before Thanksgiving. Classes in the training program will be hybrid, meaning they can be attended in person or via ZOOM. Please note that all classes must be attended to graduate from the training program.
As noted above, applications for the 2022 class are now open. Those currently on the waiting list from the 2021 class will have first preference for selection, we anticipate having a goodly number of class openings. The cost of the training will be $150 which covers material and instructors and is payable upon acceptance. Once the class is full, we will put additional accepted applicants onto a waiting list in case there are openings before the class begins.
To become a successful graduate of our Basic Training, you should have access to email, understand how to find information using a web browser, and have the ability to open PDF files. Depending on the course structure, you may need to be able to use ZOOM meeting software.
As noted above, applications for the 2022 class are now open. Those currently on the waiting list from the 2021 class will have first preference for selection, we anticipate having a goodly number of class openings. The cost of the training will be $150 which covers material and instructors and is payable upon acceptance. Once the class is full, we will put additional accepted applicants onto a waiting list in case there are openings before the class begins.
To become a successful graduate of our Basic Training, you should have access to email, understand how to find information using a web browser, and have the ability to open PDF files. Depending on the course structure, you may need to be able to use ZOOM meeting software.
Individuals with disabilities desiring accommodations in the application process should notify the Chapter Advisor, Megan Tierney 757-890-4940 or (TDD number 757-890-3300).
Questions? Send an email to pmnbasictraining@gmail.com or contact Megan Tierney, Chapter Advisor, at 757-890-4940 or megank@vt.edu
Questions? Send an email to pmnbasictraining@gmail.com or contact Megan Tierney, Chapter Advisor, at 757-890-4940 or megank@vt.edu

Board Members

President: Jim Francis
Vice President: Shirley Chirch
Secretary: Bill Boeh
Treasurer: Christy Gardner
Membership Chair: Cindy Moore
Continuing Education Chair: Yukari Hughes
Basic Training Chair: Rex Holmlin(email: PMNBasicTraining@gmail.com)
Outreach Chair: Kim Prisco-Baggett
Public Relations: Nate Brauner
Fundraising: Charlottee Boudreau
Project Committee Chair: Chris Gwaltney
Hospitality Chair: Merry Kennedy
Newsletter: Meera Rao
Historian: Maria Nissen
Property Managers: Ray Yoh and Jeanette Yoh
Webmaster: John Berry
Better Impact Administrator: Laura Marlowe
Advisors: Megan Tierney and Meghan Mulroy-Goldman
Vice President: Shirley Chirch
Secretary: Bill Boeh
Treasurer: Christy Gardner
Membership Chair: Cindy Moore
Continuing Education Chair: Yukari Hughes
Basic Training Chair: Rex Holmlin(email: PMNBasicTraining@gmail.com)
Outreach Chair: Kim Prisco-Baggett
Public Relations: Nate Brauner
Fundraising: Charlottee Boudreau
Project Committee Chair: Chris Gwaltney
Hospitality Chair: Merry Kennedy
Newsletter: Meera Rao
Historian: Maria Nissen
Property Managers: Ray Yoh and Jeanette Yoh
Webmaster: John Berry
Better Impact Administrator: Laura Marlowe
Advisors: Megan Tierney and Meghan Mulroy-Goldman
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