Basic Training
Virginia Master Naturalists Course Information for Applicants
Thank you for your interest in the Peninsula Master Naturalist Program. We are no longer accepting applications for our Spring 2026 training program. If you would like to be added to the waitlist for 2026 please email us at [email protected]. We will begin accepting applications for our 2027 class sometime in October. Please check back or you may email us to have your name put on our mailing list to be notified when the application process opens.
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 class provides background knowledge and skills you will need to serve as a VMN volunteer.
Purpose of the 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 class prepares you to become a Certified Virginia Master Naturalist volunteer.
The course provides the background knowledge and skills you will need to serve as a VMN volunteer. This includes a wide range of topics in many areas relating to the natural sciences.
Basic Training Course details
- Applications for our 2027 Training Class will be available in October 2026.
Classes run from late February through May with lectures Wednesday evenings from 6-9 and 4 Saturday field trips of differing lengths. - Classes meet at Denbigh Community Center and Sandy Bottom Nature Park.
It is highly recommended that trainees have an email address and internet access to facilitate program communications and volunteer hour reporting. - Program is targeted toward adults 18 or older.
- Class size is limited to 20 trainees.
- There is a course fee, however, the 2027 course fee has not been established at this time. Upon acceptance into the program, we will let you know your payment options. This fee covers basic training and course materials and must be paid prior to program start.
- Scholarship assistance is available. To apply, please email [email protected] and request a scholarship application.
Peninsula Master Naturalists Course Requirements
1. Attendance at the classes and field trips is mandatory for graduation and VMN membership. You should review the schedule which will be on the website to confirm you will be available for all classes. You may miss up to 2 classes and 1 field trip and still graduate from the basic training course, but these must be made-up within 12 months of completion of basic training in order to become a chapter member. You can make-up classes during the next training cycle, with another VMN chapter, or by making special arrangements with approval from the Training Committee Chair.
2. Attend one PMN General Meeting – General membership meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month at
6:00 PM at Sandy Bottom Nature Park. Currently, meetings are in-person and on Zoom.
3. Attend a bird walk at Newport News Park with the Hampton Roads Bird Club or New Quarter Park with the Williamsburg Club.
4. Complete Journal Entries for each class topic. There will be four journal reviews during the training course to assess journal entries.
5. Prepare and present a short presentation on an assigned naturalist.
2. Attend one PMN General Meeting – General membership meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month at
6:00 PM at Sandy Bottom Nature Park. Currently, meetings are in-person and on Zoom.
3. Attend a bird walk at Newport News Park with the Hampton Roads Bird Club or New Quarter Park with the Williamsburg Club.
4. Complete Journal Entries for each class topic. There will be four journal reviews during the training course to assess journal entries.
5. Prepare and present a short presentation on an assigned naturalist.
Upon completion of the course:
Initial certification 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. Our volunteer service areas are citizen science, stewardship, education and outreach, and chapter administration.
Initial certification 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. Our volunteer service areas are citizen science, stewardship, education and outreach, and chapter administration.
Online Application Tip Sheet
Filling out the application
- Check back for application information in October 2026.
- Classes usually fill within 4-5 weeks.
- The application is only online and must be completed in one sitting.
- There is not an option to save and complete later.
- Before filling out the application, we recommend you view a tip sheet for the application instructions which will be shown in a link to be added in October. It will include tips as well as a sample of the application for you to preview. You will be prompted to set up a Better Impact (BI) account. Please write down your user name and password. You will need it to access Better Impact when you are accepted into the program (If you already have a BI account (such as with Master Gardeners) you may use the same username and password) You will be asked to provide three references on your application.
- Provide the names of people who are familiar with your background and skills, but who are not family members. Please provide email and phone numbers where they can be easily reached. Once your application has been reviewed we will send you a reference check form to send to each of your references. You will ask them to complete the form and return it to us.
