Basic Training
Virginia Master Naturalists Course Information for Applicants
Thank you for your interest in the Peninsula Master Naturalist Program. We will begin accepting applications for our Spring 2027 training program October 9, 2026. We will have a Zoom info session on Wednesday October 7, 2026 at 7:00 pm.
Please email [email protected] if you wish to receive a link to the session.
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. This includes a wide range of topics in many areas relating to the natural sciences.
Please note: 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 Peninsula Master Naturalist program is not designed to be a professionally accredited training or certification program. It prepares you to serve as a volunteer.
Calendar for 2027 Training Course here
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.
- Class locations are still being decided.
- It is highly recommended that trainees have an email address and internet access to facilitate program communications and volunteer hour reporting.
- The program is for adults 18 or older.
- Class size is limited to 20 trainees.
- The course fee for 2027 will be $135.00. Variable pricing options will be presented when you fill out the application if you need financial assistance for the training.
- 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
Attendance at the classes and field trips is mandatory for graduation and VMN membership. You should review the schedule on this webpage 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 missed classes should be made-up within 12 months of completion of basic training in order to become a certified master naturalist. 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.
In addition to scheduled classes, trainees are required to:
1. Attend one in-person 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.
2. Attend a bird walk at Newport News Park with the Hampton Roads Bird Club or New Quarter Park with the Williamsburg Club.
3. Complete Journal Entries for each class topic. There will be four journal reviews during the training course to assess journal entries.
4. Prepare and present a short presentation on an assigned naturalist.
In addition to scheduled classes, trainees are required to:
1. Attend one in-person 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.
2. Attend a bird walk at Newport News Park with the Hampton Roads Bird Club or New Quarter Park with the Williamsburg Club.
3. Complete Journal Entries for each class topic. There will be four journal reviews during the training course to assess journal entries.
4. 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.
Online Application Tip Sheet
Filling out the Application
Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and local governments, and is an equal opportunity employer. For the full non-discrimination statement, please visit ext.vt.edu/accessibility.
- 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 it and complete it later.
- Before filling out the application, please read the tip sheet (Linked here) for the application instructions. The tip sheet includes detailed instructions 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 or living in the same household. 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.
- After we have reviewed your application and received all of your reference check forms we will notify you of acceptance into the program.
Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and local governments, and is an equal opportunity employer. For the full non-discrimination statement, please visit ext.vt.edu/accessibility.
