As a chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist Program, the Arlington Regional Master Naturalists (ARMN) provides the training and volunteer opportunities for the citizens of Arlington, and other Northern Virginia jurisdictions, to become Master Naturalists. ARMN is an all volunteer-organization with chapter members serving as officers and administering the program at the local level. The mission of the Arlington Regional Chapter is to train and certify a corp of volunteers to provide education, research, citizen science, outreach, and stewardship of Virginia’s natural resources and public lands.

The process for becoming a certified Virginia Master Naturalist typically takes 6 to 12 months. One starts by applying and completing a basic training course offered by a local chapter of the program. An additional 8 hours of advanced training are also required. An important part of the certification process is the required 40 hours of volunteer service per year.

Note: The Arlington Regional chapter accepts volunteers from any jurisdiction, even those with their own chapters.

The next basic training course will be held during the day on Mondays beginning on September 14,  2009 and ending December 14, 2009 (there will be no class on October 12).  The class will meet for classroom work from 9 am-12 noon, have a half hour break for lunch and then do field work from 12:30 to 2:30 in topics related to the classroom session.  (The next evening session of classes most likely will be scheduled to begin in February 2010.)  Class size is limited to 25 trainees. Most classes will meet at Long Branch Nature Center, but several classes may be relocated to nearby parks to facilitate field trips.   Field trips will involve walking on woodland trails, which may include some hills and rock-scrambling (alternate field training can be arranged to accommodate a disability).

Applications are now being accepted for the fall 2009 training session.   The application deadline is July 31, 2009.

Click here for additional information about our upcoming fall classes.