Application (fill-in online, print and mail)
Who We Are
The Arlington Regional Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist Program 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 corps of volunteers to provide education, research, citizen science, outreach, and stewardship of Virginia natural resources and public lands.
Becoming a Master Naturalist
The process for becoming a certified Virginia Master Naturalist typically takes 6 to 12 months. Initial certification requires “basic training” classroom course work and in-the-field training. Master Naturalists are required to provide 40 hours of volunteer service per year and attend 8 hours of continued advanced training each year. The Chapter maintains a catalog of volunteer service opportunities.
The Basic Training Course
The Basic Training Course offers fun and interactive instruction about our local environment taught by recognized experts with environmental or scientific experience, most of whom have extensive post-graduate training in their fields. Basic training assessment will include open book written exams and a short presentation or demonstration of a specific skill.
The Fall 2010 basic training course will be held during the day on Mondays, beginning on September 13 and ending December 13, 2010 (no class on Columbus Day). Classes will be held primarily at Long Branch Nature Center from 9:00 am – noon followed by field training from 12:30 to 3:00 pm. Field trips involve walking on woodland trails, which may include some hills and rock-scrambling (alternate field training can be arranged to accommodate a disability). The application deadline for the Fall 2010 class is August 22, 2010. The next evening class will likely be scheduled to begin in February, 2011.
Attendance at classes and field trips is mandatory for certification. Trainees should not miss more than two classes, and any classes or field trips missed must be made up. Make-up opportunities may be available during the next training cycle, by special arrangements with neighboring chapters, or, for certain classes, by viewing a previous videotaped class. Trainees will be evaluated with take home mid-term and final exams and will be required to do a short presentation on a natural resource topic at the end of the training sessions.
Who is Eligible
The Arlington Chapter will take applications from residents outside of Virginia, but the annually required 40 volunteer hours must take place in Virginia or serve Virginia lands, residents, or visitors, as it is a state-sponsored program.
Virginia Master Naturalist programs are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. The demographic information collected on the application form is optional. It will be used for state record-keeping purposes only and will not be used in the selection process.
While application information is requested to determine current background in natural history, we are primarily looking for individuals who have a commitment to volunteer service, are enthusiastic and willing to learn, have a desire to serve the community.
How to Apply
To apply to become a Master Naturalist, please fill out the following application as completely as possible. A check in the amount of $150 payable to “Arlington Regional Master Naturalists” must be submitted with the completed application. Checks will not be cashed unless an applicant is accepted into the program; uncashed checks will be returned.
Application for 2010 Fall Class
The application deadline for the Fall 2010 class is August 22, 2010.
Application and check for $150 made out to Arlington Regional Master Naturalists (separate checks for each applicant, please) should be sent to:
Arlington Regional Master Naturalists
c/o Long Branch Nature Center
625 S. Carlin Spring Road
Arlington, VA 22204
