ARMN July 2012 Chapter Meeting and Service at Long Branch Nature Center

By John Bernard

Members of Arlington Regional Master Naturalists (ARMN) met for their chapter meeting and cookout on July 29 at Long Branch Nature Center (LBNC). Among other business, they recognized 13 newly certified Master Naturalists and the 68 members who have recertified through 2012.

Newly-certified Master Naturalist Leah Pellegrino receives her certificate from ARMN President Caroline Haynes and Kirsten Buhls, Virginia Cooperative Extension Educator and ARMN Chapter Advisor.

There was also an opportunity for ARMN volunteers to earn additional volunteer hours at LBNC with a work project prior to the Chapter meeting. Volunteers worked on a “natural meeting area” arranging tree stumps as seats.

ARMN volunteers arrange tree stumps to create a natural meeting area.
A view of the tree stumps circle that provides a natural setting for meetings.

This is just an example of the many volunteer opportunities that ARMN volunteers have for service hours to meet the annual 40 hours minimum certification requirements.

ARMN volunteers start off with basic training that includes basic background and skills in natural history, role of naturalist, Virginia biogeography and flora and fauna, native ecological concepts for aquatic, forest, and urban ecology, and citizen science.   Classes are typically offered in the fall and spring.  To get involved or find out more information, go to the ARMN.org.  To find out more about basic training, go to the link for basic training.

Photos by John Bernard.

 

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