Peninsula Chapter - Virginia Master Naturalist

Program Overview

Virginia Master Naturalist 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 Peninsula Chapter, which serves Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, Gloucester and the lower half of York County, was one of four chapters formed in 2008 under the direction of the program's statewide committees.

The presence of this program on the Peninsula provides a corps of volunteers for the agencies and organizations that manage our local natural resources and provides valuable educational resources to the community.

Becoming a Master Naturalist

People who are curious about nature, enjoy the outdoors, and want to be a part of natural resource management and conservation in Virginia are perfect candidates to become Virginia Master Naturalists. It is open to all adults regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status.
 
 Applications are now being accepted with the training class to begin in August, 2022.

Basic Training Course

In order to become a certified Virginia Master Naturalist, volunteers are required to attend a basic training class (a minimum of 40 hours of classroom and field instruction). After training, volunteers must have additional continuing education credits (a minimum of 8 hours) and provide at least 40 hours of approved volunteer service to the community to become certified. To find out more on training, visit the Peninsula Chapter - Virginia Master Naturalist website.