Serving the counties of Isle of Wight, Southampton, Surry, Sussex, City of Franklin and City of Suffolk.
COVID-19 / Coronavirus Updates:
- Due to the COVID-19 / Coronavirus, we have decided to post-pone our Basic Training class for 2021 & 2022. We will keep the entire chapter updated on the new schedule and contact those of you who signed up with the new dates.
- The Isle of Wight Extension office is open to the public, masks and social distancing required.
- Additional postponements or cancellations will be announced here as decisions are made.
Volunteer educators, citizen scientists, and stewards helping Virginia conserve and manage natural resources
Fall VMN nature walk at Nike Park, Carrollton, October 2021.
Photo’s courtesy of Bonnie Horne
Photo’s courtesy of Bonnie Horne
Historic Southside Chapter awarded the statewide VMN Education/Outreach Project of the Year 2019
VMN state director, Michelle Prysby, (far right) visits Windsor Castle Park to see first hand the many ways the chapter is helping the community appreciate the natural wonders of this jewel in our region.
What is a Virginia Master Naturalist - video
This introductory video generously produced by VMN volunteer Sonny Bowers of the Historic Rivers Chapter gives you a great sense for what it means to be a VMN volunteer and why the program is so important. Thank you to Sonny for all the time put into this wonderful film.
A Community-Based Natural Resource Volunteer Program
Purple martin box construction and installation
As part of the Virginia Master Naturalist program, the Historic Southside Chapter of Virginia Master Naturalist was chartered in 2011. Our chapter serves the counties of Isle of Wight, Southampton, Surry, and Sussex, and the city of Franklin. Our region has many unique natural features and quite a few public natural areas. We appreciate the value of our forests, fields, wetlands, and wildlife, and are organizing some preliminary service projects at some of our natural areas already.
If you love being outside, are curious about nature and want to make a difference in your community, consider becoming part of our volunteer corps. We provide basic training in natural resource topics and perform service projects in the areas of stewardship, citizen science, and education at parks and natural areas.
If you love being outside, are curious about nature and want to make a difference in your community, consider becoming part of our volunteer corps. We provide basic training in natural resource topics and perform service projects in the areas of stewardship, citizen science, and education at parks and natural areas.
The Historic Southside Chapter
Piney Grove Preserve
Our first training program was conducted in 2011. Basic training classes are generally held in the spring of each year. In person training is currently suspended due to Covid-19 and is expected to resume in Spring of 2023. The syllabus describes the great line-up of topics we offer including ecology, botany, entomology, ornithology, forestry, and climate studies, as well as teaching and interpretive skills in citizen science.
The most important qualification for becoming a Master Naturalist is a desire to contribute to the environment in our community through volunteer service. Sound interesting? Click Here for More Information about our Classes!
The most important qualification for becoming a Master Naturalist is a desire to contribute to the environment in our community through volunteer service. Sound interesting? Click Here for More Information about our Classes!
Is the Master Naturalist Program for you? Ask yourself...
Bald Eagles nesting
Are you curious about nature?
Do you enjoy the outdoors?
Do you want to make a difference in the environment?
Do you care about the natural areas and native species in your community?
Do you want to be actively involved in managing, conserving, and educating about Virginia’s natural resources?
Do you have time to complete the training?
Do you have time to complete the volunteer service?
Are you interested in being a part of a local team and interacting with other individuals who care about natural resources?
As a possible charter member, do you have a sense of adventure?
If so...YES, this program may be for you!
Do you enjoy the outdoors?
Do you want to make a difference in the environment?
Do you care about the natural areas and native species in your community?
Do you want to be actively involved in managing, conserving, and educating about Virginia’s natural resources?
Do you have time to complete the training?
Do you have time to complete the volunteer service?
Are you interested in being a part of a local team and interacting with other individuals who care about natural resources?
As a possible charter member, do you have a sense of adventure?
If so...YES, this program may be for you!
The Virginia Master Naturalist Program is jointly sponsored by:
Living shoreline restoration
Virginia Cooperative Extension
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Virginia Department of Forestry
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
Virginia Museum of Natural History
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
The program is based in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation within the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Tech University.
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Virginia Department of Forestry
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
Virginia Museum of Natural History
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
The program is based in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation within the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Tech University.
The Virginia Master Naturalist program is open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
