Virginia Naturally Partners Database
Alleghany Highlands Master Naturalists
Organization details
Contact information
| Organization contact | Beth Hawse |
|---|---|
| Beth.Hawse@dcr.virginia.gov | |
| Website | www.virginiamasternaturalist.org/alleghanyhighlands.html |
| Address | 14239 Douthat State Park Road Millboro, VA 24460 |
| Phone | (540) 862-8100 |
| Fax | (540) 862-8104 |
This organization offers programs related to the Virginia Standards of Learning.
Description
The Virginia Master Naturalist program is a statewide volunteer training program that will positively impact natural resource education and conservation across Virginia. The program’s mission is to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the Commonwealth of Virginia.At the state level, the Virginia Master Naturalist program is sponsored jointly by Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Virginia Department of Forestry, and the Virginia Museum of Natural History. At the local level, Douthat State Park will sponsor the Alleghany Highlands Chapter and Beth Hawse will serve as the Chapter Advisor.
The program consists of a network of Virginia Master Naturalist chapters across the state. Each chapter is responsible for recruiting and training volunteers and for working with partners to create and coordinate volunteer service opportunities. The training consists of a minimum of 40 hours classroom and field time covering a core set of curriculum objectives. The objectives focus on ecology, natural resource management, basic natural history of the animals and plants of Virginia, and skills for teaching and field research. To become a certified Virginia Master Naturalist, each volunteer must also complete 40 hours of service. This service can be in the form of education (such as leading an interpretive program in a state park), citizen science (such as collecting data on wildlife populations), or stewardship (such as restoring a natural area).
This program benefits Virginia’s citizenry, its public lands, and its natural resources. The development of a dedicated volunteer corps will expand the capacity of Virginia’s natural resource agencies. The cooperative nature of the program provides a mechanism for state, local, non-profit, and other partners to work together towards the common goals of conservation and education. The volunteer service provides a purposeful way for citizens to spend time outdoors and on Virginia’s public lands.
Virginia regions
VRO
Topics of interest
- Air
- Animals
- Biosphere
- Chesapeake Bay
- Energy and Minerals
- Environmental Management and Pollution Prevention
- Historic Resources
- Land and Open Space
- Marine and Aquatic
- Trees, Plants, and Forests
- Waste Management and Recycling
- Water
- Wetlands
- Agriculture and Soil
Services and amenities offered
None listed.
Watersheds
None listed.
