Virginia Master Naturalist Conference draws hundreds to Martinsville

Nearly 200 people descended upon Martinsville and Henry County for the 2012 Virginia Master Naturalist Statewide Volunteer Conference and Training hosted at the Virginia Museum of Natural History September 7-9. The annual conference also took place at New College Institute and Fairystone State Park, allowing volunteers of all 29 Master Naturalist chapters throughout the Commonwealth to participate in high-quality advanced training sessions and learn about the unique natural qualities of the southwestern Virginia piedmont.

"VMNH is committed to the continued success and growth of the Master Naturalist program," said Dr. Denny Casey, director of education and public programs at VMNH. "It was great to host the event here since most of the attendees had never been to the museum."

Dr. Joe B. Keiper, executive director of VMNH, welcomed conference participants at a dinner at the museum on Friday, and challenged all Master Naturalists to be ambassadors for science literacy across the state.

Several members of the museum's education staff, who also are certified Master Naturalists, conducted several Saturday training sessions. In addition to presentations, VMNH staff led behind-the-scenes tours and a museum open house. Members of the local Southwestern Piedmont chapter helped to organize the event.

Virginia Master Naturalists are volunteer educators, citizen scientists, and stewards helping Virginia conserve and manage natural resources and public lands. The process for becoming a certified Virginia Master Naturalist typically takes 6 to 12 months. Each volunteer must complete a 40-hour basic training course offered by a local chapter of the program, with an additional 8 hours of advanced training also required. Certification also requires 40 hours of volunteer service.

The Virginia Master Naturalist Program is sponsored by the Virginia Museum of Natural History, Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the Virginia Department of Forestry, and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

To learn more about the program, including how to begin the certification process, visit www.virginiamasternaturalist.org. To learn more about the Virginia Museum of Natural History, visit www.vmnh.net.

Event Photos

About the Virginia Museum of Natural History
The Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville seeks to increase understanding of and appreciation for the natural history of the Commonwealth through education, research, collections, publications and exhibits. The museum - an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution - is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, a distinction earned by fewer than 10 percent of museums in the United States. The museum is a member of the Association of Science-Technology Centers, Virginia Association of Museums, Heritage Preservation, and is an agency of the Secretary of Natural Resources for the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Admission is $5 for adults; $4 for senior citizens and college students; $3 for children and youth 3-18; members and children under 3 receive free admission. For more information about membership or volunteer opportunities, please call 276-634-4141 or visit www.vmnh.net.