Volunteer

To become a certified Virginia Master Naturalist, the naturalist must complete 40 hours of volunteer service annually. These projects can be as diverse as the Master Naturalists themselves. All service projects must be approved by the chapter, meet the mission of the program, and be of public benefit rather than personal gain.

Projects fall generally into four categories: Citizen Science (bird counts, butterfly counts, frog and toad counts, etc.), Education (programs for children and adults, booths at park events, etc.), Stewardship (clearing trails at parks, removing invasive species, etc.), and Administration (projects to make the chapter run smoothly).

Members of the Holston Rivers Chapter should check the Virginia Master Naturalist Better Impact Volunteer Management System for details and contact info for current projects.

Members should submit project proposals by contacting Volunteer Project Coordinator Ann Marie Mack-Schmidt, Send Email

Volunteer Database

Virginia Master Naturalist Better Impact Volunteer Management System

In early 2021, the VCE Master Volunteer programs (including VMN) transitioned over to Better Impact VMS, an exciting new volunteer management system for all our needs, including communications, activity listings, and the reporting of volunteer hours. Below are some tools to help you use this.

Better Impact VMS: Initial Instructions for VMN Volunteers (PDF): The basics of getting started in BI as a VMN volunteer
Better Impact VMS Training Video for VCE Master Volunteers: Click link to view this video which will help volunteers get started using the basic functions of the system
Using Better Impact VMS Features as a Volunteer: Match your Interests to find Opportunities, Receive Notices and Reminders about your Activities, and See Who Else has Sign Up (PDF)

Chapter Members enter their volunteer hours on the Volunteer Management System. For information about your login, contact Tina Altizer.

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.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.