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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Master Naturalist 2012 Training Course Scheduled in Rocky Mount!

The Blue Ridge Foothills And Lakes (BRFAL) Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist program (VMNP) is taking applications now until Feb 15, for the 2012 basic training course.  

The classes will be held at the Franklin Center in Rocky Mount, Tuesday evenings from 6:00-8:30 PM beginning March 6 until May 24th.  Additional field trips will be held on Saturdays March 17 & 31, Apr 14 & 28 and May 5 & 19.  The location of Saturday field sessions will vary based on the topic being presented.  The total cost of the program, including materials, is $100.  This fee also entitles each participant to a one-year membership in the BRFAL Chapter of the VMNP.

The BRFAL training program is designed to prepare individuals as Certified Virginia Master Naturalists for the statewide corps of master naturalist volunteers carrying out the VMNP mission of “providing education, outreach and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities”.  As such, it will provide the background knowledge and opportunity for skills development necessary to be effective as a volunteer Certified Virginia Master Naturalist.

To become a Certified Virginia MasterNaturalist, a trainee must:
  • Complete 40 hours of basic training, which includes a minimum of 25% time in the field;
  • Pass the open-book training assessment with a score of 70% or higher;
  • Complete 8 hours of approved advanced training designed to focus volunteer efforts on one or more specific topics of interest; and
  • Complete a minimum of 40 hours of service in a BRFAL approved project within 12 months of the completion of the basic training program.
To maintain certification, a Certified Virginia Master Naturalist must complete an additional 8 hours of advanced training and 40 hours of service annually.

Space is limited for this course which covers topics such as: aquatic and terrestrial ecology; taxonomy of plants, mammals, fish, insects, amphibians, reptiles and birds; geology and soil science and others.  If you, or someone you know, are interested in participating please visit the website below.  Perhaps a  home-made "gift certificate" would be welcome.
Directions to the Franklin Center in Rocky Mount VA here
              Rocky Mount is the land between the lakes, just 19 miles from Roanoke and in the shadow of the Blue Ridge. Rocky Mount, the county seat for Franklin County sits at 1200 feet in the eastern foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Application forms and additional information, including the draft syllabus on the Virginia Master Naturalist Program and the Blue Ridge Foothills and Lakes Chapter, can be found here.  For other questions about the Virginia Master Naturalist Program and/or BRFAL Chapter, please call (540) 365-4613 or contact us through the web site.

*This is a press release by Carl Boast and can also be found in our local papers.

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