Application

Virginia Master Naturalist Program - Blue Ridge Foothills and Lakes Chapter

Basic Training
An application is available to print below.
Please read before downloading application:

To Potential Applicant:

Thank you for your interest in applying to be a Virginia Master Naturalist through the Blue Ridge Foothills and Lakes Chapter (BRFAL) training program.  

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 Virginia Master Naturalist Program 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 skill development necessary to be effective as a volunteer Certified Virginia Master Naturalist.

To become a Certified Virginia Master Naturalist, a trainee must:

·         Complete 40 hours of basic training, which includes a minimum of 25% time in the field;

·         Participate actively in an informal class assessment at the completion of training in which trainees will be asked to demonstrate their knowledge.

·         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, each Virginia Master Naturalist must complete an additional 8 hours of advanced training and 40 hours of service annually.

BRFAL’s training sessions will start February 18 and conclude April 9. Classes will be held on a combination of Thursday evenings from 6:00pm- 9:00 pm and  Saturdays 9am-5pm,  in the Smith Mountain Lake Association Office building located on Scruggs Road, Westlake. Actual dates are: Feb 18, 25, 27, Mar 5, 10.  The location of the Saturday field sessions will vary based on the topic being presented.  Actual dates for field trips are Mar 19, Apr 2, 9.  Attendance is very important and all missed sessions (maximum 2 classes) must be made up by attending the appropriate class(es) within 12 months of the completion of training. 

The cost of the program, including materials, is $125.  This fee also entitles each participant to a one-year membership in the BRFAL Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist Program. Registration opens up to applicants on December 15, 2015. Because of limited seating, the deadline for submitting applications is February 2, 2016.  The BRFAL Application Committee will notify all applicants of their status of their application.  Applicants accepted for the training program must send a check for $125 (payable to BRFAL) to be received at the address below not later than February 11, 2016, one week before the beginning of the class.  A minimum of 8 students is required to hold these training classes; enrollment by fewer than 8 will likely result in the class being cancelled and monies refunded.

If you wish to apply for the Winter 2016  training program, please complete and mail the attached application form  (along with the course fee of $125 if you choose to do so at this time) to:

Virginia Master Naturalists

Blue Ridge Foothills and Lakes Chapter

P.O. Box 42

Wirtz, VA 24184

ATTN:  Application Committee

BRFAL generally holds monthly meetings on the 3^rd Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm.  The meeting place alternates between Rocky Mount (in the Franklin Center), and the Westlake area of Smith Mountain Lake (in the Smith Mountain Lake Association office on Scruggs Road, in Moneta).  In general, in even months the meetings are held in Westlake and in odd months in Rocky Mount.  Please feel free, if you are interested in joining the program, to attend any of these meetings.  We try to have guest speakers throughout the year and you are certainly welcome to these meetings, as well as our regular business meetings.

Additional information, including the draft syllabus on the Virginia Master Naturalist Program and the Blue Ridge Foothills and Lakes Chapter, can be found at  http://brfal.blogspot.com . For other questions about the Virginia Master Naturalist Program and/or BRFAL Chapter, please call (540) 365-4613

If you would like an application mailed to you please email here or call 540-365-4613. 

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION