Virginia Master Naturalist Statewide Volunteer Conference and Training Sept 23-25, 2011

The conference is September 23-25, 2011 at Camp Friendship in Fluvanna County.  There will be excellent advanced training, awards, fun, fellowship, field trips, and more.
For registration and for complete information on agenda, lodging, and what to bring, please visit the conference site click here. See the program overview here.


Event Overview
All Virginia Master Naturalist volunteers are invited to join us at Camp Friendship in Fluvanna County, Virginia (this is about 15 miles East of Charlottesville VA), for our 3rd Virginia Master Naturalist Statewide Volunteer Conference and Training! Camp Friendship is a private camp facility located on the Rivanna River, just north of Palmyra and just south of Zions Crossroads. (Directions can be found online here)



This event is an annual opportunity for VMN volunteers to share ideas and learn from each other, to participate in high-quality advanced training sessions, and to learn about a region of Virginia that may be different from their home communities. It’s a time and place to recognize and reward volunteers and chapters for all their efforts.


The 2011 conference will be hosted by the Rivanna Chapter, whose home base is the Rivanna watershed in Albemarle and parts of Greene and Fluvanna counties. This area of Virginia is steeped in history, associated with well-known figures such as Jefferson, Madison, Lewis and Clark, and others. This year’s conference theme is “Making History as Naturalists”, and our Saturday evening presenter will speak on this theme as she shares her perspective on Thomas Jefferson and other naturalists of his day.


Registration Deadlines
Early bird registration ends July 19. All registrations close August 23 (one month prior)! Register as early as possible to get your choice of sessions, all of which have limited availability. Registering online requires a credit card payment.


If you do not wish to register online call Michelle Prysby, Virginia Master Naturalist Program Coordinator, at 434-872-4580 to register over the phone (payment by check only.)


Please see the event Web site here for off-site lodging options. We have a group rate at a nearby hotel with full amenities, as well as several other suggestions. Because that weekend is a UVA home game, you will want to make reservations as early as possible if you want to stay in Charlottesville or nearby. Don’t delay!


Agenda Overview


Friday, September 23
9:00 am – 4:00 pm Optional Pre-conference Field Trip: Geology, Disturbance, and Fall Botany in Shenandoah National Park
6:00 – 7:00 pm Supper
7:00 – 9:00 pm Mix-and-mingle, Roundtable discussions on program topics


Saturday, September 24
7:00 am – 8:00 am Early morning birding and nature walks
8:00 am – 9:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am – 11:00 am Concurrent Sessions on site
11:30 am – 4:00 pm Concurrent field sessions off site (with boxed lunches and transportation provided)
6:00 pm -7:30 pm Banquet supper and awards
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm Keynote Presentation: The View from Monticello: Natural History in Jefferson’s Virginia, presented by Lucia (Cinder) Stanton, Shannon Senior Historian at Monticello
8:30 and later S'mores and informal jamming, stories, and socializing around the campfire


Sunday, September 25
7:00 am – 8:00 am Early morning birding and nature walks
8:00 am – 9:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am – varying ending times (noon to 2 pm) Concurrent sessions on and off site

For BRFAL CHAPTER MEMBERS and VMN EN-TRAINING POST A COMMENT OR EMAIL THE GROUP IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SHARING A CABIN and/or CARPOOLING! I have elected the HILLTOP LODGE for lodging (Thurs-Sat nights)

BRFAL Chapter of Virginia Master Naturalist wants you get outside and learn something new! Visit your favorite state park or walk in the footsteps of history at Booker T Washington National Monument.