Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Written by Michelle Prysby, Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, Virginia Tech
While we look ahead to National Public Lands Day, the nation's largest, single-day volunteer event for public lands, it's worth learning about the efforts of volunteers who regularly give back to public lands.
The Virginia Master Naturalist (VMN) program is a statewide corps of volunteers providing education, outreach and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities.
With 30 chapters across Virginia, the program aims to extend the capacities of state and local natural resource organizations.
Partnerships are a cornerstone of the program, and most VMN activities are conducted in collaboration with other organizations. In 2023, VMN chapters partnered with 478 different agencies and organizations across Virginia to accomplish shared conservation and education goals.
At the statewide level, seven state agencies sponsor the program by providing a portion of the base program funding and in-kind contributions of staff time for training volunteers, leading projects, and advising chapters. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has been a sponsor of the program since 2005.
With the support of DCR, the VMN program continued to make positive impacts on the commonwealth’s natural resources. The agency’s monetary contribution supported one full-time staff member, Tiffany Brown, who is vital for program and volunteer coordination. It also supported volunteer recognition items, program communications tools, training events and other important functions of the statewide program. In addition, many DCR staff provided in-kind program support by serving as chapter advisors, training instructors and project leaders.
In 2023, the program grew to 3,345 enrolled volunteers. VMN chapters offered 30 basic training courses, resulting in 516 newly trained volunteers joining the ranks. Together, VMN volunteers reported more than 235,000 hours of service in Virginia, valued at $7.6 million. More than 1,500 volunteers earned the Certified Virginia Master Naturalist title by completing at least 40 hours of service and eight hours of continuing education.
Eastern Shore Master Naturalists at a Magothy Bay Natural Area Preserve trail workday. They obtained nearly $18,000 in grant funding to improve three natural area preserves. They will plant native vegetation, manage invasive species and add interpretive signage. Photo by Jack Saladino.
Volunteer service hours were completed in four primary areas:
VMN volunteer contributions in each of these areas resulted in positive impacts, such as restored habitats, new data for use natural resource management, and more Virginians getting connected to nature. At least 13,502 of these service hours were associated with DCR lands, including:
Fairfax Master Naturalists partnered with the park’s Friends group on a project of revitalization and long-term maintenance of Mason Neck State Park’s native gardens. Volunteers also cleaned out and repaired rain barrels around the visitor center. The gardens were used as a primary segment of a DCR-sponsored Girl Scout Day, when VMN volunteers provided programming about native gardens, pollinators and the benefits of native plants. Photo by Jerry Nissley.
In 2023, VMN volunteers continued to increase the capacity of Virginia State Parks to provide outreach and interpretive programs. The volunteers led kayak tours, assisted with visiting school groups, provided outreach at special events, led interpretive walks and campfire programs and staffed nature centers.
In just one example, New River Valley Master Naturalists made 4,500 educational contacts by staffing of the discovery center at Claytor Lake State Park for the summer season and representing the park at several local community events. Southern Piedmont Master Naturalists supported Occoneechee State Park’s first large public event in many years, “Pollinators in the Park.”
In addition, to these projects directly on DCR lands, VMN volunteers contributed to the Natural Heritage goal of biodiversity conservation with more than 15,000 hours spent on invasive plant management and habitat restoration at other public lands. They also were involved extensively in maintaining trails to improve public access to outdoor spaces (7,129 hours at more than 50 different trails).
We thank Virginia Master Naturalists for their incredible efforts and substantial time put into supporting DCR’s mission. Consider becoming a Virginia Master Naturalist to support this invaluable work!
Categories
Native Plants | Natural Heritage | Nature
