Education/Outreach
WHO WE ARE
State-Guided, Locally Focused: How the VMN Program is Structured
Composed of 29 semi-independent, locally focused chapters, The Virginia Master Naturalist program is actively supported, guided, and represented by the over-arching statewide VMN program.
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Through their local chapters, VMN volunteers train and serve with the variety of partner groups and institutions who are already working in locally relevant natural resources education and outreach projects.
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The success of the Virginia Master Naturalist Program relies on these partnerships between chapters and organizations, state and local agencies, non-profits, and other citizen groups.
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For more information, go to the state Virginia Master Naturalist website:
http://www.virginiamasternaturalist.org/
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WHAT WE DO
The Virginia Master Naturalists High Knob Chapter focuses their attention on Southwest Virginia. The members volunteer their time in the form of outreach, such as educational or interpretive programming, assistance to statewide sponsor or local partner programs and/or research, or simply manual labor that benefits the local natural resources.
The Virginia Master Naturalist can educate the public and/or fellow Virginia Master Naturalists. This can include interpretive programs at parks; presentations and tabling/booths at fairs, markets, and other public events; and educational presentations to identified audiences, such as garden clubs, school groups, or homeowner associations.
Citizen Science
Citizen science involves data collection, monitoring, biological inventories, and other research-oriented activities. Examples include bird censuses, wildlife mapping, and butterfly counts. These activities can be part of statewide projects or projects specific to the High Knob Chapter.
Stewardship
Stewardship includes hands-on volunteer activities intended to improve habitat and other natural resources, or, in some cases, to improve the ability of the public access these resources. These activities may include invasive plant removal, habitat restoration, and trail building/maintenance. Chapters can adopt specific trails to take care of.