scientists, and stewards and manage natural...

Volunteer educators, citizen scientists, and stewards

helping Virginians conserve and manage natural resources

and public lands

+Virginia (satellite view)

2015 Training About the Virginia Master Naturalist Program

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About the Virginia Master Naturalist Program

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+Working Together


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The Virginia Master Naturalist 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.

Our Mission


+1,400+ Active Volunteers


9 years 525,000+ service hours $12 million value


+Projects


+Citizen Science



VIRGINIA MASTER NATURALIST

Pocahontas ChapterBluebird Monitoring

From April to August, bluebird houses are monitored throughout the park. Volunteers make note of active nests, eggs and hatchlings as well as signs of predators and pests. Recorded data is transferred to state and national associations.

42 40+ 200

MonitoredHouses

Volunteers

BluebirdsFledged(DOUBLE 2012)

2013 RESULTS

APPROX.



Pocahontas ChapterBat Monitoring

Bat populations have declined dramatically in the park since 2012. This new project has located existing roosts and will create and maintain addtional roosting boxes. Volunteers will monitor these sites and conduct weekly emergence counts. In the future, we hope to work with professionals to identify species and gain information on the health of these bat colonies.

7 8 250 Proposal Contributors

MonitoredSites

Annual Volunteer Hours

The map above illustrates the ranges of endangered species of hibernating bats in the U.S. and the spreading distribution (yellow counties) of the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans and white-nose syndrome. Map data compiled by Cal Butchkoski, Pennsylvania Game Commission.

PROJECT NOTES

ESTIMATEDMAXIMUM

NEW

PROJECT!

Bats were counted at five sites in the summer of 2013. Project estimates are dependent on whether the additional bat houses are occupied in 2014.


A butterfly garden planted by Governor McAuliffe in Spring 2015 became a part of our Monarch Watch project that included larvae monitoring (one of only three sites in Virginia participating) and certification of the garden as a Monarch Waystation. Weekly observations were recorded for this project, not only for butterflies, but all insect species identified by volunteers that can be added to the park’s species manifest. Our first Monarch tagging will take place during the fall migration.

1 6+

200

CertifiedMonarchWaystation

Volunteers

Annual Volunteer Hours

PROJECT NOTES

ESTIMATED


Pocahontas ChapterMonarch Waystation

+Volunteer Service: Administrative


Contribute through planning and organizing chapter activities.

Examples: !  Plan and supervise VMN training

classes

!  Serve as a board or committee member

!  Work on a chapter newsletter, website and other communication efforts

!  Participate in activities that support the effectiveness of the chapter and statewide program

+ Virginia Master Naturalist Sponsors


Also supported by:

Sponsored by 7 agencies:

+Virginia Cooperative Extension


www.ext.vt.edu

Enables people to improve their lives through an educational process that uses scientific knowledge focused on issues and needs. A joint program among: !  Virginia’s Land Grant Universities (Virginia Tech and Virginia State) !  United States Department of Agriculture !  State and Local Governments Program Areas: !  Agriculture and Natural Resources !  4-H Youth Development !  Family and Consumer Sciences !  Community Viability

+VA Department of Forestry


www.dof.virginia.gov

Protects 15.8 million acres of forest land from fire, insects and disease. Manages 17 State Forests and other state lands totaling 47,899 acres for timber, recreation, water, research, wildlife and biodiversity. Assists non-industrial private forest landowners through professional forestry advice and technical management programs.

+ VA Department of Game and Inland Fisheries


www.dgif.virginia.gov

Manages Virginia's wildlife and inland fish to maintain optimum populations of all species to serve the needs of the Commonwealth. Provides opportunity for all to enjoy wildlife, inland fishing, boating and related outdoor recreation; to promote safety for persons and property in connection with boating, hunting and fishing.

+ VA Department of Conservation and Recreation


www.dcr.virginia.gov

Works with Virginians to conserve, protect, and enhance their lands and improve the quality of the Chesapeake Bay and our rivers and streams, promotes the stewardship and enjoyment of natural, cultural and outdoor recreational resources, and insures the safety of Virginia's dams. !  State Parks !  Soil and Water Conservation !  Natural Heritage Program !  Dam safety and floodplain management !  Land conservation !  Recreation planning !  Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance

+ Virginia Department of Environmental Quality


!  Protects and improves the environment for the well-being of all Virginians.

!  Administers state and federal laws and regulations for air quality, water quality, water supply and waste management.

!  Houses the Office of Environmental Education.

!  DEQ issues permits, conducts inspections and monitoring, and enforces regulations and permits

+Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences: Center for Coastal Resources Management


The Center for Coastal Resources Management (CCRM) develops and supports integrated and adaptive management of coastal zone resources. To fulfill this mission, the Center undertakes research, provides advisory service, and conducts outreach education.

ccrm.vims.edu

+Virginia Museum of Natural History


www.vmnh.net

Interprets Virginia's natural heritage within a global context in ways that are relevant to all citizens of the Commonwealth. !  Maintains a state museum to provide

a repository of the state’s natural heritage.

!  Investigates natural history of Virginia and the world.

+Next Week: Becoming a VMN


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