Home

Excited and curious about the natural world? Enjoy being outside? Want to play an ACTIVE role in the management and conservation of Virginia’s natural resources? If so…the Virginia Master Naturalist program is for you!

As members of a community-based natural resources program, Virginia Master Naturalists are volunteer educators, citizen scientists, and stewards helping Virginians conserve and manage natural resources and public lands.

Ways you can help:

  • Education – Teach adults and youth about nature!
  • Citizen Science – Collect data on wildlife and plant populations, water quality, and more!
  • Stewardship – Restore wildlife habitat, clean up a local stream, or build a trail!

Interested Virginians become Master Naturalists through training and volunteer service. Click here to learn more.

mpmn btc
Middle Peninsula Master Naturalist trainees take part in online training and in-person field trips, like this one which was led by Lisa Deaton, at right from the Virginia Department of Forestry on public land in Gloucester.
Cohort 4 members celebrated their graduation from the Basic Training Course at Whitcomb Lodge – Beaverdam Park, Gloucester on March 9, 2024. Photo by Susan Walton.
Members of Cohort 5 spent the day at Woodville Park and Woodville School in Gloucester for classroom instruction and field activities related to Ornithology and Herpetology March 22, 2025. Photo by Susan Walton.

The next Basic Training Course is tentatively scheduled for September 2026. For more information, email Middle Peninsula Master Naturalists on our Contact page.

2024 – The Year in Review

 

Master Naturalists in Action

January 4, 2026 – Audubon Christmas Bird Count: Mathews County

Bird counting at Bavon Beach, New Point Comfort. Pictured from left, Susan Crockett (MPMN), Ewa Greene from Henrico, Ed Brown (MPMN). Photo by Tom Crockett.

 

December 27, 2025 – Audubon Christmas Bird Count: Middle Peninsula

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

December 6, 2025 – Annual Meeting

Leading the chapter in 2026 are, from left, vice president Pat Anderson, president Grace Hanners, treasurer Ginette Colot and, not pictured, secretary Lindsay Boswell. Photo by Susan Walton.

 

MPMNs recognized retiring chapter advisor Karen Duhring with a unique gift of a collage of items and tokens from chapter members that represent our projects. Shown, from left, president Grace Hanners, Karen Duhring, and past president Luann Johnson, who created the collage. Photo by Susan Walton.

October 10, 2025 – Catch the King Tide 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Mapping high tide with Joyce Pully. Photos by Susan Crockett.

 

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and local governments, and is an equal opportunity employer. For the full non-discrimination statement, please visit ext.vt.edu/accessibility.