Projects

What We Do

All over the state, Virginia Master Naturalists train for certification, then maintain that certification by launching or participating in local projects as they trek through forests and fields, collect data in streams, beaches, and backyards  – all while continuing to learn and sharing their enthusiasm for Virginia’s natural world.

Service projects fall into four key areas: Citizen Science, Stewardship, Education/Outreach, and Chapter Administration.

 

Citizen Science

Citizen scientists are volunteers who collect data relating to the natural world typically as part of a collaborative project with professional scientists. This data describes the lives, habits, and responsiveness to change of plant and animal species or communities, and supplies scientists and policy-makers with the information they need to make informed management and policy decisions.

Citizen Science projects may include:

  • Bird, butterfly, frog and toad counts
  • Wildlife and native plant mapping and surveys
  • Camera trapping
  • Stream monitoring
  • Vernal pool monitoring
A volunteer wearing a blue tee shirt and white bucket hat in front of a field of milkweed plants observing butterflies through binoculars.
Butterfly Observation: Susan Crockett. Photo by Karen Duhring.

 

A volunteer wearing black rubber boots and a grey raincoat standing on the shoreline next to a rock revetment using a cellphone app to record high tide data at Gloucester Point Beach.
“Catch the King”: John Powell at Gloucester Point Beach. Photo by Karen Duhring.

 

Education/Outreach

Education/Outreach opportunities allow volunteers to engage with the public to show them the importance of conservation and how they can become involved. This area of service might be a perfect fit for people who enjoy teaching, public speaking, or working with youth.

Education/Outreach projects may include:

  • Leading programs in a nearby state park
  • Developing or leading an interpretive trail
  • Developing educational materials
  • Giving a presentation on a natural resource/environmental topic
  • Staffing an information booth at community events

 

Stewardship

Stewardship projects promote the beneficial management of our natural resources and public lands, and may include restoration efforts. Stewardship brings volunteers outside, gets them dirty, and shows them tangible results of their work.

Stewardship projects may include:

  • Planting trees
  • Protecting streams
  • Restoring oyster populations
  • Restoring and maintaining wildlife habitats
  • Improving water quality
  • Building and maintaining park trails
  • Picking up litter and debris on roadsides, parks, and shorelines
  • Transporting injured or orphaned wildlife

 

Two volunteers preparing a basket of oyster shells for washing.
CBF Oyster Restoration Program: Preparing oyster shells for washing, from left, Henry Thompson and Bill Blair. Photo by Rose Sullivan.

 

Chapter Administration

Become involved in guiding and administering the activities of your local chapter. This may include serving on a committee or the Board of Directors. Board members include officers: President, Vice-President, Past President, Secretary, Treasurer; and Committee Chairs: Membership, Training, Continuing Education (CE), Outreach, Programs, Hospitality, and Historian. 

Administrative duties may include:

  • Making decisions on policies, procedures, partnerships, etc.
  • Organizing and facilitating events and activities
  • Planning the training course
  • Finding and sharing CE opportunities
  • Evaluating and approving new volunteer projects
  • Managing social media and the Better Impact platform

 

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.