Arlington Regional Chapter Application Form Thank you for your interest in applying to be a Virginia Master Naturalist through the Arlington Regional Chapter. The Virginia Master Naturalist Program is a volunteer-driven effort with chapter members serving as officers and administering the program at the local level. The mission of the Arlington Regional Chapter is to train and certify a corps of volunteers to provide education, research, outreach, and stewardship of Virginia natural resources and public lands. Beginning in September, the Basic Training Course offers fun and interactive instruction about our local environment taught by recognized experts with environmental or scientific experience, most of whom have extensive post-graduate training in their fields. The process for becoming a certified Virginia Master Naturalist typically takes 6 to 12 months. Initial certification requires a minimum of 42 hours of course work and an additional 18 hours of in-the-field training. In addition, annual recertification requires 40 hours of volunteer service per year and 8 hours of continued advanced training each year. Applicants must be 18 years of age. Ages 14-17 may apply, but only in conjunction with a parent or other responsible adult. The Arlington Chapter will take applications from any residents of Virginia, D.C., or Maryland, but the annually required 40 volunteer hours must take place in Virginia or serve Virginia lands, residents, or visitors, as it is a state-sponsored program. The initial class will be limited to 25 trainees. Classes, which begin September 9, 2008 and continue through December 9, 2008, will be held on Tuesdays from 7-10 pm at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington, VA. Field trips to various local natural areas will be on the following days: September 27 and 28 (optional overnight), October 11 and 25 and November 8. Attendance at these classes is mandatory for certification. A limited number of classes may be made up during the next training cycle or perhaps special arrangements can be made with the instructors or neighboring chapters. Virginia Master Naturalist programs are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. For information regarding the Basic Training Course, see our website at www.armn.org. The demographic information collected on this application form is optional. It will be used for state record-keeping purposes only and will not be used in the selection process. Classes for spring session are currently being developed. Please check back for when the application for these classes becomes available. Send application and check to: Arlington Regional Master Naturalists Home About Events wiki Feedback
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Arlington Regional Chapter
