Latest Member News:The James River and VCU Rice Center Need your Help!
The Pocahontas Chapter has adopted the VCU Rice Center each year to clean up their section of the James.  Let’s keep the tradition going!  Not only is it a beautiful place to spend a Saturday morning, you’ll get to see your fellow MN’s and feel the rewards of your efforts as the trash bags accumulate. Anne Wright (vernal pool instructor) welcomes us with all the supplies needed and food and drinks for all.  Bring your friends and family and come have some fun: Saturday June 9th 9:00 AM. Duration 3 – 4 hours.  Need to register on the James River Advisory Council Website: http://jamesriveradvisorycouncil.com.

  Also, see a few project highlights and new pictures from our 2012 Graduation, Project Night and Chapter Project on Invasive Species Removal Day . The Big Tree project measured trees at Maymont under leadership of Jerry Wyatt of Pocahontas. Check it at 

http://pocahontasvmn.org/?page_id=214

Chapter Calendar of Events/Training Schedule- click here:   http://pocahontasvmn.org/?page_id=823

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. Interested Virginians become Master Naturalists through training and volunteer service. 

The process for becoming a certified Virginia Master Naturalist typically takes 6 to 12 months. One starts by completing a 40-hour basic training course that includes both required in-class instruction and field work offered by a local chapter of the program. An additional 8 hours of advanced training are also required. An important part of the certification process is the required 40 hours of volunteer service.

The Pocahontas Chapter will provide a volunteer base highly educated in natural resources, trained in the skill sets necessary to work alongside community organizations to increase education and awareness of the community’s natural resources. These volunteers participate in a course specifically designed to meet the needs of Chesterfield and its surrounding environs. The volunteers would also be available to provide such services as environmental education, water monitoring services, wildlife data collections and habitat restorations.

The Chapter is based in Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield County, Virginia. The first group of 28 members completed basic training classes in April, 2009.  The 2010 class completed in May consisted of 22 new members.    A class of 24  graduated in May, 2011.  This year we have 15 graduates. More than half our members have completed full certification and others are well on their way.

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 more information on the program click here for  VMN website.

-For more information about the chapter or other questions :

-email chapter at pocahontasvmn@gmail.com

-link to our “friends”,  fellow volunteers at Friends of Pocahontas State Park: http://fopsp.org

Chapter Advisor: Chief Ranger Keith Morrison-Pocahontas State Park

Applicants for the class starting in January 2013: You may print and complete the application below. Enclose it with the course fee of $125   ( Make checks payable to The VA Master Naturalist Program – Pocahontas Chapter) and mail to:

Pocahontas State Park, 10301 State Park Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832

Application for Class (.doc file)

Application for Class (.pdf file)

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