The Virginia Master Naturalists: A ready team of citizen science volunteers

The Virginia Master Naturalist (VMN) program is a chapter-based, statewide volunteer training and service program that engages participants in natural resource education, citizen science, and stewardship. Basic VMN volunteer... [ view full abstract ]

The Virginia Master Naturalist (VMN) program is a chapter-based, statewide volunteer training and service program that engages participants in natural resource education, citizen science, and stewardship. Basic VMN volunteer training includes field science skills such as field journaling and using dichotomous keys, as well as general training on natural history and natural resource management. Our 29 chapters across Virginia, along with similar programs across the country, make excellent partners for citizen science, as they are stable pools of volunteers who are trained and ready to take part in scientific research endeavors that relate to natural resource conservation.

In 2013, VMN volunteers spent approximately 105,000 hours of VMN volunteer time on citizen science projects. A review of the citizen science activities of VMN chapters reveals a wide array of projects and levels of engagement. VMN volunteers participate in national citizen science programs, statewide projects initiated by agencies, and local projects initiated by partners or the volunteers themselves. We will use program data and case studies to examine program aspects that have been successful at engaging VMN volunteers in citizen science, and we will share lessons learned as we have grown the program over ten years.