Based within the College of Natural Resources and Environment, the Virginia Master Naturalists are a statewide network of volunteers, citizen scientists, and environmental stewards who are committed to environmental protection and conservation.

Water is also the Master Naturalists' statewide service theme for 2026.

"We are encouraging all VMN volunteers to do at least some service that relates to water resources and to track that in our volunteer management system so that we can report our collective positive impact on Virginia’s waters at the end of the year," said Director Michelle Prysby.

The chapters have individualized programming, but conservation of water resources is a pillar of its mission. Master Naturalists support riparian buffers through education, planting, and long-term stewardship. Their work helps ensure that restored streamside forests survive and mature. Trained volunteers help landowners understand how riparian buffers function, assist with planting and monitoring projects, and provide long‑term care for restored streamside forests.

“Virginia’s waters are so valuable and special, and every one of our 30 chapters in the Virginia Master Naturalist program helps their community with water resource conservation in some way,” Prysby said.

“Many are monitoring water quality in waterways so that communities can be alerted to pollution problems and take action,” she said. “Others are conducting on-the-ground stewardship such as planting riparian buffers or living shorelines that improve our water resources. Some are conducting educational programs for property owners to help them determine actions they can take on their own land to improve water quality. Quite a few of our volunteers are inspiring our next generation of water stewards by showing youth how to monitor streams and teaching them about the watersheds where they live.”

Among the projects handled by Master Naturalist chapters:

  • Biological monitoring of water quality in streams, rivers, bays, lakes.
  • Chemical monitoring of water quality in streams, rivers, bays, lakes.
  • Bacterial monitoring of water quality, particularly in the James River watershed (This is a project overseen by the James River Association. The volunteers collect data that gets posted online weekly so that the public can make informed choices about swimming, tubing, and other water-based recreation).
  • SaltWatch - Through the Izaak Walton League. Volunteers measure impacts of road salt pollution in local streams.
  • Riparian buffer planting/maintenance.
  • Living shoreline projects.
  • Stream cleanups - collecting trash from waterways and riparian areas.
  • Interpretive signage to accompany riparian buffers and living shorelines on public lands to help educate visitors about what these practices are and their purposes.
  • Youth education about watersheds, helping with Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences.
  • Education for the public about practices that can improve water quality.

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