Master Naturalist Training Course Beginning February 16 At Douthat

MILLBORO – Have you ever wanted to know more about the animals, plants or geology of the Alleghany Highlands?

If so, the Virginia Master Naturalist training program was designed just for you.

The Alleghany Highlands Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists will hold its annual Master Naturalist Training Classes at Douthat State Park starting Feb. 16.

The class will be held on Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the historic Douthat Lakeview Restaurant.

The cost is $125 per person and includes dinner before each class. In addition to the 11 evening classes, there will be three Saturday field trips.

Topics in the curriculum include ecological concepts, biogeography, geology, soil science, wild flowers, trees and shrubs, birds, mammals, insects, amphibians and reptiles, fish and stream biology.

Following completion of the class, students complete a take-home written exam and a practical exam.

After accumulating eight additional hours of advanced training and 40 hours of volunteer work, students are certified as Virginia Master Naturalists.

The Alleghany Highlands chapter members participate in volunteer activities including environmental education in local schools as well as citizen science projects such as monitoring blue bird nesting, stream monitoring and hawk watching.

This is a great opportunity to learn more about the wonders of nature surrounding us here in the Highlands and to help protect them.

For more information and to download an application for the class, go to www.v-irginiamasternaturalist.org/alleghanyhig-hlands.html.

Applications are also available from the Douthat State Park office. Application deadline is Feb. 1.

For more information contact John Stanley at johnstanleyenterprises@msn.com or 968-1537.

Did you know our 35 state parks are open 365 days a year?

You can also find detailed information about the park’s trails including maps with GPS way points and video guides by clicking here and selecting the park of interest.

For general park information go to www.virginiastat-eparks.gov, contact the park office at 862-8100 or e-mail Douthat State Park at Douthat@dcr.virginia.gov. Douthat is located at 14239 Douthat State Park Road, Millboro, Va. 24460.

Overnight reservations can also be made by calling 1-800-933-7275 or by booking on line.