The featured photo shows a party of Rivanna Master Naturalist trainees at the Quarry Gardens overlook on a day forecast to be “cloudy.” Typical of serious naturalists, they were undaunted by the weather and covered the entire main trail with Bernice Thieblot leading. This was the second portion of the 2022 RMN training class to visit the QGs as part of their curriculum.

These Master Naturalists are part of a statewide volunteer corps of volunteer educators, citizen scientists, and land stewards who are dedicated to the care of natural resources within their communities. Master Naturalists may work on conservation projects, collect wildlife data, lead nature walks for children and adults, and help to maintain natural areas. The Rivanna chapter — http://www.vmn-rivanna.org  — is based in Charlottesville and Albemarle counties.  Nelson County is served by Central Blue Ridge Master Naturalists: http://www.virginiamasternaturalist.org/centralblueridge.html. The Quarry Gardens at Schuyler are proud to be a partner and project of both chapters.

If you are curious about nature, enjoy the outdoors (aren’t afraid of a little rain), and want to be part of natural resource management and conservation in Virginia, you might consider the Master Naturalist Training Program: http://www.virginiamasternaturalist.org.