Virginia Master Naturalists are volunteer educators, citizen scientists, and stewards helping Virginia conserve and manage natural resources and public lands.

The Headwaters chapter, which was formed in 2011, includes the counties of Rockingham and Augusta, and the cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton and Waynesboro. 

Our chapter covers a very ecologically important area of Virginia. Additionally, Augusta and Rockingham Counties are the natal grounds of two of Virginia’s famous rivers: the Shenandoah River and the James River, and our chapter’s name reflects both our special opportunity and special responsibility to care for the birthplace of two of our state’s great river systems that provide nourishing water for all the species that inhabit our lands, including the people!

The Virginia Master Naturalist Program is a state-run program within the Virginia Tech College of Natural Resources and Environment and Virginia Cooperative Extension that is sponsored by six additional state agencies.

The Headwaters chapter is coordinated by a board of directors that meets every other month.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.