The Central Piedmont Virginia Master Naturalists (CPVMN) will hold training classes this month and in April.

According to a press release, classroom sessions are scheduled to be held March 8, 22 and 29 and April 5, 12, 19, 26 at 6 p.m.

“Each evening class will last about two hours,” officials said in a press release. “Additional classes may be held as make-up classes in early May. Field Trips will be held primarily on selected weekends. Classroom sessions will meet primarily in Farmville at the Prince Edward County Extension Office, 100 Dominion Dr., Farmville, Va. 23901. Some classroom sessions may be held at Bear Creek Lake State Park in Cumberland County. The fee for the course covers all class materials and your first-year membership in CPVMN. The standard fee is $100 per person.”

According to the release, partners may pay a two-for-one fee, but will share materials. There is a 25 percent off discount rate for students and for employees of any of the VMN program’s sponsoring agencies. There will be no additional fees for the course.

“You will need to provide your own transportation to classes and field trips. A course syllabus is available. Classroom topics will include mammals, citizen science, basic ecology, ornithology, geology, forest management, interpretation, education and more.”

For more information about the next training class or about the chapter, contact Tom Kneipp at (804) 629-2194 or Catherine Fleischman or at (804) 382-6321.