The Potomac Valley Master Naturalist Program is now accepting applications for its 2017 classes.

Instruction will begin the weekend of April 1-2, 2017 and continue monthly through October.

Applications must be postmarked by Jan. 31. Enrollment is strictly limited to 20 persons each year.

Established in 2007, the Potomac Valley Master Naturalist Program is sponsored by the Potomac Valley Audubon Society and is a chapter of the State of West Virginia Master Naturalist Program.

Its classes are open to anyone who wants to be certified as a Master Naturalist by the state of West Virginia.

Most who enroll come from Jefferson, Berkeley and Morgan counties. Interested persons who live outside this area are welcome to apply, but they must commit to completing all their volunteer work in West Virginia.

In all, 64 hours of classroom time and 30 hours of volunteer work are required to complete the certification cycle.

Classes are held at several locations in Jefferson County and at Cacapon State Park in Berkeley Springs. This year, the first weekend of classes will be held at PVAS’s new Cool Spring Nature Preserve in Jefferson County.

Tuition is $300 per person for the full course of instruction. A limited number of scholarships will be available. Application forms and more details are available on the Potomac Valley Audubon Society website. Scholarship applications are also available there. Or contact Amy Evrard at 301-800-1459 or amyyoung4@gmail.com.

Graduates of the program become part of a corps of highly qualified volunteers who assist government agencies, schools, and non-government organizations with research, outdoor recreation development, and environmental education and protection.

To remain certified they must take 8 hours of training and participate in 16 hours of volunteer activity annually.