The Chincoteague Natural History Association is a non-profit, cooperating association established in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The purpose of the CNHA is to promote a better understanding and appreciation of the Chincoteague refuge, the Eastern Shore of Virginia refuge, and the natural history and environment of Virginia's Eastern Shore in general. The CNHA produces and provides interpretive and educational material for refuge visitors. Proceeds from memberships and items sold are used to support and enhance the interpretive programs, projects, and activities at both of the refuges.

CNHA helps both the Chincoteague and Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuges in many ways. We provide new and revised environmental education materials, exhibits, and signs; fund student interns to assist with environmental education and interpretive programs; and have sponsored Project WILD and Learning Tree workshops. By having developed and printed teachers’ manuals and by funding teacher workshops, we encourage teachers to use refuge resources as part of their science and environmental education curriculum.

Other projects we've supported include the production of trail guides, development of posters featuring the threatened and endangered species of the refuges, and the construction of bins to collect and separate recyclable trash left by refuge visitors. CNHA support also enables the refuges to receive matching grants that allow continuing intern, teacher workshop, Junior Refuge Manager and Junior Birder programs; conducting projects and developing exhibits concerning wildlife and habitat protection; and hosting activities for special events such as International Migratory Bird Day.