Keeping Hours is Important
Since we are a volunteer community service organization sponsored by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and the Texas AgriLife Extension, it is important for all of us to keep track of our volunteer hours in order for our chapter to collect an accurate tally of total annual hours served.
This information is important because it is the basis for funding from grants and other programs which help further our goals as Master Naturalists.
It is best to report your hours regularly on a quarterly basis so that the tally of your hours can be the most accurate: March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31.
Alamo Area Master Naturalist Duties & Responsibilities
After you complete your training session, you have one year to complete your 40 volunteer service hours and 8 advanced training hours to become a certified Master Naturalist. You must report your approved activity hours to the chapter membership coordinator and, just for the first year, notify the training coordinator of your completion of the initial 40 hours.
The title of Certified Master Naturalist is to be used only if you complete all of the certification requirements of the Master Naturalist Program. The title remains valid only when you actively participate in the program by fulfilling the annual requirements. When you cease to fulfill the annual requirements, you are no longer considered a certified Master Naturalist, although you remain a Master Naturalist. The title can be restored by simply fulfilling the annual requirements. The completion of another training session is not necessary for restoration.
One of the unique aspects of our Master Naturalist chapter is that it encourages partnerships with a large variety of city, county, and state nonprofit organizations for doing activities. You can ensure the success of these activities by:
- Maintaining an unbiased and scientific-based public service.
- Conducting as a Master Naturalist only chapter-approved volunteer activities or chapter-approved advanced training.
- Recognizing the autonomy of program partners when coordinating or implementing activities.
- Following proper ethics, guidelines, and laws relating to specimen collection, species permits, and landowner rights when conducting activities.
- Keeping accurate records to document your certification and activity success.
As a Master Naturalist, you are representing the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and the Texas AgriLife Extension. Because of this, you should not display credentials or give the appearance of being a Master Naturalist at a place of business unless that business is conducting an authorized Master Naturalist activity. It is inappropriate to imply that the chapter or any of its sponsors or partners endorses any product or place of business. Also, Master Naturalist volunteers must not use their title in any form of advertisement, endorsement, political viewpoint, or political advocacy.