The purpose of advanced training is to provide Texas Master Naturalists an opportunity to focus their interests on one, or a few, specific topics that interest them. Also, advanced training on an annual basis promotes continued learning and development. Advanced training is a benefit in itself, providing the experienced Master Naturalist with tools to work in more advanced volunteer efforts.  Although the State Texas Master Naturalist program may occasionally provide statewide or regional advanced training opportunities, it is generally the responsibility of the chapter to insure that there are sufficient advanced training opportunities offered so that members can attain their 8-hour minimum requirement.  In addition, the local chapter should be a clearinghouse for notifying members of approved advanced training opportunities that exist outside the chapter boundaries.

Advanced training courses may be made available directly through TAE, TPWD, or any number of short-courses provided by universities or nature centers. One way for a chapter’s trainees to meet their advanced training requirements is by actually sponsoring the advanced training sessions.  The chapter’s Local Coordinating Committee, Advanced Training Committee or equivalent must pre-approve all advanced training opportunities before the volunteer attends.  Educational television shows are not a form of advanced training and therefore should not be approved as such.  Generally, training sessions or seminars by Chapter members would not qualify, unless that member is a certified or formally trained specialist, and approved by the Advanced Training Committee.  Advanced training hours are also counted one hour for each hour of advanced training, however travel time is not included for advanced training hours.  These hours are not included in volunteer hours, and do not accumulate towards Milestone hour achievements.  Pre-approval must be obtained for an advanced training session that is outside the chapter boundaries.

Chapter Coordinators and/or the Chapter Advanced Training Committee should use the following criteria or ask the following questions of the opportunity when reviewing and approving Advanced Training Opportunities:

Does the Advanced Training opportunity:
1.      Promote continued learning and development of naturalist skills?
2.      Provide Master Naturalists with knowledge and skills to work in volunteer efforts?
3.      Direct trained volunteers toward specific programs in need of their services?
4.      Provide practical information and training for application in volunteer efforts?
5.      Take advantage of local partnerships?
6.      Provide Master Naturalists an opportunity to focus their interests in one or a few specific topics?
7.      Build on the core curriculum initially provided by the local chapter?
8.      Provide natural resource management issues and information applicable to Texas?
Advanced Training opportunities must meet the following criteria: 1, 2, 6, 7, and 8. It is suggested that the remaining criteria also be a part of the opportunity.

Criteria and forms for Advanced Training

Approved Advanced Training Opportunities – See our online Calendar for time and place details.

All Advanced Training opportunities are sent out via our Chapter Notices by individual broadcast emails, the weekly ECRMN This Week notice, and all are included in our online “Calendar”.  An example of some of the past Advanced Training sessions includes:

  • Brazos Valley Audubon Society monthly (2nd Wed.) training sessions
  • Tonkawa Chapter of NPSOT (National Plant Society of Texas) training sessions (Temple)
  • Forest Ecology and Management
  • Wildflower Workshop
  • Herb Society Symposium
  • Texas Watershed, Franklin
  • Urban Wildlife Management, Dallas
  • Fly Fishing, Athens
  • Wildlife Management Land Valuation, Tennessee Colony
  • Advanced Storm Spotter, Killeen
  • Rockdale Forum, Milam Aquifers
  • Millennium Seed Bank
  • Sex in the Garden
  • Pond Management
  • Richardson Farms Organic Farming
  • Native Plants Workshop
  • Finding Nature Finding Us
  • Monarch Butterfly Workshop
  • Nature Festival training sessions
  • Ants and Horned Lizard Field Trip
  • Rockdale Forum, Ants and Horned Lizard Watch
  • Aquarena Springs Earth Day Festival
  • El Camino Real mapping update
  • Mother Neff Spring Wildflower Walk
  • Native Plants Workshop
  • Amphibian Watch field trip
  • Mussel Watch field trip
  • Blackland Prairie and Ecosystems Management
  • Butterfly Gardens
  • Leopold Training
  • Dragonfly Days 2009, Estero Llano Grande State Park
  • Rockdale Forum, Amphibian Watch
  • Native Prairie Restoration
  • Plant ID mini course
  • Weather Training
  • Bamberger Ranch, near Johnson City, a variety of topics – see Bamberger Ranch