Registration for the 2022 Spring Class is now open!

Registration

To register online click here: GWMN Spring Training Class Online Application

To Register by mail, click here to print an application:
2022 Good Water Master Naturalist Spring Training Class Application

Registration deadline is February 25, 2022.

The Spring 2022 Training Class will begin on Tuesday, March 1 and will meet on Tuesday afternoons from 1:00-5:00 p.m. and will end Tuesday, May 24 with a few Saturday classes and field trips. Classes will be hybrid so people can attend in person or via Zoom with hybrid field trips. In person field trips involve moderate walking.

The Spring Training Class Schedule will be posted in early February.

Click here to view the Google Version of the Training Calendar.
The Google version will be posted the week before class begins.

Program comes under the guidelines of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and the Agrilife Extension Texas A&M System.

What is the Texas Master Naturalist Program?

The Texas Master Naturalist program has three components:

Training
Volunteer Service Hours
Advanced Training

How do I receive Texas Master Naturalist Certification?

During the first year of involvement with the Texas Master Naturalist Program, the participant is expected to complete a combination of 40 hours of hands-on classroom and field experience delivered by resource experts, professionals, and specialists designed to give an understanding of natural history and ecological processes influencing the local ecosystems.

The State guidelines require the participant to complete a minimum of 40 hours of classroom training, 40 hours of community volunteer service, and 8 hours of advanced training to complete the certification process.

After the initial certification is obtained, the graduate is encouraged to continue volunteer efforts through active membership in a local Master Naturalist Chapter.

To retain the certification as a Texas Master Naturalist, a requirement of 40 volunteer service hours and 8 hours of advanced training are required on an annual basis.

All participants are required to pass a background check through the Volunteer Management System of Texas Parks & Wildlife.

What will I study in the Texas Master Naturalist Program?

Ecological Concepts	Geology and Soils
Weather & Climate	Urban Systems
Herpetology	Archeology
Mammalogy	Ornithology
Entomology	Ichthyology
Ecological Regions of Texas	The Nature of Naming Plants
Ecosystems Concepts & Management	Ecological Regions of Texas
Wetland Ecology & Management	Rangeland Ecology & Management
Aquatic Ecology & Management	Forest Ecology & Management
Paleontology

Our instructors are all recognized experts in their fields.

Training classes are typically held in the spring and fall of each year. Classes are one day per week. The spring class meets on Tuesday afternoons within a time frame of 1 to 5 pm. The fall class meets on Tuesday evenings within a time frame of 6 to 9:30 pm. Exceptions to the class agendas are field trips that are usually on Saturdays. There are eleven four-hour sessions in the spring and nineteen sessions in the fall, which includes field trips.

The class is limited to 30 people. A fee of $150.00 covers the cost of the comprehensive Texas Master Naturalist Program manual. The fee also applies to the admission of parks or facilities used for field trips and costs associated with class presentations. Additionally, the fee covers the cost of the State required criminal background check.

It is important to note that a few of the field trips are on a Saturday schedule.

The class fee also includes a one-year membership to the Good Water Master Naturalist Chapter of Williamson County.

What is expected of you as a Texas Master Naturalist student?

1. 100% attendance in the class and field trips. Each of these classes is unique and requires considerable effort to provide the expert training.

2. Completion of 40 hours of class/field trip activities, 40 hours of volunteer service hours, and 8 hours of advanced training for Texas Master Naturalist Certification.

3. Become an active member of the Good Water Master Naturalist Chapter.

4. Our general meetings are held the 4^th Thursday of the month. While COVID-19 remains an issue, all chapter meetings will be virtual.

At the general meetings, advanced training opportunity is offered through nature presentations by outside speakers. Current volunteer service and advanced training opportunities are also presented.

Here is a link to the Frequently Asked Questions from our Chapter Management And Operating Protocols.

Contact: Wayne Rhoden

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