Texas Master Naturalist™ is a volunteer service organization. You can become a Texas Master Naturalist with the Hill Country Chapter! Our chapter offers a training course beginning in August and concluding in November. Classes are held in Kerrville on Wednesdays plus four field trips usually occurring on Saturdays.
[button url=”https://txmn.org/hillcountry/class-brochure/” target=”” style=”default” background=”#006699″ color=”#FFFFFF” size=”6″ wide=”no” center=”no” radius=”auto” icon=”” icon_color=”#FFFFFF” text_shadow=”none” desc=”” download=”” onclick=”” rel=”” title=”” id=”” class=””]Training Brochure[/button] [button url=”https://txmn.org/hillcountry/sign-me-up/” target=”” style=”default” background=”#006699″ color=”#FFFFFF” size=”6″ wide=”no” center=”no” radius=”auto” icon=”” icon_color=”#FFFFFF” text_shadow=”none” desc=”” download=”” onclick=”” rel=”” title=”” id=”” class=””]Sign Me Up![/button] [button url=”https://txmn.org/hillcountry/questions-for-the-membership-director/” target=”self” style=”default” background=”#006699″ color=”#FFFFFF” size=”6″ wide=”no” center=”no” radius=”auto” icon=”” icon_color=”#FFFFFF” text_shadow=”none” desc=”” download=”” onclick=”” rel=”” title=”” id=”” class=””]Ask the Membership Director[/button]Are you are Texas Master Naturalist moving to the Hill Country? Would you like to transfer your membership to the Hill Country Chapter? Transfer my membership.
Who is a Texas Master Naturalist?
What is the Texas Master Naturalist mission?
How do I become a Texas Master Naturalist?
What will I do as a Certified Texas Master Naturalist?
Who administers the Texas Master Naturalist program?
When and where are chapter meetings?
Where can I find more information about the chapter?
Who is a Texas Master Naturalist?
A Texas Master Naturalist is a trained volunteer who continually learns about the natural world and shares that knowledge with others.
What is the Texas Master Naturalist mission?
Texas Master Naturalist™ mission is to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the State of Texas.
How do I become a Texas Master Naturalist?
Complete our training course on the Texas Hill Country’s natural resources and our impact on nature. Our course follows the statewide curriculum with instruction specific to the Texas Hill Country. Training is held annually in fall; classes average 40 trainees. The course includes presentations by scientists, naturalists, and other experts from local, state, and federal agencies, organizations, and universities.
In return for this training, provide and report forty hours of Volunteer Service and eight hours of Advanced Training by December 31 of the year following completion of the course. Approved volunteer service opportunities exist throughout our ten-county service area. Our members participate in more than 80 interesting and beneficial projects. Advanced training (AT) enables Master Naturalists to gain additional knowledge or particular skills. AT activities may include hands-on instruction, field trips, and presentations on such topics as water issues, feral pigs, and land stewardship.
Complete our course, volunteer forty hours, and attend eight hours of AT to become a certified Texas Master Naturalist and receive the first year dragonfly pin.
We begin accepting applications for the fall training course on 1 April. Check our website and subscribe to our monthly newsletter to receive details.
As a Certified Texas Master Naturalist what will I do?
It is your responsibility to maintain your certification by staying active in the chapter. Attend meetings, contribute volunteer service, participate in advanced training, and keep and submit accurate records of volunteer service hours and advanced training hours.
Please email our Membership Director. Upon acceptance to the training class trainees are paired with a mentor who will answer questions and guide you through the course.
Who administers the Texas Master Naturalist program?
The program is sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
Texas Master Naturalist, Hill Country Chapter is a group of trained volunteers residing in Bandera, Edwards, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Mason, Menard, Real, or San Saba counties. The Texas Hill Country, the eastern part of the Edwards Plateau in Central Texas, offers the widest diversity of plants and animals in the state.
When and where are chapter meetings?
Our meetings are generally held on fourth Mondays (excluding August and December) at 7p.m. in the Upper Guadalupe River Authority Lecture Hall in Kerrville. Meetings are open to the public. We welcome the fall training class in August and our chapter party is held in December. Check our calendar for speakers and topics.
Our chapter is supported by fundraisers and donations of monetary contributions or in-kind services. We do not charge a membership fee. The training course fee is recommended by the New Class Committee to cover the cost of training. Applicants are responsible for the training course fee.
Where can I find more information about the chapter?
Explore our chapter website to learn more. You’ll find our award-winning monthly newsletter The Texas Star, the chapter calendar listing information on current nature-related events, chapter documents, and nature-inspired resources. The state Texas Master Naturalist website is a source of information about the program.
Please remember, no matter what your question chapter members will be happy to help you. We encourage you to become an active member in our chapter and join us in sharing our love of the natural world and the Texas Hill Country with our communities.