Texas Master Naturalist
The Mission: 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.
The Need: Many communities and organizations rely on such citizen volunteers for implementing youth education programs; for operating parks, nature centers, and natural areas; and for providing leadership in local natural resource conservation efforts. In fact, a short supply of dedicated and well-informed volunteers is often cited as a limiting factor for community-based conservation efforts.
Upcoming Events
Texas Master Naturalist FALL 2019 Trainings
Many of the chapters of the Texas Master Naturalist program are conducting training classes in the spring months for volunteers wanting to learn about natural resource and conservation management. Find a chapter near you or see the 18 chapters listed below hosting these Fall 2019 trainings.
The main qualification needed to become a certified Texas Master Naturalist is an interest in learning and playing an active part in conservation. Volunteers will receive a minimum of 40 hours of basic training from educators and specialists from places such as universities, natural resource agencies, nature centers and museums. Training topics include interpretation and management of natural resources, ecological concepts, eco-regions in Texas, and natural systems management. Volunteers are then asked to provide 40 hours of volunteer service including enhancement projects in order to maintain certification as a Texas Master Naturalist. They are also expected to pursue a minimum of 8 hours of advanced training in areas of personal interest. However, many of the volunteers will go above and beyond their basic requirements once involved, and are encouraged to develop personal projects connecting to the mission of the chapter and statewide program.
The following Texas Master Naturalist chapters are offering volunteer training this spring. Enrollment is limited in most chapters. Some registration deadlines are fast approaching so contact a chapter near you to see if seating is still available. (Listed in alphabetical order by chapter name)
Alamo Area Chapter
Orientation: Tuesday, November 7 from 5-8 PM
Start Date: November 21, 2019 – April 16, 2020
Applications Due: August 30 – September 30
Class Fees:
Website: https://txmn.org/alamo/class/
Bluestem Chapter:
Start Date: August 8, 2019 – December 8, 2019
Applications Due: July 26, 2019
Application PDF
Class Fees: $100
Website: https://txmn.org/bluestem/classes/
Capital Area Chapter:
Start Date: November 9, 2019 – April 18, 2020
Orientation: November 2, 12:00 – 4:30pm
Applications Due: August 31, 2019
Class Fees: $175
Website: https://camn.org/sample-page/become-a-master-naturalist/application/
Coastal Prairie Chapter:
Start Date: August 20th, 2019
Application PDF
Class Fees: $50
Website: https://txmn.org/coastal/about-our-chapter/tmn-training-information/
Elm Fork Chapter:
Start Date: August 27, 2019 – November 12, 2019
Applications Due: July 26, 2019
Class Fees: $150
Website: https://txmn.org/elmfork/join-our-chapter/
Good Water Chapter
Start Date: September 3rd, 2019
Applications Due: Class full once 30 applicants are accepted
Class Fees: $150 per person / $120 per couple
Website: https://txmn.org/goodwater/Training-class-online-application/
Guadalupe Chapter:
Start Date: August 13, 2019 – November 9, 2019
Applications Due: August 1, 2019
Application PDF
Class Fees: $110
Website: https://txmn.org/guadalupe/2017-master-naturalist-training-class/
Lindheimer Chapter:
Start Date: November 5, 2019 – October, 2020
Orientation: Oct 24, 6:00 to 9:00pm at Comal County AgriLife Center
Applications Due: August 31, 2019
Class Fees: $150
Website: https://txmn.org/lindheimer/chapter-info/join-us/
Lower Trinity Basin Chapter:
Start Date: June 6, 2019 – October 10, 2019
Applications Due: May 9, 2019
Class Fees: $150
Website: https://txmn.org/lowertrinitybasin/training/
For more information about existing chapters or forming a new chapter contact Mary Pearl Meuth, Texas Master Naturalist Program Assistant State Coordinator, by email: mpmeuth@tamu.edu or by phone at: (979) 845-7294.
Highlights of chapter’s projects, state-wide initiatives and program achievements can also be found on the Texas Master Naturalist Programs Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/TexasMasterNaturalistProgram
