Texas Master Naturalists not only get their feet wet and their hands dirty, but while doing so they spend time in a natural setting, learn about different plant and animal species, and maybe even find something new: one member, in fact, discovered a new plant species.
To become a Texas Master Naturalist, each volunteer:
- Master Naturalist Trainees must successfully complete an approved training program with at least 40 hours of combined field and classroom instruction though a Texas Master Naturalist Chapter
- after completing the training above, to become a Certified Texas Master Naturalist, the candidate donates at least 40 hours of volunteer service back to the state and community. Trainees can complete their 40 hours of volunteer service and 8 hours of advanced training within a year after completion of their initial training.
- in subsequent years, the candidate must complete another 8 hours of advanced training and donates 40 hours of volunteer service to maintain their certification (or to re-certify) as a Texas Master Naturalist.
Each of the items about must be completed through a Texas Master Naturalist chapter.
Locate an existing Texas Master Naturalist Chapter near you and contact them to receive the most up to date information on their upcoming training class and to receive their application form(s). In many cases, the training class information is available on the chapter websites; several chapters also have down-loadable applications on their websites. For those who do not, please feel free to contact the chapter representative listed on the respective website for more information.
If you can’t find a chapter near you, or if you have additional questions, contact the State Program Coordinator, Michelle Haggerty ([email protected]), Texas Master Naturalist Program Coordinator (830.896.2504), a local office of Texas Parks and Wildlife, or your local County Extension Agent.