Texas Master Naturalists are dedicated to the conservation, conservation, and restoration of our natural resources, and to promoting ecological education for our communities. Texas Master Naturalist volunteers provide programs and projects that increase appreciation of our natural environment, promote the maintenance of and sustainable use of public open spaces, and protect and preserve native flora and fauna and their habitats.
To join us by becoming a certified Texas Master Naturalist, you must complete our basic training program on the region’s natural features and the impact that people have on nature. Our training program runs from February through mid-May of each year with an average of 45 trainees. We draw on the expertise of regional scientists and naturalists to guide us.
In addition to completing our basic training program, you must perform a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service to the community and accrue 8 hours of advanced training. Advanced training enables Texas Master Naturalists to gain additional knowledge or develop a particular skill in order to assist with different volunteer projects. Advanced training activities in the past have involved hands-on instruction, field trips to local natural areas, and lectures with such topics as Texas bats, Texas insects, Texas aquatic environments, wild-scape development, and trail planning, among many others.
About the 2026 Training Program:
All classes will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-9:00pm beginning February 4, 2026. Our final class will be May 6th and graduation will be held on May 13, 2026.
All classes will meet at the Heard Museum in McKinney. (see tentative schedule)
- Class members are expected to complete 1-2 hours of homework prior to class each week.
- In addition to the Wednesday evening classes, trainees will need to attend three field trips. (most are on Saturday mornings)
- The class fee for the 2026 class is $200.* The fee covers your textbook, supplies, enrichment materials, and Annual Membership fee for 2026.
*A limited number of partial scholarships are available. Applicants will be offered the opportunity to apply for a scholarship during the initial application process.
We will begin accepting applications for our Spring 2026 Training Class during the first two weeks in October (Wednesday, October 1 – Wednesday, October 15, 2025).
Please Note:
We receive many more applicants for our training program than we can accept. ALL applications will be reviewed by our Application Committee once the window closes on October 15th. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance status no later than November 15, 2025.
Applications will be reviewed based on:
- Current chapter engagement through volunteer service with our partners or projects and monthly chapter meeting attendance. See how to volunteer HERE.
- The applicant’s availability and willingness to contribute time to volunteer service.
- The applicant’s commitment to completing the required coursework, homework, and field trips.