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Advanced Training Guidelines

Advanced Training Guidelines

The purpose of advanced training (AT) is to provide members of the Brazos Valley Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists an opportunity to broaden their knowledge with topics of personal interest. Also, advanced training on an annual basis promotes continued learning and development. Advanced training is a benefit in itself, providing the experienced Master Naturalist with tools to work in more advanced volunteer efforts.

Approval Criteria

According to the Chapter Management and Operations Protocols (CMOP), one of our operating documents,

5.10  Criteria for Approval – The chapter AT coordinator and AT committee should evaluate each new AT opportunity for approval using the criteria below.

           5.10.1  Required Criteria – Each AT opportunity must meet these criteria:

  • Promotes continued learning and development of naturalist skills
  • Provides Master Naturalists with practical knowledge and skills to work in volunteer efforts
  • Directs trained volunteers toward specific programs in need of their services
  • Covers natural resource issues and information applicable to Texas with an emphasis on the chapter’s local community and ecoregion

           5.10.2  Additional Criteria to Consider

  • Addresses the management of natural resources
  • Provides special training that can be applied to specific volunteer service projects
  • Takes advantage of local partnerships
  • Offers an opportunity to focus on a specific topic
  • Builds on the core curriculum initially provided by the local chapter
  • Provides access to a recognized authority in the subject matter

Examples of unacceptable, better, and best Advanced Training opportunities can be found on page 14 of the CMOP.

Credits granted

Advanced training hours are counted one hour for each hour of advanced training; travel time is not included for advanced training hours.

Currently Approved AT Opportunities

  • AT: AgriLife Lectures, Seminars, & Webinars: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: Audubon Lectures, Webinars, Workshops: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: Birding 101: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: BV Museum of Natural History: TMN AT Report Hours: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: BV TMN Chapter, Guide Field Trip/Tours: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: Chapter Meeting-Brazos Valley TMN: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: College Station Parks & Rec lectures, workshops, etc. : TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: Cornell  Bird Academy Live Webinars: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: iNaturalist Training Seminar: TMN AT Report Hours: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: Kleb Woods Nature Preserve: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: Lake Somerville State Park First Day Hike: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: Lights Out Texas Exhibit & Symposium: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: Master Gardener Pre-Approved Talks: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: National Phenology Network Workshops, Webinars, Meetings: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: Native Prairie Workshops: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: Other TMN Chapter Meeting (NOT BV Chapter) lecture, webinar, virtual presentation: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: Other Organization or Entity: TMN AT Report Hours
    Note: This is intended specifically for those once-in-a while AT events sponsored by an organization or entity that does not have a specific AT opportunity. 
    o   The event MUST BE PRE-APPROVED for AT by the AT Director.
    o   Virtual presentations MUST BE WATCHED LIVE.  Recordings do not qualify.
    o   This category MUST NOT be used for any recurring AT series such as #TMNTuesdays, Chapter Meeting presentations, Audubon, Texas Water Webinars, TPWD Conservation Webinar Series, etc.
    o   In the description box, give the full name of the organization (abbreviation in parentheses), title of presentation, and name of presenter.
  • AT: Producer’s Co-op classes: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: Skywarn Basic: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: TAMU Scholarly Communications Division Lectures: TMN AT Report Hours: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: Texas A&M Forest Service webinars and virtual classes: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: The Ohio State University Online Webinars, Workshops, & Short Courses: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: TMN State Meeting AT Sessions: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: TMN Tuesday: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: TOS lectures, talks, workshops, meeting keynotes: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: TPWD Talks, Webinars, Seminars, Seminars: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: TX Waters Certification Training (Texas Waters Webinars) : TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: US Fish & Wildlife Webinars: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: VMS Training: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: Wildbird Outreach, Tours, Lecture, Demonstration: TMN AT Report Hours: TMN AT Report Hours
  • AT: Wizzie Brown’s Weekly Webinar Series: TMN AT Report Hours

Approval requirement

When Master Naturalists wish to take training that has NOT been previously approved by the chapter, they must request approval prior to attending in order to obtain credit.

Videos and online presentations, with the exception of the State Program’s TMN Tuesdays, must be watched live for credit.  Educational television shows are not a form of advanced training and will not be approved as such. Gardening of vegetables and landscaping with non-native plants are not acceptable topics for advanced training.

Submit an Advanced Training Event for Approval

This form is for submitting a new Advanced Training (AT) opportunity that you think should be reviewed for Volunteer Management System (VMS) hour eligibility.  AT opportunities must be pre-approved; post-approval of opportunities will not be granted, except in unusual circumstances.  Please allow at  least a week for approval.

Does your proposed AT event align with the current AT Guidelines? If so, submit your project request to the Advanced Training Committee for review. If approved, the director will add the opportunity to the Chapter’s VMS options.  If you are not sure if your proposed event fully meets the requirements, please discuss any questions with the Advanced Training director.