Thank you for your interest in becoming a Texas Master Naturalist. To become a Texas Master Naturalist, trainees must take a basic training course that provides a background in all aspects of the natural history of Texas, with a concentration on the local area. The Brazos Valley Chapter provides training in the fall of each year. Following the basic training, members continue with advanced training and volunteer service, for which the chapter provides ample opportunities.

This year, the New Member Training for the Texas Master Naturalist Brazos Valley Chapter will take place Tuesday evenings from 3 September to 19 November 2019 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, with five field experiences on Saturday mornings from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm or 1:00 pm. The Tuesday evening classes are held either at the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History in the Brazos Center or the Texas A&M Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections on east University Drive, depending on the needs of the topic. Field experiences are held at appropriate locations around the area.

Dates for particular topics are still being confirmed with instructors, and a final schedule will be posted here when complete, but topics to be covered include ecoregions of Texas, geology, soils, weather and climate, water resources, native plants, insects, fishes, reptiles and amphibians, birds, mammals, names and naming, and observing and interpreting nature. Field experiences include an introduction to terrestrial habitats, an introduction to aquatic habitats, botany, geology and native peoples, and habitat reclamation. All field studies are on dates of A&M away football games!

The classes are small and interactive, and each year’s cohort forms a strong bond. The cost for the class is $160, which includes the cost of the state-written curriculum, handouts, and a TMN chapter shirt. This year, we will also be providing funding toward sending one trainee to the State Meeting in Rockwall the weekend of 18-20 October.

For questions about the class, please email the New Member Training Chair, Bruce Neville at education@txmnbv.org.

For questions about registration, please email the Membership Chair, Betty Vermeire at membership@txmnbv.org.

Yours truly,
The New Member Training Committee
TMN Brazos Valley Chapter Inc.