Applications for the 2025 Volunteer Training Course are now closed.
Once you’ve familiarized yourself with who we are and what we do, and you think the Texas Master Naturalist Program is right for you, go through the steps on this page to start your journey towards becoming a Certified Texas Master Naturalist. The first commitment to Becoming a Master Naturalist is to complete the initial Volunteer Training Course. The Central Texas Chapter offers the course once each year in the Spring. Please review the Applicant Requirements, application and other steps below. Contact Zoe Rascoe, our Chapter Registrar, if you want to know more about the TMN Program or the Training Course before you apply. You can also learn about the organization by coming to our monthly meetings to hear about our volunteer projects and meet our members. Completion of the training course and initial certification as a Texas Master Naturalist is not the end, but the beginning of many enjoyable hours volunteering with other Texas Master Naturalists to study, protect and preserve the outdoors of Texas.
Applicant Requirements
- Membership in the Texas Master Naturalists is open to qualifying individuals regardless of race, gender, religion, disability, national origin, or age (applicant must be 18 years of age or older when class begins).
- For our Central Texas Chapter, applicants should reside in Bell or one of the nearby counties.
- All Texas Master Naturalists must pass an annual background check that is initiated and paid for by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
- Trainees will need reliable access to a computer with Internet and basic computer skills to navigate our online system, and for our chapter communications.
- Trainees will learn to use the Texas Parks and Wildlife Volunteer Management System (VMS), an online tool, to report volunteer and training hours. VMS reports go to a central location for the State of Texas as part of the grant requirements for the Texas Master Naturalist Program. Instruction on the use of VMS is provided in the training course sessions.
2025 Training Course Schedule
- The 2025 Volunteer Training Course will begin March 18th and conclude on June 3rd.
- There will be a Meet & Greet with Chapter members and 2025 Trainees on Saturday March 15th.
- Click here for the 2025 Volunteer Training Course Schedule.
- Classes and field trips will be most Tuesdays, along with two Saturday field trips. Locations vary around Central Texas for hands-on instruction.
- Please verify your availability for all the scheduled classes before completing the application. Once you submit your application, you will receive a call from our Registrar. If you have conflicts on training dates, please reach out to Zoe Rascoe, the Chapter Registrar to discuss before moving forward.
- This schedule is subject to minor changes due to instructor schedule changes, weather conditions other unforeseen events, as well as better opportunities. Flexibility is important!
- Our graduation ceremony will be held on the evening of June 10th – trainee’s families and friends are encouraged to attend this celebration!
READY! Steps to become a Certified Texas Master Naturalist
- Submit the Volunteer Training Course Chapter Application. Since all Texas Master Naturalist training is regional and ecosystem-based, this Course is only available to those who reside in Bell or a nearby county.
- ONCE YOU ARE NOTIFIED YOU HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED to the class, pay the one-time training fee of $150.00. You may pay the course fee online by selecting a Training Course Tuition option or you can mail your payment to the CTMN Treasurer:
Central Texas Master Naturalist Chapter
ATTN: Chapter Treasurer
3401 Caprock Circle
Killeen, TX 76549
Please make checks payable to Central Texas Master Naturalists - You will be notified after fee payment is confirmed by CTMN. Your next step is to Register with TPWD, but only ONCE YOU ARE INSTRUCTED TO DO SO.
- First, download and open or print the Registration Instructions for reference; you’ll need them.
- Click to Register as a Texas Parks and Wildlife Volunteer with the Central Texas TMN Chapter. Once you are on the TPWD webpage, follow the Registration Instructions above.
- When your online registration is complete, notify CTMN Membership Chair as noted at the bottom of the instructions.
- Complete the full Volunteer Training Course as a Master Naturalist Member-In-Training.
- Become a Certified Texas Master Naturalist by providing at least 40 hours of Volunteer Service and completing at least 8 hours of Advanced Training by December 31, 2026. Bonus points for finishing by December 2025! 😉