Applications for the 2024 Volunteer Training Course are now open!
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. 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, age (must be 18 years of age or older when class begins), gender, religion, disability, or national origin.
- 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 some basic computer skills to navigate our online system and for our chapter communications.
- Trainees must learn and use the Texas Parks and Wildlife Volunteer Management System (VMS), an online tool, to report volunteer and training hours. VMS reports up 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.
2024 Training Course Schedule
- The 2024 Volunteer Training Course will begin March 19th and conclude on June 4th.
- Click here for the Detailed 2024 Volunteer Training Course Schedule
- Classes and field trips will be most Tuesdays, along with a choice of two Saturday field trips.
- Please verify your availability for all the scheduled classes before completing the application. If you have more than 1 or 2 conflicts, please reach out to Zoe Rascoe, the Chapter Registrar to discuss before moving forward.
- This schedule is subject to change due to instructor schedule changes, weather conditions and other unforeseen events. Flexibility is important.
- Our evening graduation ceremony will be held as part of our June 11th chapter meeting – trainee families 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, pay the one-time training fee of $150.00. You may pay the course fee online by selecting the 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.
- 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, click the blue “Sign Up” button.
- When your online registration is complete, notify CTMN Membership Chair as noted at the bottom of the instructions.
- Complete the full 40+ hours Volunteer Training Course.
- Become a Certified Texas Master Naturalist by providing at least 40 hours of Volunteer Service and completing at least 8 additional hours of Advanced Training by December 31, 2025. Bonus points for finishing by December 2024!