Advanced Training (AT)
Per calendar year, members are required to complete at least 8 hours of advanced training as part of the certification requirement. This can easily be attained by attending monthly CTMN meetings which double as advanced training opportunities for Master Naturalists. Speakers are generally from the local community and provide information relevant to our ecological region. You can also attain advanced training hours by going to workshops, trainings, or talks given by our sponsors and partnering organizations.
Volunteer Service Projects (V)
Per calendar year, members are required to complete at at least 40 hours of volunteer service hours as part of the certification requirement. Community service projects and educational outreach activities that improve and preserve our environment are the reasons our chapter exists. Projects must be approved by the Chapter Projects Committee; members can obtain a copy of the approval request form through the Member Resources area of this web site. The following list are just a few examples of the volunteer projects our members contribute their time:
| Opportunity Title | Description | Type | Website or Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTMN Monthly Meetings | CTMN monthly meetings consist of chapter business followed by an educational presentation from a local speaker. Speakers are generally from the local community and provide information relevant to our ecological region. | Advanced Training | |
| Administrative Work | Assisting the chapter with administrative work such as board meetings, committees, officer duties, hospitality, web pages, newsletter, training preparation or class support | Volunteer Hours | |
| Angler Education | Volunteers (both certified and un-certified Angler Educators) set up “Docks” of learning stations that the participants (typically elementary school age children) cycle through such as, Casting, Fish Habitat, Knot Tying, Angling Ethics, Bait and Tackle, and Fishing Regulations and Safety. | Volunteer Hours | Angler Education Website |
| Angler Education Certification | The Angler Education Certification Training permits you to teach the Angler Education curriculum at Angler Education events. | Advanced Training | Karen Marks Aquatic Education Manager karen.marks@tpwd.texas.gov |
| Annual Beekeeping Seminar | This day-long seminar consists of a series of talks and demonstrations pertaining to beekeeping with the purpose to education people of all experiene levels in sustainable bee husbandry and to help support similar initiatives. There is a beginner track, for those interested in becoming beekeepers, and then all levels above that. | Advanced Training | Beekeeping Seminar Website |
| Aquatic Wild | Training on natural water resources and habitat for aquatic wildlife | Advanced Training | Upcoming Workshops |
| Audubon Society | Training on bird related topics during Audubon Society Chapter Meetings and bird counts. | Advanced Training and Volunteer Hours | Gil Ekrich (254) 534-0061 |
| Bell County Water Symposium | This symposiums hosts a series of Texas speakers covering water issues, management, aquifers, and other related topics. | Advanced Training | 2019 Event Date TBA Clearwater Conservation District Website |
| Burleson Prairie Walk | Learn about the replication of Blackland Prairie and the plants associated with the prairie. The walk is lead by the landowner and topic experts. | Advanced Training | Lynn Fleming ctmntraining@gmail.com |
| Conservation Easement Workshop | Landowner workshop focusing on the conservation easements | Advanced Training | |
| Conservation Lands Expo | Training on the healthy conservation of lands in conjuction with the Conservations Lands Expo | Advanced Training | |
| Cornell University Online Non-Credit Courses | Online, non-credit courses applicable to nature education | Advanced Training | Cornell University Civic Ecology Lab |
| Extension Online Campus Courses | Online courses offered by the Texas A&M AgriLife Cooperative Extension System | Advanced Training | Extension Online Campus |
| Finding Common Ground and Advancing Positive Conservation Outcomes in Environmental Issues | This workshop addresses the challenge of the Texas Master Naturalists in reaching our audience, friends colleagues, and neightbors by focusing on the language of effective communication, examples of successful environmental initiatives and opportunities to advance conservation issues. Get the tools you need to make a differences at the personal, local, regional, and national levels. | Advanced Training | Craig Childs Hill Country Chapter craig.c.childs@gmail.com |