How do I join the Texas Master Naturalists?
Every certified Texas Master NaturalistTM must complete a 40-hour training course on the region’s natural features and the impact people have on nature. Training courses are held twice per year for Coastal Prairie Chapter — spring for day classes, fall for evening classes. The course includes presentations by biologists, geologists, naturalists, and others from local, state, and federal agencies and universities.
To complete training for initial certification, members must donate 40 hours of volunteer service and 8 hours of advanced training within a year (365 days) and pay annual chapter dues. To maintain the certification each successive year, another 40 hours of volunteer service and 8 hours of advanced training is required within that calendar year (in addition to payment of dues).
Advanced training enables Texas Master Naturalists to gain additional knowledge or learn particular skills needed to assist with various volunteer projects. Advanced training activities in the past have involved hands-on instruction, field trips to local natural areas, and lectures with such topics as Texas bats, insects, aquatic environments, wildscape development, trail planning, and many more.
All volunteer service and advanced training opportunities must be approved by the Chapter Board of Directors, and all hours must be reported timely and digitally to get credit. Once requirements are met, you will receive a certificate and dragonfly pin and will be certified as a Texas Master NaturalistTM Coastal Prairie Chapter.
When and where are the meetings?
Chapter membership meets the first Thursday of each month (January through October) for a training program and meeting starting at 7:00 PM. Please check the calendar for specific dates and locations, but in-person is typically held at the Rosenberg Convention Center on Hwy 36 with the meeting also streamed live via Zoom.
Field trips are offered to members several times per year; they may be held on any day of the week.
What are “dragonfly pins?”
The Master Naturalist program offers a series of beautifully crafted pins commemorating cumulative volunteer service milestone achievements within the program.
- 250 hours (bronze dragonfly pin)
- 500 hours (silver dragonfly pin)
- 1,000 hours (gold dragonfly pin)
- 2,500 hours (polished silver dragonfly pin)
- 4,000 hours (polished gold dragonfly pin with ruby)
- 5,000 hours (gold dragonfly pin with a diamond)
- 10,000 hours (polished gold with emerald)