• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Coastal Prairie ChapterCoastal Prairie Chapter
  • Home
  • Join Us
    • BECOME A TEXAS MASTER NATURALIST™!
    • Spring 2023 Training Class Schedule
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Transfer Your Membership to the TMNCPC
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Coastal Prairie Chapter Brochure
    • TMN State Webpage
    • All About the Texas Master Naturalist Logo
  • Newsletter
  • Calendar
  • Seabourne Creek
  • Volunteer
    • VSP – Signature Projects
    • Seabourne Weekend Nature Walks and Cart Tours – Postponed
    • Seabourne Creek Nature Park
    • Fort Bend County Fair “AgTivity Barn”
    • Educational Outreach
    • Chapter Administration
    • Katy Prairie Conservatory & Other Prairie Organizations
    • Recycling Local Facilities
    • “Citizen Scientist”
    • Texas State Parks
    • Nature Trackers with TPWD
  • Learn
    • TMNCPC Nature Brochures
    • Animal and Plant ID Guides & Apps
    • Native Plant and Prairie Gardens Support Wildlife
    • Planting for Pollinators
    • Links to Other Websites
    • Green Home and Garden Tips
    • Beneficial Insects Flyer
  • Members
    • Members Only
    • VMS Log-in Page
    • How to Use VMS to Log in your hours
    • SignUpGenius
Search

BECOME A TEXAS MASTER NATURALIST™!

SPRING TRAINING CLASS STARTS FEB 18, 2023
ONLINE REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 10
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION


If you enjoy nature…  If you like being outside…  If you want to help conserve local habitats…

Then become a Certified Master Naturalist with the Texas Master Naturalist™ Coastal Prairie Chapter!

The Texas Master Naturalist Coastal Prairie Chapter (TMNCPC) certification program helps nature lovers gain a deeper knowledge of Texas’ natural resources and the local ecology of Fort Bend and Waller counties.  Through exciting outdoor experiences and classroom lectures given by local experts, trainees develop an appreciation of the natural world and learn how to make a serious contribution to its care and management.  This well-informed corps of volunteers then takes that knowledge into the community to assist in conservation projects and help others learn to appreciate and protect the beautiful state of Texas.   The Texas Master Naturalist (TMN) Program is sponsored by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Step One:  Learn all about your local environment by taking the Texas Master Naturalist Training Class

Photo of cover of Texas Master Naturalist textbook
Texas Master Naturalist Statewide Curriculum

Exciting classes and field trips! The TMN training program provides an exciting opportunity for participants to learn all about the plants and animals and ecosystems of Texas.  These topics are then applied to our neck of the woods through the selection of local experts who teach the various sections of the course.   Class lectures are enhanced through the study of the book “Texas Master Naturalist Statewide Textbook”, which is included in the registration fee.  Most of the course topics have a classroom lecture and outdoor field trip to a local park or reserve, so that participants learn about and experience the local ecosystems first hand.   Trainees will also learn techniques for gathering citizen science data in the field.   They will explore environmental stresses and learn about the processes that can be used to address them.

Help Others!  Participants also learn to help others discover the joy of nature.  Through TMN training, participants not only learn about natural resources, but they also receive training on how to educate others about natural resources.  A primary goal of the TMN program is to develop an organization of knowledgeable volunteers to help promote conservation and management of natural resources through educating their communities.

Mentors! Each student will be assigned a mentor in the first few weeks of the program. Mentors are experienced certified master naturalist who will answer any questions the student may have and help ease the transition from student to an active chapter member.

Make-up Classes!  Don’t worry if you have to miss a class or two.  Opportunities will be offered for make up sessions on any topic.

SAN JACINTO BATTLE GROUND
Lecture at the San Jacinto Battlegrounds

Two Training Classes per Year!  The Coastal Prairie Chapter offers two training courses per year, one in the Spring and one in the Fall.    Each training class lasts about 8 – 10 weeks for a total of 40 hours of initial training.   Sessions in the Spring Class are held during the day and sessions in the Fall Class are held in the evenings.  Field trips to local natural areas of interest are held on Saturdays.  A class fee of $125 applies to all students.  You must be over the age of 18 to apply.

All are invited to join in the fun! The TMN Program is coordinated jointly by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides equal access in its programs, activities, education and employment, without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, and gender, pursuant to state and federal law.

Step Two:  Get Your Initial Certification

Who doesn’t want to be able to put “Certified Master Naturalist” on their resume? After your initial training is complete, the next step is to become a certified master naturalist through volunteer service.   In order to obtain initial certification as a master naturalist, you will join us in our mission by volunteering at least 40 hours of your time toward approved projects and completing 8 hours of advanced training by the end of the year following your training.

Volunteers at the 2017 nature fest.
So much fun at our annual nature festival!

It’s so easy to get these hours!  Graduates of the TMNCPC certification program can volunteer for projects around Fort Bend and Waller Counties, such as the Katy Prairie Conservancy, Brazos Bend State Park, local school educational programs, the Fort Bend County Fair, Seabourne Nature Fest and the chapter’s signature project: Seabourne Creek Nature Park.   Members are involved in a variety of projects at these locales- from prairie restoration to bird hikes, maintaining butterfly and demo gardens, trail management, educating youth and much more.  Members can choose from dozens of service opportunities based on their interests.

Step Three: Maintain Your Certification

Once you get your initial certification, you can maintain your certification by completing the annual volunteer and advanced training requirements.  It’s super easy to get the 8 hours of advanced training and the 40 hours of volunteer service that are needed. 

Tree planting project at Seabourne Park
A tree planting project at Seabourne Nature Park

Advanced training hours can be obtained through attending TMNCPC monthly chapter programs, monthly meetings of other environmental groups, webinars, workshops etc.  Plus there are many interesting volunteer service projects that are available to TMNCPC members.  These projects include ecological conservation, educational outreach, volunteer service at local parks and reserves, just to name a few!

 

Share This Page!

Texas Master Naturalist Coastal Prairie Chapter

1402 Band Road, Ste 100, Rosenberg,TX 77471
(832) 225-6936Contact Us

© 2023 Texas A&M University. All rights reserved.

  • Compact with Texans
  • Privacy and Security
  • Accessibility Policy
  • State Link Policy
  • Statewide Search
  • Veterans Benefits
  • Military Families
  • Risk, Fraud & Misconduct Hotline
  • Texas Homeland Security
  • Texas Veterans Portal
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Open Records/Public Information