Welcome to the Coastal Prairie Chapter!

Our Mission

The Texas Master Naturalist™ Program’s mission is to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the State of Texas. Coastal Prairie Chapter members volunteer mainly in Fort Bend, Waller and Wharton counties.

State TMN Program Site

New Training Class – Spring 2026

The 2026 Spring class is now full. For future training class information, click below.

Click Here for New Training Class Information

Monthly Chapter Program – May 7, 2026

From Fields to Habitat: Unlocking Wildlife Stewardship in Texas with Joseph “Jody” Taylor and Matthew Johnson of TPWD

Join the Texas Master Naturalist Coastal Prairie Chapter for an engaging evening at the Rosenberg Civic Center on May 7, 2026 at 7:00pm! This special joint presentation with Texas A&M AgriLife Horticulture Extension Agent Joseph “Jody” Taylor and Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Regional Wildlife Biologist Matthew Johnson dives into how science-based education, land management, and wildlife conservation come together across Texas.

Learn how AgriLife Extension supports landowners and volunteers through conservation programs, agricultural practices, and outreach—and discover how properties can transition from traditional agricultural use to wildlife management for both stewardship and 1-d-1 (Ag Exemption) tax valuation benefits.

Whether you’re a landowner, volunteer, or nature enthusiast, this session offers valuable insights into sustainable land use and the future of Texas wildlife.

About Our speaker:

Joseph “Jody” Taylor is the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension-Fort Bend County Horticulture Agent as of November 1, 2024.

Jody served in the military 33 years where he acquired skills in education, logistics, leadership, and maintenance. He is a veteran, farmer, Master Gardener, beekeeper, and avid community volunteer. He has a passion for sustainable plant production and community outreach. Jody earned a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from University of Louisville and a Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security from American
Military University. He was a Professor of Military Science University of Texas at Arlington where he administered and managed instruction and program requirements for ROTC cadets. During this time, he incorporated instructional technologies in course delivery for both in-class and online instruction. He has a background in higher education, adult teaching, small farm management, and horticulture.

Matthew Johnson is the Regional Wildlife Biologist for TPWD. Matthew grew up in Bremond, Tx situated between Waco and College Station. He attended Texas State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Biology in 2021 and shortly after obtained his Associate Wildlife Biologist Certification through The Wildlife Society. While in college Matthew was involved with many different non-game wildlife studies including nest box surveys and Golden-cheeked Warbler surveys as well as helping with whitetail deer captures and prescribed burn efforts on private ranches. After college, Matthew gained experience conducting aerial drone surveys for waterfowl with Auburn University in Alabama and working in environmental consulting conducting bird and bat surveys across the country before hiring on with TPWD.

Coastal Prairie Chapter programs are free and open to the public. This program will be held in-person at the Rosenberg Civic Center, 3825 TX-36, Rosenberg, TX 77471 Please plan to arrive at 6:00 pm for refreshments and social time. The program starts at 7pm.

A Zoom option is available. After registering below, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Check Back to Register for Zoom Link

Current Projects

Coastal Prairie Chapter Blog