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. Our chapter proudly serves Denton, Cooke and Wise counties.
If you’d like to learn more about educational opportunities and our chapter, we invite you to subscribe to our monthly email communication.
The Texas Master Naturalist program is a partnership between the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and other local partners.
Upcoming Events
Join us at the March Chapter meeting for a presentation by Rick Travis,
Past President, TMN – Blackland Prairie Chapter
March 19, 2026 – Meet and greet at 9:00 am, meeting from 9:30 am through about 12:00 pm.
Denton County Administrative Courthouse (DCAC) – 3rd Floor Conference Room
1 Courthouse Drive, Denton, TX
Municipal Mutualism: Creating Win-Win Relationships with our Communities
Municipal Mutualism: Creating Win-Win Relationships with our Communities
A personal narrative reviewing the steps taken over the past several years to develop a strong, productive, and trusting relationship between the Blackland Prairie Chapter and the Parks Department in Frisco, TX. This discussion will include examples of the significant positive impact this relationship has had on the inclusion of natural areas in the planning and design of parkland, as well as increasing chapter involvement in other education/restoration/conservation efforts within the city.
Rick owns a Bachelors’ Degree in Forest Management and a MBA, both from Stephen F. Austin State University. With retirement from his business career, Rick is fulfilling a long deferred desire for involvement in the environmental sciences. He is an active member of the Blackland Prairie Master Naturalist Chapter and served as Chapter President from 2022 through 2025. Rick is also a member of Frisco’s Natural Resources Advisory Board and works closely with Frisco Parks on multiple projects within the city. He is a volunteer trail guide at the Heard Wildlife Sanctuary, Plano Parks and Trails, and Frisco Parks and Trails and serves as the Forest Ecology instructor for the Blackland Prairie Chapter and neighboring Master Naturalist chapters’ training programs in the DFW area.
Applications for the 2026 Initial Training Program will open April 6, 2026!
Our Community Services
FREE NATURE EDUCATION and LAND MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE!
Adult education is provided through our Speakers Bureau. Youth education is provided through the Science with Attitude (SWAt) program. We also provide technical guidance for small acreage landowners. Select a topic below for more information.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
Margaret meade
Contribute to Citizen Science
Each year during fall and spring migrations, nearly two billion birds travel through Texas navigating with the night sky in one of the planet’s great wildlife spectacles.
However, as they pass over big cities on their way, they can become disoriented by bright artificial lights and skyglow, often causing them to collide with buildings or windows.
We encourage everyone to turn off non-essential lights at night from 11 pm – 6 am during the full fall and spring migration periods, and where conflicts apply, prioritize lights out during the critical peak migration periods.
LIGHTS OUT, TEXAS!
Providing Safe Passage for
Nocturnal Migrants
Volunteering has many benefits, including opportunities to share your talents, learn new skills, make an impact on your community, and reduce stress.
Not a Texas Master Naturalist, but want to volunteer?View volunteer opportunities in your area!
Our Partners and Affiliates
Texas Parks and Wildlife
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Carrollton Parks and Recreation
Denton County Master Gardeners Association
Denton Parks and Recreation
Friends of Furneaux Creek Nature Trail
Friends of LLELA
Keep Denton Beautiful
Keep Flower Mound Beautiful
Keep Trophy Club Wild
Lewisville Parks and Recreation
Native Plant Society of Texas – Trinity Forks
Native Prairies Association of Texas
Texas Conservation Alliance
Texas Nature Conservancy
The Flower Mound Foundation
Support TMN-EFC
Kroger Community Rewards program supports your favorite charity through the Kroger reward card. Select the link above to discover how to add Elm Fork Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists Inc to your card.