Purpose – Advanced training (AT) provides Texas Master Naturalists an opportunity to focus on specific topics that interest them and to expand their knowledge base and skills in those chosen areas. The knowledge gained allows members to provide more expertise for the chapter’s volunteer efforts in specialized areas, and focused learning can help build leaders. Requiring at least 8 hours of AT each year for recertification promotes continued learning and development. Although only 8 hours are required, you are encouraged to participate in additional AT and record in VMS.
Advanced Training should help to further the Mission of the Texas Master Naturalist Program – 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.
Please keep an eye out for Advanced Training Opportunities in the monthly Chapter Newsletter and on the Chapter Calendar.
You can reach the Advanced Training Committee at: at@guadmn.org
Required Criteria – Each AT opportunity must meet these criteria:
- Promotes continued learning and development of naturalist skills.
- Provides Master Naturalists with practical knowledge and skills to work in volunteer efforts.
- Directs the trained volunteers toward specific programs in need of their services.
- Covers natural resource issues and information applicable to Texas with a preferred emphasis on the chapter’s local community or ecoregion. For Guadalupe Chapter this includes the Texas Blackland Prairies, East Central Texas Plains, and the Balcones Canyonlands of the Edwards Plateau
Additional Criteria to Consider
- Addresses the management of natural resources.
- Provides special training that can be applied to specific volunteer service projects.
- Takes advantage of local partnerships.
- Offers an opportunity to focus on a specific topic.
- Builds on the core curriculum initially provided by the local chapter.
- Provides access to a recognized authority in the subject matter.
Some examples provided by Statewide of acceptable Advanced Training with reasons “Why”
| Unacceptable (Read Why) | Better | Best |
| A lecture on astronomy and its relationship to astrology (Why: not about natural resources) | A lecture on astronomy and how the moon and sun affect the habitat of animals and plants | A lecture on how to reduce light pollution and the effects that will have on plants and animals |
| Attending a class on the habitat of animals in Alaska (Why: not about local ecoregion or Texas) | Attending a workshop regarding Texas ecoregions | Attending a workshop regarding the Texas ecoregion where you volunteer |
| Watching a National Geographic TV show about southwest U.S. ecology (Why: no interaction with instructor) | Watching a recorded webinar about your chapter’s local ecology with opportunity to email instructor later | Participating in a live webinar with instructor and participant Q&A about local ecology specific to management of the resources |
| Attending a session at the TMN Annual Meeting to learn about the events and opportunities occurring throughout Texas | Attending a session at the TMN Annual Meeting that allows you to put what you learned into practice at your local level | |
| Taking a course on ornamentals and vegetable gardening in Texas (Why: not about natural resources) | Taking a course on pollinator plants of Texas and their benefits for the garden | Taking a course on native pollinator plants for your ecosystem and how to plant them and what wildlife they benefit |
New Advanced Training Opportunities
Please help other Master Naturalists in our chapter and adjacent chapters access relevant Advanced Training Opportunities by developing training opportunities for the classroom or in the field. Use the AT Proposal Form to present the concept and goals to the AT Committee at at@guadmn.org
Generally Approved
“Generally Approved Advanced Training” is approved if taken through “Generally Approved Sponsors.” Training may include formal classes, lectures, workshops, guided walks, or other activities with specific learning objectives. It must meet the Criteria as presented above especially that it is relevant to Volunteer opportunities within the Guadalupe Chapter ecoregions.
The topics listed below as “Generally Approved Advanced Training” are not intended to be all-inclusive or limiting. If it is unclear if an opportunity meets the criteria an AT Proposal Form should be submitted prior to attending the training. This is submitted to the Advanced Training Committee at the email address of at@guadmn.org
Generally Approved Advanced Training
- Wildlife identification & behavior – includes mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, mussels, butterflies, dragonflies/damselflies, insects and other invertebrates.
- Plant identification, life cycles, & uses – includes trees, shrubs, vines, wildflowers, grasses, fungi, lichens, mosses and other recognized plant types.
- Wildlife/Plant survey training
- Field trip leader, docent training
- Native habitat evaluation, management, & restoration
- Native/Natural gardening techniques
- Geology and soils
- General ecology and ecosystems
- Rangeland ecology and management
- Archeology and paleontology
Generally Approved Sponsors
- Texas Master Naturalists & local TMN chapters
- Texas Parks and Wildlife
- Texas AgriLife Extension Service
- University of Texas, Texas State University, & Austin Community College – Formal Classes and Adult Education; or any other accredited state or community college or university
- Austin Butterfly Forum
- Bamberger Ranch
- Bat Conversation International – Bracken Bat Cave
- Bexar Audubon
- Center for Environmental Research
- Headwaters at the Comal
- Horned Lizard Conservation Society
- Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- McKinney Roughs (LCRA)
- M.O. Neasloney Wildlife Management Area
- National Wildlife Federation
- Native Plant Society of Texas
- Native Prairies Association of Texas
- Travis Audubon Society
- Texas Archeological Society
- Wild Basin