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.
Texas Master Naturalist Program volunteers shall at all times:
- Uphold the commitment made to the Texas Master Naturalist (TMN) Program, the local chapter, and the state sponsoring agencies Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
- Commit to the training, volunteer service and advanced training requirements of the TMN Program.
- Uphold the dignity and integrity of the TMN Program. Volunteers shall endeavor to avoid even the suspicion of dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or unprofessional demeanor.
- Conduct themselves appropriately to context and setting at all times.
- Abide by federal, state, sponsoring agencies and local laws while involved with and representing the Texas Master Naturalist Program and recognize that some violations outside of your TMN program activity could be grounds for dismissal.
- Studiously avoid discrimination in any form.
- Be considerate and respect others and their points of view.
- Keep accurate records of volunteer service, training, research, and impacts, and monthly (at a minimum) report these records in the Program’s Volunteer Management System (VMS)
- Avoid performing service when such service is judged to be contrary to the Code of Ethics or detrimental to the well-being of the TMN Program and its sponsors, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
- Provide maximum possible effort in the best interest of each client and/or volunteer project.
- Be mindful of their responsibility to society and the TMN Program.
- Avoid abuse of TMN Program authority, certification, or membership for personal satisfaction.
- Advocacy, lobbying or promoting political issues while identifying as a TMN volunteer is strictly prohibited.
- Cooperate fully with professionals and other Master Naturalist volunteers in the best interest of our natural resources.
- Advertising or self-promotion of membership status for personal gain (financial or commercial), advocacy or in a manner detrimental to the TMN Program and its volunteers is prohibited.
- Use of alcohol and controlled substances while performing service as a TMN volunteer is prohibited. Reporting for service while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance will result in termination from volunteer service.
- Accept responsibility for decisions made and actions taken based on these decisions.
Updated October 2025