The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TWPD) introduced a certification program called Texas Waters Specialist. Requirements for the initial certification are 8 hours of approved water-related Advanced Training (AT). The program itself will offer six hours of AT via online webinars over the next year. If you are interested in exploring this certification further, here is a link to more information. https://tpwd.texas.gov/education/water-education/texaswatersprogram/texaswatersspecialist
Once you have received the initial certification, all you need to re-certify each year is 10 volunteer hours working on an approved water-related project. This 10 hours is not in addition to the 40 you need to re-cert as a TMN, but can be 10 of those 40. Likewise, the 8 hours of AT can also meet the requirements for the 8 hours you need for TMN re-cert.
The Heartwood chapter has available a limited number of hard copies of the curriculum available to those who are seriously considering pursuing this certification. However, you can also download a copy here: https://tpwd.texas.gov/education/water-education/texaswatersprogram Even if you are not planning to work towards this certification, as a TMN you will certainly enjoy reading the book as it will add to your knowledge on all things related to water.
Please be aware that this certification runs from October to September. So while your hours accrued for TMN re-cert run from January to December, when the state is looking for those who have met the qualification for Texas Waters Specialist, they will be looking for hours recorded from October of one year to the following September.
If you plan to work towards this certification, please contact Jennifer Seale for further instructions on how to record your hours specifically for this certification. Also, by notifying her, she will send you specific information about approved water-related Advanced Training opportunities as they come up during the year to ensure you get the hours you need.
Congratulations to the Heartwood Chapter members who received the Texas Waters Specialist certification for 2017… Scott Ball, Allison Copony, Barbara Edwards, Mari Hanley, Robert Johnston, Jonathan Lok, Teri MacArthur, Leslie Rosenblatt, Jennifer Seale, and David Vickers.