Course Application Form

Please apply early as our class is limited to 25 people.

HILL COUNTRY CHAPTER FALL 2025 TRAINING CLASS APPLICATION

Our course follows the statewide curriculum with science-based instruction specific to the Texas Hill Country. To certify as a Texas Master Naturalist, you must complete the 12-week course, volunteer 40 hours on chapter-approved projects, and obtain 8 hours of advanced training.

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Name as you wish it to appear on your certificate and name badge*
Email:*
Please use your personal email address
Mailing Address*
Use the best number to contact you
The Texas Hill Country Chapter includes the following counties: Bandera, Edwards, Gillespie, Kendall, Kimble, Kerr, Mason, Menard, Real, and San Saba
If “Other” is selected above, this indicates that you do not live wihin the Hill Country Chapter area. Please explain your interest in our chapter: Do you have property within our boundaries? Do you live right outside our boundaries? In which county(s) do you plan to volunteer?
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How did you hear about the Texas Master Naturalist program (TMN) and the Hill Country Chapter? Check all that apply. Your answers will help us promote the TMN program.*
How did you hear about the Texas Master Naturalist program (TMN) and the Hill Country Chapter? Check all that apply. Your answers will help us promote the TMN program.
If employed, or former occupation as applicable.
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Please describe a memorable experience you had outdoors.
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Please indicate organizations of which you are a member or for which you have volunteered time or participated during the past two years.
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Please note your skills that would be beneficial to the Texas Master Naturalist program. Skills might include teaching, public speaking or writing, outdoor skills, physical labor skills, photography, event planning, computer or design, scientific knowledge, specific knowledge, and many more. What skills do you have that you want to share?
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Areas of Interest:*
Choose all that apply.

Volunteer Pledge

Our focus is volunteering in local communities, however the knowledge and experience you gain will benefit you and your property.

I understand that in exchange for training made possible through the Hill Country Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist program, I will volunteer at least 40 hours of my time toward approved projects and attend 8 hours of approved Advanced Training within one year.

I understand that I will become a Certified Texas Master Naturalist when I complete the required classes, Advanced Training, and Volunteer hours. I also understand that to maintain certified status, I must complete 40 hours of Volunteer Service and 8 hours of Advanced Training each year thereafter.

I understand that in consideration of being accepted as a participant in the Texas Master Naturalist volunteer program, I hereby release, discharge, and agree to hold harmless the program and its sponsoring state agencies, their agents, employees, officers and successors, from and against the program and sponsoring state agencies, their successors, employees, or officers for all personal injuries (including death), known and unknown or damage to property caused by or arising out of activities performed under the Texas Master Naturalist program.

Texas Master Naturalist program state agency sponsors, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, require all volunteers undergo background screening. Volunteers will not be accepted and may not fulfill their duties until background screening has been conducted and approved.

Screening is required every three years. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension accepts previous screenings from certain entities; however, proof of screening must be provided.

I understand if I choose to provide volunteer services under the auspices of the Texas Master Naturalist program a prior background screening is required.

Consent*
Declarations*

Texas Master Naturalist Code of Ethics

Each member, in striving to meet the mission, goals and objectives of the Master Naturalist program, pledges to: 1. Subscribe to the highest standards of integrity and conduct 2. Promote and support the statewide and local Master Naturalist program 3. Respect the state sponsors of Texas Parks and Wildlife and Texas AgriLife Extension and their roles and expectations 4. Disseminate information to promote understanding of, and appreciation for, the values of our natural resources 5. Strive to increase knowledge and skills to advance as a Master Naturalist volunteer 6. Promote competence as a Master Naturalist volunteer by supporting high standards of education, service and performance 7. Encourage the use of sound biological information in education and outreach and in management decisions 8. Support fair and uniform standards of service and treatment of those engaged in the Master Naturalist program 9. Know and follow established program guidelines and policies 10. Abide by chapter bylaws 11. Avoid use of the Master Naturalist title, logos and trademarks for personal endeavors and/or profit 12. Act as trustworthy and ethical stewards of the environment 13. Never inappropriately disturb or harass wildlife, never inappropriately remove anything from its natural state or area*
Each member, in striving to meet the mission, goals and objectives of the Master Naturalist program, pledges to:
1. Subscribe to the highest standards of integrity and conduct
2. Promote and support the statewide and local Master Naturalist program
3. Respect the state sponsors of Texas Parks and Wildlife and Texas AgriLife Extension and their roles and expectations
4. Disseminate information to promote understanding of, and appreciation for, the values of our natural resources
5. Strive to increase knowledge and skills to advance as a Master Naturalist volunteer
6. Promote competence as a Master Naturalist volunteer by supporting high standards of education, service and performance
7. Encourage the use of sound biological information in education and outreach and in management decisions
8. Support fair and uniform standards of service and treatment of those engaged in the Master Naturalist program
9. Know and follow established program guidelines and policies
10. Abide by chapter bylaws
11. Avoid use of the Master Naturalist title, logos and trademarks for personal endeavors and/or profit
12. Act as trustworthy and ethical stewards of the environment
13. Never inappropriately disturb or harass wildlife, never inappropriately remove anything from its natural state or area

Texas Master Naturalist Standards of Conduct

Master Naturalist program volunteers shall at all times: 1. Uphold the Commitment made to the program and the required volunteer and advanced training hours required by the program 2. Uphold the dignity and integrity of the Master Naturalist program. They shall endeavor to avoid even the suspicion of dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or unprofessional demeanor 3. Conduct themselves appropriately to context and setting at all times 4. Be considerate and respect other’s points of view. 5. Keep accurate records of volunteer service, training and research, and regularly notify your local chapter of these records 6. Avoid performing service when such service is judged to be contrary to the Code of Ethics or detrimental to the well-being of the program and its sponsors 7. Provide maximum possible effort in the best interest of each client and/or volunteer project regardless of the degree of remuneration 8. Be mindful of their responsibility to society and the program 9. Studiously avoid discrimination in any form, or the abuse of program authority, certification, or membership for personal satisfaction. Avoid advocacy, lobbying, or promoting political issues 10. Cooperate fully with professionals and other Master Naturalist volunteers in the best interest of our natural resources 11. Refrain from advertising in a self-laudatory manner, beyond statements intended to inform prospective clients or members of qualifications, or in a manner detrimental to the Master Naturalist program and its volunteers 12. Avoid all use of alcohol and controlled substances while on duty as a Master Naturalist volunteer. Reporting for service while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance will result in termination from volunteer service 13. Accept responsibility for decisions made and actions taken based on these decisions 14. When in doubt, the safe course should always be taken I have read and agree to Standards of Conduct*
Master Naturalist program volunteers shall at all times:
1. Uphold the Commitment made to the program and the required volunteer and advanced training hours required by the program
2. Uphold the dignity and integrity of the Master Naturalist program. They shall endeavor to avoid even the suspicion of dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or unprofessional demeanor
3. Conduct themselves appropriately to context and setting at all times
4. Be considerate and respect other’s points of view.
5. Keep accurate records of volunteer service, training and research, and regularly notify your local chapter of these records
6. Avoid performing service when such service is judged to be contrary to the Code of Ethics or detrimental to the well-being of the program and its sponsors
7. Provide maximum possible effort in the best interest of each client and/or volunteer project regardless of the degree of remuneration
8. Be mindful of their responsibility to society and the program
9. Studiously avoid discrimination in any form, or the abuse of program authority, certification, or membership for personal satisfaction. Avoid advocacy, lobbying, or promoting political issues
10. Cooperate fully with professionals and other Master Naturalist volunteers in the best interest of our natural resources
11. Refrain from advertising in a self-laudatory manner, beyond statements intended to inform prospective clients or members of qualifications, or in a manner detrimental to the Master Naturalist program and its volunteers
12. Avoid all use of alcohol and controlled substances while on duty as a Master Naturalist volunteer. Reporting for service while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance will result in termination from volunteer service
13. Accept responsibility for decisions made and actions taken based on these decisions
14. When in doubt, the safe course should always be taken
I have read and agree to Standards of Conduct

When this form is complete and submitted, you will be redirected to a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department webpage.

In the course of completing this step, you will click on the blue Sign Up button to:

  • Create an account for the Volunteer Management System (VMS)
  • Make a note of your User Name and Password
  • Authorize the required background check
I understand that by clicking “SUMBIT”, I am electronically signing this document.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.