The health and well-being of our trainees, our volunteers, and our speakers became the priority in making this decision but recent severe restrictions mandated by our Texas Master Naturalist™ program State Directors and Governor Abbott were an important factor also.
We are dismayed that we cannot go forward with our 2020 lectures, nature center tours, and field trips this fall. We are committed to providing this exceptional curriculum in 2021.
Over the next several months the Board of Directors and the 2020 Class Committee will re-group to explore options and possibilities for the interim between now and a 2021 training program. An intensive mentor program is being developed that will keep the current applicants engaged in our chapter activities in a very proactive way.
An impressive curriculum has been developed for this training class and we look forward to presenting it at our first opportunity next year.
Elsa Roberts, president
Hill Country Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist program
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Welcome! The Hill Country Chapter is accepting applications until July 13 for our Class of 2020 Texas Master Naturalist™ volunteer training course.
Residents of Bandera, Edwards, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Mason, Menard, Real, and San Saba counties who want to learn to be good stewards of the Hill Country and volunteer in our ten-county service region are encouraged to apply. You will have the opportunity to participate in your choice of more than eighty approved volunteer projects and we offer more than 200 advanced training opportunities each year.
• Applications must be received by July 13.
• Class size is limited to 40 trainees. Additional applicants may be placed on a waiting list.
• Training course begins August 17 with our trainee reception at Kerr Arts and Cultural Center in downtown Kerrville. The course includes presentations by scientists, naturalists, and other experts and professionals from local, state, and federal agencies, organizations, and universities.
• Our educational (and fun) classes occur on Wednesdays beginning August 19 at 8:30a.m. in the Upper Guadalupe River Authority Lecture Hall near downtown Kerrville. The schedule also includes classes in Hunt, Blanco, Fredericksburg, and Boerne plus field trips to Kerr Wildlife Management Area, Selah, Bamberger Ranch, Honey Creek State Natural Area, and Canyon Lake Gorge.
• Commencement occurs November 11 with a guest speaker and celebratory barbecue.
Training Course tuition is $200 which includes thirteen weeks of science-based instruction, textbook, class notebook, entrance fees at field trip facilities, official Texas Master Naturalist™ name tag at commencement, and other course-related expenses.
The Texas Master Naturalist™ program is built upon a foundation of volunteerism. Certified Texas Master Naturalist volunteers are required to volunteer at least forty hours with approved projects and attend eight hours of advanced training annually to retain certification. Please give this careful consideration before completing the application.
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