Become a Master Naturalist

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.

This course provides a conceptual understanding of our natural systems and the detrimental, long-term consequences of imbalances and faulty management. It also includes essential information and strategies to restore, regenerate, nurture, and conserve our indigenous plant species and animal habitats. The program enhances your love of nature with research-based scientific knowledge. You will receive training in wildlife and natural resource management taught by local experts in the field and customized to focus on the native ecosystems of North Central Texas – Ellis and Navarro Counties specifically. You will also have the opportunity for advanced training in specialized subjects that interest you.

In return for this training, you will provide your community with at least 40 hours of volunteer services per year in the form of educational activities, projects, outreach, or service.

Requirements to become a certified Master Naturalist volunteer:

Class Work: Attend all 12 scheduled training lectures and field trips. (You will be responsible for making up missed classes). 

Volunteer and Advanced Training Hours: Finish 40 volunteer hours of service and 8 advanced training hours. These requirements must be completed by August 12, 2026 (within one year from the start of your training).

Background Check: The State Master Naturalist Office and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department requires each participant to pass a background check to protect the youth and adults with whom we work.

Fees: The Training Program tuition is $150. This fee pays for the Texas Master Naturalist textbook, Chapter t-shirt, handouts, supplies, name badge, speakers, field trips, and membership dues for the initial year. The fee is $100 for a second family member when one textbook is shared. Payment plans are available upon request. Fees will be collected after acceptance notification and before the first class.

Liability Waiver: The State requires each class member to sign a liability waiver.

Once you have received your initial certification, you may recertify each year by completing 40 volunteer hours and 8 advanced training hours. Each year’s recertification milestone is recognized through a special pin provided by the state office. 

Class size is limited. Selection criteria include: interest in the program, availability for volunteer service, commitment to stewardship of our natural resources, and commitment to our chapter’s geographic areas. Our chapter primarily serves Ellis and Navarro Counties.

Classes will take place weekly in Waxahachie from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., beginning August 12 and ending Tuesday, October 28, 2025. All classes will take place on Tuesday evenings.

The course includes three Saturday morning field trips:

  • September 6: John Bunker Sands Wetland Center 9am – 12pm
  • October 4: Trinity River Audubon Center 9am – 11am
  • October 25: Botanical Research Institute of Texas 9am – 12pm

Is the Texas Master Naturalist Program for me?

  • Am I curious to learn about the natural areas/resources in North Central Texas, specifically Ellis and Navarro Counties? 
  • Am I eager to participate in a practical and intense training program? 
  • Do I look forward to volunteering in the areas covered by our Indian Trail Master Naturalist Chapter (Ellis and Navarro Counties)? 
  • Do I have enough time to attend training and complete the requirements for initial certification, such as 40 hours of volunteer service? 
  • Do I plan to continue serving as a volunteer in the program after my initial certification?

This program is intended to serve persons of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, gender, religion, disability, or national origin. We seek to provide reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities. Please advise us as soon as possible of auxiliary aid or services that you require.

Thank you for your interest in the Texas Master Naturalist program. We look forward to your participation in this educational and beneficial volunteer program. Have questions about training before signing up? Contact Us.

Training Application

Application for the Training Program of the Indian Trail Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists

Legal Name(Required)
Complete Legal Name
Preferred Name(Required)
As you wish it to appear on your name tag and certificate.
Enter month, day, and year.
Mailing Address(Required)
Email(Required)
(If employed. Or former occupation if retired.)
Please list their name and phone # and relationship to you:
Availability(Required)
What times do you have available for activities?
Other Org(Required)
Do you volunteer with any other organization?
If so, which ones, and about how many hours do you volunteer each month?
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What special talents or skills do you have that could benefit our Texas Master Naturalist Chapter? These don’t have to be nature related – examples: computer programming, accounting, wood working, newsletter writing, graphic arts, etc.
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Please summarize any experiences and/or training you have had related to the management or stewardship of our local natural resources.
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Interests(Required)
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. Which of these areas would you most enjoy working in to fulfill these objectives? Check all that are of interest.

By submitting this application, I am indicating I have read and agree to the following statements:

1: Class Attendance(Required)
I understand that I am required to attend the classes and 3 Saturday field trips scheduled: August 12 – October 28, 2025. I understand there are weekly reading assignments before class. I understand that although I may miss one class without needing to make it up, it is my responsibility to make up any other missed classes or field trips. Make up opportunities are available.
2: Certification Hours(Required)
In addition to the 40 hours of training classes and field trips, I understand that in order to become a Certified Master Naturalist I’ll also need to complete 40 hours of accepted volunteer service and 8 hours of approved advanced training by August 12, 2026. I agree that I will be able to fulfill 40 hours of volunteer service and 8 hours of advanced training by August 12, 2026.
3: Recertification(Required)
I understand that each year after initial certification, an additional 40 hours of volunteer service and 8 hours of advanced training will be needed to maintain certification.
4: Logging Time(Required)
I understand that I’m responsible for logging my hours into the Volunteer Management System (VMS) within the designated time frame and that help is available to help me learn this process. I will need to have access to a computer or smart phone in order to log my training, volunteer service and advanced training hours.
5: Approved Chapter Projects and Training(Required)
I understand that volunteer service will be done only on projects approved by our Chapter. Advanced training must be pre-approved by our Advanced Training Chair.
6: Background Check(Required)
I understand the Master Naturalist Program requires passing a background check to protect the safety of our youth and adults. Volunteer service cannot begin until the background check has been completed.
7: Age Requirement(Required)
I understand that I must be 18 or older to participate in the Texas Master Naturalist Program.
8: Positive Image(Required)
I agree to present a positive image that speaks well of the Texas Master Naturalist Program and our Chapter.
9: Standards of Conduct(Required)
I have read and agree to abide by the Standards of Conduct of the Texas Master Naturalist Program (To review, please copy and paste into your browser): https://txmn.org/tierra/files/2023/12/Standards-of-Conduct.pdf
10: Code of Ethics(Required)
I have read and agree to abide by the Code of Ethics of the Texas Master Naturalist Program (To review, please copy and paste into your browser): https://txmn.org/tierra/files/2023/12/Code-of-Ethics.pdf
0 of 600 max characters
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.