Our Public Outreach Committe has been in full swing over the last few months and secured a prized space in the Exhibit Hall at the YMBL South Texas State Fair in 2022. The Chapter is bringing together it’s partner organizations throughout the region to raise public awareness of all the natural resources within our community. We are exited to bring this new concept to the South Texas State Fair and hope to make this an annual event. Come out and support all the like-minded organizations that support the natural beauty of Southeast Texas.

Image of event listing with participants — **Click** here for event details

See the details on our Champions for Nature Event Page

Join a group of fun and knowledgeable nature-loving volunteers to help provide education, outreach, and service in our communities.

Photo showing eight of the trainees from the Fall 2021 Class — **Fall 2021 Trainees**

What is a Master Naturalist?

Someone who loves being outdoors!
Someone who’s NOT afraid to get his or her feet wet!
Someone who’s alert to his or her natural surroundings!

The mission of the Texas Master Naturalist program is to train 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. The program currently supports 10,400 volunteers in 46 local chapters across the state. Many communities and organizations rely on these citizen volunteers for operating parks, nature centers, and natural areas; and for providing leadership in local natural resource conservation efforts.

What does it take to become a Master Naturalist?

Initial requirements to become a Certified Texas Master Naturalist and member of the Sabine-Neches Chapter:

40 hours of basic training (including field studies)
40 hours minimum of volunteer service on approved projects in the first year of the start of basic training (Note: you must attend at least one training class before beginning volunteer work.)
8 hours minimum of approved advanced training in the first year of the start of the training Session
$140 application fee (includes one copy of Texas Master Naturalist, a 760-page reference manual editedby Michelle M. Haggerty and Mary Pearl Meuth) and annual background check

Annual requirements to maintain active, certified status in the Sabine-Neches Chapter are:

40 hours minimum of volunteer service on approved projects
8 hours of approved advanced training
$40 annual dues

Online Application Process:

Prior to our Initial Training Kickoff Meeting on February 24, take the following steps and you will be contacted by a chapter member

Visit the Texas Master Naturalist Volunteer Management System.
Select Apply to Become a New Volunteer.
Search by the keyword Sabine-Neches to locate the Sabine-Neches Chapter.
Select Apply to the Sabine-Neches Chapter.
Select Sign Up.
Follow the on-screen instructions.

Still Undecided….Be The Solution!

Watch this video. One of our Fall 2021 Trainees won the video contest at the Texas Master Naturalist 2021 Annual Meeting. This video was selected from among the many submitted by Chapters with up to 400 members showing how every little effort makes a big difference. Join us…your talents and efforts make a difference.