Get excited for our Texas Master Naturalist 2024 Annual Meeting – to be held Thursday, October 24th through Sunday, October 27th in San Marcos, Texas. Stay tuned for more information coming soon!
The Texas Master Naturalist Annual Meeting provides an opportunity for the Texas Master Naturalist volunteers from around the state to gather, participate in hands-on educational seminars, and receive all their Advanced Training requirements for the year in one weekend. It’s also an opportunity for program participants and supporters to network, share new ideas, and to learn from chapters in different regions of the state.
Countdown to the 2024 Annual Meeting
Attending the 2024 Annual Meeting?
Attendee Hub (Web): https://cvent.me/0Q10X9
Important information for the meeting can all be found in the Attendee Hub. This can be accessed via the link above, and also through our handy mobile app! Scan the QR code for your operating system below.
App Store (Apple)
Google Play Store (Android)
With the goal of ensuring that the Annual Meeting is welcoming and inclusive for all, please review the Code of Conduct, linked below.
Code of Conduct: https://txmn.tamu.edu/annual-meeting-code-of-conduct/
Welcome to San Marcos!
Nestled in the heart of the Lone Star State, San Marcos, Texas, unveils a natural symphony where the enchanting melody of the San Marcos River dances alongside vibrant greenery. As the sunlight filters through the towering cypress trees, it casts a golden glow on the river’s crystal-clear waters, revealing a mesmerizing underwater ballet of aquatic life.
The San Marcos Springs, the lifeblood of this ecological marvel, showcase a unique blend of aquatic flora and fauna. Rare and endemic species find refuge in these pristine waters, forming a delicate ecosystem that stands as a testament to the town’s commitment to conservation.
San Marcos, where the balance between urban development and environmental preservation is an art form, invites residents and visitors alike to immerse themselves in a natural sanctuary. The city’s commitment to sustainable living ensures that future generations will continue to marvel at the harmonious coexistence of humanity and the untamed beauty of its environment.
Much like San Marcos straddles the boundary between urban development and environmental conservation, the Texas Master Naturalist program seamlessly blends tradition with cutting-edge innovations. In the realm of design, we’ve embraced AI technology to enhance brainstorming and idea development. For our annual meeting branding, the 2024 logo was first generated by AI and then fine-tuned by our state program team to align with our desired style. Our inspiration? A visit to the Meadows Center, where the enchanting beauty of underwater springs breathes life into the area. Join us in San Marcos this October, where cityscapes intersect with untamed landscapes, and technology aids in preservation and protection
Agenda
Our 2024 Annual Meeting agenda is now live!
We have the most sessions ever this year, with 142 classroom presentations and 32 field sessions, covering a variety of topics presented by a variety of speakers from around the state. A huge thanks to the local contributing Chapters for recruiting these record-breaking sessions, speakers and locations!
To view this year’s Agenda, visit the event website on Cvent or log into your Attendee Hub on the app or online:
Welcome Reception at Meadows Center for Water and The Environment
Join us on Thursday, October 24, for a Welcome Dinner and outing at The Meadows Center for Water and Environment. With transportation provided from the Conference Center, our casual welcome dinner opening the Annual Meeting will be hosted on the Headwaters Green lawn with scattered seating available, classic Austin area TexMex food by Chuy’s, and beer and wine offered by Roughhouse Brewing (a local TMN owned brewery)! TMNs will be entertained with glass-bottom boat tours offered by Texas State student docents, open tours of the boardwalk, and more along the trails at the Center.
*Note that this event is included in registration for Full Event Registrations only.
Silent Auction
We are excited about the quickly approaching Texas Master Naturalist (TMN) Annual Meeting. It is time to prepare for getting donated items for the Silent Auction. Money raised by the silent auction is used for TMN project grants, scholarships to the annual meeting for each chapter, and to bring in speakers and trainers for future annual meetings.
Registration
Registration for the 2024 Annual Meeting is closed.
Cancelation policy: Any cancelations made on or before Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, will receive a partial refund (see event website for details). Any cancelations made after Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, are non refundable.
Early Registration – Closes August 31st
- Early Full Event Registration – $450.00
- Early Two Day (Fri & Sat) – $425.00
- Early One Day (Fri or Sat) – $275.00
Standard Registration – Open September 1st – September 30th
- Full Event Registration – $500.00
- Two Day (Fri & Sat) – $475.00
- One Day (Fri or Sat) – $325.00
Guest Registration Add-Ons
- Guest Meals Only Pass – $375.00
- Awards Dinner Only Guest Pass – $75.00
When registration opens, you are able to save your seat for your preferred classroom and field sessions. Last year, 63.6% of registrations happened the first day registration opened. Because of this, sessions with limited seating fill up fast!
What can you do?
- 📓 Know what’s happening! Read through the agenda before registration opens and make note of the sessions you’re interested in.
- ⏰ Plan for time! The registration process includes questions for demographic information, registration type, session registration, optional items and checkout. This process takes time.
- 📝 Make a plan B! Have a ranking system of your preferences so you know what to sign up for if your first choice is full.
- 😅 Don’t stress! We have over 175 classroom and field sessions to choose from. There is something for everyone!
Join our TMN Email Listserv to be the first to hear about the Annual Meeting registration and more.
Or follow us on social media to hear news about the upcoming event –
The Texas Master Naturalist Program has established an Annual Meeting Code of Conduct as a positive step towards a safe and equitable gathering. All who register agree to abide by this code, and we provide it in full for your familiarity and reference. The code is also linked from the Annual Meeting app.
Lodging
The booking window for our conference hotel is closed.
This year’s Annual Meeting will be hosted at the Embassy Suites by Hilton San Marcos Hotel & Conference Center, situated right off Interstate 35, halfway between San Antonio and Austin.
Embassy Suites by Hilton San Marcos Hotel & Conference Center
Address: 1001 E McCarty Ln, San Marcos, TX 78666
Phone: (512) 392-6450
Contracted Room Block: Thursday, October 24 through Sunday, October 27, 2024
Includes:
- Free made-to-order breakfast
- Complimentary evening reception
- Complimentary self parking
- Complimentary guestroom internet
- Complimentary access to fitness & business center
*Note – if there are issues with the links for hotels, please call their front desks to book under our Texas Master Naturalist block.
Sponsors
All sponsorships receive special recognition through conference communication, fliers, announcements, and programs. Sponsors could make a general contribution to support and sponsor the TMN Annual Meeting at any of the following levels with recognition at each level as given:
Be a Friend
Be an Ecologist
Posted on conference hallway signs
Be a Steward
Recognition given during awards ceremony
Be a Conservationist
Be a Guardian
Inclusion of collateral materials in attendee registration bags
Be a Naturalist
Organization highlight page on website.
To be a sponsor, please contact, Mary Pearl Meuth – mpmeuth@tamu.edu
Vendors
Vendor applications for our 2024 Annual Meeting are closed.
We are once again hosting our event with the opportunity to invite a few key vendors and exhibitors with naturalist related goods, artwork, projects, plants, educational materials, and outreach from partnership organizations. The vendor booths will be located in the main conference area. Vendors will receive one 6’ table and two chairs. Electricity and other display needs may have additional costs and can be discussed if needed.
Please email Mary Pearl Meuth, mpmeuth@tamu.edu if you’re interested in being a vendor at the 2024 Annual Meeting.
Contests and Awards
Applications for our 2024 Annual Meeting contests are closed.
We host four Annual Meeting contests each year. All award winners for last year can be seen here in the Annual Meeting 2023 Awards Wrap Up. Details for each are linked below.
- Chapter Advisor Awards
- Nominate your chapter’s advisor(s) to be recognized
- Chapter Project Fair
- Submit your chapter project for our virtual fair!
- Video Contest
- Videos of 1 minute to 3 minutes
- Photo, Art & Media Contest
- Entries to be submitted online
- Note: Photos & Media must be taken somewhere in Texas.
2024 Photo, Art & Media Contest
Best of Show Image 2023 We are excited to once again host…
2024 Video Contest
We are now accepting Video Contest submissions for the 2024 Annual Meeting!…
2024 Chapter Project Fair
Submissions are now OPEN for our 2024 Chapter Project Fair as part…
2024 Chapter Advisor Award
The Texas Master Naturalist Program presents the Chapter Advisor Award to outstanding…
Call for Proposals
Proposals for our 2024 Annual Meeting are closed.
This year’s Annual Meeting will be hosted Thursday, October 24th to Sunday, October 27th, 2024 in San Marcos, Texas.
We are planning for an in-person Annual Meeting for 2024! We are asking that all presenters be prepared to host their sessions in person with us this fall, however special considerations may be given where needed. The final full event schedule will be released mid-summer. We are seeking proposals for both classroom presentations and field sessions out and around San Marcos:
As a classroom presenter, you would have the opportunity to inform and train TMN members from across the state on various natural resource topics and provide more in-depth information than their initial core training and curriculum. You are also encouraged to make this an opportunity to enlist and train our program volunteers to assist you, your program, and your work as part of their annual volunteer service commitment. Classroom sessions are currently scheduled to begin each day of the conference at 8am and end at 5pm. Classroom sessions will be offered concurrently with one, two, three and four hour blocks, built-in breaks and potentially themed days (dependent on final submissions received).
As a field session presenter, you would have the opportunity to showcase the region’s diversity of natural spaces, highlight local TMN chapter projects and inform and train TMN members from across the state on various natural resource topics. You are also encouraged to make this an opportunity to host a service project for our volunteers to assist you, your program, and your work as part of their annual volunteer service commitment – even while at the conference. Our Annual Meeting is a time to host numerous field session site visits before, during, and after the event. Three goals with Annual Meeting field sessions is to provide advanced training applicable to any registered Master Naturalist traveling to the meeting from anywhere in the state, while also showcasing the local diversity of the area and the work of local host chapters for project sharing, learning and replication. We want field session attending TMN’s to walk away from the event knowing a bit more about the natural landscape of our host location – and to have new ideas for chapter projects or project management ideas.
Annual Meeting registration and costs will be released in July. Classroom session presenters will need to register to attend the Annual Meeting if they intend to stay and participate beyond their presentation time or for event activities outside of technical sessions.
Submit Classroom Presentation Abstracts HereDeadline: June 1, 2024 CLOSED
Submit Field Session Abstracts HereDeadline: June 1, 2024 CLOSED
If you are a speaker for this year’s meeting – please use the Speaker Resource Center for connecting with resources for the upcoming meeting.
View the past 5 Annual Meetings:
- 2023 Annual Meeting – October 14 – 17, 2023, McAllen, TX
- 2022 Annual Meeting – October 20-23, 2022, Houston, TX
- 2021 Annual Meeting – October 21-24, 2021, Hybrid, Irving, TX
- 2020 Annual Meeting – October 14-17, 2020, Virtual
- 2019 Annual Meeting– October 18-20, 2019, Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront Hotel, Rockwall, TX