2026 Annual Meeting

Countdown to the 2026 Annual Meeting

Welcome to Waco!

Waco sits at a remarkable ecological crossroads, where the Blackland Prairie meets the Cross Timbers, creating a rich mosaic of grasslands, woodlands, and riparian corridors along the Brazos River. This convergence of ecosystems offers an exceptional setting for discovery, learning, and field-based inspiration for Master Naturalists. From tallgrass prairie remnants and post oak savannas, to limestone outcrops and riverine habitats, the Waco area showcases the diversity and transition zones that define central Texas landscapes.

Just north of downtown, the Waco Mammoth National Monument provides a globally significant window into the Ice Age, preserving the in-situ remains of Columbian mammoths and other megafauna while highlighting the region’s geologic and palaeoecological history. Nearby, Mother Neff State Park offers hands-on immersion in the Cross Timbers ecosystem, with spring-fed creeks, wildflower-filled prairies, limestone bluffs, and shaded woodland trails that exemplify long-term conservation and stewardship. From the scenic trails around Lake Waco, to the intentional green spaces within the city limits, together, Waco’s natural assets create an ideal backdrop for exploration, connection, and the shared mission of conservation education—making it a compelling host location for the Texas Master Naturalist Annual Meeting.

This webpage contains all you need to know about the Annual Meeting and is updated regularly as information is released. Do you want to be one of the first to know about the new information? Sign up for a regular subscription of our TMN Email Listserv and follow us on Instagram and Facebook—plus turn on post notifications! Learn how to below:

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Proposals

Our proposal submission is not open yet. Check back later for details!

Lodging

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The booking window for our conference hotel is closed.

This year’s Annual Meeting will be hosted at the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center, situated in the heart of Aggieland, on the Texas A&M University campus and across the street from the iconic Kyle Field.

The conference hotel room block is FULL; however; we have additional hotel block open at alternate hotels. Scroll down to learn more and book your stay!

Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center
Address: 177 Joe Routt Blvd, College Station, TX 77840
Phone: (888) 654-4436

Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center
Address: 177 Joe Routt Blvd, College Station, TX 77840
Phone: (888) 654-4436

Contracted Room Block: Wednesday, October 15 through Sunday, October 19, 2025.

*Note: There are a limited number of rooms contracted for Wednesday. If you have trouble booking, try moving your dates selected to Thursday through Sunday.

Cost: $159 plus 15.75% local occupancy tax

Includes:

• Complimentary Wifi in all rooms
• Complimentary overnight parking in attached Gene Stallings Boulevard Garage
• Access to hotel amenities

*Note: If there are issues with the links for hotels, please call their front desks to book under our Texas Master Naturalist block.

*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:

To be a sponsor, download the Sponsorship Packet and contact Mary Pearl Meuth – mpmeuth@tamu.edu

Vendors

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 download the Vendor Packet and email Mary Pearl Meuth, mpmeuth@tamu.edu if you’re interested in being a vendor at the 2025 Annual Meeting.

Silent Auction

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TMN Annual Meeting Silent Auction – Donate an Item!

One of the highlights of the Texas Master Naturalist Annual Meeting each year is the Silent Auction! Proceeds directly support chapter project grants, scholarships for members to attend the Annual Meeting, and bringing in top-quality speakers and trainers for future events.

We invite both chapters and individual members to participate by donating new or like-new, naturalist-themed items. Popular donations include experiences, outdoor gear, nature guides and books, artwork or photography, gift certificates, and themed baskets that showcase your local region. Every contribution—large or small—helps make the auction a success.

How to participate

• Want to learn more? Check out the letter from the host chapter.
• Submit your item details: Silent Auction Donation Form
• Need a receipt for your donation? Silent Auction Donation Receipt
• Bringing an item to the meeting? Please attach a Silent Auction Bid Sheet

Thank you for helping us make this year’s Silent Auction our best yet—and for supporting conservation education across Texas!

Contests and Awards

Our contest and award applications are not open yet. Check back later!

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 2024 Annual Meeting Awards Wrap Up.

• Chapter Advisor Award
  • 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 highlighting chapter activities!
• Photo, Art & Media Contest
  • Photos and art taken in/focused on Texas
  • Media developed for chapter use/promotion
  • Note: Photos & Media must be taken somewhere in Texas.

Agenda

Merchandise

Our pop-up store is not live yet. Check back later!

Don’t forget to order your Texas Master Naturalist Annual Meeting merchandise during our pop-up store!

The link to the store expires on September 16 at 11:59PM Central Time.

These custom products are made-to-order, especially for you, so please review the products, sizes, and quantities accuracy in your shopping cart before submitting your order.

After the store expires on September 16, C. C. Creations will be creating your custom products in bulk to be available for pickup at the TMN Annual Meeting in College Station. If you are not attending the Annual Meeting, please arrange for a fellow chapter member to pick up your item(s) for you. No items will be shipped directly. 

We hope you enjoy your product as much as we do and appreciate your business!

CLICK HERE to shop the pop-up store!

Speakers

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Welcome Reception

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Get the App

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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/

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Parking

We have no details to share at this time. Check back later!

Conference attendees staying in the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center receive complimentary parking in the Gene Stallings Blvd Garage. This garage is connected to the second floor of the conference center via a bridge. This complimentary parking includes in and out privileges with room key card and is only for the Gene Stallings Blvd Garage. If you select to park in a different lot/garage, you will be required to pay that lot’s fee.

Conference attendees staying in one of the offsite hotel blocks will need to pay for parking at the Gene Stallings Blvd Garage or other campus parking. Parking in Gene Stallings Boulevard Garage is available to individual day/event guests through Texas A&M Transportation Services at the hourly rates set forth and posted on the day of the event. To view the rates, click here. Day/event guest parking does not include in and out privileges.

Gene Stallings Blvd Garage:

• Attached to conference center/hotel.
• Included in lodging for all onsite guests. Includes in & out privileges with room key card.
• Hourly/daily rates via Texas A&M Transportation Services for offsite guests.
• Garage has ~1,426 spaces, elevators, cameras, and direct access to the 2nd floor via a bridge.

Other parking options nearby (walkable):

• West Campus Garage (WCG).
• University Center Garage (UCG).
• Surface lots (e.g. Lot 42, 62, 67).

Payment and access:

• Payment accepted at entry machines or via ParkMobile app.
• Check Texas A&M Transportation Services to find current rates.

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Things to Do

Make the journey part of the adventure! As you head to this year’s Texas Master Naturalist Annual Meeting, take time to explore the rich and diverse natural landscapes along your route. Whether you’re coming from the piney woods of East Texas, the coastal plains, or the wide-open Hill Country, Texas offers endless opportunities to stretch your legs, spot local wildlife, and discover new habitats. From state parks to wildlife refuges and hidden roadside gems, your drive can be just as inspiring as the destination. Plan a few scenic stops—you never know what you’ll learn or who you’ll meet on the trail! To help you out, we’ve included a few suggestions below.

• Waco Restaurants

Note: The items in our Things to Do list are just suggestions that Master Naturalists might enjoy, are not part of the Annual Meeting agenda, and are not pre-approved for Advanced Training hours. AT approval must be reviewed by the chapters. To review AT criteria, review our Chapter Management and Operating Protocols.

Waco Mammoth National Monument

6220 Steinbeck Bend Dr., Waco, TX 76708

“Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation’s first and only recorded evidence of a nursery herd of ice age Columbian mammoths. It all started with a discovery in 1978. Take a close look at many of the fossils, and learn about the stories of these animals from the Pleistocene Epoch (the Ice Age).” [From their website]

The Waco Mammoth National Monument preserves an amazing find of a herd of Columbian mammoths unearthed near Waco, Texas.  Rangers provide an interpretive experience as visitors view an active excavation with multiple mammoth (and a camel) skeleton from a catwalk over the site in an air-conditioned weatherproof building.  Children’s activities are also provided.

Entry: Adults $6, Seniors (62+) $5, Youth (4-17) $5 | Hours: 9AM to 5PM

Mayborn Museum Complex

1300 S University Parks Dr, Waco, TX 76706

“Located on the Baylor University campus, the Mayborn Museum Complex features a natural science and cultural history museum focusing on Central Texas with walk-in dioramas including one on the Waco Mammoth Site, and exploration stations for geology, paleontology, archaeology, and natural history. In addition to the natural history exhibits, there are seventeen themed discovery rooms which encourage hands-on learning for all ages as well as a Historic Village. The nine wood frame buildings that comprise the village, provide a glimpse into the past, bringing to life a community in the 1890s.” [From their website]

Located on the Baylor University campus, the Mayborn Museum is a great stop for Master Naturalists wanting to learn more about the natural sciences of Central Texas (visit their website for parking and other information).

Entry: Adults $10, Seniors (65+) $9, Children (1-12) $8 | Hours: 10AM to 5PM M-S, 1PM to 5PM Sunday

Cameron Park

Lake Waco and the Waco Wetlands

3801 Zoo Park Dr, Waco, TX 76708

“Lake Waco lies in McLennan County two miles west of Waco, Texas. It covers 8,190 acres with 60 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 100 feet…The upper end of Lake Waco houses the Waco Wetlands, an environmental project established in 2001 by Baylor University and the City of Waco to lessen wildlife habitat loss and serves as a living laboratory for research, education, and recreation.” [From their website]

Lake Waco has a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking trails where visitors can see local floral and fauna. Popular trails include the 19-mile Lacy Point Nature Trail, the 5.6-mile Skeet Eason Hike & Bike Trail, 2-mile The Bosque River Trail, and the 2.5-mile The Cotton Belt Trail (see their website for more details).

Entry: Day pass $5.00 per vehicle

Waco River Walk and Indian Spring Park

101 N University Parks Dr, Waco, TX 76701

“The Waco Riverwalk includes approximately seven miles of multi-use, lighted trail that loops along both banks of the Brazos River.  The scenic riverwalk stretches from Baylor University to Cameron Park and passes underneath the Suspension Bridge.  The riverwalk is accessible from various points throughout downtown Waco and captures the natural beauty of the Brazos River Corridor. The new East Riverwalk section in downtown Waco. The 2/3-mile trail provides the final section of paved, lighted pathway necessary to achieve a continuous 5.5-mile downtown Riverwalk loop from Baylor to Cameron Park. The bike and pedestrian connection stretches from McLane Stadium to the existing Riverwalk at Franklin Avenue. The trail passes under several bridges and sections were built above the Brazos River.” [From their website]

View the past 6 Annual Meetings:

• 2025 Annual Meeting – October 16 – 19, 2025, College Station, TX
• 2024 Annual Meeting – October 24 – 27, 2024, San Marcos, TX
• 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