25th Anniversary Storytelling Project

Happy New Year!

To celebrate our 25^th Anniversary, we are hosting a year-long storytelling project to highlight our wonderful TMN members and their conservation volunteer work across the state.

We want to know! What inspired you to became a TMN member? Do you have a favorite TMN in-the-field memory? What has been your most meaningful project, community outreach, or conservation event? What does nature mean to you? Use these questions as inspiration for your creative brainstorming or feel free to use them as a direct prompt.

You’ll have two options to share your experiences as a Master Naturalist: either through video or words (written story and/or poetry). Please choose one format per story. You’re welcome to share more than one story if you’d like to try each format (just submit the form again!). To send us your story, please fill out the form below.

Tips on writing down your experiences:

Find a nice quiet place to write and let your ideas flow out onto the page for a few minutes without self-interruption.
When you’re ready to put on your editor’s hat don’t forget to spell check your work.
Keep stories short and sweet, for example no more than 1 page in Word/google doc.

Tips on taking a great selfie video:

Be sure to wear your favorite TMN regalia (hats/patches/t-shirts/sweaters etc.) when recording.
Find a nice nature spot outside for a backdrop.
Notice what sounds and noises surround your spot. Try to avoid, if possible, any sounds that may make it difficult for the microphone to catch your words (for example traffic noise and/or windy days).
Have a good light source. When outside, mornings and evenings can give you a nice soft light good for videos.
If it helps you to stay on track, write down your thoughts before recording and have your notes close at hand.

You’ll be able to find the stories on the Texas Master Naturalist state website and our social media channels throughout 2023. Thank you for all you do this year and every year as a Master Naturalist volunteer!

Name (First)(Required)

Name (Last)(Required)

Texas Master Naturalist Chapter(Required)

Email(Required)

Phone number(Required)

Words (writing and/or poetry) Option

If you would like to share your story through writing or poetry please submit your work here. Tips on writing down your experiences: Find a nice quiet place to write and let your ideas flow out onto the page for a few minutes without self-interruption. When you're ready to put on your editor’s hat don’t forget to spell check your work. Keep stories short and sweet, for example no more than 1 page in Word/google docs.

Optional Photo upload

If you would like to submit a photo to accompany your story submitted above please upload it here. Be sure to wear your favorite Texas Master Naturalist regalia (hats, t-shirts, vests, lanyards, and patches!).

Max. file size: 50 MB.

Video Upload Option

Please keep your recordings to 1 minute if at all possible. Tips on taking a great selfie video: Be sure to wear your favorite TMN regalia (hats/patches/t-shirts/sweaters etc.) when recording. Find a nice nature spot outside for a backdrop. Notice what sounds and noises surround your spot. Try to avoid, if possible, any sounds that may make it difficult for the microphone to catch your words (for example traffic noise and/or windy days). Have a good light source. When outside, mornings and evenings can give you a nice soft light good for videos. If it helps you to stay on track write down your story before recording and have it close at hand to read from or as a memory aid. Accepted file types: mp4, m4v, mov, m-jpeg, Max. file size: 50 MB.

Max. file size: 50 MB.

Consent to share(Required)

1. The Participant consents to the use by the Texas Master Naturalist Program (TMN) and assigns and grants to the TMN Program the irrevocable and unconditional power, right, privilege and permission to make, record, produce, edit, modify, reproduce, exhibit, distribute, publish, publicly or privately display, publicly or privately perform, create derivative works, and transmit by the means of still photography, live or recorded broadcast, cablecast, webcast, or Internet streaming, broadband, wireless, mobile, film, videotape, or any other similar mechanical or electronic method (whether now known or invented later) the Participant’s performance, contribution, appearance, name, voice, picture, likeness, poses, actions and any combination of any of these (the “Appearance”) in
connection with the Nature Reflections Project which is generally for the purposes of education, instruction, research, publicity, advertising, and promotion in connection with the Project. Participant also waives any moral or similar rights Participant may have in the Project relating to the Appearance.
2. Participant understands that the TMN Program shall have the absolute power and right to copyright the recorded production (and the TMN Program shall be the owner of such copyright), in whole or in part, of the Project involving Participant and the Appearance and that such recorded production may be subsequently used, in whole or in part (including but not limited to any still recordings, images, or screen shots) for any purpose, including but not limited to the purposes described above at any time and from time to time hereafter throughout the world.
3. Participant also understands that there is no
compensation or other consideration for appearance or participation in the Project, or for the grant of rights described in this document and that the opportunity to potentially appear in the recorded production related to the Project is sufficient consideration received for this Appearance Release.
4. Participant releases and discharges System Member, The Texas A&M University System and/or any affiliated
organization, and their respective, regents, officers, employees, agents, and representatives from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, or liabilities arising out of or in connection with the Appearance or the making, producing, reproducing, processing, exhibiting, distributing, publishing, transmitting by any means described above or otherwise using the recorded production relating to the Project or the Appearance (e.g., violation of privacy rights; rights of publicity; false light; libel, slander, or disparagement; or copyright or trademark infringement).
5. Participant represents and warrants that Participant has not granted any similar rights to any third party that would conflict with the rights granted to System Member in this Appearance Release. Participant certifies and warrants that Participant is of legal age, has full power, right and authority to enter into this consent and release, has read same in its entirety, understands all of its terms and provisions, and voluntarily and knowingly executes this Appearance Release.

I agree to the appearance release.

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Optional Notes:

If there is anything you'd like us to know before sharing your story, please include a note here.

Texas Master Naturalist Program Office