Started in 1997, the Texas Master Naturalist™ program includes 48 local chapters serving 213 counties. The mission of the program 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.
What makes the work of a Master Naturalist so important is that they are not only individuals who love nature and offer their time, but also trained naturalists with specialized knowledge of different ecosystems, species, habitats, and environmental demands. Our skilled volunteers work with communities and organizations across the state to implement youth outreach programs, help operate parks, nature centers, natural areas, and lead local natural resource conservation efforts. Private landowners depend on the expertise of our volunteers to help them gain a broader scientific understanding of the ecology and management of their natural resources.
The Texas Master Naturalist™ organization is sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. To date, the TMN Program has trained over 14,000 certified volunteers, impacted more than 230,000 acres of wildlife and native plant habitats, contributed more than 6.5 million hours of service and we have reached more than 6 million Texas residents of all ages. These volunteer efforts are estimated to be worth more than $110 million to the state of Texas.
It is structured so that we can Give Back to the community and show others how they can join us to make a difference
Maureen Nolan-Wilde, Galveston Bay Area Chapter