2024 Basic Training Classes

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Many of our Texas Master Naturalist chapters are getting ready for a new crop of volunteers to join the TMN program! Many spring classes have already started while fall and winter training seasons are being planned! We would like to share these classes through our statewide press channels. We encourage each chapter to utilize their local press, marketing avenues, and the handiest recruiting tool of all – word of mouth!

Our TMN state office is gathering information via a form below to post to our website and share with an agency news release announcing upcoming 2024 trainings. Please only fill out the form below if your chapter has an upcoming training that starts anytime in 2024.

Scroll down to view the chapters offering a 2024 basic training class. Be sure to check back regularly as new classes are added!

Five Texas Master Naturalist members jump with joy at Galveston Bay Area Chapter Meeting.
TMN Members of the Galveston Bay Area Chapter celebrate during a chapter meeting.

TMN Chapters hosting 2024 training classes:

Don’t see a class near you? Use our map to find your local chapter’s website for more information!

Alamo Area Chapter

Training Dates: February 15 – May 16, 2024
Time of Day: Evening, 5:00 pm
Training Location: Orientation on 2/15 and final class on 5/16 will be held in person at The Urban Ecology Center, Phil Hardberger Park (San Antonio). All other weekly class sessions will be held via Zoom. Field activities will be held in person at various locations including: Headwaters at Incarnate Word, The Witte Museum, Canyon Lake Gorge, Confluence Park, Medina River Natural Area, Bulverde Oaks Nature Preserve, and Mitchell Lake Audubon Center.
Class Limit: 50
Registration Fee: $200
Registration Deadline: January 10, 2024
Training Coordinator: Karen Wilson, training@alamomasternaturalist.org
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/alamo/class/

Balcones Canyonlands Chapter

Training Dates: August 29 – December 5, 2024
Time of Day: 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm Thursday evenings
Training Location: online, plus choose three (of six) field trips held on Saturdays
Registration Fee: $150
Registration Deadline: July 29, 2024 (applications open mid-May)
Training Coordinator: Sheila Endres, training@bctxmn.org
Chapter Website: https://bctxmn.org/ 

Big Country Chapter

Training Dates: August 15 – November 7, 2024
Time of Day: 6:00 – 9:00pm, on Thursdays and three Saturdays
Training Location: The majority of the training classes will be held at the Taylor County Extension office. We will have 5 field sessions, 2 of which will require driving. Carpooling is an option.
Class Limit: 20
Registration Fee: $150.00
Registration Deadline: 5:00pm on August 1, 2024
Training Coordinator: Danetta Shelburne, danetta.shelburne@gmail.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/bc/

Blackland Prairie Chapter

Training Dates: Wednesdays, February 7 – May 15
Time of Day: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Training Location: Most classes are held at the Heard Sanctuary in McKinney. Four classes are held via zoom.
Class Limit: 45
Registration Fee: $185
Registration Deadline: November 1, 2023
Training Coordinator: Lisa Travis, LisaT@bptmn.org
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/bptmn/ 

Bluestem Chapter

Training Dates: August 1 – October 3
Time of Day: 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Training Location: Sherman Courthouse, Texas AgriLife Ext Ofc. 100 W Houston St A-G-1, Sherman, TX 75090. Field trips take place at various locations throughout our Chapter region.
Class Limit: 20
Registration Fee: $130.00
Registration Deadline: July 29, 2024
Training Coordinator: Shelly DeLozier, trainingclassdor@bluestemtmn.org
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/bluestem

Bois d’ Arc Area Chapter

Training Dates: Third Tuesday of each month, January 16th to November 19th, 2024
Time of Day: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Training Location: AgriLife Extension Office 2505 N Center St. Bonham, TX
Class Limit: 15
Registration Fee: $100 or $150 per couple willing to share their book
Registration Deadline: November 30, 2023
Training Coordinator: Christine Miller, miller.christine94@gmail.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/boisdarc/

Brazos Valley Chapter

Training Dates: August 27 – November 12, 2024
Time of Day: Tuesday, 6:00 – 9:00 pm, some Saturday mornings.
Training Location: BRTC, TAMU (Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections) 3380 University Dr. East, College Station, TX 77845
Class Limit: 25
Registration Fee: $165
Registration Deadline: August 20, 2024
Training Coordinator: Kimberly Roese, kimir77845@yahoo.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/brazos

Brush y Canyons Chapter

Training Dates: May 18 – August 22
Time of Day: Alternating Thursday evenings (6:00 – 9:00 PM) and Saturdays (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
Training Location: Garner State Park, El Progreso Memorial Library, Uvalde, Uvalde County FairPlex and various private ranches in the area
Registration Fee: $150
Registration Deadline: May 15, 2024
Training Coordinator: Mickey Redus, rmredus@yahoo.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/brushycanyons

Capital Area Chapter

Training Dates: August – December 2024
Time of Day: Tuesday evenings & Saturday mornings
Training Location: This is a Hybrid Training Class: Virtual lectures will take place on Zoom, most Tuesday evenings. In-person field sessions to complement with lectures will take place on around 7 Saturday mornings at various sites in Travis County. More details are available on our website, applications will be accepted June 1-30, 2024.
Class Limit: 40
Registration Fee: $140
Registration Deadline: June 30, 2024
Training Coordinator: David Cook, curriculum@camn.org
Chapter Website: https://camn.org/applicants-hub/

Coastal Prairie Chapter

Training Dates: August 24 – November 5, 2024
Time of Day: Evening (Tuesday 6pm-9pm, Daytime (Sat 9am-2pm)
Training Location: VARIOUS: Some in-person classrooms are at the Fort Bend AgriLife Extension Annex in Rosenberg while others are remote via Zoom platform. Field training is at various locations including Rosenberg, Sugar Land, Needville, Richmond, Katy.
Class Limit: 24
Registration Fee: $135
Registration Deadline: until class is full; then waitlisted
Training Coordinator: Shannon Westveer, info@coastalprairie.org 
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/coastal/   

Cradle of Texas Chapter

Training Dates: Sept. 7th – Nov. 16th, 2024
Time of Day: Tuesday evenings and Saturdays
Training Location: Most classes will be held at the Angleton Library’s Meeting Room. A few classes will be held at a Partner’s site (Brazos Bend State Park, Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, Sea Center Texas). All classes are offered (where possible) by Zoom and are recorded. Training Director permission required to attend by Zoom or to make up classes with recording. Field Trips are not recorded.
Class Limit: 40
Registration Fee: $150
Registration Deadline: 2 weeks prior to start of class. However, walk-ins are accepted if room is available.
Training Coordinator: Melanie Hollenshead, theladyspath@hotmail.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/tmncot 

Cross Timbers Chapter

Training Dates: August 20–November 2
Time of Day: Evenings (6:00-9:00 pm)
Training Location: Most classes held at FW Botanic Garden; some at FW Nature Center and Refuge; Local field trips at the FW Nature Center and other locations.
Class Limit: 30
Registration Fee: $150; partial scholarships available
Registration Deadline: June 30, 2024
Training Coordinator: Melinda Wolfinbarger, training@ctmn.org
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/crosstimbers/

East Texas Chapter

Training Dates: August 24 to November 9. Once a week on Saturdays (except Aug. 31 and Oct. 26).
Training Location: Tyler Nature Center and other locations in the 10-county program area.
Class Limit: 25
Registration Fee: $150
Registration Deadline: August 9, 2024
Training Coordinator: tmneasttxpres@yahoo.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/etwd

Elm Fork Chapter

Training Dates: August 20 – November 5, 2024
Time of Day: 9 am – 3 pm
Training Location: Denton and surrounding area
Class Limit: 36
Registration Fee: $150
Registration Deadline: April 15, 2024
Training Coordinator: Elise Spain, elisespain2@gmail.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/elmfork/

Galveston Bay Area Chapter

Training Dates: Thursdays, February 8 – April 11, 2024
Time of Day: Evenings, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Training Location: Carbide Park, 4102 – B Main (FM 519), La Marque, TX 77568, four in-person, all-day Saturday field experiences will take place at various nearby locations.
Class Limit: 22
Registration Fee: $175
Registration Deadline: January 19, 2024
Training Coordinator: Diane Humes, treimanhumes@gmail.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/gbmn/

Good Water Chapter

Training Dates: Sept 3 – Dec 12, 2024
Time of Day: 6pm – 9:30pm
Training Location: Williamson County Extension Services Building – 100 Wilco Way, Georgetown, TX 78626. Upstairs training room, all classes are in person. Virtual class options for special needs, with prior approval from class director.
Class Limit: 25
Registration Fee: $150
Registration Deadline: August 26, 2024
Training Coordinator: Victoria Barber, ncd-f@gwmn.org
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/goodwater/

Guadalupe Chapter

Training Dates: August 6 – November 16, 2024
Time of Day: evening, 6– 9 pm
Training Location: Schertz Area Senior Center, 608 Schertz Pkwy, Schertz, TX 78154
Registration Fee: $175
Registration Deadline: August 6, 2024
Training Coordinator: Rebeca Leininger, class@guadmn.org 
Chapter Website: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GlasGH98ZZlazqAIigTSv5eaFDAAZP7v/view?usp=sharing

Gulf Coast Chapter

Training Dates: August 17 – December 10, 2024
Time of Day: Evenings
Training Location: Campus, University of Houston – Downtown
Class Limit: 32
Registration Fee: $175
Registration Deadline: July 20, 2024
Training Coordinator: Spencer Simons, spencer.simons@txgcmn.org
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/gulfcoast/ 

Hays County Chapter

Training Dates: January 2024 – June 2024
Time of Day: Evening
Training Location: will vary around Hays County
Class Limit: 40
Registration Fee: $25
Registration Deadline: December 4, 2023
Training Coordinator: Mary O’Hara, trainincom@haysmn.org
Chapter Website: https://www.beautifulhayscounty.org/about#become

Training Dates: July – December, every other Tuesday
Time of Day: Evening
Training Location: will vary around Hays County
Class Limit: 35
Registration Fee: $25 at registration, $175 total
Registration Deadline: June 2, 2024
Training Coordinator: Mary O’Hara, trainincom@haysmn.org
Chapter Website: https://www.beautifulhayscounty.org/about#become

Heartwood Chapter

Training Dates: February 3, 2024 – June 8, 2024
Time of Day: primarily Saturday mornings, occasionally evenings
Training Location: Locations include: Montgomery County Agrilife, Sam Houston Montgomery Campus, Mercer Botanic Gardens, and Timberlane Utility District Community Center plus field trips to interesting locales. All classes will be offered as a hybrid with the option to attend in person or via Zoom with an occasional Zoom only session. Field trips will be in-person only.
Class Limit: 40
Registration Fee: $175
Registration Deadline: December 31, 2023
Training Coordinator: Shelley McCoy, heartwoodtraining@gmail.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/heartwood/

Highland Lakes Chapter

Training Dates: February 8 – May 9, 2024
Time of Day: 8:00 am
Training Location: Topics are presented by local subject matter experts. Field excursions will support concepts presented in class and be held at various venues across our supported counties in the Texas Hill Country.
Class Limit: 25
Registration Fee: $200
Registration Deadline: December 15, 2023
Training Coordinator: Rick Vance, bluemax2253@yahoo.com or Bill McCartney, william.mccartney@sbcglobal.net
Chapter Website: https://www.txmn.org/highlandlakes

Indian Trail Chapter

Training Dates: August 13 – October 29, 2024
Time of Day: evening, 6 – 9 pm
Training Location: First Methodist United Church in Waxahachie, plus 3 field trips
Class Limit: 20
Registration Fee: $150
Registration Deadline: August 1, 2024
Training Coordinator: Lynn Sawyer, lynn-sawyer@sbcglobal.net 
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/indiantrail/about/become-a-master-naturalist/

Lindheimer Chapter

Training Dates: 1st Tuesday of the month, January – December
Time of Day: 6 – 9 pm
Training Location: Comal County AgriLife Extension Classroom, 325 Resource Drive, New Braunfels, TX 78132
Class Limit: 24 – 30
Registration Fee: $175
Registration Deadline: October 10 – December 31, 2024 for 2025 class
Training Coordinator: Caroline Broderick, lindheimerMNcontact@gmail.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/lindheimer/ 

Llano Estacado Chapter

Training Dates: Saturday, January 20 – Saturday, July 27, 2024
Time of Day: With some exceptions, 2nd and 4th Saturdays, 9 am – 3 pm
Training Location: Training will take place at Sibley Nature Center, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Midland, and in the field. All classes are in person only.
Registration Fee: $125
Registration Deadline: January 20, 2024
Training Coordinator: Susie Yarbrough, susie.yarbrough@hotmail.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/llano/training-classes/

Longleaf Ridge Chapter

Training Dates: February 13 – May 7, 2024
Time of Day: 6 – 9 pm every Tuesday
Training Location: St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 2898 US Hwy 190 West, Jasper, TX 75951
Class Limit: 20
Registration Fee: $120 per person, $160 per couple
Registration Deadline: February 13, 2024
Training Coordinator: Richard Peters, txbeekeeper1946@gmail.com
Chapter Website: http://txmn.org/llr/

Lost Pines Chapter

Training Dates: January 6 – May 18, 2024
Time of Day: Mondays 6 – 9 pm, Saturdays 9 am – noon
Training Location: Locations include: Bastrop State Park, Buescher State Park, Lockhart State Park plus field trips to interesting locales in nearby counties. All lecture classes will be held in-person. An online option may be available. Field trips will be in-person only. To encourage students to attend classes in-person, we are asking lecturers to incorporate some interactive hands-on learning activity into their presentations if possible (something beyond Q&A.) Credit for participating in the interactive portion of a session will only be available to those who attend in-person.
Class Limit: 25
Registration Fee: $165
Registration Deadline: December 15, 2023
Training Coordinator: Beverly Angel, training@lostpinesmasternaturalist.org
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/lostpines/

Mid Coast Chapter

Training Dates: February 3 – June 1, 2024
Time of Day: evening virtual, weekend daytime field
Training Location: 10 sessions at various locations around our chapters 8 county range, each with a virtual component Thursday evenings followed by a Saturday field session
Class Limit: 20
Registration Fee: $150
Registration Deadline: January 1, 2024
Training Coordinator: Jeremy and Kate Miller, initialtraining@midcoast-TMN.org
Chapter Website: https://midcoast-tmn.org/

North Texas Chapter

Training Dates: January 30 – April 30, 2024
Time of Day: 6 – 9 pm
Training Location: Six classes are in person at Brookhaven College: 1/30, 2/6, 3/19, 3/26, 4/23, 4/30 – Seven classes are virtual: 2/13, 2/20, 2/27, 3/5, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16 – NO class on 3/12 (Spring Break)
Class Limit: 65 – 70
Registration Fee: $200
Registration Deadline: October 31, 2023
Training Coordinator: Anne Edwards, anneedwards3207@gmail.com
Chapter Website: https://public.ntmn.org/

Panhandle Chapter

Training Dates: September 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024
Time of Day: Daytime on Saturdays
Training Location: (TBA)
Class Limit: 24
Registration Fee: $95
Registration Deadline: August 15, 2023
Training Coordinator: Bernice Blasingame, cbblasingame@sbcglobal.net
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/pc/

Piney Wood Lakes Chapter

Training Dates: February 7 – April 17, 2024
Time of Day: Wednesdays from 9 am – 4 pm
Training Location: Polk County Chamber of Commerce, 1001 US-59 Loop N, Livingston, TX 77351
Class Limit: 25
Registration Fee: $150
Registration Deadline: January 26, 2024
Training Coordinator: Tina Crichfield, PWLTMNTina@gmail.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/pineywoodlakes/

Prairie Oaks Chapter

Training Dates: January 17 – April 24, 2024
Time of Day: 5 – 8 pm
Training Location: Tarleton Agricultural Center, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, TX
Class Limit: 15
Registration Fee: $100
Registration Deadline: November 1, 2023
Training Coordinator: Karen Aho, karenlahoenveducator@gmail.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/prairieoaks

Rio Brazos Chapter

Training Dates: January 13 – May 11, 2024
Time of Day: Saturdays from 9 am – 2:30 pm
Training Location: Opal Durant Acton Community Center, 6430 Smoky Hill Ct. Granbury, Texas 76049
Registration Fee: $125
Registration Deadline: February 1, 2024
Training Coordinator: Amy Knoll, amy.r.knoll@gmail.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/rbc/

Rio Grande Valley Chapter

Training Dates: January 15 to early April, 2025
Time of Day: Every Wednesday from 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Training Location: Classes are hybrid; in-person and virtual. Except for the first class (Jan. 15), which has mandatory in-person attendance and will not be offered virtually. We will meet in-person at South Ecotourism Center, (STEC), 501 W. State Highway 100, Laguna Vista, Texas.
Class Limit: 30
Registration Fee: $150
Registration Deadline: January 3, 2025
Training Coordinator: Barb Peterson, riograndevalleychapter.tmn@gmail.com
Chapter Website: https://rgvctmn.org/14022-2/

Rolling Plains Chapter

Training Dates: March 21 – July 25, 2024
Time of Day: Thursdays at 7 pm
Training Location: Classroom training takes place at Bolin Science Hall, Midwestern State University. Field trips take place at various locations throughout our chapter region.
Registration Fee: $100
Registration Deadline: March 13, 2024
Training Coordinator: Terry McKee, dgm59@aol.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/rollingplains/ 

Sabine-Neches Chapter

Training Dates: January 25 – June 27, 2024
Time of Day: Evenings and Saturdays
Training Location: Initial training classes take place at our partner locations throughout Jefferson, Hardin, and Orange Counties.
Class Limit: 15 – 20
Registration Fee: $140 per person, $240 per couple (due at first class)
Registration Deadline: January 25, 2024
Training Coordinator: Randy Beehn, sabinenechestxmn@gmail.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/sabine/

South Plains Chapter

Training Dates: January 13 – November 9, 2024
Time of Day: 2nd Saturday morning & 4th Tuesday evening
Training Location: Lubbock Lake Landmark for Saturday mornings and Lubbock Garden and Arts Center for Tuesday evenings
Registration Deadline: January 5, 2024
Training Coordinator: Gloria Paraskeva, sptxmn@gmail.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/spc/

South Texas Border Chapter

Training Dates: January 11 – March 28, 2024
Time of Day: 6 – 9 pm
Training Location: St. George Orthodox Church Meeting Hall, 704 W. Sam Houston Blvd., Pharr, TX, 78577
Class Limit: 25
Registration Fee: $150
Registration Deadline: December 15, 2023
Training Coordinator: James Gerry, jimgerry@gmail.com  
Chapter Website: https://www.stbctmn.org/  

South Texas Chapter

Training Dates: August 17 – December 14, 2024
Time of Day: Field trainings are held two to three Saturdays per month. Thursday evenings prior to field trainings, Zoom introductions are held.
Training Location: There are over thirteen field locations within our region that are visited throughout the training season.
Class Limit: 20
Registration Fee: $165
Registration Deadline: Open, payment site opens in July to secure seat in class
Training Coordinator: Dawn Bissell, BISSELLS@SWBELL.NET 
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/st/

Trans-Pecos Chapter

Training Dates: February 1 – May 30, 2024
Time of Day: 6 – 9 pm
Training Location: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 301 Manny Martinez Senior Dr., 2nd Floor, El Paso, Texas 79905
Class Limit: 25
Registration Fee: $150
Registration Deadline: January 26, 2024
Training Coordinator: Rosalia Cubillos, rosaliac09@hotmail.com 
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/trans_pecos/