Many of our Texas Master Naturalist Chapters are getting ready for a new crop of volunteers to join the TMN Program! Many spring courses 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 2026 trainings. Please only fill out the form below if your chapter has an upcoming training that starts anytime in 2026.
Scroll down to view the chapters offering a 2026 volunteer training course. Be sure to check back regularly as new classes are added!
Texas Master Naturalist Chapters hosting 2026 volunteer training courses:
Alamo Area Chapter
Training Dates: February 29 – May 21, 2026
Time of Day: Thursday evenings
Training Location: The first, middle, and last classes in our schedule are done in person at the Phil Hardberger Park Urban Ecology Center. Classes are via Zoom on Thursday evenings from 5:00 pm sharp until 9:00 pm, with a short break for dinner. All field trips are in person and on site at the location specified for that field training. Days of field trips vary, some are weekdays and others are held on the weekends. The field trip sites are in and around San Antonio. We have 3 break weeks built into our schedule to allow time off to take a breather, and to allow time for volunteering during the Volunteer Training Program.
Class Limit: 60
Registration Fee: $200
Registration Deadline: January 16, 2026
Training Coordinator: Karen Wilson, training@alamomasternaturalist.org
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/alamo/class/
Blackland Prairie Chapter
Training Dates: February 4 – May 6, 2026
Time of Day: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Training Location: Science Resource Center Building, The Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary; 1 Nature Place, McKinney, TX 75069
Class Limit: 45
Registration Fee: $200
Registration Deadline: October 15, 2025
Training Coordinator: Nancy Casillas, nancyc@bptmn.org
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/bptmn/
Brazos Valley Chapter
Training Dates: August 25 – November 10, 2026
Time of Day: Tuesdays, 6:00 – 9:00pm, plus five Saturday morning field studies.
Training Location: Tuesday evening classes are held at the TAMU BRTC, Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collection, 3380 University Dr. East, College Station, TX 77845. Saturday field studies take place at various locations in Brazos County. All classes are in person.
Class Limit: 25
Registration Fee: $165 (includes textbook and first year dues)
Registration Deadline: August 18, 2026
Training Coordinator: Kimberly Roese, kimir77845@yahoo.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/brazos
East Texas Chapter
Training Dates: January 20 – May 23, 2026
Time of Day: Tuesday Evenings and Saturdays
Training Location: Tyler Nature Center, 11942 FM 848, Tyler, TX 75707 and other sites in the 10-county program area
Class Limit: 25
Registration Fee: $150 including book
Registration Deadline: January 15, 2026
Training Coordinator: Kay Jenkins, kvjenkins86@gmail.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/etwd/
Galveston Bay Area Chapter
Training Dates: February 19 – April 30, 2026
Time of Day: Thursdays, 6:00 pm (plus four Saturdays)
Training Location: Thursday evening in-person classes – Carbide Park. Saturdays – various locations including Armand Nature Center, High Island, Galveston Island State Park, among others
Class Limit: 30
Registration Fee: $175
Registration Deadline: January 29, 2026
Training Coordinator: Gene Fisseler, gfisseler@gmail.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/gbmn/
Gideon Lincecum Chapter
Training Dates: January 10 – May 16, 2026
Time of Day: Saturdays, 9:00 – 3:00pm. Mondays, 6:00-8:00pm.
Training Location: Various locations in our five county chapter area. In addition to several Saturday in-person classes and field trips, there are five virtual meetings on various Monday evenings, 6:00 – 8:00.
Class Limit: 20
Registration Fee: $200 ($375 for couples)
Registration Deadline: December 31, 2025
Training Coordinator: Connie Shortes, tmn.glc.tc@gmail.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/glc/becoming-a-master-naturalist/glc-master-naturalist-training-application/
Hays County Chapter
Training Dates: January – June, 2026
Time of Day: Tuesday evenings, Saturday mornings
Training Location: Will vary around Hays County
Class Limit: 40
Registration Fee: $175
Registration Deadline: December 6, 2025
Training Coordinator: Mary O’Hara, mary.ohara@haysmn.org
Chapter Website: https://www.beautifulhayscounty.org
Heartwood Chapter
Training Dates: January 10 – June 6, 2026
Time of Day: Primarily Saturdays and a few Tues or Thurs 7-9pm Zoom sessions
Training Location: Our training class will be mostly ‘In Person’ training. The primary location will be the Texas Agrilife – Montgomery County Extension facility in Conroe. We will also have classes at other sites in the area including Mercer Gardens, Kleb Woods, etc. Additionally, there will be several field sessions at local nature areas and a few Zoom only sessions.
Class Limit: 35
Registration Fee: $175 including book, shirt, and first year dues
Registration Deadline: Dec 15, 2025, or until full
Training Coordinator: Virginia Dunn, heartwoodtraining@gmail.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/heartwood/
Highland Lakes Chapter
Training Dates: February 12 – May 7, 2026
Time of Day: Thursdays in the daytime
Training Location: Various venues throughout the Hill Country -Inks Lake State Park, Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, Candlelight Ranch, Gem of the Hills, Pedernales State Park, Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery, Selah Bamberger Ranch, and Longhorn Cavern.
Class Limit: 22
Registration Fee: $200
Registration Deadline: January 2, 2026
Training Coordinator: David Tusa, txmn.highlandlakes@gmail.com
Chapter Website: https://www.txmn.org/highlandlakes
Lost Pines Chapter
Training Dates: January 17 – June 6, 2026
Time of Day: Monday evenings, 6-9pm; Saturdays daytime
Training Location: Monday evening classes occur at locations in Bastrop/Lockhart area (public library, state park, community organizations), Saturday field sessions occur at various natural areas within 75 miles of Bastrop (state parks, nature centers, wildlife centers, research sites). State parks include: Bastrop, Buescher, Lockhart.
Class Limit: 25
Registration Fee: $165
Registration Deadline: December 14, 2025
Training Coordinator: Erin Stenzel, training@lostpinesmasternaturalist.org
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/lostpines/
Lower Trinity Basin Chapter
Training Dates: October 2, 2025 – January 31, 2026
Time of Day: Most classes Thursday 6-9 pm, A few classes Saturday morning 9 am-12 pm.
Training Location: Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 2041 Trinity St., Liberty, TX 77575. Field classes in local areas in Liberty and Chambers counties. All classes are currently planned to be in person.
Class Limit: 10
Registration Fee: $140
Registration Deadline: September 12, 2025
Training Coordinator: Shelli Ellerbe, lltbasinnewclassdirector@gmail.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/lowertrinitybasin/
North Texas Chapter
Training Dates: January 27 – April 28, 2026
Time of Day: Tuesday evenings, 6:00-9:00pm
Training Location: Dallas College Brookhaven Campus, 3939 Valley View Ln, Farmers Branch, TX 75244. 9 in-person classes and 5 virtual classes via Zoom.
Class Limit: 65
Registration Fee: $200
Registration Deadline: October 14, 2025
Training Coordinator: Erin/Charlie Mollet/Marshall, newclass@ntmn.org
Chapter Website: https://ntmn.org
Piney Wood Lakes Chapter
Training Dates: February 4 – May 6, 2026
Time of Day: Wednesday 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Training Location: TSUS/Lamar College Campus, next door to Polk County Chamber of Commerce,
1015 US 59N Loop, Livingston, TX 77351.
Class Limit: 20
Registration Fee: $150/Individual. $255/Couples.
Registration Deadline: February 4, 2026
Training Coordinator: Tina Crichfield, PWLTMNTina@gmail.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/pineywoodlakes/
Prairie Oaks Chapter
Training Dates: January 14 – April 23, 2026
Time of Day: Wednesday nights, 5:15 – 8:15 pm
Training Location: Tarleton State University, Stephenville, TX
Class Limit: N/A
Registration Fee: Individual Registration with Textbook $100/person, Couple Registration with shared Textbook $75/person, Individual Registration with borrowed Textbook $65/person. Limited quantities of the textbook are available to borrow. Financial assistance options available, with limited availability.
Registration Deadline: November 20, 2025
Training Coordinator: Karen Aho, prairieoaksmasternaturalist@gmail.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/prairieoaks
Rio Brazos Chapter
Training Dates: January 10 – May 30, 2026
Time of Day: Saturdays from 9:00 to 2:00pm
Training Location: Most classes are held at the Acton Nature Center and the Opal Durant Acton Community Center on Smoky Hill Court in Granbury, TX
Class Limit: 25
Registration Fee: $125
Registration Deadline: December 20, 2025
Training Coordinator: Amy Knoll, amy.r.knoll@gmail.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/rbc
Rio Grande Valley Chapter
Training Dates: January 14 – April 15, 2026
Time of Day: Class every Wednesday, Field Trips weekdays and weekends
Training Location: South Texas Ecotourism Center, (STEC), 501 W. State Highway 100, Laguna Vista, Texas
Class Limit: 30
Registration Fee: $150
Registration Deadline: December 31, 2025
Training Coordinator: Barb Peterson, bhosick@aol.com
Chapter Website: https://rgvctmn.org/14022-2/
Rolling Plains Chapter
Training Dates: March 5 – June 25, 2026
Time of Day: Thursday evening 7 p.m., 3 Saturday morning field trips
Training Location: Midwestern State University, Bolin Science Hall, 3410 Taft Blvd, Wichita Falls, TX 76308
Registration Fee: $125
Registration Deadline: March 1, 2026
Training Coordinator: Terry McKee, dgm59@aol.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/rollingplains/
South Texas Border Chapter
Training Dates: January 9 – March 26, 2026
Time of Day: 6:00-9:00 pm
Training Location: Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and World Birding Center
Class Limit: 30
Registration Fee: $150
Registration Deadline: December 15, 2025
Training Coordinator: Jim Gerry, jimgerry@gmail.com
Chapter Website: https://www.stbctmn.org/
Trans-Pecos Chapter
Training Dates: February 5 – June 4, 2026
Time of Day: Thursdays from 6pm to 9pm
Training Location: Texas A&M – El Paso County Extension Office at 301 Manny Martinez Sr. Drive, El Paso, TX 79905
Class Limit: 25
Registration Fee: $175
Registration Deadline: January 24, 2026
Training Coordinator: Rosalia Cubillos, rosaliac09@hotmail.com
Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/trans_pecos/
2026 Initial Volunteer Training Courses
Please fill out this form below to help us collect and share the upcoming basic training class information from chapters across the state.