Training New Texas Master Naturalists even from a Distance!
TWELVE Chapters of the Texas Master Naturalist program are conducting training classes in the fall and winter months this year for volunteers wanting to learn about natural resource and conservation management.
The Texas Master Naturalist program, consisting of 48 chapters located across the state, aims to develop a corps of well-informed citizen volunteers. Our education, outreach, and service is dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the state of Texas.
The main qualification needed to become a certified Texas Master Naturalist is an interest in learning and playing an active part in conservation. Volunteers will receive a minimum of 40 hours of basic training from educators and specialists from places such as universities, natural resource agencies, nature centers and museums. Training topics include interpretation and management of natural resources, ecological concepts, eco-regions in Texas and natural systems management. Volunteers are then asked to provide 40 hours of service a year in community education, demonstration and habitat enhancement projects in order to maintain certification as a Texas Master Naturalist. They are also expected to pursue a minimum of eight hours of advance training in areas of personal interest. However, many of the volunteers will go above and beyond their basic requirements once involved, and are encouraged to develop personal projects connecting to the mission of the chapter and statewide program.
The following Texas Master Naturalist chapters are offering volunteer training this fall. Enrollment is limited in most chapters. Some registration deadlines are fast approaching so contact a chapter near you to see if seating is still available. (Listed in alphabetical order by chapter name)
Austin, Northern Travis County
- Chapter Name Balcones Canyonlands Chapter
- Training Dates: August 2020 to March 2021
- Chapter Website: https://bctxmn.org/2020-2021-application/
Abilene, Taylor County
- Chapter Name Big Country
- Training Dates: 8/27 – 11/14, 2020
- Times & Location: Taylor County Ext Office, Abilene State Park, various
- Ranches
- Class Limit (if applicable): 15-20
- Registration Fee (if applicable): $75
- Registration Deadline: 8/20/2020
- Training Contact Name & Email: Timothy Owen, tc_owen@att.net
- Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/bc/
McKinney, Collin & Hunt County
- Chapter Name Blackland Prairie
- Training Dates: Feb 5 – May 5
- Times & Location: Wed evenings 6-9 pm, indoors at the Heard Natural History Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney
- Class Limit (if applicable): 32 traditionally.
- Registration Fee (if applicable): 275
- Registration Deadline: Jan 1, 2021
- Training Contact Name & Email: jean.suplick@gmail.com
- Chapter Website: bptmn.org
Pottsboro, Grayson County
- Chapter Name Bluestem
- Training Dates: Beginning August 4th
- Times & Location: Haggerman National Wildlife Refuge
- Class Limit (if applicable): 20
- Training Contact Name & Email: robertemaurer@hotmail.com
Austin, Travis County
- Chapter Name Capital Area Master Naturalists
- Times & Location: CAMN will be offering a 2021 training class. Training is being planned as a hybrid virtual/in-person experience contingent upon the restrictions imposed by COVID19. Classes will not begin until late January/early February.
- Chapter Website: http://camn.org/
- Training Contact Name & Email: Carla Criner mccriner@msn.com
Rosenberg, Fort Bend & Waller County
- Chapter Name Coastal Prairie Chapter
- Training Dates: August 18 – November, 2020
- Times & Location: Zoom Meetings: Tuesdays 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.; Saturdays
- 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Class Limit (if applicable): 100
- Registration Fee (if applicable): $125
- Registration Deadline: August 4, 2020
- Training Contact Name & Email: Carol Hawkins carol@coastalprairie.org
- Chapter Website: coastalprairie.org
- Any other fall training and registration details that needed to be
- added:
- Alternate contact: Mac McDowell
- mmcdowell@ag.tamu.edu, General Info: 832-225-6936
Angleton, Brazoria County
- Chapter Name Cradle of Texas
- Training Dates: August 26 – December 2, 2020
- Times & Location: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Virtual + Field
- Class Limit (if applicable): 25
- Registration Fee (if applicable): $125.00
- Registration Deadline: August 12, 2020
- Training Contact Name & Email: Mary Schwartz – schwartz@tmn-cot.org
- Chapter Website: TMN-COT.org
Smith County, Tyler
- Chapter Name: East Texas Chapter
- Training Dates: Tuesday, January 26th , 2021 and continuing on most Tuesdays through April
- Times and Location: 6-9 pm Tuesday evenings at Discovery Science Place Annex, Tyler—We expect to have a hybrid class schedule of both in-person and virtual offerings depending on COVID-19 conditions at the time.
- Class Limit: Approximately 25
- Registration Fee: $150 with a deduction for the second member of the same family taking classes together
- Registration Deadline: January 20th
- Training Contact Name and Email: Beverly Guthrie finwren@sbcglobal.net
- Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/etwd/
Denton, Wise & Cooke County
- Chapter Name Elm Fork Chapter
- Training Dates: August 18-November 3
- Times & Location: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm CHECK WEBSITE FOR LOCATION
- Class Limit (if applicable): Limit to 15 based on meeting guidelines
- Registration Fee (if applicable): $150
- Registration Deadline: August 1
- Training Contact Name & Email: training@efctmn.org
- Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/elmfork/
Seguin, Guadalupe County
- Chapter Name Guadalupe
- Training Dates: August 11 – November 21
- Times & Location: 6:00 – 9:00 PM; Schertz Senior Center
- Class Limit (if applicable): 25
- Registration Fee (if applicable): $110.00
- Registration Deadline: 08/01/20
- Training Contact Name & Email: Marilyn Anderson; MarilynA@access4less.net
- Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/guadalupe
Kerrville & surrounding County region
- Chapter Name Hill Country
- Currently postponed until 2021.
- Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/hillcountry/
San Marcos, Comal County
- Chapter Name Lindheimer Chapter
- Training Dates: Jan. 5, 2021 to Dec. 7, 2021
- Times & Location: 6:00 to 9:00 pm Comal County Agrilife Center
- Class Limit (if applicable): 30
- Registration Fee (if applicable): $175
- Registration Deadline: Oct. 1, 2020
- Training Contact Name & Email: Joe Finneran zjmf07@gmail.com
- Chapter Website: https://txmn.org/lindheimer
Polk, Trinity and Tyler County
- Chapter Name Piney Wood Lakes
- Training Dates: Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24, Oct 1, 8, 2020
- Times & Location: 9AM – 3:30PM Various locations
- Class Limit (if applicable): Continuation of postponed spring class
- Chapter Website: txmn.org/pineywoodlakes
Corpus Christi, Nueces County
- Chapter Name South Texas Chapter
- Training Dates: will send separately
- Times & Location: Orientation August 15
- Class Limit (if applicable): 20-25
- Registration Fee (if applicable): $125
- Registration Deadline: August 1
- Training Contact Name & Email: Philip Woods philip.woodscc@gmail.com