For National Volunteer Month 2026, we are celebrating our amazing volunteers by highlighting a few individual Texas Master Naturalist stories from across Texas! These are just a few of the fantastic stories from our volunteers. THANK YOU to these four individuals and all of our volunteers who are making a difference throughout the state!
Meet Keary Molinaro! Keary found the TMN Program when he was researching ways to learn more about and get involved in helping local wildlife, and became a member of the Trans-Pecos Chapter in 2024. We asked him a few questions about his journey!
Q: What made you want to become a Texas Master Naturalist?
A: A big motivation for me was education. I spend a lot of time teaching people about snakes, and I enjoy helping people better understand wildlife and the important role these animals play in nature. I also wanted to be part of something bigger than myself.
Q: What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned since joining the TMN Program?
A: One of the coolest things I’ve learned is how alive the Trans-Pecos really is. At first it can look quiet and sparse, but once you start paying attention you realize it’s full of incredible plants, reptiles, insects, and wildlife thriving in ways you might otherwise miss.
Q: What would you say to someone who is thinking about joining the TMN Program?
A: If you’re the kind of person who stops to look at a bird, a cool bug, or a plant and then research it, you’ll probably love it. The program gives you the knowledge and opportunities to turn curiosity about nature into real conservation work that helps wildlife and habitats. Plus, you end up surrounded by people who get just as excited about the outdoors as you do.
Q: Why do you volunteer?
A: I volunteer because the more you learn about nature, the more you realize it’s worth protecting. And protecting it shouldn’t just be someone’s job, it’s something we should all take part in.
Meet Martina Hernandez! Martina found the TMN Program in 2005 when she took her son to a nature class hosted by a TMN Chapter at a local wildlife refuge and thought she would like to join. Years later, she became a member of the Bluestem Chapter in 2023. We asked her a few questions about her journey!
Q: What made you want to become a Texas Master Naturalist?
A: I wanted to learn more and share that knowledge with others.
Q: What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned since joining the TMN Program?
A: The coolest thing I learned was how to use Kaleidoscope Pro to identify different bat species for a statewide bat monitoring project. I offered my property for monitoring and was fascinated to learn how many different species of bats were around my home.
Q: What would you say to someone who is thinking about joining the TMN Program?
A: It will be a fulfilling experience! After working with a local chapter, you will appreciate Texas like never before.
Q: Why do you volunteer?
A: I volunteer because I am a proud Texan! I want to share knowledge of Texas flora and fauna while contributing to its conservation for future generations.
Meet Anthony Soliz-Rocha! Anthony found the TMN Program through an outreach event at Moody Gardens, and became a member of the Galveston Bay Area Chapter in 2025. We asked him a few questions about his journey!
Q: What made you want to become a Texas Master Naturalist?
A: I have always been interested in nature and outdoor activities.
Q: What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned since joining the TMN Program?
A: Just how passionate people can be about being outdoors, and how willing they are to share that knowledge.
Q: What would you say to someone who is thinking about joining the TMN Program?
A: Just to have an open mind about learning new things, do not be afraid to venture into something unknown. And be prepared to make new friends along the way.
Q: Why do you volunteer?
A: As I get older, I understand my responsibility to this world. The work that I do will benefit future generations and it is the least I can do. I volunteer because I love the world and the people that live on it.
Meet Bernice Blasingame! Bernice found the TMN Program after reading an article in the Amarillo newspaper, and became a member of the Panhandle Chapter in 2004 (the first training class for the chapter!). We asked her a few questions about her journey!
Q: What made you want to become a Texas Master Naturalist?
A: I liked what the training classes offered and always being an outdoors “kid,” I knew this was an organization of which I wanted to be a part. I wanted to know more about everything.
Q: What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned since joining the TMN Program?
A: TMN volunteers come from all walks of life, are all ages, sizes, and political beliefs but we all have the same passion where nature is concerned. All those other things do not matter. We have a common goal.
Q: What would you say to someone who is thinking about joining the TMN Program?
A: Do it! You will find your passion whether it is guiding school groups in a state park, building and maintaining trails, creating a pollinator garden, increasing your knowledge of native plants or becoming a chapter officer. There is something for everyone of all abilities.
Q: Why do you volunteer?
A: I can make a small difference in the natural world, especially in the lives of children. Anytime I see that “aha” moment in children or adults, it is worth all the years I have invested in being a Texas Master Naturalist.
Meet Catherine Johnson! Catherine found the TMN Program when a friend told her about it, and became a member of the El Camino Real Chapter in 2018. We asked her a few questions about her journey!
Q: What made you want to become a Texas Master Naturalist?
A: I wanted to learn about wildlife, how to keep the environment safe, and go on group nature outings.
Q: What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned since joining the TMN Program?
A: I learned about mason bees and we now have a colony in our wildscape.
Q: What would you say to someone who is thinking about joining the TMN Program?
A: You will meet members with similar interests and be introduced to many nature topics.
Q: Why do you volunteer?
A: I volunteer because I like to help share knowledge on how to care for wildlife and natural areas, including the benefits of native plants.
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