Title: 2026 TMN Annual Meeting Chapter Project Fair

Speaker: The Texas Master Naturalist Program and various TMN Chapters

Date: September 15, 2026, 11:00am – 1:00pm

Description: Join the Texas Master Naturalist Program state office and various TMN Chapters from across the state as they present their submissions to the 2026 TMN Annual Meeting Chapter Project Fair.

• 11:00am: Introduction
• 11:10am: Balcones Canyonlands Chapter – Richard Moya Park Pollinator Garden + Q&A
• 11:30am: Blackland Prairie Chapter – Ready, Set, Moth! Making the Community Mothing Experience More Engaging and Accessible + Q&A
• 11:50am: Elm Fork Chapter – Science With Attitude (SWAt) + Q&A
• 12:10pm: Big Country Chapter – Field Trips to Abilene State Park + Q&A
• 12:30pm: Hays County Chapter – Research Rangers + Q&A
• 12:50pm: Closing

Resources:

Title: State Wildlife Action Plan: How You Can Shape Wildlife and Habitat Conservation in Texas

Speaker: Kelly Simon, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Conservation Strategy Coordinator

Date: August 11, 2026, at 12PM CT

Texas Parks & Wildlife has launched a fully online State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) app that helps turn complex species and habitat data into clear next steps for research and on-the-ground implementation. Key features of the app are the Species Explorer, Knowledge Gap Analysis (KGA) Conservation Opportunity Area (COA) geospatial model, and the SWAP Workbench.

The KGA sorts Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) into two practical buckets: Conservation Focus (good candidates for implementation) and Research Focus (species where specific information gaps need to be filled) based on the number and severity of gaps in critical conservation knowledge. The Species Explorer lets you find species based on criteria you select. The COA maps and highlights places where multiple rare species overlap and where study or conservation work can be most beneficial, and the SWAP Workbench gives valued partners and staff the ability to fill in data gaps and update existing information.

In this demo, we’ll walk through the app’s species pages, KGA summaries, linked threat and action pairs, and maps to see how they work together to: 1) surface strong project ideas, 2) strengthen proposals for State Wildlife Grants and other nongame/rare-species funding, and 3) contribute directly in the app to ensure our information is complete and updated. Whether you’re designing a study, planning implementation, or want to contribute information, the SWAP app offers a straightforward way to match your work with Texas’ highest conservation priorities.

Resources:

Title: True Bugs: A Look at the Order Hemiptera

Speaker: Wizzie Brown, AgriLife Senior Extension Program Specialist

Date: July 14, 2026, at 12PM CT

Description: All bugs are insects, but not all insects are bugs! This webinar will discuss what makes a true bug and give tips on identification of common families.

Resources:

Here is a link to a Hemipteran dichotomous key:

https://faculty.ucr.edu/~legneref/medical/hemipterakey.htm

Link to basic information:

https://genent.cals.ncsu.edu/insect-identification/order-hemiptera-suborder-heteroptera/

Title: Groundwater in Texas: Aquifers, Policy, and Management

Speaker: Adam Foster, Executive Director, Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts

Date: June 9, 2026, at 12PM CT

Description: This presentation provides an overview of groundwater in Texas, including the major aquifers that supply water across the state and the policies and institutions that guide groundwater management. Topics will include the role of groundwater conservation districts (GCDs), state agencies involved in groundwater planning and regulation, and how Texas approaches groundwater management within the framework of Texas water law. The presentation will also explore current challenges facing groundwater resources and the importance of science-based management in a growing and drought-prone state.

Resources:

Title: Turning Field Work into Funded Projects: Grant Strategies for TMN Chapters

Speaker: Arlene Siller, Ph.D., Ascend Nonprofit & Business Solutions CEO and Founder

Date: May 12, 2026, at 11:30AM CT

Description: Texas Master Naturalist Chapters across the state are leading impactful conservation efforts — from habitat restoration and pollinator initiatives to youth education and citizen science. Yet many chapters struggle to translate their on-the-ground work into strong, competitive grant proposals. This session will provide practical, accessible strategies for turning field work into fundable projects. Participants will learn how to clearly articulate environmental impact, align projects with funder priorities, and avoid common mistakes that volunteer-led organizations often make in the grant process.

Designed specifically for chapter leaders, project coordinators, and volunteer teams, this webinar will offer straightforward tools that can be immediately applied to strengthen project proposals and increase funding success. By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Frame conservation projects in funder language; Translate habitat restoration, pollinator initiatives, and educational programming into compelling problem statements and measurable outcomes.
• Align projects with funder priorities; Identify how to match chapter projects with corporate, foundation, and public funders focused on conservation, climate resilience, biodiversity, and community engagement.
• Develop clear and measurable outcomes; Move beyond activity descriptions to define outputs and outcomes that demonstrate ecological and community impact.
• Build a realistic and defensible project budget; Understand key elements of a strong grant budget, including materials, labor, volunteer time, and sustainability planning.
• Avoid common grant writing pitfalls; Recognize typical challenges volunteer-led chapters face and learn practical strategies to reduce risk and improve proposal clarity

Resources:

Title: Virtual Volunteer Fair

Speakers: Michelle Haggerty, Mary Pearl Meuth, Hannah Ferguson, and various organizations

Date: April 14, 2026, from 11:30AM – 1:00PM CT

Description: The Virtual Volunteer Fair will be an opportunity for our partner conservation organizations to present volunteer service projects that need volunteers from a distance or virtually!

Learn who is presenting, how to sign up to volunteer and more on our Virtual Volunteer Fair 2026 page!

Virtual Volunteer Fair Schedule:

• 11:30 – 11:45AM – Introduction
• 11:45 – 12:00PM – Keep Texas Beautiful: Conservation Outreach for Texas
• 12:00 – 12:15PM – Advancing Wildlife Conservation through Volunteer-Led Knowledge Gap Analyses
• 12:15 – 12:30PM – Identifying Enrichment Resources to Accompany Youth Magazine
• 12:30 – 12:45PM – Sourcing Media to Accompany Youth Magazine
• 12:45 – 1:00PM – Toxic Plants of Texas Picture Round-Up
• 1:00PM – Conclusion and Wrap Up

Resources:

Title: Generations in the Wild: Understanding What Drives Environmental Values Across Age Groups

Speaker: Amy Hays, For Science Sake Founder and Principal Consultant

Date: March 10, 2026, at 12PM CT

Description: Not all generations see the environment—or their role in it—the same way. This session explores how generational intelligence can help Master Naturalists better understand the diverse values, motivations, and communication styles of those they engage. We’ll look at how different age groups—from Boomers to Gen Z—perceive environmental issues, what compels them to act, and how life experiences shape their connection to nature. Whether you’re leading volunteers, giving a public talk, or working across age groups, this session offers insights to help you build trust, tailor your message, and foster deeper conversations. Understanding generational differences isn’t about stereotypes—it’s about empathy and strategy. Come explore how we can better connect through the lens of time and experience. 

Amy Hays has spent her career honing science communication skills to help professionals and organizations share complex environmental topics clearly, credibly, and confidently. With over 25 years of experience in agriculture and natural resource management, Amy specializes in practical, hands-on approaches to ecological literacy that support conservation outcomes on working lands. Amy’s coaching and teaching emphasize real-world learning, science-informed decision-making, and bridging the gap between research and practice in conservation.

Resources:

Title: The Bobcat: 2026 Recertification Pin

Speaker: Richard Heilbrun, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Wildlife Division Deputy Director

Date: February 10, 2026, at 12PM CT

Description: Richard Heilbrun is the Wildlife Division Deputy Director at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Join Richard as he tells us all about the animal featured on the Texas Master Naturalist 2026 recertification pin: The Bobcat!

Resources:

Title: State of the Program

Speakers: Michelle Haggerty, Mary Pearl Meuth, and Hannah Ferguson

Date: January 13, 2026, at 12pm CT

Description: Join the Texas Master Naturalist Program staff, Michelle Haggerty, Mary Pearl Meuth, and Hannah Ferguson, for a State of the Program!

Resources: