First and foremost, all Texas Master Naturalist events, meetings, service projects must be compliant with all federal, state, county and local public health proclamations and ordinances. Safety is our guiding principle for operations.
UPDATE 03.12.2021
March 2021 – Texas Master Naturalist Program’s COVID Safety and Response Guidelines
The changes or updates from the January Document to this March Document to note:
- Face Masks – Our program can no longer mandate face masks per the Governor’s Executive Order GA 34 on March 2nd. However, face masks are still strongly encouraged for all volunteers and members of the public. Local partners, businesses you work with, or project sites may still impose face mask restrictions which would need to be followed.
- Because state agencies—specifically, TPWD and thus our TMN Program –can no longer require an employee, customer or volunteer to use a face covering, chapters may not develop more stringent policies for their local operations requiring face masks. Chapters can strongly encourage the use of face coverings at all events and can even offer them for use, thus setting the tone for health and safety procedures.
- Vaccinations – Due to HIPAA laws, the TMN Program and local chapters may not restrict, encourage, or deny any chapter members or members of the public from attending functions based on personal medical conditions or treatments, including vaccination status. The vaccination status of any individual (public or internal) shall not be the basis of discussion or determination of procedure or attendance at TMN events, activities and meetings. TMN leaders and volunteers cannot ask members if they have been vaccinated, cannot discourage attendance until vaccination and cannot change a members engagement in activities based on vaccination status.
PREVIOUS COVID GUIDELINES
- A Program Preparedness Plan Checklist must be submitted to District Extension Administrators 14 days prior to the event.
- A COVID-19 Screening Form will be required to screen individuals prior to being granted access to events.
- Questions should be directed to your local County Extension Agent.
We are all very appreciative of the work you are doing, on behalf of our state, our clientele and our natural resource communities. Please, take care of yourself, your family and friends. If you feel sick, take actions to not spread the disease, especially among the elderly or those with underlying health challenges. Prepare, but don’t panic! Additional resources are available at http://texashelp.tamu.edu , https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/ and https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Thank you for your continues support and leadership!
Please let us know if you have any questions regarding these closures and cancellations.
Michelle and Mary Pearl