Master Naturalist Program Seeks Applicants

Media Contact: Michelle Haggerty, (830) 896-2504, icle__media__contact">Media Contact: Michelle Haggerty, (830) 896-2504, mhaggerty@wfscgate.tamu.edu; Tom Harvey, (512) 389-4453, tom.harvey@tpwd.texas.gov

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Statewide Fall Training Courses Offered

Note: This item is more than 14 years old. Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references.

AUSTIN, Texas — Thirteen chapters of the Texas Master Naturalist program have announced fall training classes for volunteers wanting to help conserve our natural resources.

The Texas Master Naturalist program — now with 38 chapters across the state — develops a corps of well informed citizen volunteers who educate their communities about natural resource management. The Texas program has won numerous awards and helped spawn a similar national movement.

The main qualification needed to become a Certified Texas Master Naturalist is an interest in learning and taking an active role in conservation. Volunteers receive a minimum of 40 hours of training from educators and specialists with universities, government agencies, nature centers and museums. Training topics include interpretation and management of natural resources, ecological concepts, eco-regions of Texas and natural systems management.

Volunteers are expected to contribute 40 hours of service a year in community education, demonstration and habitat enhancement projects. They are also expected to pursue a minimum of eight hours of advance training in areas of personal interest.

Texas Master Naturalist Chapters offering volunteer training this fall are listed below with contact information. Enrollment is limited in most chapters. If a deadline has passed contact the chapter to see if seating is still available. Other chapters are planning to offer a fall class. Contact the state office of the Texas Master Naturalist program to seek other training locations.

  • Alpine — Tierra Grande Chapter. Class begins August 28 at the Nature Conservancy’s Davis Mountain Preserve. Registration is due by July 15. Call 432-837-2882 to see if seating is available. For information contact: albertgbork@sbcglobal.net .
  • Austin — Capital Area Chapter. Training begins November 21 and registration is needed by September 30. Class information is available by phone at 512-964-7540 or email ThorneBio@aol.com
  • Bryan — Brazos Valley Chapter. Training begins September 8 with registration due by September 1. Details can be found on the chapter website: http://grovesite.com/tmn/bv%20or%20call%20979-823-0129or call 979-695-0847.
  • Comal County/New Braunfels — Lindheimer Chapter. Plans are set for a class to begin in October. Details will be posted on the chapter website http://grovesite.com/tmn/lc%20or%20call%20830-620-3440.
  • Corpus Christi — South Texas Chapter. Class begins September 12 and registration is open until the beginning of the class. More information is available by contacting mlopez2012@stx.rr.com.
  • Denton — Elm Fork Chapter. You are invited to attend the chapter’s Roundup Open House on August 20 and class begins September 1. Registration is due by August 21. Contact 940-349-2883 or mailto:sherrillcampbell@verizon.netfor more information.
  • Fort Worth — Cross Timbers Chapter. Class begins on August 25. More information is available at http://www.ctmn.org/ or contact ginger@ctmn.org.
  • Hempstead — Coastal Prairie Chapter. Class begins on September 10 and the registration deadline is August 25. Additional information is available at: http://www.coastalprairie.org/ or call 281-239-2424.
  • Kerrville — Hill Country Chapter. The first class is August 26 and registration is requested no later than July 17. Details are available at 830-896-9576 or contact jbrazaitis@aol.com
  • Orange — Sabine-Neches Chapter. Be a charter member of this new chapter that begins its first class on September 8. Registration is due by August 21 and details are available by contacting the Orange County AgriLife Extension office at 409-882-7010 or email: rlstanford@ag.tamu.edu
  • Rosenberg — Coastal Prairie Chapter. Class begins September 10 and registration is needed no later than August 25. More information is available at http://www.coastalprairie.org/ or call 281-633-7042.
  • San Antonio — Alamo Area Chapter. The state’s founding chapter begins its twenty-fifth class September 10 and applications are due August 20. Applications can be found at http://www.alamomasternaturalist.org/ and should be sent to pball12@satx.rr.com. Call 210-764-1921 for more information.
  • San Benito — Rio Grande Valley Chapter. Training begins January 13, 2010 and registration is due January 6. More information and details can be found at rgvctmneduchair@gmail.com or call 956-455-9204.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas AgriLife Extension co-sponsor the Texas Master Naturalist Program. Information about existing chapters or forming a new can be obtained by contacting Sonny Arnold, Assistant Program Coordinator, 111 Nagle Hall, 2258, TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-2258, sarnold@ag.tamu.edu, (979)458-1099. The program also maintains a detailed and diverse Web site.