Dear Applicant:

Thank you for your interest in the Texas Master Naturalist program. We encourage all applicants to attend our Open House on January 12, 2010 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. where you will learn more about our organization and meet with current members. The Open House will be held at The Heard Museum, One Science Place, McKinney, Texas.

The goal of the Texas Master Naturalist program is to develop knowledgeable volunteers to increase public awareness, understanding and appreciation of our natural resources and to promote stewardship, the principles of responsible, sustainable development, and renewable natural resources through education and active citizen participation.

This course provides a conceptual understanding of our natural systems and the detrimental, long-term consequences of imbalances and faulty management. It also includes essential information and strategies to restore, regenerate, nurture and conserve our indigenous plant species and animal habitats. The program enhances your love of nature with research-based scientific knowledge. You receive training in wildlife and natural resource management taught by recognized experts in the field and customized to focus on the native ecosystems of North Central Texas. You also have the opportunity for advanced training in special subjects that interest you.

In return for this training, you provide your community with at least 40 hours of volunteer service per year in the form of educational activities, projects, outreach or service.

Requirements to become a certified Master Naturalist Volunteer:
• Attendance at all scheduled classes and field trips
• 40 volunteer hours
• 8 advanced training hours
These requirements must be completed by April 30, 2011.

Location & Time of Classes
• The Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Place, McKinney, TX 75069
• Wednesday evenings 6 – 9:15 p.m.
• February 10 – April 28, 2010
• Three to four one-day field trips, usually held on weekends (designed to give more relevant meaning to the ecological concepts discussed in the classes), dates TBD.

Fees:
• Training Program is $150.00 (this includes the curriculum and background check)

Background Check
• Our state office requires everyone to pass a background check in order to protect
the youth and adults we work with.

Liability Waiver
• The State also requires each class member to sign a liability waiver.

The class is limited to 40 people. Please complete the attached application and mail all pages to:
Blackland Prairie Chapter
Texas Master Naturalist
P.O. Box 863175
Plano, TX 75086-3175
or
Fax to: 972-548-5530

The application deadline is January 25, 2010. Do not mail the fee with your application. The fee will be collected at the first training session. All applicants will be notified of acceptance no later than February 1, 2010.

Thank you for your interest in this program!


Sally Evans
Education Chair