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Requirements |
How do I become a Texas Master Naturalist? You must complete a 40-hour course on the region’s natural features and the impact that people have on nature. Training is held in the fall of each year and classes average 25-30 students. The course includes presentations by biologists, geologists, naturalists, and others from local, state, and federal agencies and universities.
In addition, you must complete a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service and 8 hours of advanced training during the first 12 months following completion of the course (before your course graduation anniversary date). Advanced training enables Texas Master Naturalists to learn additional knowledge or a particular skill in order to assist with different volunteer projects. Advanced training activities have involved hands-on instruction, field trips to local natural areas, and lectures on such topics as: Texas bats, Texas insects, Texas aquatic environments, wildscape development, and trail planning.
All your volunteer and advanced training activities must be reported and approved for you to get credit. Once you meet these requirements, you will receive a dragonfly pin and will be a certified Texas Master Naturalist.
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As a certified Master Naturalist, what would I do? You would volunteer for projects such as construction and maintenance of interpretive trails; restoration of stream banks, exotic species control; fish, wildlife and plant inventories; songbird nest box trails; natural resource youth camps; school programs; programs to community groups; landowner consultation; outdoor skill instruction; natural resource interpretation at nature and visitor centers; creating and maintaining naturescaping demonstration areas; and more.
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What are my responsibilities as a Master Naturalist? Once you are certified, it is your responsibility to maintain your certification. You are expected to stay active in the chapter and attend meetings, take advantage of advanced training opportunities, and keep accurate records of your service hours. As a volunteer, you may not profit from your status or violate the policies, missions and goals of the sponsoring agencies that govern use of the Master Naturalist title.
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