Outdoors
Texas Master Naturalist program seeks applicants
Training class offered in Tyler
Austin, Texas — Thirteen chapters of the Texas Master Naturalist program have announced training classes across the state starting January through March for volunteers who want to learn about and help conserve natural resources.
The Texas Master Naturalist program, now with 38 chapters, aims to develop a corps of well-informed citizen volunteers who can help educate their communities about the management of natural resources. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas Cooperative Extension co-sponsor the Texas Master Naturalist Program statewide.
The main qualification needed to become a certified Texas Master Naturalist is a desire to learn and play an active part in conservation. Volunteers receive about 40 hours of training from educators and specialists from places such as universities, 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 give 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 beginning in January 2010 are listed alphabetically by city below with contact information. Enrollment is limited in most chapters. Some chapter registration deadlines may have passed but applicants may contact the chapter to see if seating is still available.
* Amarillo — Panhandle Chapter. Training begins February 13. For more information, phone (806) 367-0648 or email: sec@pctmn.org
* Brenham — Gideon Lincecum Chapter. Class begins February 6 at the Winedale Historical Center. Details are available from Judith_deaton@yahoo.com or call (936) 878-9900.
* Burnet — Highland Lakes Chapter. Classes begin March 4 and registration is due by December 31, 2009. For information phone (325) 379-1455 or email: drrayb@tstar.net
* Conroe — Heartwood Chapter. Training begins on March 27 and applications are due no later than March 15. Details are available at (832) 381-6921 or email: training@heartwoodtmn.org
* Dallas — North Texas Chapter. The chapter will host an open house for applicants on January 12. The application deadline is January 22 and classes begin February 16. Information is available at education@ntmn.org.
* Jefferson — Cypress Basin Chapter. Class begins on January 22. Details are available on the chapter’s website: http://grovesite.com/tmn/cbc or contact bgmorgan46@yahoo.com. Deadline for registration is January 5.
* McKinney — Blackland Prairie Chapter. The chapter will host an open house on January 12 at the Heard Museum. Registration is due by February 1. Class begins on February 10. Details are available at (972) 248-6283 or email svevans@sbcglobal.net
* Rockport — Mid-Coast Chapter. Class begins on February 13 and registration is needed by December 15, 2009. Information is available at (361) 578-3893 or email lynne.hughes@visd.com
* San Antonio — Alamo Area Chapter. Classes start February 25 and applications are due by February 9. For information phone (210) 764-1921 or email: pball12@satx.rr.com
* San Benito — Rio Grande Valley Chapter. Registration is due January 6 for the class that begins on January 13. Details are available at http://www.rgvctmn.org/ or call (956) 455-9204.
* Tyler — East Texas Chapter. Class begins on January 12 and your registration is needed by January 8. More information is available at irene.hamel@tpwd.state.tx.us or telephone (903) 566-9394.
* Waco — Heart of Texas Chapter. Plans are currently being made to host an orientation program at the Lake Waco Wetlands on January 14. Information and details are available from meganmi@ci.waco.tx.us
* Wichita Falls — Rolling Plains Chapter. Class begins on March 23 and registration is needed by March 16. Details available by calling (940) 766-2383 or email: mark.howell@tpwd.state.tx.us
For more information about existing Texas Master Naturalist chapters or forming a new chapter contact Assistant Program Coordinator Sonny Arnold, 111Nagle Hall, 2258, TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-2258, or reach him at sarnold@ag.tamu.edu or (979) 458-1099.
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