Texas Master Naturalists

Program overview and development guide

Brett Chandler-Finch

About TMN

• The short supply of dedicated and well-informed citizens and volunteers is often cited as a limiting factor for community-based conservation efforts.

The Texas Master Naturalist program works to address this need by developing local corps of “master volunteers” to provide service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within the volunteers’ own communities.

Goals

The Goals of the Texas master naturalist Program are:

Improve public understanding of natural resource ecology and management

Enhance existing natural resource education and outreach activities

Develop a Master Naturalist volunteer network that assists the state agencies in accomplishing their missions.

By providing the necessary tools for a individual to make educated choices about the environment in which they live, and to be able to teach these skills to others, we can promote the environmental health of the state as a whole.

Local Local ChapterChapter

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Volunteers Representativ

e Council

Master Naturalist Advisory

Committee

Texas Parks & Wildlife

Texas Cooperative Extension

State & Asst. Program

Coordinators

Structure

Program History

TMN was established in 1998 as a joint effort between the Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Agrilife Extension of Texas A&M

There are currently 38 chapters throughout the state.

Texas Program has spearheaded and currently leads national program development through ANROSP—The Alliance of Natural Resource Outreach and Service Programs.

Alliance of Natural Resource Outreach and Service Programs

The Alliance of Natural Resource Outreach and Service Programs (ANROSP) supports the development and improvement of adult natural resource education and volunteer service programs such as Master Naturalist, Master Conservationist, Master Watershed Steward, and more nation-wide. Organized in 2006, ANROSP grew out of a grant-funded national initiative begun by the Texas Master Naturalist Program leaders.

Texas Master Naturalist Awards 2000 Wildlife Management Institute's Presidents'

Award, 2001 National Audubon Society's Habitat Hero's

Award, TNRCC 2001 Environmental Excellence Award Texas A&M University's 2001 Vice Chancellor's

Award of Excellence in Partnership 2005 U. S. Department of Interior's "Take Pride in

America" award.

Training

An individual gains the designation of Texas Master Naturalist™ after participating in an approved chapter training program with a minimum of 40 hours of combined field and classroom instruction, obtaining 8 hours of approved advanced training, and completing 40 hours of volunteer service. Following the initial training program, trainees have one year in which to complete their 40 hours of volunteer service and 8 hours of advanced training.

Training Program

40 hours of combined classroom and field experiencing covers

Present day and Historical Naturalists. Traditional Naturalist Disciplines. Land management and Land use History. Ecological Concepts. Ecoregions of Texas. Management of Natural Systems. Interpretation and Communication.

Certification

To retain the Texas Master Naturalist title during each subsequent year, volunteers must complete 8 additional hours of advanced training and provide an additional 40 hours of volunteer service coordinated through their local chapter.

Advanced Training

Focuses on volunteers’ area of interest.

Is mainly field oriented.

Takes advantage of local partnerships.

Is directed at specific programs in need of trained volunteers.

8 Hours per year of advanced training

Volunteer Hours

Are self-directed.

Are coordinated by the local Chapters.

Consist of opportunities developed by local partners.

Take advantage of individual skills.

40 hours per year

TMN Projects

Working as a wetland restoration team along a coastal area

Assisting with field surveys of endangered species such as the Golden-cheeked warbler

Presenting interpretive programs to campers at state parks

Restoring a blackland prairie in a city park Assisting a nature center with the

establishment of a herbarium

Developing and maintaining nature trails and leading informative hikes

Improving a wetland habitat along a river Assisting with a turtle patrol along a beach Leading a school class on a nature hike or

conducting a workshop at a school Assisting with the Texas Horned Lizard

Watch

Benefits

Volunteers have logged over 1 million hours since the programs inception.

This has resulted in a savings of over $20 million dollars for the State in Natural resource funds.

Volunteers have reached more than 1.2 million youth, adults, and private landowners in their efforts

One member discovered a new plant species.

10th Anniversary Report

• The 10th anniversary report is available on-line to provide further reading about the Texas Master Naturalist program. The report provides a greater detail of the types of programs developed and the history of the program. This file can be accessed from the link below

http://masternaturalist.tamu.edu/GSLibrary/Downloads/download.ashx?file=sites/1562/10782/392828/TMN 10th Anniv. Report_PWD RP W7000-874.pdf

Further Information

Michelle Haggerty,

State Coordinator

830-896-2500.

Sonny Arnold

Assistant Coordinator

979-458-1099

Texas Master Naturalist Website

http://masternaturalist.tamu.edu