What bird was that just now outside your window? What about the small insect crawling along your driveway? And what is the name of that gorgeous wildflower blooming along the highways this fall? How can I make a difference for Texas’ natural resources and their future? If you finding yourself curious to answer these types of questions, ask yourself one more: How can I get involved as a volunteer of the Texas Master Naturalist Program?

The Texas Master Naturalist program is a naturalist training and volunteer service program sponsored by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. The mission of the Texas Master Naturalist Program is to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the State of Texas. Many communities and organizations rely on these citizen volunteers for implementing youth education programs; for operating parks, nature centers, and natural areas; and for providing leadership in local natural resource conservation efforts.

Within the 46 chapters located around the state, fall and spring training sessions are being organized now. Trainings involve 40 hours of presentations and field trips spread out over many weeks, covering topics like geology and weather, aquatic habitats, identifying local flora and fauna, and so much more, all taught by local and state experts in the field. Information on how to apply, program requirements, and the benefits of being a Texas Master Naturalist can be found on our website: http://txmn.org.

Looking to get more information and energized about the program all at once? The Texas Master Naturalist Program is also gearing up its 17th Annual Meeting to be held October 21-23rd at La Torretta Lake Resort on the shores of Lake Conroe! The Annual Meeting provides an opportunity for volunteers from around the state to gather, participate in hands-on educational seminars, and receive all of their Advanced Training requirements for the year within one weekend. It’s also an opportunity for program participants and supporters to network, share new ideas/projects, and to learn from different chapters from different regions of the state.

If you are interested in learning more about the Texas Master Naturalist Program and the upcoming 17th Annual Meeting, check out our website: http://txmn.org or keep up with us on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TexasMasterNaturalistProgram/. 

Attention all Texas Master Naturalists!

Have you heard about the new Texas Waters Day event that will  kick off this year at our Texas Master Naturalist 17th Annual Meeting?

Please join us for the inaugural Texas Waters Day, Friday October 21, 2016!

Texas Waters Day will launch the new curriculum produced by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Waters: Exploring Water and Watersheds and the new Texas Waters Specialist certification program. This project’s aim is to inform and educate the citizens of Texas about the most precious natural resource Texas possesses, its water. Many challenges face our State concerning water, in particular in our aquatic habitats, the water for wildlife. Texas Parks and Wildlife wants you to know that we value the natural and cultural resources of Texas and want there to always be drinkable, swimmable, and fishable waters in our great State. Texas Waters Specialists will be fundamental in informing the public of conservation issues specifically related to the need for these healthy waterways.

Texas Waters Day participants will receive printed copies of the new curriculum Texas Waters: Exploring Water and Watersheds, learn through presentations by recognized experts in the field of Texas water and watersheds, enjoy lunch networking with these professionals, discussions about potential volunteer project opportunities, and can earn up to four Advance Training hours. Registration for the Texas Waters Day is $35 per person, and lunch will be provided for attendees. Individuals and chapters will receive free copies of the curriculum at the Texas Waters Day. The curriculum consists of nine chapters, contents include:

• Texas Aquatic Habitats and the Species They Support
• The Characteristics, Components and Value of Healthy Watershed Ecosystems
• The Watershed’s Role as a Natural System
• The Ecological Services that Properly Functioning Ecosystems Perform for Humanity
• The Ecological Significance of Natural Flow Regimes
• The Role and Function of Wetlands and Estuarine Systems
• Natural Instruments of Watershed Change
• Human Caused Instruments of Watershed Change
• Texas Water Law and Planning

To register or find more information about the Texas Waters Day and Texas Master Naturalist 17th Annual Meeting, visit the website: http://txmn.org/2016-annual-meeting/.

If there are any questions about lodging, meals, or registration costs, please email Mary Pearl Meuth, mpmeuth@tamu.edu. If there are any questions about the Texas Waters Day event or Water Specialist training program, please email Johnnie Smith, johnnie.smith@tpwd.texas.gov.

We hope to see you there!