Dear Texas Master Naturalist Program Applicant,

The Texas Master Naturalist program is a natural resource-based volunteer training and development program jointly sponsored by Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The overall mission of the program is "to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers who provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the state of Texas."

In the Hays County Master Naturalist program, recognized experts in the field teach wildlife and conservation management, focusing their instruction on the native ecosystem of Hays County. If you are accepted as a trainee in the program, you will be required to attend classes, perform approved volunteer work, and attend advanced training in your areas of interest. The course gives you the opportunities to learn about natural resource conservation, to meet and associate with others of similar interests, and to visit places in the county that you might otherwise never see.

The program, including the training classes and chapter activities, will span approximately eight months. The training program begins in February and finishes in October in order to take advantage of seasonal environmental changes. Ten of the classes will be held on Tuesday evenings, and two on Saturday mornings. You are also required to attend two site visits to complete the instructional portion of the program. Three optional field trips are scheduled. The Tuesday classes are held from 6:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. at sites throughout Hays County. The first class will be February 21, 2012 at the Hays AgriLife Extension Office, 1253 Civic Center Loop, San Marcos. You will be required to attend all classes or make up any missed classes in order to graduate. You may make up no more than two class meetings and still graduate with your class.

The total cost for the program is $160.00. The tuition may be paid in full at the first class, or you may pay half at the first class and the other half by the first class in June. There are three scholarships available, each for half the tuition. Information about the scholarships is included with the application. If other payment options are needed, please contact the AgriLife Extension Office.

To become a "Certified Texas Master Naturalist" on graduation day, you must have attended or made up all classes, completed forty hours of approved volunteer service and attended eight hours of advanced training.

As a Texas Master Naturalist you will join a corps of volunteers that serve the local community. Many members are involved in ongoing projects such as Jacob's Well in Wimberley, the Greenbelt Alliance in San Marcos, and Charro Ranch in Dripping Springs. Some of our members are active in educational activities with local schools and make presentations at various local and regional fairs and expositions. Still others monitor water quality or amphibian viability. You might work with small landowners, helping them with good natural resource stewardship. You do not have to volunteer with one of the projects already in place, but instead, following guidelines, you can create your own project.

Richard Parrish
Hays County AgriLife Extension Agent
Agriculture / Natural Resources