AgriLife Extension Wildlife & Fisheries
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Texas Master Naturalist program seeks applicants

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Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu

Contact: Mary Pearl Meuth, 979-845-7294 or mpmeuth@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – Twenty Texas Master Naturalist chapters will be conducting training classes in fall and winter for volunteers wanting to learn about natural resource and conservation management, said the program’s assistant state coordinator.

Mary Pearl Meuth, College Station, said the Texas Master Naturalist program has 48 chapters across the state tasked with developing a corps of well-informed citizen volunteers.

She said the Texas Master Naturalist program is a collaborative effort between the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

“We train citizen volunteers on the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the betterment of all Texans,” Meuth said.

The main qualification for a Texas Master Naturalist certification is an interest in learning about and playing an active part in conservation, she said. Volunteers will receive a minimum of 40 hours of basic training from educators and specialists from universities, natural resource agencies, nature centers and museums.

Training topics include evaluation and management of natural resources, ecological concepts, eco-regions in Texas and natural systems management.

Once certified, Meuth said volunteers are asked to provide 40 hours of service a year in community education, demonstration and habitat enhancement projects to maintain certification as a Texas Master Naturalist. They are also expected to pursue a minimum of eight hours of advanced training in areas of personal interest.

“Invariably, many volunteers will go above and beyond their basic requirements once involved, and develop personal projects connecting to the mission of the chapter and statewide program,” Meuth said.

For a complete list of the 20 chapters offering volunteer training this fall go to: www.txmn.org.

Meuth said enrollment is limited in most chapters and registration deadlines for some chapters are fast approaching, so early registration is advised.

For more information about existing chapters or forming a new chapter, contact Meuth at  mpmeuth@tamu.edu, or 979-845-7294.

For a more in-depth look at the program, Meuth encourages prospective volunteers to view the various videos on the 20th Anniversary YouTube playlist at https://tinyurl.com/y8my8jpw or follow the organization on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TexasMasterNaturalistProgram/ .

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As posted on AgriLife Today: https://today.agrilife.org/2018/07/24/texas-master-naturalist-program-seeks-applicants-2/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AgrilifeToday+%28AgriLife+Today%29

Mark calendars for Texas Master Naturalist 20 year anniversary gala

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Oct. 25 event to be in Georgetown

Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu

Contact: Mary Pearl Meuth, 979-845-7294, mpmeuth@tamu.edu

GEORGETOWN – With sizzling hot temperatures blanketing the state, the Texas Master Naturalist program hopes to cool things down with the announcement of their 20th Anniversary Gala, coordinators said.  

The event will be the evening of Oct. 25 at the Sheraton Georgetown located off Interstate 35 and State Highway 29 at Georgetown. The Texas Master Naturalist program is a collaborative effort between the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Proceeds from the gala will benefit the Texas Master Naturalist Endowment Fund. The fund’s mission includes enhancing the Texas Master Naturalist Program, its chapters and volunteers, now and into the future, for the benefit of natural resource education, conservation and stewardship, said Mary Pearl Meuth, AgriLife Extension Texas Master Naturalist program coordinator at College Station.

“We urge everyone interested in preserving our state’s native flora and fauna to mark their calendars now for this event,” Meuth said. “This celebration will be one to remember, with a live band, a variety of live and silent auction items and a celebratory presentation by founding Texas Master Naturalists — all befitting our organization’s 20th anniversary. It will be a really cool affair to look forward to this fall as we head into what thus far promises to be a blistering hot summer.”

Michelle Haggerty, state program coordinator at Kerrville, said for the past 20 years the Texas Master Naturalist Program has trained more than 11,000 individuals who have contributed more than 4 million hours of volunteer service. That service includes time spent restoring native habitats, creating outreach events educating the public, building community awareness, conducting research and citizen science efforts while working with state agencies alongside local partnership organizations.

“What makes the work of a Master Naturalist so important is they are not only individuals who love nature and offer their time, but they are trained naturalists with specialized knowledge of different ecosystems, species, habitats and environmental demands,” she said.

Haggerty, who works for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, said the mission of the organization is to develop a local corps of master volunteers to provide service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within the volunteers’ own Texas communities.

For more information about the gala, go to https://masternaturalistendowment.org/20th-anniversary-gala/ .

For more information about the endowment, go to https://masternaturalistendowment.org/ .

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Texas Master Naturalist program garners Texas Wildlife Society award

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Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Contact: Michelle Haggerty, 830-896-2504, mmhaggerty@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION — The Texas Master Naturalist program was recently honored by the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society with its Outstanding Achievement Award.

The award was presented during the recent Texas chapter’s annual conference for the program’s impacts on the conservation industry throughout the program’s 20-year history, according to a news release distributed by the society.

The program, led by Michelle Haggerty, Texas Master Naturalist program state coordinator at Kerrville, and Mary Pearl Meuth, assistant coordinator, College Station, is designed 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.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department sponsor the program, which is supported by an extensive network of experts from both agencies. Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society stated the program teaches advanced training and also supports the outreach and stewardship projects of its more than 11,000 volunteers.

Dr. Neal Wilkins, past president of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society and current executive director of the East Foundation, presented the award commenting, “The Texas Master Naturalist program has been an unbelievable asset to this state. Volunteers for the program are committed. They are the heart and soul of what really goes on out on the landscape.”

The Texas Master Naturalist program was also honored as it “brings skilled volunteers together and works with communities and organizations across the state to implement youth outreach programs, operate parks, nature centers and natural areas, and provides leadership in local natural resource conservation efforts,” Wilkins said during the presentation, according to the release.

The Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society was established in 1965 and represents the state’s interest in involving resource professionals and stimulating involvement by all concerned individuals in science-based conservation practices.

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Texas Master Naturalist program seeks applicants, sets spring training

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Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu

Contact: Mary Pearl Meuth, 979-845-7294, mpmeuth@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – The Texas Master Naturalist program has announced training opportunities for those wishing to participate in the statewide program.

Twenty-three Texas Master Naturalist chapters will conduct training classes in the spring for volunteers wanting to learn about natural resource and conservation management, said the program’s assistant state coordinator.

Mary Pearl Meuth of College Station said the Texas Master Naturalist program’s 48 chapters across the state develop a corps of well-informed citizen volunteers who provide education, outreach and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities.

“The main qualification to become a certified Texas Master Naturalist is an interest in learning and playing an active part in conservation,” she said. “Volunteers will receive a minimum of 40 hours of basic training from educators and specialists from universities, natural resource agencies, nature centers and museums.”

She said the training topics will include interpretation and management of natural resources, ecological concepts, eco-regions in Texas and natural systems management.  Volunteers are expected to provide 40 hours of service a year in community education, demonstration and habitat enhancement projects in order to maintain certification as a Texas Master Naturalist.

“They are also expected to pursue a minimum of eight hours of advanced training in areas of personal interest,” she said. “However, many go beyond their basic requirements once involved, and are encouraged to develop personal projects connected to the mission of their respective chapter and statewide program.”

Meuth encouraged those seeking more information to watch the winning submission for the 2015 Texas Master Naturalist annual meeting video contest submitted by the North Texas Chapter in Dallas:

https://youtu.be/bPksINno0Iw

For a complete list of all the chapters providing training go to: http://www.txmn.org.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service co-sponsor the Texas Master Naturalist Program.

For more information about existing chapters or forming a new chapter contact Meuth at mpmeuth@tamu.edu or 979- 845-7294.

More information about the Texas Master Naturalist program is available at: http://txmn.org. Highlights of chapter projects, state-wide initiatives and program achievements can also be found on the Texas Master Naturalist Programs Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/TexasMasterNaturalistProgram

 

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East Texas Master Naturalist application deadline Jan. 22

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OVERTON – The deadline to participate in 2018 East Texas Texas Master Naturalist classes is rapidly approaching – Jan. 22. Classes begin Jan. 30 and conclude April 17.

Classes run from 6-9 p.m. on consecutive Tuesdays at the Tyler Nature Center, 11942 Farm-to-Market Road 848 in Tyler. There will also be one Saturday class and three Saturday field trips.

The East Texas Master Naturalist program is a chance to learn about the natural world and its preservation for future generations. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Steve Byrns)

“If you want to learn about our rich East Texas ecosystem and volunteer with like-minded people, this program is for you,” said Larry Pierce, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service regional program leader, Overton.

“Whether you are into bugs, birds or botany, you will enjoy these classes and the fun ways Master Naturalists find to enjoy the outdoors while helping preserve natural treasures for future generations.”

The program is sponsored by AgriLife Extension and Texas Parks and Wildlife. It is for residents in Smith, Cherokee, Anderson, Henderson, Van Zandt, Rains, Upshur, Gregg, Rusk and Wood counties.

Cost is $150, which covers tuition, materials, instruction and more.

The program includes more than 40 hours of classroom study and field trips. Classes cover topics such as wetland ecology, forest ecology and tree identification, mammalogy, herpetology, ornithology, plants, geology, archeology and more.

For more information and an application, contact Beverly Guthrie, East Texas chapter member, at finwren@sbcglobal.net, or visit the Texas Master Naturalist website http://txmn.org/etwd/.

“We’ve really stepped up the list of instructors to offer a great program,” Guthrie said. “I’ve heard many times that going through the program is a life-changing experience.”

 

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