As part of National Volunteer Week, April 17 -23, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) along with its partner, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, is proud to celebrate Texas Master Naturalists and their work educating Texans about conserving our state’s natural resources.
Texas Master Naturalist develops well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities. Regions and organizations throughout the state rely on community volunteers like Texas Master Naturalists to implement youth education programs, for park or nature center operations and for providing leadership in stewardship and conservation efforts.
In 2021, the Texas Master Naturalist Program gained 474 new members, adding to the more than 15,200 who have been trained as Texas Master Naturalists since the program began in 1998. Last year, Texas Master Naturalists contributed more than 442,000 hours of volunteer service, reaching some 137,000 youth, adults and private landowners throughout Texas.
Additionally, the program added two new acres of stewardship and management projects to its 229,100 acres to date. Volunteers have also worked tirelessly throughout the years to help maintain or develop over 2,200 miles of trail since the program began.
Those interested in becoming a Texas Master Naturalist will receive in-depth wildlife and natural resource management training taught by recognized experts in the field. The training will be customized to focus on the native ecosystems of the area where the volunteer resides. There will also be opportunities for advanced training in special subjects. Once training is complete, Texas Master Naturalists will provide their communities with volunteer service on pre-approved projects in the form of educational activities, research or demonstrations.
Learn more about how to become a Texas Master Naturalist on the TPWD Texas Master Naturalist website.
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