TMN volunteers receive range management training from Dr. Barron Rector.
As part of my job role, I serve as Texas AgriLife Extension Service's liaison to administer the Texas Master Naturalist Program with TPWD. Our partnership with TPWD is one that we highly value. We have a long history in this partnership - now over 10 years.
Texas Master Naturalist Program has done a great job in the pursuit of 3 major goals including:
1) to improve public understanding of natural resource conservation, ecology, and management by developing a pool of knowledgeable volunteers who will promote and enhance such efforts within their local communities.
2) to enhance existing natural resource education and outreach activities by providing natural resource training and advanced training at the local level, thereby developing a supply of dedicated and informed volunteers with opportunities to increase knowledge, awareness and expertise.
3) To develop a confident and knowledgeable TMN volunteer network that aids the missions of TPWD and AgriLife.
Success of TMN is easily be assigned to our amazing volunteers. Here are a few metrics that show the positive influence of the program:
1) TMN has ~ 40 active chapters involving county extension agents from at least 38 counties,
2) TMN volunteers provide service to 176 counties,
3) over our 10-year partnership, TMN volunteers have contributed over 1 million service hours, valued at ~ $19.5 million,
4) volunteers have conducted or aided restoration projects on ~90,000 acres of land,
5) more than 300 local groups have partnered with chapters to accomplish hands-on projects and educational events,
6) the program and its members have received 19 local, state, and national awards,
7) chapters and their members have received an additional 30 local, community, regional, or state awards.
If you have interest in becoming a becoming a Texas Master Naturalist click here