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Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references. ] [ Media Contact: Aaron Reed, (512) 389-8046, aaron.reed@tpwd.state.tx.us ] [AR] July 17, 2006 Master Naturalist Program Seeks Applicants AUSTIN, Texas -- Fifteen chapters of the Texas Master Naturalist program are conducting fall training classes for volunteers wanting to help conserve our natural resources. The Texas Master Naturalist program -- with 35 chapters -- develops a corps of well-informed citizen volunteers who educate local communities about the management of natural resources. The main qualification needed to become a Certified Texas Master Naturalist is an interest in learning and taking an active role in conservation. Volunteers will receive a minimum of 40 hours of training from educators and specialists representing organizations such as universities, agencies, nature centers and museums. Training topics include interpretation and management of natural resources, ecological concepts, eco-regions of Texas and natural systems management. Volunteers are expected to give 40 hours of service a year in community education, demonstration and habitat enhancement projects. They also are expected to pursue a minimum of eight hours of advanced training in areas of personal interest. Texas Master Naturalist Chapters offering volunteer training this fall are listed with contact information. Enrollment is limited in most chapters. If a deadline has passed contact the chapter to see if seating is still available. --Angleton -- Cradle of Texas Chapter. Training begins September 6 and applications are due August 25. For detailed information phone the Brazoria County Extension office, 979-849-1564, ext. 112 or email: r-tillman@tamu.edu --Balmorhea -- Tierra Grande Chapter. Class begins September 8 with applications due June 30. For information contact: selfring@bigbend.net or call 432-364-2673. --Burnet -- Highland Lakes Chapter. Classes begin September 7. For information phone 512-756-5463 or visit: http://hlmn.281.com/ --College Station -- Brazos Valley Chapter. Classes begin September 7 and registration is due August 7. More information is available by contacting jabates66@cox.net or call 979-774-6699. --Denton -- Elm Fork Chapter. Classes begin September 5 and applications are due no later than August 25. For more information phone 940-349-2883, email: Donna.Wolfe@dentoncounty.com --Fort Worth -- Cross Timbers Chapter. Classes begin August 29 and applications are due August 4. Phone 817-355-4832 or email: membership@ctmn.org --Galveston -- Galveston Bay Area Chapter. Training begins August 24 and applications are due August 14. For complete details phone 281-534-3413, ext.3 or send email to: jmassey@ag.tamu.edu --Houston -- Gulf Coast Chapter. Classes begin August 26 with applications due on August 11. Phone 281-855-5600 or email: gcmn@tamu.edu --Junction -- Western Edwards Plateau Chapter -- Class begins in mid September with registration due September 1. For complete details contact scottr@ctesc.net or phone 325-475-2271. --Kerrville -- Hill Country Chapter. Classes begin in August and applications are due in July. For specific information phone 830-257-2094 or email: jstmn@ktc.com --La Grange -- A new chapter is being formed in Fayette County with plans to begin training September 18. Complete details are available by calling 979-249-6500 or email rafter_s_ranch@yahoo.com --Navasota -- Another new chapter is developing in Grimes County and plans to offer training in the fall. Contact sarnold@ag.tamu.edu for information. --New Braunfels -- Lindheimer Chapter. Classes begin November 7 and the application deadline is October 10. For information phone 830-620-3440 or email: nosko@gtvc.com --Rosenberg -- Coastal Prairie Chapter. Training begins September 7 and applications are due July 31. For information phone 281-633-7042 or visit www.coastalprairie.org --San Antonio -- Alamo Area Chapter. Classes start September 14 with applications due September 1. For information phone 210-698-2397 or email: http://www.alamomasternaturalist.org/ The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas Cooperative Extension co-sponsor the Texas Master Naturalist Program statewide. For more information about existing chapters or forming a new chapter contact Sonny Arnold, Assistant Program Coordinator, 111 Nagle Hall, 2258, TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-2258, call (979)458-1099 or Email: sarnold@ag.tamu.edu. --- On the Net: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/land/programs/txmasnat/ -30-