Do you want to become a Certified Texas Master Naturalist?
The mission of the Texas Master Naturalist Program is “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”.
Requirements
The Capital Area Master Naturalist Chapter offers two pathway to certification:
- a Fall Hybrid Training Class
- a Spring In-Person Training Class.
Both the Hybrid Class and the In-Person class have similar volunteer and training requirements described below.
There are three primary requirements to become a Certified Texas Master Naturalist:
- Initial Training – 60 hours of combined classroom and field instruction.
- Annual volunteer service hours – A minimum of 40 hours is required for Initial Certification. A minimum of 40 hours is then required each subsequent year in order to retain the title Certified Master Naturalist.
- Annual advanced training hours – A minimum of eight hours is required for Initial Certification. A minimum of eight hours is then required each subsequent year to retain the title Certified Master Naturalist.
Initial Certification must be completed within 12 months of beginning training. To achieve Initial Certification requires a commitment of time, about nine hours a month for a year, so applicants should plan accordingly.
Membership in the Chapter is open to individuals 18 or older, regardless of race, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin who have begun or completed initial training.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility
CAMN is dedicated to creating a diverse volunteer base that reflects the communities in which we serve. Therefore, our members, volunteers, and partners strive to engage all audiences in conservation, education, and stewardship. We recognize the importance of fostering inclusion of all persons regardless of race, religion, class, age, ability, gender identity and expression, sexual preference and background and are committed to creating an environment that is equitable, accessible and welcoming for all.
Application and Selection Process
Interested students should complete and submit their application online during the appropriate application period. Applications are posted on our website in June for the Fall Hybrid Class and in October for the Spring In-Person Class and there is no fee to apply. Applications will be reviewed at the same time regardless of the order in which they are received. After the deadline has passed, applications are reviewed by the CAMN Application Committee and evaluated on the availability to attend classes and perform volunteer service and commitment to stewardship of natural resources.
Applicants are notified by email of the decisions approximately 4-6 weeks after the application deadline. Class size is limited to ensure a good learning experience.
Class registration fees are $140, and are due by the orientation session. Full or partial scholarships are available for these needing financial assistance.
Training Classes
As mentioned above, the Capital Area Master Naturalist Chapter offers two pathways to certification:
In either class, the expectation is that trainees will attend all classes. If a trainee is unable to avoid missing a class, CAMN will work with trainees to find an acceptable substitute for making up the missed class.
Trainees can and are expected to begin volunteering as soon as classes begin.
Criminal Background Check (CBC)
Because Texas Master Naturalists may interact with the public, all training applicants must pass a criminal background check (CBC). CBCs are conducted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at no cost to the applicant. CBCs are repeated every three years for active members. A current CBC is required to perform any volunteer duties.
Transferring Chapters
Those who have completed the Texas Master Naturalist training and certification in another chapter and wish to transfer to the Capital Area Chapter are eligible to do so. See information about transferring chapters for more information.
More Information
For more information about CAMN and what we do see:
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