In 2023 the Texas Master Naturalist (TMN) Program celebrated their 25th Anniversary. In recognition of all that the organization has accomplished in that time, they recently released their 25th Anniversary Report, and they certainly have a lot to celebrate.
The program, which was the first of its kind, has set the standard for state Master Naturalist Programs in nearly 30 states in the U.S., as well as influencing similar initiatives in Canada and Australia.
Through the dedication of volunteers statewide, the group has invested in myriad ecological improvement efforts which include river and beach clean ups, prairie restoration, and increasing native plantings for pollinators, just to name a few.
These efforts are in fulfillment of their mission, which 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.
Specialized Master Naturalist training equips volunteers with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect and preserve local natural resources, as well as educate the public on how to make a positive impact of their own.
As a testament to their success, the organization reports that through nearly seven million service hours, TMN volunteers have developed or maintained over 2,300 miles of trails, improved habitat on more than a quarter million acres of land, and reached more than seven million Texans through their programs.
In a recent interview, Kinute caught up with TMN State Program Coordinator Michelle Haggerty to discuss the group’s history, success, and bright future.
TMN volunteers identifying birds. (Photo: Texas Master Naturalist)
What is the history of the Texas Master Naturalist Program?
The Texas Master Naturalist program started with a prototype chapter in 1997 in San Antonio. The statewide program was initiated in 1998. I came on as the first state program coordinator in 1999. At that time there were 4 chapters and about 150 volunteers in the program. The program quickly doubled in size each year after that for the next few years. Today we have 49 chapters and more than 17,000 volunteers have been trained through the program.
Can you tell us about some of the projects that TMN is most proud of to date?
It's so hard to be most proud of just a couple of projects when you are proud of the collective accomplishments of ALL of our TMN projects statewide. Every one of our projects is so unique in its own way for its own purpose and community–it's just hard to pick a couple.
TMN volunteer sharing animal knowledge. (Photo: Texas Master Naturalist)
What has the public response to the TMN program been like?
In my mind, phenomenal! We have always had such a great response by our public for the program! Texans, in general, have a strong sense of natural resource responsibility and they always have! I think the variety of service opportunities, the breadth of training, and the connection to people, experts and the land are all things that attract people to our program. It's also one of the reasons they stay—in addition to seeing the results and accomplishments they are making on a daily basis.
What are #TMNTuesdays? Are they available to everyone?
#TMNTuesdays is our state program office’s offering of monthly webinars as a way to learn about top conservation issues across the state and how our volunteers can contribute to them. Our members can earn advanced training hours for attending live or watching the recording within the year. These events are open to ANYONE though—not just our TMN volunteers. We sometimes have more than 2,000 people from all across the nation watching live with us depending on the topic. TMNTuesday events are generally hosted on the 2nd Tuesday of the month with other pop ups and cross over events being added too. We also welcome speakers fitting our mission and having an applicable service project to train our volunteers for, too.
Prairie walk. (Photo: Texas Master Naturalist)
How do Texas A&M and Texas Parks & Wildlife support TMN volunteers?
At the state level, The TMN Program is sponsored statewide by Texas Parks and Wildlife and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. The program was initiated by TPWD biologists in 1997. TPWD also employs (or makes some contract positions available) for the state office staff who support the program. Within the local chapters, we require a chapter to be supported by local TPWD and AgriLife Extension staff as advisors. The training topics and process is also greatly supported by agency staff as well.
What projects or events are on the horizon that TMN is excited about?
We’re always excited about everything we do … but here’s some big projects we’re working on now and next:
- Development of a support organization for the Texas Master Naturalist Program called the Friends of TMN.
- We’ve just launched a review and update process for our statewide curriculum.
- We have a Texas Master Naturalist dragonfly license plate ANYONE in Texas can purchase (and support the program by doing so).
- We have a Texas Master Naturalist endowment we look forward to fully funding some day.
- We look forward to developing an official Junior Master Naturalist Program to train up the next generation of adult Texas Master Naturalist volunteers!
- We are currently planning our annual statewide meeting and advanced training event to be held in San Marcos, TX this year. We are currently accepting proposals for presentations and field sessions. The event is put on for our Master Naturalist volunteers but is open to anyone who wants to attend.
TMN volunteer with baby raccoon. (Photo: Texas Master Naturalist)
Why are you personally passionate about this work?
I LOVE the people I am able to meet and support through the program and seeing what they are doing on a daily basis to conserve and save our natural resource future! Seeing their projects and helping to communicate their collective impacts as a program of volunteers is very rewarding and keeps me passionate for this program and all It is doing and can do!
Kerr County volunteers with wildscape. (Photo: Texas Master Naturalist)
To learn more about the Texas Master Naturalist Program, you can find them online at: https://txmn.tamu.edu.