2010 Master Naturalist Training Class

Join the Lost Pines Chapter

Revised course schedule (4/9/10) (PDF)

We invite you to join the Lost Pines Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist Program. The goal of this program is to develop a group of well-informed volunteers who provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources natural areas in their community. Our chapter serves primarily Bastrop and Caldwell Counties. In the Master Naturalist program, you will enhance your love of nature with research-based, scientifc knowledge. You will learn about the plants, animals and natural history of Central Texas, meet other people who enjoy nature, find out how to attract wildlife to your property, and share your knowledge through volunteer activities in our communities.

About Master Naturalist Training

Introductory Master Naturalist Training includes over 40 hours of intensive classroom and field based instruction -- with an emphasis on our local ecosystems -- conducted by experts in:

• Ecology
• Geology
• Climate
• Wildlife diversity
• Native Plants
• Aquatic ecology
• Forest/wetland/prairie land management
• And other natural resource fields.

Quick Facts

When: Training begins with an orientation class on January 25, 2010 and ends with graduation on May 17. Evening classes are Mondays, 6:30 to 9 PM (2 or 3 times a month). There are also five Saturday morning field trips planned. Registration forms will be available in November. A revised preliminary class schedule is available here (PDF).

Where: Some classes, including the January 25 orientation, will be held at the Bastrop State Park Refectory ( click for map ). Other classes will be held at the Redrock Community Center ( click for map ) or Caldwell County Extension office in Lockhart ( click for map ). Field trips will be held at various natural areas and parks in the area.

Map to Luling Foundation Farm (PDF). You can also link to the MapQuest map from www.lulingfoundation.org.

Cost: The class fee is $85. This fee includes a binder containing a comprehensive Texas Master Naturalist Curriculum (several hundred pages of educational materials), various hand-outs and other resources during the course, and dues for your first year as a member of the Lost Pines Chapter.

Certification: After completing the class, trainees continue their education and service with 8 hours of Advanced Training and 40 hours of local volunteer activities within 1 year of graduation. This qualifies you to be a Texas Master Naturalist, at which time you will receive a Master Naturalist name tag and dragonfly pin. Local volunteer activities include:

• Plant or wildlife surveys
• Leading nature walks
• Land restoration
• Demonstration projects
• Educational presentations
• and more!

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