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Lost Pines Chapter, Texas Master Naturalist

Program Overview Chapter Meetings Contact Us Officers Sponsors

Overview

The Lost Pines Chapter is one of over 30 local Chapters of Texas Master Naturalist volunteers operating throughout Texas. Our emphasis is on education and service to our local communities in the Lost Pines area of Bastrop, Caldwell, and surrounding counties. The Lost Pines Chapter was founded in 2000 and operates as a registered 501-3(C) non-profit organization.

Mission:

The Mission of the Texas Master Naturalist volunteer 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.

Program:

Texas Master Naturalist volunteers receive 40 hours of in-depth training in wildlife and natural resource management, customized to focus on our local ecosystems. In return, volunteers provide at least 40 hours of service in the form of community education and demonstration projects, while pursuing a minimum of 8 hours of advanced training in areas of special interest.

Texas Master Naturalist training is provided by educators and specialists from universities, agencies, nature centers, museums, and other organizations that donate their services. The Texas Master Naturalist curriculum is developed by experts and provides a standardized base of knowledge and skills for all volunteers across the state.

The Texas Master Naturalist volunteer program is sponsored by the Texas Cooperative Extension and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and supported by more than 180 local organizations.

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Lost Pines Chapter Volunteer Training

The Lost Pines Chapter's next Volunteer Training Course will be announced later in 2008. Please refer back to this page for information. Classes include Monday evening lectures 2 or 3 times a month, plus five Saturday field trips during this time. Trainees receive over 40 hours of classes in the natural history of our area. This is an excellent opportunity for residents of Bastrop and Caldwell Counties and adjacent areas to both enhance their knowledge of the natural history of Texas, with emphasis on the Lost Pines, and to give something back to the community. In return, Master Naturalist volunteers provide at least 40 hours of service in the form of community education and demonstration projects, while pursuing a minimum of 8 hours of advanced training in areas of special interest.

Chapter Meetings

The Lost Pines Chapter holds regular meetings on the 3rd Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are usually held alternately at the Bastrop State Park Refectory or the Red Rock Community Center.

See our home page for upcoming meetings.

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Chapter Documents

Chapter By-laws (2006) (156 kB PDF)

Chapter Handbook (2006) (144 kB PDF)

Activity Reporting Form
Please begin using these new forms now. They will be required for reporting your activity as of January 1, 2007.
(Word doc, click here)
(PDF reporting Form)
New! On-line reporting form
(Use one of these to submit monthly reports of your volunteer and advanced training hours, to Marsha Elrod)

Volunteer Project approval form (for initiating a new project not already approved by the Chapter)
Volunteer project approval (RTF, open and fill-out in most word processors)
Volunteer project approval (PDF file)

Advanced Training approval form
To request approval for a new advanced training opportunity which has not previously been approved by the Chapter.
(Fillable Word doc, click here)
(PDF format, click here)

Revised! Generally approved Advanced Training - List of activities and sponsors pre-approved for advanced training events not explicitly announced as approved by the Chapter

Check Request form (to request reimbursement for Chapter expenses)

Statewide Curriculum
(Overview of the curriculum)

Statewide Chapter Management Guidelines (12-04)
(461 kB PDF)

Statewide Standards of Conduct (60 kB PDF)

Statewide Code of Ethics
(60 kB PDF)

 

Contact Us

The Lost Pines Chapter web address is http://www.lostpinesmasternaturalist.org/ . Chapter events, and other topics of interest, are also discussed through the Lost Pines Master Naturalist Yahoo Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LPMN/. To join this moderated discussion group, sent email to LPMN-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

The address of the state-wide Texas Master Naturalist Program is http://masternaturalist.tamu.edu/

Stay Connected! Join the TMN Mailing List. This is a low volume E-mail list that allows Master Naturalists throughout Texas to communicate with one another, and to receive news and updates from the State Coordinator's Office. Join here

If you have questions about the Lost Pines Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist Program, would like to be added to our mailing list, or have comments about this site, please contact one of our officers, listed below, or use this form.
Please enter your name and address below. Items marked with an asterisk (*) are required, so that we will be able to reply to you. Information submitted will be used only to respond to you, and will not be shared with any outside party.

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Board of Directors

President Mark McClelland 512-281-5516
Vice President Louise Ridlon 512-985-5064
Secretary Kathy McAleese 512-718-1313
Treasurer Marie Medrano 512-360-4172
Past President Andy Butler 512-321-1308
State Representative Michal Hubbard 512-303-5976
Sponsors
Rachel Bauer, Caldwell County CEA-Ag/NR

Meredith Longoria, Bastrop/Caldwell County TPWD Wildlife Biologist
512-581-7186


512-398-3122


512-332-7280

Committees

Hospitality

Arranges for meeting space and refreshments for meetings and classes.
Marie Medrano
Norma Nance
Rachel Riffe
Carole O'Toole
512-360-4172

Volunteer Activities

Develop guidelines for volunteer activities; approve activities members submit for volunteer hours; and track volunteer and Advanced Training hours.
Marsha Elrod (Volunteer Records)

Sue Fischer

Michal Hubbard


Communications
  Newsletter:


  Web Page:

  Publicity:
Marsha Elrod

Vernon Berger

Andy Butler

Kathy McAleese

Louise Ridlon




512-321-1308

Education & Training

Plans Chapter basic training classes and contacts speakers and other presentors for topics based on Texas Master Naturalist Program curriculum guidelines.
-- (Chair)
Marsha Elrod
Helen Parish
Alvin Cearley
Sue Fischer
Norma Nance
Carol Reidy
Bill Watson


Programs

Arrange advanced training programs and speakers for meetings and other events. Coordinates with Education Committee.
Alvin Cearley (Chair)
Helen Parrish
Mark McClelland
Marsha Elrod


Chapter History

Collects and organizes Chapter records, photos and other materials.
Bill Brooks



Policies & guidelines Bill Watson (Chair)
Andy Butler
Elaine Cearley


Membership

Develop a list of prospective members and ensure that they obtain applications and information on new training classes.
Vernon Berger (Chair)
Jan Walter
Norma Nance
Marie Medrano
Rachel Riffe
Marsha Elrod (tracking volunteer hours)


     
 

Sponsors

[Texas AgriLife Extension] Bastrop County Extension
  Rachel A Bauer, CEA-AG/NR
  Office: Bastrop-tx@tamu.edu; 512-581-7186

Caldwell County Extension
  Office: Caldwell-tx@tamu.edu; 512-398-3122


[Texas Parks & Wildlife]Bastrop/Caldwell County District Biologist, Office: 901 Pecan St., Mail: 804 Pecan St., Bastrop, Tx 78602; 512-332-7280.
Meredith Longoria

     
 

  Lost Pines Chapter Home Page

Updated: Mar 10, 2008

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