The Rio Grande Valley Chapter Texas Master Naturalist is organized to develop a group of knowledgeable volunteers to provide education, outreach and service dedicated to the study and conservation of natural resources and natural areas within the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

We are now accepting applications for our 2025 Texas Master Naturalist series of training classes. The training covers classes and field trips of our local ecosystems and includes such topics as Ecology, Texas Geology, Climate and Weather, Land Stewardship, Entomology, Mammals and Ornithology.

Graduating from the training class requires 30 hours of classroom training and 10 hours of field trip time. We normally have 12-13 classes planned so you can miss one or two classes and still complete your time. We may offer some in-person classes based on presenter and venue availability but all classes are accessible virtually. If the presenter allows, we try to publish videos of all training class onto our YouTube channel. However, watching recordings will not count towards your training.

We do the same with field trips; more time for the in-person field trips are planned than required. We plan the trips based on a questionnaire we send once your application is accepted. The questionnaire includes questions on your availability during a normal week so the we can plan trips accordingly.

The program cost is $150 which includes your first year’s dues ($15) and the required textbook ($35). The rest of the funds cover expenses for class supplies, training materials, venue rentals, field trip entrance fees, field trip snacks/water, chapter t-shirts, etc.

Classes start January 15, 2025!

The virtual, online classes will be held every Wednesday evening from 6 pm to 9 pm, through Mid-April, 2025. Field trips will be in-person across the RGV.

The application is complete upon payment of the $150 fee. Apply early as class size is limited to 30 trainees. Acceptance to the 2025 RGVCTMN Trainee Class is dependent on successfully passing the TPWD background check.

          Rio Grande Valley Chapter Texas Master Naturalist
          C/O Elizabeth Hosick
           56 Whooping Crane
           Laguna Vista, TX  78578