Thursday, July 16, 2009

New Master Naturalist Chapter

Southeast Texas has amazing ecological diversity, from dense forests to open coastal prairies - and now, it has a new chapter of a program that provides education, outreach and service. The newly formed Sabine-Neches Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist Program (Hardin, Jefferson and Orange counties) is accepting applications for their 2009-2010 class.

Students will experience in-depth training in wildlife and natural resource management (taught by recognized experts in the field). Participants will also have the opportunity for advanced training in special subjects of interest. Master Naturalists are volunteers with extensive knowledge of the benefits of managing natural resources. They provide youth education programs, operate parks, nature centers, and natural areas and for provide leadership in local natural resource conservation efforts.

The program is co-sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife and Texas AgriLife Extension and partners include Village Creek State Park, Shangri La Botanical Gardens, J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area, and The Nature Conservancy at the Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary.

Weekly classes begin in September and continue through January. Tuition is $150. To become a certified Master Naturalist, participants must also complete 40 hours of volunteer service and eight hours of advanced training during the 12 month period. To learn more, contact Roy Stanford, Orange County AgriLife Extension agent at 409-882-7010, or Amanda Adair with Texas Parks and Wildlife at 409-755-7322. For more information or to download an application, visit the Sabine-Neches Chapter website at http://grovesite.com/tmn/snc

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