Texas Master Naturalist program training registration for the 2025 new class session is open through January 3, 2025. Weekly classes are scheduled January 15 through mid-April 2025. Registration is open to Winter Texans and residents of Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy counties over the age of 18 to become a member of the Rio Grande Valley Chapter that meets in Laguna Vista.

Texas Master Naturalist is a unique educational volunteer program sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Sea Grant Program.

“Texas Master Naturalists are volunteers with diverse interests. They receive in-depth training about the wildlife and natural resources of the Rio Grande Valley’s unique ecosystem,” said Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Park Superintendent and chapter advisor Javier de Leon. “Volunteers work with community partners in approved activities and help educate others about the special land in which we live and how to help sustain it.”

Students attend weekly Wednesday classes from 6 to 9 p.m. at the South Texas Ecotourism Center, 501 W. State Highway 100, in Laguna Vista. Special field trips are arranged for trainees, providing unique access and learning opportunities.

Classes are taught by local university professors, and other field experts, including those from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Trainees join volunteer teams with other chapter members and work among more than 60 local partners that include the chapter’s special projects, federal and local wildlife parks, coastal naturalist programs, cities, schools, and other public entities. Hundreds of opportunities are available to volunteers from studying wildlife to taking part in university studies, developing public native gardens, learning about native plants and habitat, citizen science projects, bird migration and shore birds to Gulf and beach inhabitants and trends.

Class size is limited. The cost is $150 and includes textbook, fees, t-shirt, name tag and one-year membership. Scholarships are available and the completed form is due by January 3.

To apply for the class or request a scholarship, follow the instructions on the website, at https://www.rgvctmn.org. If you have questions, please contact either of the new class co-directors, Barb Peterson, at Bhosick@aol.com or Amy Daley, at amyedaley@gmail.com.

The Rio Grande Valley Chapter meets at 6 p.m., the second Tuesday of each month, with a guest speaker. Meetings are held at the Harlingen Public Library; they are free and open to the public.