To The Leader
Are you interested in learning more about the local environment and how to preserve the natural resources and natural areas within Southeast Texas communities? An Open House for all prospective trainees for the 2018 Texas Master Naturalist, Sabine-Neches Chapter, serving Orange, Hardin, and Jefferson counties will be held on Thursday, July 26, at 6:30 p.m. at the Big Thicket Association Office, 700 North Street in Beaumont.
The mission of the Texas Master Naturalist 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. Master Naturalist volunteers receive in-depth training in wildlife and natural resource management focused on local ecosystems and provide service in the form of community education, conservation, and demonstration projects.
Initial requirements to become a Certified Texas Master Naturalist, Sabine-Neches Chapter, include 40 hours of approved basic training, 40 hours minimum of approved volunteer service, eight hours minimum of approved Advanced Training, a $140 application fee, and a background check. Instructions for applying online are posted at http://txmn.org/sabine.

Monthly meetings are held on the fourth Thursday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Check the calendar at http://txmn.org/sabine for meeting location.
The Master Naturalist program is sponsored by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Local partners are Shangri La Botanical Gardens, Big Thicket National Preserve, Sea Rim State Park, Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary, Village Creek State Park, and J. D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area. Each year the Texas Master Naturalist program trains about 720 new Master Naturalists, provides about 320,000 hours of service (valued at $6.2 million), offers about 46,000 hours of advanced training, and reaches about 160,000 youth, adults and private landowners through direct contact events across the state of Texas.
For more information, contact Randy Beehn (beehner@att.net or 281-414-4304).