Special to the PARADE
PHARR, TX—Texas Master Naturalist program training registration for the 2025 new class session is open through Dec. 15. Weekly classes are scheduled Jan. 9 through March 27, 2025. Registration is open to
Winter Texans and residents of Cameron, Hidalgo and Starr counties over the age of 18 to join the South Texas Border Chapter that meets in Pharr.
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 Thursday classes from 6 to 9 p.m., at St. George Orthodox Church Hall, 704 W. Sam Houston, in Pharr. 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 volunteer from studying wildlife to taking part in university studies, developing public native gardens, learning about native plants and habitats, 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 of $100 are available and the completed form is due by Dec. 15.
To apply for the class or request a scholarship, follow the instructions in the pdf icons on the New Class Webpage at https://www.stbctmn.org/the-next-class. Questions can be directed to the new class director, Jim Gerry, at jimgerry@gmail.com or (630) 464-4622. Check out the chapter website at https://www.stbctmn.org/.
The South Texas Border Chapter meets at 6:30 p.m., the third Monday of each month, except December, with a guest speaker. Meetings are at St. George’s; they are free and open to the public.
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