The Bois d’Arc Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist program is preparing to welcome a new class of volunteers interested in learning about the natural resources of Fannin County and North Texas — and putting that knowledge to work through community service, conservation, and public education.
Texas Master Naturalists come from all walks of life. You don't need to be a scientist, biologist, teacher, or experienced naturalist to participate. You simply need curiosity, an interest in the natural world, and a desire to learn and contribute to your community.
For a rural agricultural community such as Fannin County, understanding our natural resources has particular importance. Farms, ranches, pastures, ponds, creeks, woodlands, roadsides, and backyards all contribute to the health and character of our county. They also provide habitat for an extraordinary variety of native plants and wildlife. Whether you own hundreds of acres, a few acres in the country, or a backyard in town, there is always something new to discover.
Education is only the beginning. Texas Master Naturalists put their training to work through volunteer service and projects that benefit their communities and natural resources. Opportunities may include native plant and pollinator projects, habitat improvement, wildlife monitoring, community science, nature walks, youth activities, conservation projects, and other hands-on efforts throughout the area.
An important part of the Texas Master Naturalist mission is public education. Master Naturalists help connect people with the natural world around them and share reliable, practical information about Texas natural resources. Members may help with educational programs for schools and youth organizations, lead nature walks, give presentations, staff exhibits at community events, demonstrate conservation practices, or help homeowners and landowners better understand native plants, wildlife, pollinators, water, soils, invasive species, and habitat.
You don't have to be a teacher or public speaker to participate. The training, continuing education, and experience you gain through the program provide opportunities to develop your knowledge and share it with others in ways that suit you.
Sometimes public education is as simple as helping a child identify the butterfly that just landed on a flower, showing a landowner why a particular native plant is valuable, or helping someone discover an animal they have lived beside for years but never noticed before. Small encounters like these can create a lifelong interest in the natural world.
Some Master Naturalists enjoy getting their hands dirty restoring habitat. Others enjoy identifying birds and plants, monitoring wildlife, collecting observations for scientific projects, photographing nature, teaching children, speaking to community groups, or helping neighbors become better stewards of their land. Many simply enjoy learning alongside other people who share their curiosity about the natural world.
Whatever brings you outdoors, there is likely a place for that interest in the Texas Master Naturalist program.
Come discover the wild side of Fannin County. Learn about it. Experience it. Share it. And help us take care of it for the generations that follow.
The Bois d’Arc Chapter will soon announce dates, locations, registration information, and additional details for its upcoming Texas Master Naturalist new-member training program. Currently set to start in October.
For more information about the Bois d’Arc Chapter and the upcoming training program, visit
Training Website or the Chapter Website
Contact email: boisdarctmn.training@gmail.com
