Hays County is the second oldest chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist program, a statewide organization sponsored jointly by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. The program provides training and volunteer opportunities to individuals who desire to learn about and promote the preservation, protection, sustainable use, and maintenance of our natural resources and who afterward continue serving as volunteers in such endeavors. Our citizen scientists are crucial for implementing education programs, for enhancing parks and natural areas, and collaborating with local conservation efforts.
As Hays County continues to grow in population and develop as a tourist destination, it is important to protect the natural environment that draws people to this area. We need to work together to ensure the health of our streams and aquifers, preserve wildlife habitat, protect our night skies from light pollution and promote sustainable use of the land.
Master Naturalists are well trained and provide thousands of volunteer hours of service each year to preserve the natural resource of Hays County.
For more information, please visit the Hays County Master Naturalist Website
Habitat Enhancing Land Management (HELM)
Want to know more about managing your Hays County acreage?
Habitat Enhancing Land Management (HELM) program, a specially trained team of the Hays County Master Naturalists, can help!
Hays County Master Naturalists will:
- Site visit to your property
- To identify plants and trees
- Recommendations on improving soil and controlling erosion
- Provide helpful advice on attracting birds and other wildlife
- Preventing Oak Wilt
Customized guidance with site visits and follow-up, the Hays County Master Naturalists will help you to meet your goals for managing your property.
To request a site visit or for more information about HELM, please visit the Hays County Master Naturalists’ Website
Become a Hays County Master Naturalist:
The Hays County Master Naturalist training program is offered annually. The classes begin in January and finish in October. Applications are only available online the first Saturday of December and accepted in accordance with the date and time the form is submitted, with an application fee. Class size is limited, and in-person training occurs on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings at locations throughout Hays County. In additional to classroom time, there are site visits and field trips. Per State standards, trainees accepted into the program are required to attend a minimum of 40 hours of initial training through classes and site visits to graduate; certification as a Master Naturalist requires an additional 40 hours of volunteer work and 8 hours of advanced training. Upon completion, to maintain active membership, you must pay annual dues and continue your volunteer work and education.
Sign up here to receive notification of the application schedule.
For more information visit the Texas Master Naturalist- Hays County Website: https://www.beautifulhayscounty.org/
