Texas Master Naturalists in Ellis County, Texas

The Texas Master Naturalist program is one way people can become more knowledgeable and involved in the ecology around them. After completing the program, they can then serve as volunteers to impart education and information to the public.
“Texas can’t afford to hire people to do what we do,” says Eileen Berger, president of the Indian Trail chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists, which includes Ellis and Navarro counties. “Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners are valued at $21 an hour for their volunteer work.”
To become a Texas Master Naturalist, members go through 40 hours of classroom training in which they learn, among other topics, about plants, reptiles, amphibians, weather/climate, fish, insects, birds, archeology, forestry, rangeland and prairies. In particular, they learn about the flora and fauna indigenous to their area.
After finishing the coursework, participants are expected to put in 40 hours of volunteer work and complete an additional eight hours of advanced training before receiving the title of Texas Master Naturalist.
The Indian Trail chapter has established volunteer partnerships with several entities, including the John Bunker Sands Wetlands Center in Seagoville and the Texas Wildlife Association.
“We partner with a lot of groups,” Berger says, noting that continued volunteering and training are required to maintain status as a Texas Master Naturalist.
Observing nature and understanding what one is seeing is important, Berger says.
“Birds are a good indicator of a healthy ecosystem. It’s easy to observe them. With wetland birds and the animals that live in the water everything is connected. You can’t pull one piece out and it not affect the system. Birds tell you stuff. You don’t have to even test the water.”

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The Indian Trail chapter meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Monday each month at Red Oak Library. Visitors are welcome.
The Texas Master Naturalist program is sponsored by two state agencies: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas AgriLife, with the latter also overseeing the Master Gardeners and Master AgriLife programs.