Texas Master Naturalist Statewide Curriculum

Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Service Series

by Michelle M. Haggerty (Editor), Mary Pearl Meuth (Editor)

For fifteen years, the Texas Master Naturalist program has been hugely successful, training more than 9,600 volunteers who have given almost 2.8 million hours to nature education. This dedicated corps of naturalists provides teaching, outreach, and service in their communities, promoting the appreciation and stewardship of natural resources and natural areas around the state. Hundreds of new volunteers are trained every year, and the Texas Master Naturalist Statewide Curriculum serves as the basis of instruction for trainees who complete a certification course taught under the auspices of more than forty program chapters. The curriculum contains twenty-four units of instruction that range from geology to ornithology to wetland ecology—all written by the state’s top scientists and experts. Available as well to educators, interpreters, and others who may not yet be able to commit to the Texas Master Naturalist program, the curriculum offers an authoritative source of information for anyone seeking to learn more about the natural world in Texas.

Genres: Nature, Science, Nonfiction, History, Textbooks

781 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2003

Reviews

[Maegan]

An excellent textbook for the Texas Master Naturalist program.

[Crystal]

This comprehensive curriculum is a goldmine for anyone passionate about Texas ecology, wildlife, and conservation. Designed with the Texas Master Naturalist program in mind, this book offers far more than a textbook—it’s a deep dive into the diverse natural systems that make Texas unique.

From ecoregions to native species, land stewardship to water conservation, the curriculum covers an impressive breadth of topics while staying accessible to beginners and useful for seasoned naturalists alike. The content is clearly organized, beautifully written, and thoughtfully supported with illustrations, maps, and real-world applications.

What I appreciated most is the balance between scientific accuracy and practical guidance. It's not just about learning the facts; it’s about becoming an active steward of the land. This resource empowers readers to understand, appreciate, and advocate for the natural world around them.

Whether you're in the Master Naturalist program or just a nature-loving Texan, this curriculum is a must-have for your bookshelf. It’s informative, inspiring, and a true celebration of Texas’ natural heritage.

[Kerry Pickens]

This is a textbook for a certification course as a Master Naturalist, which is offered by Texas A&M Agrilife. They also have a Master Gardener certification but the Naturalist is more for someone who manages a large property. I am planning on taking the next available course, and as spent 2025 reading books on nature and natural history the course covers material I had already been reading.

[Beverly]

Excellent reading if interested in the natural world from soil and rock to microorganisms and water to birds and mammals with all that lie between.

[Becky]

good educational resource.

[Kimberlie]

Excellent resource! This was our textbook for the Texas Master Naturalist classes.