The Texas Master Naturalist program is a venture directed toward developing local corps of "master volunteers" to provide outreach, education and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas.  Many communities and organizations rely on citizen volunteers for implementing youth education programs; for operating parks, nature centers, and natural areas; and for providing leadership in natural resource conservation efforts.

A short supply of dedicated and well-informed volunteers is often cited as a limiting factor for community-based conservation. 

 In Texas the partnership among Texas Cooperative Extension, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and some 300 local partners has resulted in a unique organization.  Texas Master Naturalist volunteers through service and teaching have become a valuable asset to many natural resource conservation organizations and through their efforts extend the work of natural resource professionals.

Leadership of the Texas Master Naturalist program is provided under the direction of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas Cooperative Extension.   Thirty one Master Naturalist chapters are organized and have trained over 3,200 volunteers to assist with natural resource conservation, education and service.

Each chapter develops strong partnerships with local natural resource organizations and agencies to support mutual goals and objectives.  It would be impossible to accurately name every existing partnership of each chapter.  Among the near 300 partners affiliated with a chapter are nature centers, public parks, wildlife management areas, state and federal agencies, public water districts, river authorities, nature preserves and many others. 

Trained volunteers have become a valuable asset for many of the partners and provide a means of each partner to extend a service or accomplish a goal.