Information below provided by Kay Jenkins – Environmental Education Programs Coordinator – SFA Gardens | Department of Agriculture – Pineywoods Native Plant Center
Phone: 936.468.1832 – Email: kay.jenkins@sfasu.edu
Discover the Texas Master Naturalist™ Program
Growing a new chapter to serve East Texas counties
By Kay Jenkins
Nature enthusiasts, conservation supporters, and community members are invited to learn about an exciting opportunity to bring a new Texas Master Naturalist chapter to the Pineywoods. An informational meeting will introduce the Pine Savannah Texas Master Naturalist chapter, and share its vision for learning about and conserving the natural resources in east Texas.
The meeting will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, November 2, 2026 at the Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building, located at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St., Nacogdoches, Texas. A meet and greet reception will begin at 5:30 p.m.
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The new Pine Savannah Texas Master Naturalist Chapter will serve Angelina, Houston, Nacogdoches, Sabine, San Augustine and Shelby Counties which are currently not served by existing Texas Master Naturalist Program chapters. Interest in forming the new chapter has grown as the need for well-informed and dedicated volunteers to help local communities and organizations with conservation efforts is recognized. The Pine Savannah Chapter will provide program participants with the ability to support environmental education and conservation endeavors in the program area through extensive training and volunteer opportunities.
The first training classes for the Pine Savannah Texas Master Naturalist chapter will begin in spring of 2027. Information on joining the chapter will be provided at the November 2nd meeting or can be received by contacting Julie Taylor by phone at 936-560-7711 or email at julie.taylor@ag.tamu.edu.
Started in 1997, the Texas Master Naturalist program includes more than 45 local chapters serving over 200 counties. The mission of the program is to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the State of Texas. The Texas Master Naturalist organization is sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. As of 2024, the TMN Program has trained more than 17,400 certified volunteers, impacted more than 260,468 acres of wildlife and native plant habitats, contributed more than 7.5 million hours of service, and reached more than 7.1 million Texas residents of all ages. These volunteer efforts are estimated to be worth more than $170 million to the state of Texas.
Interested persons should contact, Kay Jenkins, Pine Savannah Chapter Training Director at (936) 468-1832 or by email at kay.jenkins@sfasu.edu.