To maintain their Certification Status, each year our Texas Master Naturalists are required to fulfill 3 requirements.

1. Pay the $25.00 Heartwood Chapter Dues by the end of January each year.
2. Donate the time to attend and report Advanced Training lectures, seminars, workshops - minimum 8 hours for the year.
3. Donate the time to attend/coordinate and report Volunteer Service - minimum 40 hours for the year.
   

Read further to get more details, exceptions, and examples.

1. Pay the $25.00 Annual Heartwood Chapter Dues by January 15.
   Covers you from January through December.
   
   The dues amount is set by the Board and has not increased since our inception in 2005. In December, we will add the Chapter Dues payment page instructing you how to pay on-line or by postal mail.
   
   Exceptions:
   
   • 2009 Fall Interns who paid their dues in the last half of the year are exempt for 2010.
   • Members who transferred in during the 2009 year and have paid dues to another Chapter in 2009 are exempt for 2009.
     
     
2. Advanced Training - minimum 8 hours
   Report lectures, seminars, workshops that enhance your knowledge on the topics covered in your Texas Master Naturalist curriculum manual. It must be something that applies to the Texas ecological system.
   
   Turtles of Texas --- yes
   Turtles of Florida --- no
   Texas Wildflower ID --- yes
   How to Restore a Prairie Habitat --- yes
   Propagating roses --- no
   How to organize a volunteer project --- yes
   
   
   
3. Volunteer Service - minimum 40 hours
   Report any projects on the topics covered in your Texas Master Naturalist curriculum manual. It must be something that applies to the Texas ecological system, the Texas Master Naturalist Program, or assists a nature organization/site with their operations.
   
   You can include your travel time, which will calculate in for your 40 hours. The travel time you report can not be more than the volunteer service time you report for that specific activity.
   
   Examples for a turtle volunteer
   
   
   • TPWD box turtle count & data entry
   • Texas Sea Turtle Rescue Program nest monitor
   • Create or maintain a turtle habitat or public viewing area
   • Nature talk or walk to educate others about turtles found in Texas
   • Assist at a booth about turtles found in Texas
   • Create and install an educational display about turtles found in Texas
   • Create a teaching trunk available to educators about turtles found in Texas
   • Research and make a documentary about a turtle species found in Texas
   • Write a published article about turtles found in Texas (newsletter or magazine)
   • Write and/or distribute an educational brochure about turtles found in Texas
   • Install and/or maintain recycle bins for monofilament fishing line to protect turtles and the Texas ecological environment.
   • Trainer or Officer for a local turtle group
   • Turtle rehab