The Texas Master Naturalist Program engages volunteers in meaningful conservation, education, and stewardship projects that enhance natural resource management and connect communities with nature throughout Texas. With 49 chapters statewide, the program empowers individuals to restore habitats, promote biodiversity, and share knowledge through outreach and citizen science. This presentation highlights the program’s far-reaching impacts, demonstrating how collective partnership efforts inspire environmental stewardship and strengthen connections to the outdoors.
Mary Pearl is the Assistant State Coordinator of the Texas Master Naturalist (TMN) Program, a partnership of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. She was a lead editor for the TMN Statewide Curriculum, a comprehensive resource covering topics from geology to wetland ecology. Mary Pearl also organizes the program’s annual meeting, offering professional training, workshops, and field events. Residing in Giddings, Texas, she enjoys exploring the outdoors with her husband and three children.
Hannah Ferguson completed her undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University in Agricultural Communications and Journalism and her master’s degree at the University of Arkansas in Agricultural and Extension Education, Communications and Leadership. She has communications and marketing experience through work with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and Farm Credit of Western Arkansas, and media experience from work with Arkansas FFA and the Arizona National Livestock Show.
Hannah began working for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service as the Texas Master Naturalist Program Support Specialist in December 2023. As such, she provides a direct link between program leadership and the 49 Master Naturalist chapters that serve 213 counties across the state. Hannah assists Master Naturalist chapters with questions related to training resources, branding and other communications. She also develops training materials, program templates and additional communication products, and maintains the program’s website and social media channels.
