20 years for Hays County Master Naturalists

The Hays County Commissioners Court congratulated the Hays County Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists on its 20th Anniversary and thanked the members for helping to maintain the natural beauty of the Edwards Plateau and Blackland Prairie ecoregions in Hays County. The city of Wimberley also honored the Master Naturalists at their meeting last week.

Over the 20 years the Master Naturalists have trained nearly 700 people and volunteered almost 161,000 hours of service, which the State of Texas values at more than $4 million. Master Naturalists act as docents at several Hays County parks, educating visitors about the landscapes, riparian areas, and native wildlife and landscapes found within the county. Members have also donated hundreds of hours to improving the parks as well as other public areas throughout the county.

“Hays County is phenomenal, and its diversity gives us a lot of opportunities; we love working with the people here,” Chapter President Susan Neill told the Court.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Lon Shell noted that the work the Master Naturalists do at Jacob’s Well Natural Area is a great service to Hays County citizens. County Judge’s Chief of Staff Alex Villalobos commented that the wide variety of talents and professions in the group, from bird experts to biologists to trainers and educators, is a valuable asset to the county.

Master Naturalists offer advice, service, and training to those interested in maintaining or restoring a natural ecosystem on their properties. The group is dedicated to “the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within our communities” and invites interested Hays County residents to become members.

The organization will celebrate its 20th anniversary August 10 at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. For more information about the Master Naturalist program, visit https://haysmn.org.