Texas Master Naturalist ready to pass the knowledge

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

When his grandsons began asking him questions about the land, Bill Watson of Luling knew it was time for some answers. As a charter member of the Lost Pines Master Naturalist Program, he now has the knowledge to share. - Staff photo by Taylor

August 28, 2003 -- There comes a time in everyone's life when you decide you "just don't know enough answers." This happened to Bill Watson of Luling, after his five grandsons started asking him questions about the land that they, as seventh-generation Texans, live on.

In 2000, Watson became a charter member of the Lost Pines Master Naturalist Program, and he's been learning answers for the grandsons ever since then.

According to information from Texas A&M University (TAMU), the program is a volunteer undertaking sponsored by the Texas Cooperative Extension (TCE) agency and the Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW).

The "program overview" states the mission is "to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach and service dedicated to the management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities."

At this time, there are around 20 chapters all over Texas, and there are specific requirements in order to obtain the title of Master Naturalist.

"The classes are not easy. It's 40 hours of classroom instruction or field trips, and each year you have to have 40 hours of public service, plus eight hours of advanced training, so it's not for the weak of spirit," laughed Watson.

The Lost Pines Chapter is a combination of citizens from Caldwell and Bastrop counties, and Watson said they are expecting a new class of around 20, due to start in late August.

While TCE and TPW are the main sponsors, each chapter is supported by local organizations who have an interest in the management of natural resources in their local ecosystems.

Although one of his major reasons to become involved in the Lost Pines Chapter involved his grandchildren, Watson, as a rancher and owner of a small pecan orchard in Caldwell County, is interested in keeping the land in the best condition possible for grazing and wildlife management, along with pecan production. Each month, the members hear from a different professional concerning agriculture.

"They cover different fields of ag ... grass identification, for instance, water, ag of our area and plant identification. There are others on wildlife and birds, wildflowers ... all different aspects," explained Watson.

Although there is usually a full class in the beginning, Watson stated there is always a problem keeping the number of volunteers in the class at the maximum level.

"Some people just get tired of the meetings, but if you just go to the meetings, it's not that much," said Watson.

The 40 hours of community service and eight hours of continuing education seems to scare some of the participants off, but Watson said those that leave and don't return are usually people who have a specific, personal reason for attending, in the first place, rather than a real love of the land and environment for all citizens.

He said the members of his chapter who continue with the program tend to be mostly women who are motivated, originally from urban areas, and have enough money to make changes they deem necessary to pursue their interests.

Watson earned an agronomy degree from TAMU and worked in soil conservation, early in his career, and since he maintains a herd of cattle, he is very interested in the land and types of grass he uses for feed. He is concerned the habitats on his land are compatible with cattle production.

"I just keep learning more all the time," Watson said, and along those lines, he'll be able to keep finding answers for the five grandsons!

(Those interested in forming a chapter in their areas should contact the Texas Cooperative Extension office in their county or the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.)