Never underestimate simple advertising. It was a bumper sticker that sparked Pat Symchych’s interest in becoming a Master Naturalist!
Pat grew up in Utah, a state renowned for its natural beauty. Her family hiked and camped amidst the stunning geological formations of Zion, Bryce, Arches, and Moab.
“I vividly remember walking barefoot on the rocks in Moab,” she says. “It was amazing, almost magical, as if those stones could speak to me.”
After marrying her husband, an airline professional with Continental, they moved around a bit, including stints in Colorado and California, before touching down in Houston, then San Antonio. Along the way, Pat had a career as a hospital administrator. When they computerized her facility, she discovered her love of IT, especially web development. She has pursued that passion ever since, including time as the primary webmaster for Schlitterbahn Water Parks.
Working in San Antonio, her grandkids nearby, Pat was struck by the difference between her childhood and theirs. They were surrounded by a sprawling urban environment, disconnected from nature. She decided she would find a way to bring them with her into the outdoors.
That was when she saw the Texas Master Naturalist bumper sticker. She took a picture of it, did some investigation, and found the Alamo Area Chapter. She graduated with Class #37 in 2015.
She enjoyed most of the training sessions, but one made her squeamish.
“It was the class when they brought preserved fish and passed them around,” she says with a chuckle. “I wouldn’t touch them. It was creepy. I was sitting at a table with Martha Cray and she just laughed.”
Liz Robbins, AAMN President at that time, discovered Pat’s love of website management and asked her to oversee the chapter’s website. Pat has enjoyed doing so ever since. A special highlight was helping to format and upload our chapter’s Talking Points.
“The Talking Points are a wonderful asset for anyone moving into our area,” she says. “It gives them an excellent overview of our local flora and fauna.”
Working on a screen at home, however, would not meet Pat’s goal of getting outside with her grandkids. She quickly remedied that. She took them with her to Guadalupe River State Park (GRSP) while she tended the bird blind, describing the process to them, then settling back to enjoy the visiting species. They went on a twilight walk at the park led by Ranger Greg Hensley, aimed at experiencing owls.
“It was amazing,” she says. “Greg would hoot at them and they would hoot right back.”
Closer to home, she took the children to Government Canyon—hiking, identifying plants and birds, marveling at its famous dinosaur tracks.
“On those days,” she says, “I insisted that they take their shoes off and feel the bare rocks on their feet. After all, that’s how the rocks talk to you.”
Recently, life has been challenging for Pat and her husband. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s five years ago, and Pat feels it is time to move back to Utah. They will settle in the small historic town of Helper, where her family owns some property.
“I’ve checked on the Master Naturalist program in Utah, she says. “It’s associated with Utah State University, and I’ll see about transferring my credentials. But nothing can compare to being part of the founding chapter. It will leave a big dent in my life.
“Taking the Texas Master Naturalist course was one of the best gifts I ever gave myself. I’m glad I was able to ‘give back’ my appreciation primarily by managing the website.”
We will miss you, Pat!
(Pictures below: Pat bundled-up on a cold camping trip with her grandkids; her grandson, Alek Symchych, skateboarding against a beautiful skyline.)
