We grew up as “free range” kids in central Minnesota.
Becky’s family lived on a 125-acre tree farm with 100,000 planted trees in addition to the natural forested areas. She spent her free time in the fields and forests either on foot or horseback. Planting trees and gardening became an essential part of her life.
Pat grew up in a small town in central Minnesota, one of nine children in a cramped house. He spent much of his life exploring the forests and hills around Little Falls. His family had large gardens to support the ever-growing clan. Gardening and nature became an essential part of his life.
Our life together continued with a love of nature. Being in the Navy for 12+ years and moving around the country, we always sought out parks and natural areas to explore. After retirement, volunteering seemed like the next step.
In Minnesota, we volunteered with Live Better, Live Longer, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of citizens of central Minnesota by eating right, exercising, and belonging to a social group. We helped set up a community garden, organized walking groups, and helped set up Open Street events. We also worked with a start-up Food Co-Op.
After moving to Texas from Minnesota, we realized that we knew nothing about gardening or plants in our new state. We found out about the Native Plant Society of Texas, the Native Landscape Certification Program, and eventually the Alamo Area Master Naturalist Program. Becoming Master Naturalists gave us the opportunity to volunteer and continue learning about native Texas plants.
During the AAMN Classes, we began volunteering at many different venues: the Salsa Squad, San Antonio Botanical Gardens, Mitchell Lake, Cibolo Nature Center and Farm, Headwaters at Incarnate Word, and Kirchoff Farm. Over the last couple years, we have continued mainly with the Salsa Squad and Headwaters.
As members of the Salsa Squad, we have had the opportunity to go into the deep woody areas at Medina River Natural Area, Mission San Juan, Mission Espada and the Espada Aqueduct, taking out invasive trees and plants. We have participated in prairie restoration and maintaining the acequia and pollinator meadow.
Our volunteer hours at Headwaters have been spent in a variety of capacities: planting and maintaining the native pollinator garden at the Circle of the Springs; planting at the Villa, the Grotto, the Village entrances, and the Generalate building; planting native plants along the bank of the San Antonio River near the Blue Hole
We enjoy volunteering because we feel like we are giving back. Spending quality time in nature is like being in God’s outdoor church. Plus, we get to be around other Master Naturalists who enjoy nature as much as we do and who constantly teach us new things. We also enjoy the teaching aspect as we have the opportunity to work with other volunteers of all ages and we can share the wonders of nature with them.
