“Education, Restoration, Conservation”
Our Mission
The Texas Master Naturalist Program’s mission is to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the State of Texas.
Our Commitment to You
The Blackland Prairie Texas Master Naturalist chapter is strengthened by the diversity of our members. We are committed to providing a welcoming environment where diversity, equity, and inclusion are a core part of everything that we do. We strive to be an organization that reflects the communities we serve and encourages multiple ideas and viewpoints.
The Texas Master Naturalist program is a partnership between the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and other local partners.
Congratulations to the Blackland Prairie Chapter Class of 2025!
2025 September Chapter Meeting with Lauren Plunk | Lavon Watershed Plan
Join us on September 9th at 7 PM, the next chapter meeting will focus on the watershed approach and its importance for the Lavon Lake watershed. The meeting will highlight how watersheds are defined by natural landscapes rather than political boundaries, making coordinated management across jurisdictions essential. The Lavon Lake watershed is a prime example, covering over 768 square miles across four counties (Collin, Grayson, Fannin, and Hunt) and fed by five major creeks, including the East Fork of the Trinity River. This session will provide key insights into protecting this vital regional water source.
Speaker: Lauren Plunk, Watershed Manager for North Texas Municipal Water District
When: Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 – 7:00 PM
Click here to view our Calendar.
- SRC Doors will open at 6:30 PM
- Zoom meeting waiting room will open at 6:45 PM
- Business Meeting will begin at 7:00 PM
- Naturalist Talk will start at 7:30 PM (approximately)
Physical Meeting Location: Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary,
1Nature Place, McKinney, TX 75069, Science Resource Center (SRC) building.
Directions to SRC: Drive through Heard gates, past the parking lot and museum building, and continue until the road ends at the large white SRC building.
Register in advance for this Zoom meeting:
Use the email address associated with your personal Zoom account.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElcOmsrTsrGtbd5HCAAws7J_qSSob6IxpQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Logging AT: The monthly meeting presentation will allow members to earn 1-hour of AT. Log as AT: BPTMN Chapter Monthly Meeting Only (1 hour) with the speaker’s name and topic in the description box.
If you have any additional questions, please email.
Chapter Meeting Host: Vicki Sanders, vicepresident@bptmn.org
Past Chapter Meeting Speakers and Topics
Deep Dive on Blackland Prairie Texas Master Naturalists Pollinator Gardens: 2025
Join us on August 18th, at 7 PM CST for a Deep Dive, with Susan Abernathy presenting on Blackland Prairie Texas Master Naturalists Pollinator Gardens: 2025.
Click here to view our Calendar.
Topic: Blackland Prairie Texas Master Naturalists Pollinator Gardens: 2025
A presentation of photos of home pollinator gardens created and maintained by members of the BPTMN: Sharla Stack, Phillip Olson, Jackie and Harvey Mette, and Tina, ED and Dennis Burke. Notes on methods, a plant list and an opportunity to ask questions of the homeowners will be included in the presentation
Speaker: A native Texan, and life long nature lover, Susan has been a Texas Master Naturalist with the Blackland Prairie Chapter since 2018. She has volunteered in a variety of administrative roles and has enjoyed work on prairie restoration in Collin and Hunt counties. She currently maintains a pocket prairie and a Monarch Watch pollinator garden at home in Plano and one in Pilot Point in Denton county.
Understanding and educating others about the critical role of pollinators is an important part of her volunteer efforts. She also enjoys birding and hiking whenever she has the chance.
When: August 18, 2025, at 7 PM CST
Online Zoom Meeting Registration
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/AodEQrsaQme7qxYZ_Vhc8A
Please register ahead of time for this meeting using your Zoom Account Email address.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the meeting.
(This meeting will be recorded, and a link will be posted here within a week of the event.)
Logging AT: Approved for 1 hour of AT to be logged as AT: BPTMN: Other Pre-approved Training with the speaker’s name and topic in the description box.
Advanced Training is only for the LIVE session with a Q&A and not the recorded video.
If you have any additional questions, please get in touch.
Chapter Meeting Host: Vicki Sanders, vicepresident@bptmn.org
Past Deep Dive Speakers and Topics
Current News
4th Annual Connemara Mothing Event on Saturday September 13, 7pm – 9pm
