BPTMN Home
Blackland Prairie Chapter
“Education, Restoration, Preservation”
Deadline Extended to 02/06!
The mission of the Texas Master Naturalist program 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.
The Texas Master Naturalist program is a partnership between the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and other local partners.
To receive information from the TPWD Listserv sign up here: TPWD Listserv
Chapter Meetings
2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
Heard Museum Science Center in McKinney
(Links to Directions & Map for the Heard Museum below)
The Heard Natural Science Museum
Science Resource Center Building (SRC)
1 Nature Place
McKinney, TX 75069
Directions to Museum
Directions from the Heard Entrance to the Science Resource Center (SRC):
Stay on the drive, go past the main parking area, museum building and maintenance area, continue to follow the curve, once on top of the hill, there are multiple areas to park in the circle drive or to the right. The SRC Bldg is on the North Side of these parking areas.
Click to view the Heard Museum Guide Map to locate the “SRC Bldg”
(The SRC Bldg is in the middle of pg 1 and top of pg 2 of the Heard Museum Guide)
2019 Monthly Meeting Topics
February 12 – “Habitat Restoration of Large and Small Plots and Unintended Consequences” – Bob Mione
Bob is a chapter member, and is the Preserve Manager of the Connemara Meadow in Allen. He has also served as the chapter Membership Director and is a popular speaker across the state.
March 12: “Turtles – Their interesting behavior, value, and challenges that threaten their existence – Carl Franklin
Carl is with UT Arlington Dept. of Biology and is the Biological Curator and Collections Manager for the Amphibian and Reptile Research Center.
April 9: Making an Impression: Tales and Tips from 50 Years Teaching about Nature” – Sally Evans
Sally has been a natural science educator at the Heard Museum since 1970, leading nature trails and several other educational efforts at the Heard. In addition, she was a long-time educator at the Richardson and Plano outdoor learning centers. Sally is a BPTMN Chapter Member emeritus and was the chapter’s education chair for 9 years. She is currently working with the Heard and the Naturalists on the Third Saturday Nature Talk Classes and reads to Preschoolers each Friday at the museum.
May 14: “How iNaturalist Influences Land Management and Guides Public Policy” – Sam Kieschnick
Sam is an Urban Wildlife Biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife, serving the east side of the DFW metroplex. As an Urban Wildlife Biologist, Sam’s focus is on three a’s: Awareness, Appreciation, and Action.
June 11: “Management of Roadside Vegetation and Wildflowers” – Jacob Eickstead
Jacob holds a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from Texas State University and is a Vegetation Specialist for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Prior to working at TxDOT, Jacob served as a Natural Resource Specialist for the Railroad Commission of Texas, analyzing soil characteristics and re-vegetation of mine reclamations throughout the state.
2019 Past Speakers
January 8 – Blackland Prairie Chapter Open House and 2019 Kickoff for Members
2018 Past Speakers:
December 11: “Partnering for Natural Success” – Roger Scott – plus end of year celebration with food and recognition.
November 13: “Rainwater Harvesting” – Daniel Cunningham
October 9: “Driving Sustainability Through Campus Transformation” – Thea Junt/Craig Lewis
September 11: “Personal Experience Raising Monarchs: 6 weeks of Learning, Defeat and Triumph” – Clyde Camp
August 14: “Dragonflies” – Omar Bocanegra
July 10: “Sex in the Garden” – Janet Smith
June 12: “From the First Quark to You – We are all in this together” – Ernie Stokley
May 8: “Fundamentals of Forest Ecology” – Chris Ebling
April 10: “Citizen Science” – Marsha May
March 13 : ”What’s New in the World of Monarch Butterflies?” – Carol Clark
February 13 : ”Light Pollution – More Than a Barrier to Sky Gazing” – Tom Fleming
January 9 : ”Open House. Welcome Back to Members, Come Join Us to Visitors” – Mike Roome, President
Blackland Prairie Master Naturalists
