Blackland Prairie Master NaturalistsBlackland Prairie Chapter
“Education, Restoration, Preservation”
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.
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Chapter Meetings
Heard Museum Science Center in McKinney
(Links to maps for the Heard Museum below)
The Heard Natural Science Museum
1 Nature Place
McKinney, TX 75069
[Directions] and [Parking Map]
2018 Monthly Meeting Topics
May 8: “Fundamentals of Forest Ecology” – Chris Ebling
This presentation by one of our own chapter members will include energy flow, nutrient cycling, forest structure, and Texas forest systems.
– Chris has been part of the Texas Master Naturalist program since 2007, having been trained and certified through the Blackland Prairie chapter. Chris has degrees in Forestry and Resource Interpretation. In cooperation with the Natural Resource Conservation Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and Ducks Unlimited, Chris constructed and maintains a 15-acre seasonal wetland in Fannin County for the benefit of migratory waterfowl and ancillary species. He speaks regularly on forest ecology, forest management, dendrology, tree identification techniques, and entomology.
June 12: “From the First Quark to You – We are all in this together” – Ernie Stokley
July 10: “Sex in the Garden” – Janet Smith
August 14: “Dragonflies” – Omar Bocanegra
2018 Past Speakers:
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” A Review of chapter and state, exciting and vital information about the Future and Recognitions. (no AT)
– Mike Roome, President
2017:
December 12: “This Badlands Tortoise is 34 Million Years Old and at The Heard” – Pat Kline, Lead Project Preparator
November 14: ”Prairies in Old Cemeteries” – Candace Fountoulakis, Master Gardener and member of the Plano Garden Club. A board member of The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc.
October 10: “The Urban Harvest: Foraging in the City” – Daniel Cunningham, Texas A&M AgriLife Research Extension
September 12: “Reptiles with a particulare emphasis on Texas ” – David Mead, Class of ’17
August 8: “Past Climates: Putting the Climate Puzzle Together with Models” – Dr. Angela Osen; University of Texas Arlington, Tarrant County College
July 11: “13 Things You Need to Know About the Poison Oak and Ivy Rash” – Amy Martin – Author of Itchy Business: How to Treat the Poison Ivy and Poison Oak Rash, Prevent Exposure and Eradicate the Plant (www.Itchy.biz).
June 13 : “Frogs! ” – Scott Kiester, Texas Master Naturalist, Elm Fork Chapter
May 9: “Dead Zones in Rivers and the Gulf of Mexico and Their Causes” – Donald Harper, Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M Galveston
April 11: “Zika and Other Issues” – Daphne Lynch, Epidemiologist for Collin County
March 14: “New Frisco Wetlands in the Hackberry Creek and Stewart Creek Drainages” – Corp of Engineers, Jon Loxley and Jim Frisinger; Jayce Proctor, UNT
February 14: “Texas Wild Cats” – Monica Morrison
January 10: 2016 Successes and 2017 Opportunities – Where our members volunteer and why.