Blackland Prairie Master Naturalists
Blackland Prairie Chapter
“Education, Restoration, Preservation”
2019 Class is full! We open registration in November of each year for the upcoming new year.
Become A Master Naturalist
Class Schedule and Field Trips
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
NOTICE: April marks the Inaugural Presentation of “Deep Dive” – An occasional new opportunity prior to meetings to learn from the experts in a 30 minute presentation. This is being provided in response from members at goal setting meeting to provide additional educational opportunities. Great idea!
April 9 Deep Dive – 6:30-7 p.m. in Heard Museum SRC (same location for regular meetings)
Brandon Belcher (Manager of the Clymer Meadow Preserve) will conduct a class on how to identify key native Prairie grasses, by season. Brandon will provide an identification guide and samples to study, for this special education session. This class will be in the SRC building, and attendees will earn an additional 30 min AT.
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 offerings. 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 currently coordinates the Heard’s Third Saturday Nature Talks and reads to preschoolers each Friday.
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.
July 9: “Prairies and Milkweeds” – Matt White
Matt is an environmentalist, writer, and teacher with an extensive knowledge and love of the Blackland Prairie and its history. Matt is the author of Prairie Time, a Blackland Portrait and Birds of Northeast Texas, and is currently writing a new book dedicated to Milkweeds. Matt also teaches American History at Paris Junior College in Greenville, TX, and likes to explore the relationship between history and natural history and learn how each influences the other. Matt has made a persistent difference in prairie conservation in our region.
2019 Past Speakers