“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 2024!
Monthly Chapter Meetings
2025 January Chapter Meeting with Class of 2024 | Ted Talks
Join us for the 1st Blackland Prairie Chapter Meeting of 2025 on Tuesday, January 14th at 7 PM CST, in Person or online via Zoom.
Valarie Atwood – Spiritual Ecology
Spiritual Ecology explores the deep connections between spiritual beliefs and practices and the environment. Its core concepts can resonate with anyone who feels a deep connection to nature and concern for the environment. Join me as we explore some ways to put it into practice and increase your interconnectedness with nature.
Laura Schnell – Your Place in Conservation
Conservation is a big and often overwhelming concept. In this talk, I want to discuss how paying attention to where you’re from and where you live can shift your perspective in protecting our planet.
Tina Burke – Raising Monarch and Queen Butterflies
What does it take to attract queen and monarch butterflies to my yard? How do I witness their lifecycle from egg to butterfly? This presentation shows photos and videos from the Burke backyard of queen and monarch lifecycles, what to do and NOT do, and what equipment is recommended.
Newsha Jahansouzi – Sustainable Practices and Ecological Mindfulness Initiatives Implemented at the MTO Arboretum in Frisco
By being aware of our environmental impact and advocating for sustainable land management, the arboretum serves as a living laboratory, showcasing methods that reduce our ecological footprint while fostering a deeper connection and creating a harmonious balance between human activities and the natural ecosystem.
When: Tuesday, January 14, 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 begin at 7:30 PM (approximately)
Topic: Class of 2024 | Ted Talks
Speaker: Class of 2024 – Valerie Atwood, Laura Schnell, Tina Burke, Newsha Jahansouzi
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; go past parking lot and museum building; continue until the road ends at the large white SRC building.
Register in advance for this Zoom meeting:
[PRO TIP – Use the e-Mail 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.
For any additional questions, please contact.
Chapter Meeting Host: Nancy Casillas, New Class Director, education@bptmn.org
Past Chapter Meeting Speakers and Topics
Current News
Plant Rescue at Plano Senior High – Event Summary
Winter Tree Walk at Chalk Hill Farm in McKinney
The Friends of Hagerman NWR Refuge Roundup was a Big Success, Thanks to TMN Volunteers!
Submitted by Patricia Crain, Class of 2018 The Refuge Roundup festival on the Second Saturday in October is always a big day for the Friends of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, and this year the TMN were there to help! In fact, BPTMN volunteers working with the Friends of Hagerman NWR contributed over 600 hours of volunteer service in October, 2024! Activities for the Refuge Roundup Included: A Native Plant Sale AT – Early Bird Walk with Jack Chiles, BPTMN AT – Tram Tours of the Refuge, with Bert Garcia, BPTMN and Maraget Avard, BPTMN (Pictured) AT – Raptors of Texoma…
Message from our Librarian
Attention BPC/TMN members! Please do not donate any new books without checking with the Chapter Librarian Linder Orourke or Training Director Nancy Casillas. The library is in the process of being updated, plus we are out of storage space at the Heard Museum for books. Be sure and stop by the Book Table at the next chapter meeting and explore the new and updated books. Thanks, Linder Orourke, Librarian