Focus not so much on the moment, but for all time. Accept our responsibility to do our share, sometimes more, and put back into nature a portion of what we have taken from it.
Search Results for: Tom Shackelford
Our Tribe’s Fortune 2500 Hours – Tom Shackelford
Tom Shackelford, 2018 and Past President (2020-2021)
I was born in Great Bend, Kansas and grew up farming and raising cattle along the Santa Fe Trail on land south of the Arkansas River, from Fort Larned to Dodge City. I did not realize it at the time but our home and the pasture lands where we grazed cattle were undeveloped, never used for agriculture beyond grazing and composed of western wheatgrass, blue grama, prairie three awn, little blue stem – native mixed prairie lands. This was my “Playground.”
Thank you, Tom Shackelford
Rick Travis, 2018 – Current President (2022-2023) –
Talk about being in the right place at the right time.
Tom stepped up to serve as Chapter President in 2020. Within just a couple of months into his Chapter Presidency, the covid pandemic exploded, requiring quick action to develop a completely different approach, and set of rules, for members to engage within our chapter safely. This wasn’t easy. There was no script or step-by-step guide for our chapter dealing with this health crisis…there hadn’t been this serious a pandemic since the influenza epidemic in the early 1900’s.
Tom Shackelford – Clymer Meadow
CLYMER MEADOW Clymer Meadow Preserve contains some of the largest and most diverse remnants of the Blackland Prairie; the Texas version of the tallgrass prairie that once stretched from south Texas to south-central Canada. The preserve is portion of a larger conservation area (1400 acres) that includes land owned by… Read More →
Western Honey Bee’s in Tom’s backyard
Tom Shackelford, Class of 2018 – These Western Honey Bees have been working hard and enjoying the bird bath recently placed nearby for fresh water.
Tom’s Backyard
Tom Shackelford, 2018 – President We spend time in our back yard almost every day and sometimes I am quick enough to snap a shot with my phone. Two years ago I took out about 1/4 of the grass and am attempting to get native grass and wildflowers to grow… Read More →
Clymer Meadow Projects in 2022
Tom Shackelford, 2018 – (2020-2021 President) – Clymer Meadow Projects: Remnant Blackland Prairie restoration, preservation, maintenance, seed collection, plant/ wildlife & insect surveys. This project includes Clymer Meadow, Park Hill Prairie, County Line Prairie, Matthew’s Prairie and other outlying remnant prairies.
Heard Sanctuary Fall/ Winter Volunteer existing projects
Tom Shackelford, 2018; President The Heard Sanctuary is seeking volunteers to assist in the restoration and preservation of multiple sanctuary projects at the Heard. This is an existing project that has been in place for some time and there is now a renewed effort to address opportunities. This is available to any interested individual and is a great way for interested Master Naturalists to earn volunteer hours. Specific projects follow below.
Protecting Blackland Prairie Video with our very own!
Tom Shackelford, 2018 Please enjoy this wonderful video with our very own BPTMN members collecting seed to help preserve the Clymer Meadow.
BPTMN Newsletter – August 13, 2025
Hello Blackland Prairie Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists Welcome to your monthly update from the Blackland Prairie Master Naturalists! Did you miss last night’s chapter business slides or Rick’s TREE-mendous talk? No worries, we’ve got you covered! Don’t miss the upcoming Deep Dive on our Members’ Native Gardens next Monday,… Read More →