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Be the Change | Alex Bailey of Black Outside

Tuesday, May 18, 12PM CST

From Awareness to Allyship: An intro to Black Outside, Inc and engaging BIPOC communities.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 and increased awareness of racial injustice, outdoor participation within black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities has increased. What does this increase mean for outdoor education? In what ways can one act in allyship to ensure a more inclusive outdoors in Texas? Learn from TEDxSan Antonio speaker and founder of Black Outside, Inc who will share more about the work of Black Outside, Inc and explore what it means to be in allyship with BIPOC communities in nature.

Prior to the session, Alex invites you to listen to his TED Talk linked here. Want to know more about Black Outside, Inc?  Check out their amazing work here.

Event DateTuesday May 18th, 2021
Event Time12:00 PM Central Daylight Time (Chicago, GMT -0:500)
Registration Linkhttps://tpwdevents3000.webex.com/tpwdevents3000/onstage/g.php?MTID=ed2dfa4c90f68c61a098ab93df571101f
Alex Bailey Be the Change

Current NewsMembers

BPTMN Membership Directory – ADD YOUR NAME NOW!

Hello BPTMN Members!

We are establishing a chapter membership directory for the purpose of providing member contact information to other members.  The directory will be accessible through the password protected ‘Members Area’ under the ‘Members’ tab of the chapter website.  

The directory will include the name, email address and class year for each member who chooses to participate.  Only those members who submit their information will be included in directory.  

When the directory is finalized, it will work like this:  You have a question about a flower you saw and would like to ask Carol Clark about it.  You go to the BPTMN website Members Area, put in the ‘secret password,’ and look for Carol Clark in the directory. You find her email and you send her your question.  She replies and all is right with the world!   

To be included in the membership directory complete the Membership Directory Form.

Please complete this form by Friday May 23, 2021.  

The finalized directory will be posted on the BPTMN website during the first week in June.  

Linda Nixon
Communications Director
Texas Master Naturalist Blackland Prairie Chapter

FossilsHeardMembersShaking of the Trees PostShaking the Trees

Green River Fish to Feed the Imagination

By Deborah Canterbury, 2014

The Heard Paleo Lab prepared 16 Green River Fish fossils to accompany the latest addition to the Heard Museum, a high quality plesiosaurus. The fish, donated by chapter member Jim Dulian, represent six species of fish from 50 million years ago. Photos are of Mittie McDonald and Patti Tuck as they add finishing touches to a few of the fossils and photos of the fossils as well. The lab team under the watchful eyes of Pat and Margie Kline not only prepped the fossils but also constructed the display cases. Other team members are Karleen Hoffmann, Beverly Carpenter and Deborah Canterbury. These Eocene fossils were preserved in intermountain lake basins in what is now parts of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming while the Rocky Mountains were still growing. The official opening date is scheduled for late May.

Photo by Deborah Canterbury
Photo by Deborah Canterbury
Photo by Deborah Canterbury
Photo by Deborah Canterbury

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Blackland Prairie Raptor CenterPlantsRaptor CenterShaking of the Trees PostShaking the Trees

Raptor Center – Black Willow doing well

By Dirk Zartler, 2007

Looks like the Black Willow cuttings planted in the shoreline at the Raptor center are doing well. A recent check indicates about 80-90% are alive, rooting, and budding or leafing out…some are even flowering.

Black Willow photo by Dirk Zartler
Black WIllow photo by Dirk Zartler

Original Shoring up the Raptor Center Shoreline Post by Dirk Zartler

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Clymer MeadowFlora and FaunaPlantsPrairie RestorationShaking of the Trees PostShaking the Trees

Clymer Beauty

By Tom Shackelford, 2018

Visiting and working at the Clymer Meadow is a siren song for Master Naturalists in this area of Texas.

Enjoy the beauty in the photos (Click on each photo for new window of the larger image)

Follow this link to learn about this Nature Conservancy land.

remnant prairie, “Fleabane in foreground” Photo by Tom Shackelford
Ground Plum / Milk vetch – Astragalus crassicarpus Photo by Tom Shckelford
Purple paintbrush – Castille purpurea Photo by Tom Shackelford
Yellow Wild Indigo – Baptisia sphaerocarpa Photo by Tom Shackelford

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MembersShaking of the Trees PostShaking the TreesTexas State ParksTPWD

Our Tribe’s Fortune 500 – Matt DeLozier

By Matt DeLozier, 2013 (Alamo Area Chapter – San Antonio)

Our Tribe’s Fortune – 500 Hour Pin Recipient (Hard in good times but “Wow” in a pandemic!)

Most of my service comes from working with Texas Parks and Wildlife, which is how I was introduced to the program in the first place. If any park reaches out for assistance (no matter how far away) I will usually find a way to help – teach a class, work on trails, pull invasive species, etc. I even designed and installed a geocaching course at a state park that had received some grant funding. I help with the Texas Outdoor Family program where we teach families how to camp. While camping we take them on hikes, fishing, kayaking, geocaching, and sometime mountain biking. We teach them how to take care of nature while having fun in it. I also teach classes in some of the local city parks – geocaching or guided hikes. My wife and I occasionally take kids or families groups out fossil hunting as well. Most of these activities have been on hold the last year so I have been working on some projects from the virtual volunteer fair such as surveying parks and green spaces for Texas Children in Nature and entering them into their website so that families can search on them and find places to visit.
My real passion comes from getting young people to connect with nature and finding activities that help them stay engaged in outdoors.

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Blackland Prairie Raptor CenterConnemaraMembersRaptor Center

Our Tribe’s Fortune 500 – Rick Park

By Rick Park, 2020

Our Tribe’s Fortune – 500 Hour Pin Recipient (Hard in good times but “Wow” in a pandemic!)

I volunteer at both Connemara and the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center. Both afford me the opportunity to be outside and keep busy even with COVID. These locations allowed me to volunteer while keeping a safe distance from other volunteers. Both locations provide projects which are physical and mentality enriching. It is satisfying knowing I am getting a good physical workout, learning about prairies/grasses and forbs while contributing to the restoration of our original fauna.

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Blackland Prairie Raptor CenterFlora and FaunaHagermanMembersRaptor Center

Our Tribe’s Fortune 500 – Laurie Sheppard

By Laurie Sheppard, 2017

Our Tribe’s Fortune – 500 Hour Pin Recipient (Hard in good times but “Wow” in a pandemic!)

I do most of my volunteering at Hagerman NWR. I began volunteering there in 2009, shortly after I discovered the magic of the refuge. Every day is different and there’s always something new to discover. The Friends of Hagerman gave me an avenue to explore, identify, and report my discoveries. I did this through writing an occasional blog post, creating a handout, or simply posting photos of things I had seen along with a little description of my research. I always wanted to learn more and that led me to become a Master Naturalist in 2017, when I finally had time to devote to it. Unfortunately, that also coincided with some physical challenges, but again, Hagerman gave me several low-impact outlets.I also joined the Butterfly Garden Docents and that allows me to share my knowledge. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has used my abilities in many ways, from driving rescued birds to a rehabber like Blackland Prairie Raptor Center, to monitoring an at-risk butterfly that I discovered three years ago on the refuge. I report on the Frosted Elfin butterfly’s status several times during the spring and my reports are incorporated into a larger six-year study on whether the species needs protections under the Endangered Species Act. I feel like the things I am able to do at Hagerman NWR have value, whether it is protecting the environment and the biosphere or encouraging the public to get out in nature and helping them to enjoy it more.

  • Green Lynx Spider and Eggs
    Photo by Laura Sheppard
  • Photo by Laura Sheppard
  • Photo by Laura Sheppard
  • Photo by Laura Sheppard
  • Photo by Laura Sheppard
  • Photo by Laura Sheppard
  • Photo by Laura Sheppard
  • Photo by Laura Sheppard
  • Southern Plains Bumblebee
    Photo by Laura Sheppard
  • Dotted Roadside Skipper
    Photo by Laura Sheppard

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Current NewsVH

ONE YEAR LATER Texas Master Naturalist ‘Nature Reflections’ video diary project

One year ago this month as our state and the world progressed into the full realization of the global pandemic and following lockdowns, the Texas Master Naturalist Program took a moment to ask you, our naturalists, to reflect on the benefits of nature in your lives. The Nature Reflections video diary project took life from an idea of a fellow master naturalist program in Oregon and we received an incredible variety of submissions from videos to poems and even an original song! If you haven’t checked these out, please watch these shared videos. They truly are inspiring! https://txmn.tamu.edu/about-the-texas-master-naturalist-program/nature-reflections/

2020 became the year that no one expected. Society entered lockdown, programs were cancelled, gatherings suspended and we were all forced into isolation in quarantine. In true persevering & innovator fashion however, our Texas Master Naturalists adapted and overcame. Meetings and trainings moved to virtual platforms. New communication tools were engaged. And we all still found our moments in nature.

Pausing again in reflection this year, we’re re-launching the Nature Reflections Video Project In celebration of you and your true perseverance, innovation and grit throughout the past year’s trials and tribulations.  We invite you to contribute to our One Year Later Nature Reflections Video Project and contribute your naturalist stories and testimonials about the restorative power of Nature and being a Texas Master Naturalist. 

As you consider your video contribution please reflect on the following question:

“Reflect upon how nature and specifically, the Texas Master Naturalist Program, has given you refuge or provided benefits in this past year.”

Here are the logistics:

  • Record your thoughts in a video on your phone or tablet, laptop or computer webcam. This is a video diary project that will be shared on the Texas Master Naturalist website for people to see, enjoy, relate to, and maybe even take comfort in.
  • On the video, please tell us your name, chapter and what city you live in. If you don’t feel comfortable including your name, chapter and/or city, you do not have to.
  • Please wear your TMN name badge, shirt or swag!
  • Please keep your recordings to no longer than up 1 minute if at all possible. Generally, I won’t be editing your video for content, and short videos are viewed much more than long videos.
  • If you’d rather write your thoughts and reflections rather than recording a video, feel free to share those words with us below.
  • Follow all locally mandated health requirements and recommendations. Your backyard, kitchen table or living room is just fine. While it might be tempting to take your thoughts to your favorite trail or natural area, please stay safe and abide by these health and safety restrictions.
  • Please record and upload your video by Monday June 15th using the form below.
  • Please remember: This doesn’t have to be a polished video – no one expects you to produce a professional-quality video. You don’t need a script, unless you want to write your thoughts down. Just speak from your heart.
  • And you can earn a little bit of Volunteer Service Hour credit logged under Chapter Admin – limit up to .5 hours please at maximum.
  • If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know. While this is a video exercise, if you would rather share your written thoughts, a meaningful poem or quote relevant to this task, and/or a nature photo you took, please share those as well!
  • Again, stay safe and healthy, and thank you for your participation in this exercise!
  • NOTE – If you have any issues with uploading your submission or want to submit in a different avenue (i.e Google Drive or Drop Box), please send Mary Pearl an email – mpmeuth@tamu.edu

Click Here to Submit your Video Submission