Submitted by Sharla Stack, Class of 2016
How did becoming a Blackland Prairie Texas Master Naturalist impact your life?
This month we hear from Mike Roome, Past BPTMN President, 2018-2019 and Class of 2013:
Traveling multiple years as a career military officer plus numerous vacation trips with my family have enabled me to see much of our country, from East to West coasts, from Alaska to the desert southwest. Because of this, I have been blessed with multiple opportunities to view and be close to many natural wonders. I have sailed close to Orcas in the Pacific, stood under giant redwoods in California, and gazed up in amazement at giant saguaro cacti. Across prairie lands and in our national parks and forests, I have seen a variety of plant life as well as been near to bear, elk, moose, bison, and mountain sheep. In all of this however, I was merely a visitor, near but apart from all of the experiences I was seeing and enjoying.
When I became a member of the Blackland Prairie family, I was introduced to a whole new relationship with our natural world. Through multiple activities and programs, I was enabled to experience and learn about nature as never before. Rather than viewing from afar, I now could walk within a field of native wildflowers or stands of waving grasses. I could watch closely as bees busily gathered nectar or caterpillars inched their way up a milkweed stalk.
Trees and other plants could now be explored not only with vision but touch and smell. As a volunteer animal care giver with the Heard Museum, I worked among white-tailed deer, bobcats, raccoons and such as well as smaller species from snakes to spiders. Because of these opportunities and the training and naturalist’s tools I was given, I was no longer merely an outside observer of the natural world but now found enjoyment and purpose in the midst of it. Perhaps even more meaningful to me than this however, has been the opportunity provided within this chapter to connect with others of like-mind. Here I am part of a group of individuals who love and enjoy being involved with nature, want to learn from and about it, and share their knowledge with others. Many of these members encouraged me and taught me not only from their knowledge, but also by their example. Many remain friends to this day. Because of this camaraderie and shared experiences, I am a better master naturalist today. Now a disability makes what just a few years ago had seemed so easy, extremely difficult or impossible. Once again, I am more of an observer of our natural world rather than an active participant in nature. Nevertheless, the education I have gained, the tools I have been given, and the relationships I have formed as part of this chapter continue to impact my life. I will always be grateful for this.
