Gina McKnight, Grant Committee Chair
Eco Explorers: This BPTMN program reaches hundreds of Girl Scouts each year and is presented by chapter members. It engages and introduces girls to our local ecosystem in a meaningful way. Recently, chapter members attended the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas Annual Kickoff and 155 people received information about BPTMN and Eco Explorers.
Cool Stuff: Blackland Prairie Raptor Center purchased three AC units to replace failing ones and a professional paper shredder to keep their mouse house stocked with substrate.
Texas Bat Acoustics: BPTMN chapter members distribute equipment, record echolocation sounds emitted by bats, and generate reports for homeowners. Data analysis has been going on since April 2025. Eighteen locations have been monitored with fourteen reports distributed to homeowners.
Collin College Farmersville Restoration: The project is seeing results in the first area seeded in early spring with multiple species of native grasses taking hold. On September 20th, the project is hosting a seed stomping on an area facing 380 and has asked for help from the chapter with accomplishing the stomp; approved for VH.
Extractigators for Invasives: Blackland Prairie Raptor Center purchased three extractigators for removal of invasive species on the prairie. Conservation and Restoration Manager, Cody Hoya, remarks that it’s, “Marvelous at pulling privet.”
Prosper United Methodist Church pocket prairie: BPTMN members have planted native buffalo grass seed with a successful germination rate; removed invasive johnson grass, scabiosa, and thistle; and rescued native plants from a construction site in Frisco. The project highlight for this year was partnering with the preschool to make and distribute seed balls in the pocket prairie.
Green Gardens of McKinney: BPTMN members partner with the City of McKinney to create and maintain this learning garden. Grant funds have supported this project by providing funds to purchasing native plants through Texas Conservation Alliance. On October 25, the project is installing all of the plants and has requested help from the chapter with accomplishing the installation; VH approved.
Community Outreach Education Supplies: BPTMN’s Community Outreach programs engages thousands of adults and children annually. Grant funds help supply outreach materials, tabling signage, and engaging education manipulatives.
