🍂 🍁 Welcome to the October 2026 edition! As autumn sweeps across North Texas, our chapter is in full motion—tracking peak monarch and songbird migrations, diving into prairie grass at the Wylie Prairie, native bee ecology, and preparing to welcome our next generation of naturalist trainees. Grab your field guides and explore this month’s newest training walks, community science initiatives, and chapter stories below! 🌾 🌿
🦋 Wildlife Wonders & Ecosystems
- Monarch Roosts Community Science Study – Fall 2026: Track the fall migration! Contribute crucial data to regional conservation by observing and submitting local reports on roosting monarch clusters across North Texas. Read more about the Monarch Roost Study
- Beneficial Insects and Common Pests in the Garden: Learn how to identify common garden pests, recognize subtle signs of their presence, and protect the vital beneficial insects that keep regional ecosystems in balance. Read more about beneficial insects and garden pests
- Peter Kaestner’s Historic 10,000-Species Milestone: Join Audubon Dallas for a special evening with legendary birder Peter Kaestner as he recounts his historic quest to observe 10,000 bird species in the wild, featuring a silent auction benefiting local conservation. Read more and register for Peter Kaestner’s presentation
📚 Education, Training & Research
- Advanced Training Prairie Walk: 12 Common Blackland Prairie Native Grasses: Join fellow naturalists along the Wylie prairie restoration trail for an interactive, hands-on study of 12 iconic, mature Blackland Prairie grasses cultivated over the past 14 years. Read more about the prairie grass walk
- Lights Out, Texas! Informal Education Ambassador Certification: Help protect migrating songbirds from artificial light hazards and building collisions by joining the pilot certification workshop on Saturday, October 24, at the TMN Annual Meeting in Waco. Read more about Lights Out, Texas! certification
- Cissy St. John Memorial Education Series: Native Bee FUNdamentals: The BPTMN chapter is thrilled to present the second installment in the Cissy St. John Memorial Education Series, offering a deep dive into our essential regional native bee species. Read more about Native Bee FUNdamentals
⭐ Chapter News & Milestones
Wear Your Prairie Pride: The New BPTMN Online Shop is Open! Spearheaded by VP Marla Layne and Project Leader Alika Ray, our official store is live with classic chapter apparel, hats, and exclusive Moth Squad swag that will draw you in like a moth to a flame! Read more and visit the BPTMN Online Shop
Project Conclusion for Frisco’s Monarch View Park 2026 Pollinators for Texas Grant: Our 2026 Pollinators for Texas project is complete, and we couldn’t be prouder of the impact we’ve made! With the generous support from H-E-B and in collaboration with the Texas Master Naturalist Program, we’ve been able to enhance an 8,129 sq ft area was with 992 plants installed by 98 volunteers and over 309 iNaturalist observations.
BPTMN Membership Directory – Add Your Name Now: Keep in touch with fellow naturalists! Submit your details by December 31 to be included in the secure, password-protected member directory launching this January. Read more and submit the directory opt-in form
Help Grow the BPTMN Family! Applications for 2027 Training Class: Share your love for Texas nature! Applications for the 2027 Blackland Prairie Texas Master Naturalist training cohort are open through October 31, 2026. Read more about applying for the 2027 class
BPTMN Chapter 20th Anniversary Celebration Series: In this month’s anniversary spotlight, chapter member Mike Roome shares personal reflections on how becoming a Texas Master Naturalist transformed his relationship with the living world. Read Mike Roome’s 20th Anniversary feature
You can access our latest newsletter from our Chapter’s Home Page at bptmn.org, click on the “Blackland Prairie Newsletter” image, OR by direct link – https://txmn.org/bptmn/newsletters/
This newsletter will provide:
- Next Month’s Chapter Meeting – Chapter Meetings
- Shaking the Trees Member Submissions – Shaking the Trees Newsletter
- Past Meetings Recordings – Chapter Meetings
- Past Deep Dives Recordings – Deep Dives
- Upcoming Advanced Training & Volunteer Hours Opportunities – Member VHAT Calendar.
- TMN State Program Updates
- Chapter Advisor
- Chapter Partners
If chapter members need to share information in the monthly newsletter that drops after the chapter meeting, or want to provide feedback, or want to help! Please send your emails to [email protected].
Michelle Connally
Communications Director
Blackland Prairie Chapter
