BPTMN Newsletter – Summer Edition

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☀️ 🐍 Sun-Soaked Days in the Blackland Prairie – A Summer of Discovery 🌳 🦋

Welcome to the summer edition! From record-breaking mothing nights to thriving prairie restorations, our volunteers and naturalists have been incredibly busy. Catch up on all the latest news, research opportunities, and wildlife wonders below.

🦋 Wildlife Wonders & Ecosystems

🤝 Volunteer Spotlights & Workdays

  • Ribbon Communications Volunteers Make an Impact at Arbor Hills in Plano: Seventy dedicated volunteers from Ribbon Communications recently transformed Arbor Hills Nature Preserve through a day of hard work, from clearing invasive privet to cleaning up local trails. Read on to see how this incredible team effort is boosting biodiversity and helping our local ecosystem thrive! [Read more about the Ribbon Communications volunteer day]
  • Community Engagement 2026 Events – Summer Update: This summer is packed with fantastic community engagement events across North Texas! Volunteers are already stepping up to share the love of nature, with just a couple of spots left to fill before the summer wraps up. [Read more about upcoming community engagement events]
  • Last Saturday Workday – Monarch Gardens at Gabe Nesbitt Park (June Update): Thank you to those who volunteered with us! The summer is in full bloom at the Monarch Gardens. Thanks to your hard work and dedication, we tackled plenty of garden tasks, including weeding beds, clearing pathways, and turning compost to keep the garden healthy and thriving. Your efforts help make the Monarch Gardens a welcoming space for people, pollinators, and wildlife alike. [Read more about the June Monarch Gardens workday]
  • Princeton Garden Workday Summary: Volunteer work enhances the beauty of this Princeton park. [Read the full Princeton Garden Workday Summary]

🌿 Habitat Restoration & Inspiration

  • Proof of Concept: Wylie Prairie Restoration: The prairie restoration at the Wiley Municipal Complex has officially doubled its native plant diversity, transforming former farmland into a thriving natural habitat. Come explore the success of this hidden gem by walking the newly established loop trail and demonstration plots! [Read more about the Wylie Prairie Restoration success]
  • Exploring Native Ecosystems with Bethany ED Burke: Caterpillars, kites, and “purple pineapples,” oh my! If you are looking for some fresh inspiration for your native landscaping, you have to check out the amazing content from Bethany ED Burke. We’ve put together a quick summary of her best deep-dives into our local North Texas ecosystems. Read below to learn how you can build a thriving pocket prairie right in your own yard! [Read more about native landscaping with Bethany ED Burke]
  • My Favorite Things through the Four Seasons: By John W. Garbutt, Class of 2019 – “The first thought of spring usually occurs mid-winter when my sister sends a photo of a small green growth which is a Texas bluebonnet in her yard beginning to awaken.” [Read John W. Garbutt’s full essay]

📚 Education, Training & Research

  • Calling All Arachnids: Spiders Needed for Youth Engagement Events! Don’t squash that spider—save it for science! The YES Committee is on the hunt for eight-legged educators to feature in our upcoming youth projects. Getting up close and personal with arachnids is one of the best ways to spark curiosity in young naturalists and teach them about the crucial role these critters play in our local ecosystem. If you spot a willing participant, please capture it safely. Help us spin these upcoming projects into a success! [Read more about submitting spiders for youth projects]
  • Invitation to Participate in Environmental Research: We’re sharing a great opportunity to support environmental research! Our own Randy Boys recently learned about a study being conducted by an intern at the Hagerman Preserve for her Master’s thesis at Arizona State University. [Read more about participating in the Hagerman Preserve study]
  • Master Volunteer Entomology Advanced Training 2026: Don’t let the details bug you! Join Wizzie and Molly with AgriLife for Master Volunteer Entomology Advanced Training and learn everything about our insect friends in this flexible virtual course! [Read more about the Master Volunteer Entomology Training]
  • Texas Master Naturalist 2026 Annual Meeting – Sponsorship and Vendor Opportunity: The Annual Meeting provides an opportunity for Texas Master Naturalist volunteers from around the state to gather, participate in hands-on educational seminars, and complete Advanced Training requirements within one weekend. It is also a chance for program participants and partners to network, share ideas, and learn from efforts happening across Texas. Attendance typically exceeds 600+ participants. [Read more about 2026 Annual Meeting sponsorship opportunities]
  • Blackland Prairie Texas Master Naturalists Pollinator Gardens: 2026 Deep Dive coming soon! One of our most popular Deep Dives is making a comeback! We’re locking in the date now, so keep an eye on your inbox for more details coming your way soon. [Read more about the upcoming 2026 Pollinator Gardens Deep Dive]

⭐ Chapter News

Save the Date –

  • September 1: Texas Master Naturalist 2026 Annual Meeting Contests Deadline (read more under program updates)
  • October 22 – 25: TMN Annual Meeting in Waco

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:

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

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