Picture source: Wikipedia, Pyemotes herfsi
Current News
Focus on the Future!
Is your old pair of binoculars feeling a little “out of focus” on your shelf? Give your retired gear a second life! We’re collecting gently used binoculars to help the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center teach the next generation of birders how to spot their first hawk. Your “old” glass could be a kid’s “new” favorite hobby.
Snow Wonder It Works: The Magic of Winter Sowing 🌱
Winter sowing is the ultimate budget-friendly hack for growing native plants, allowing you to turn recycled milk jugs into mini-greenhouses without any expensive indoor equipment. This method relies on nature’s natural freeze-thaw cycles to stratify seeds outdoors, producing hardy seedlings that are ready to thrive in the spring. Read the full post to master the simple milk jug method and learn how to boost biodiversity in your own backyard for pennies.
Blackland Prairie Chapter Book Club Details – 2026 Dates
Blackland Prairie Chapter Book Club Details for the 4th Tuesday in January, March and May, from 6-7 p.m. Attendees should arrive a few minutes early and bring their own drinks, as no food or virtual attendance option will be provided.
Experiencing Nature through Eco Explorers
Guiding Girl Scouts through our Eco Explorer program creates “Aha!” moments through hands-on discovery. From tracking wildlife to tasting sumac, BPTMN volunteers help youth earn badges while fostering deep conservation values. With registrations filling fast, your help “ices the cake” for these new environmental stewards.
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New Study Reveals Central America’s “Five Great Forests” Are Lifelines for North America’s Migratory Birds
Submitted by Donna Cole, Class of 2006: New Study Reveals Central America’s “Five Great Forests” Are Lifelines for North America’s Migratory Birds.
From LocalProfile: Grassroots Revival: Frisco’s Monarch View Park Becomes A Beacon For Native Restoration
In Northwest Frisco, the Blackland Prairie Restoration Project is transforming Monarch View Park from manicured turf into a thriving native landscape. Over the past year, a partnership between Play Frisco, H-E-B, and the Blackland Prairie Texas Master Naturalists has united volunteers to plant over 5,000 native plants across nearly 100 species. This community-driven effort is not only rebuilding soil health but serving as a new model for future habitat restoration throughout the city.
Opal Collecting in North Texas
While true gem opals are found a thousand miles from North Texas, our local prairies are home to “living opals” hidden within the iridescent exoskeletons of beetles. By mimicking the same light-shifting physics found in precious stones, these insects use microscopic layers of chitin to create stunning displays of structural color and metallic luster. Join Randy as he explores the intersection of mineralogy and entomology, sharing photography tips and the “collector’s code” for finding these shimmering natural wonders in our own backyard.
Texas Master Naturalists, Blackland Prairie Chapter – 2025: The Year in Review
Rick Travis, Class of 2018 – Texas Master Naturalists, Blackland Prairie Chapter – 2025 🥳 Record-breaking year! Over 40,000 volunteer hours & 4200 AT hours. Read the 2025 review!
Kathy Boys Journaling Brochure is honored with First Place at the 2025 Texas Master Naturalists Annual Conference
Kathy created this award-winning guide to help people connect their artistic abilities with the natural world, believing that documenting nature fosters self-growth and inspires better stewardship of our planet. She promises that journaling will elevate your outdoor experience and is truly “good for your soul.”