Members

Monthly Deep Dive Sessions

Manuela will discuss the importance of lichens for humans and the ecosystem, as well as tips for identifying different type of lichens.

Manuela Dal Forno is originally from Brazil, where she earned a B.S. in Biology and masters in Botany. She completed her PhD in Environmental Science and Policy in 2015 at George Mason University. Manuela’s work has been focusing on multiple aspects of the evolution, diversity, genome and microbiome of lichens; and since 2019, when she joined the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT), she has also been studying the local Texas and the southern Philippines lichen “flora”.

Members Shaking of the Trees Post Shaking the Trees

Deborah Canterbury – Susan Smith We Will Miss You

We hate to announce that Susan Smith is moving to be closer to family. Still in Texas but too far to commute. Susan has never been one to be in the limelight in the front, but always has had every members back when it comes to membership issues, chatting about Master Naturalists at meetings with class members, calendar updates, mailing out pins, reporting to AgriLife, working on fossils, bird banding, collecting seeds or making sure folks feel comfortable with the hours entry process.

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.
Edward Abbey

General Members Shaking of the Trees Post Shaking the Trees

Deborah Canterbury – Congratulations new Board Members!

Congratulations and thanks to our new board members.

Laura Ragan, Vice President-class of 2014 : Look for her at the Heard taking care of business and volunteers. She is also often seen at the Holifield.

Michelle Connally, Secretary-class of 2018 : Bright face at Heard Plant Sales and the backbone of our website.

Liz Brown, Membership-class of 2018: She takes seriously getting rid of trees at Erwin Park is ready to trail guide at Raptor Center.

Rhonda Sanchez, Outreach-class of 2019: Can be seen at Heard, Farmstead and Outreach booths. (Rhonda Sanchez with a waaay too big plant.)

Dave Powell, State Rep- class of 2007: Where isn’t Dave? Father of Erwin Park restoration, Wylie Prairie, Heard, State advisory board, past president, Outreach, sound system expert at meetings, special projects. Where a project is in Collin County, Dave is there. (Dave Powell, always in the middle of a project.)

AT Chapter Meetings Flora and Fauna General Mammals

Rick Travis – “Texas Native Cats and the Role of Advocacy” – Monica Morrison

Monthly Chapter Meeting – “Zoom” Meeting

Monica Morrison – “Texas Native Cats and the Role of Advocacy”

Tuesday, November 10, 7pm

Texas is home to an amazing diversity of wildlife, including five species of wild cats, both past and present. But our cats are under threat, due to a variety of factors. This presentation will give an overview of our cats, describe the perils they face, and list steps to help them.

Monica launched Texas Native Cats in 2017 after realizing our wild Texas cats need recognition and help. Texas Native Cats is a Texas nonprofit corporation that consists of volunteers, master naturalists, and others interested in acquainting Texans with our cat species. The organization’s goal is to expand educational outreach to the major metropolitan areas of the state and, ultimately, to improve the lives of our native Texas felines. Prior to establishing Texas Native Cats, Monica volunteered for over 20 years with various organizations, including the Dallas Zoo, In-Sync Exotics, and organizations in South America that work to conserve wild cats.

Click here for more information about Texas Native Cats.

AT Chapter Meetings General

Rick Travis – “Interpreting Wildlife Track and Sign” – Dwight Wilson

Monthly Chapter Meeting

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

“Interpreting Wildlife Track and Sign” – Dwight Wilson

Dwight will share how his mentors taught him to identify and interpret track and sign. Learn how you can track wildlife through gathering information, asking questions, and problem solving. Dwight will share personal stories while introducing you to the tracks and sign of common wildlife here in north Texas.

Bio:

Dwight was raised in rural southwest Missouri on a small farm where he learned to read animal tracks and sign at a young age. Dwight has been able to train with some of the top trackers in the nation including Tom Brown Jr., Charles Worsham and Nathan Kempton. He has applied his skills on research projects and for law enforcement. He currently lives in north Texas where he shares tracking and nature with people from all walks of life. He can be reached at dwtracker@gmail.com, www.dwtracker.com

“Meetings are currently being held virtually using the Zoom application. Non-members interested in attending should contact BPTMN Vice President Rick Travis at rickt@bptmn.org.“

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The Texas Master Naturalist program develops local teams of “master volunteers” to provide educational and outreach services aimed at the better management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities. The Texas Master Naturalist program is a partnership between the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and other local partners.

AT Approved (State requirement – 1 hour max)

Members Shaking of the Trees Post Shaking the Trees Social

Deborah Canterbury – What ‘Cha Doin’?

Since the first year of the Blackland Prairie Chapter our tribe members have taken on responsibilities with other groups or have served as advisors and teachers. If you have or are serving as a board member for another organization, if you have served on the chapter board – elected or appointed, if you have been an advisor or presenter for an organization, school or other chapter, if you have taken turns at the Outreach booth, let us know. If you know of someone in the chapter who has done so, pass on the good news for Shaking the Trees. Our philosophy is like a three-legged stool: Education, Restoration, Preservation. Let the education leg be known. List name, class year, and the recipients of service. (i.e. Outreach booth at Collin County Garden Show or Advisor at Plano Senior High for landscaping class) I know several work with school classes and groups. Several serve on boards. Several travel the state/other states sharing the life learnings of a master naturalist. So, what ‘cha doin’?

10/17 Trail Maintenance at the Recreation Center at Towne Lake, 8-11 AM

10/17 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM Trail to the East of the Towne Lake Recreation Center
https://txmn.org/bptmn/event/vh-mckinney-trails-foundation-trail-maintenance/

If you have a large group, please RSVP an estimated number of participants to mckinneyparksfoundation@gmail.com.

Please arrive 10 minutes before the start time to sign a waiver and meet the group. Individuals needing to earn service hours can have their records signed by a board member at the conclusion of the event. Clean up begins around 10:40 AM so the event can finish on time.

What do I wear:Long pants, long sleeves, face covering, and closed toed shoes or boots. You will also need to have your own work gloves. All tools will be provided by the McKinney Parks Foundation. Bring bug spray, sunscreen, a mask, and water.

The trail is to the East of the Recreation Center parking lot at 2001 S Central Expy, McKinney, TX 75070. Parking and restrooms available at the Recreation Center.

The McKinney Parks Foundation provides trail maintenance in this area for the enjoyment of the community. Event Page:
https://www.mckinneyparksfoundation.org/event/community-center-trail-maintenance-volunteer-day-10-17-20-8-11-am/

Chapter Meetings Members News Shaking of the Trees Post Shaking the Trees

Linda Nixon – September Membership Report

Membership Totals:

· 167-active members | 28-in-training | 312-inactive/interested members

Total Re-Certifications: 60

New Re-Certifications:

· Brendan Blackwell, Tony Manasseri, Michael Petrick, Mike Roome, Curtis Schulze, Greg Tonian, Sharon Wagner, Susan Wilson, Carter Woodridge

Membership Changes:

· Transferred in – Francis (Ted) Bauman (North Texas Chapter Class of 2018)

· Re-Activated – Jim Manley (BPTMN Class of 2012)

Milestones:

· 250 Hours – Ted Bauman, Gregory Hupf, Rick Park

DOWNLOAD: Membership Statistical Report August 2020

AT Books Chapter Meetings Flora and Fauna

Rick Travis – “Texas Native Plants and Climate Change” – Dr. George Diggs

Monthly Chapter Meeting

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

“Texas Native Plants and Climate Change” – Dr. George Diggs

Dr. Diggs will briefly summarize the most recent evidence for climate change and will discuss his personal observations from Antarctica to the Arctic. It is now clear that climate change is having effects on plants and animals both around the globe and here in Texas. Many species are now becoming mismatched to their rapidly changing environments. A variety of specific examples will be discussed that demonstrate the impacts of climate change, both large and small, and from those that affect whole regions to our own backyards. Examples in Texas span the state from the Gulf Coast and Pineywoods to central Texas and the Trans-Pecos.

Bio:

George Diggs is a botanist and evolutionary biologist who has taught for nearly 40 years at Austin College in Sherman, and a Research Associate at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas. His research interests include the plants of Texas, evolution as it relates to human health, climate change, and biogeography. He has co-authored four books and more than 30 scientific articles. In his research he has traveled to all seven continents. His latest books are The Hunter-Gatherer Within: Health and the Natural Human Diet, co-authored with Dr. Kerry Brock, and The Ferns & Lycophytes of Texas, co-authored with Barney Lipscomb.

Members News Shaking of the Trees Post Shaking the Trees

Linda Nixon – Open Board Positions

Candidates for Board Positions

The BPTMN Officer Nomination Committee is currently seeking members interested in serving in several open elected and appointed positions on the BPTMN board of directors. The following positions need to be filled:

Vice President	Elected position	Term: 24 months, begins January 2021
Secretary	Elected position	Term: 24 months, begins January 2021
Membership Director	Appointed position	Term: 12 months, begins January 2021
Outreach Director	Appointed position	Term: 12 months, begins January 2021

Voting to elect candidates for the positions of vice president and secretary will take place at the chapter meeting on November 10, 2020.

If you are interested in serving in any of these positions, here are your next steps:

1. Get detailed information about the duties of each position – CLICK HERE

2. Contact the individuals currently serving in these positions to learn more:

Rick Travis, Vice President – rickt@bptmn.org
Valerie Dalton, Secretary – valeried@bptmn.org
Susan Smith, Membership Director – susans@bptmn.org
Susan Abernethy, Outreach Director – susana@ bptmn.org

You may also contact Tom Shackelford, President – toms@bptmn .org

3. Email a brief letter of interest stating your qualifications (skills and knowledge) by October 1, 2020 to: Mike Roome, Officer Nomination Committee Chair at mroome40@gmail.com.

Mike will set up a time to discuss the duties, requirements, and responsibilities of the office you are interested in and answer any questions you may have.

A Message from President Tom: Many of the current officers and directors, including myself, began serving on the board of directors several months after graduating as new Master Naturalists. What we all had in common was a desire to do what we could to serve our chapter and help make it one of the best in the state. So even though you may be just beginning to get your feet wet as Master Naturalist, you should know that serving on the board of directors is being on a team that works together and helps each other all the time.