A vibrant native habitat is truly taking shape at Monarch View Park! This dream is becoming a reality thanks to the incredible collaboration of Blackland Prairie Chapter Project Lead, Laura Kuwayama, the City of Frisco Parks department, dedicated local volunteers, the North American Telugu Society (NATS), and the Blackland Prairie Master Naturalists. With vital support from an H-E-B Pollinator Grant, Monarch Park now has a beautiful array of native species like Little Bluestem, Baptisia australis, and Wild Bergamot. These efforts are creating a crucial space for pollinators to thrive right here in Frisco!
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Rooted in Paulette: The First Books & Blooms Library Blooms at Green Gardens
Mary Abercrombie, Class of 2020 – Books & Blooms, a new passive engagement program that reimagines Little Free Libraries as vibrant community touchpoints for ecological literacy and neighborhood beauty.
Our very first Books & Blooms installation is now blooming at the Green Gardens of McKinney at Gabe Nesbitt Park, and we couldn’t have asked for a better partner to bring this pilot to life than Paulette Platko, local artist, garden steward, and Texas Master Naturalist with the Blackland Prairie Chapter.
Plano Park – July Updates from Project Leader Jean Higgins
One primary focus has been the removal of privet (Ligustrum spp.), an aggressive non-native shrub that threatens native plant diversity and degrades habitat for wildlife. With support from Plano Parks and Recreation, our volunteers have been able to expand efforts. Plano has provided valuable assistance with follow-up herbicide treatments in cut areas and has been a true partner in helping us reach long-term restoration goals.
Summer hours for McKinney Green Gardens Last Saturday workday!
Mary Abercrombie wants to share to good news! McKinney Green Gardens is updating its summer hours to help beat the heat.
The Heard Museum needs Pre-School Storytime Readers!
The Heard Museum would like to expand its storytime to every Friday morning at ten. This is for pre-schoolers. At present it is only on the second and fourth Fridays. If you would like to read to a group of little kids whose eyes get big and whose verbage is priceless.
McKinney Green Gardens Workday: A Community Success!
The McKinney Green Gardens restoration project, a Blackland Prairie Master Naturalists (BPTMN)- approved project and a Chapter grant recipient, experienced a highly successful workday on July 5th.
Leading the charge were two dedicated BPTMN members: Mary Abercrombie, who also works with the City of McKinney Office of Sustainability, and Paulette Platko.
Plano Park – June Updates from Project Leader Jean Higgins
Over the past several months, teams have cleared large volumes of this aggressive invader from the park’s natural areas. Privet creates dense thickets that crowd out native species, reduce biodiversity, and degrade wildlife habitat. By removing it, we are opening space for native grasses, wildflowers, trees and shrubs to thrive again—restoring balance to the landscape and supporting healthier ecosystems.
Magical Mothing Event at the Heard Museum, Celebrating National Moth Week
Get ready for a night of enchantment! Celebrate National Moth Week at the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary’s Magical Mothing Event on Saturday, July 26, from 8:00 to 11:00 PM. Come discover the fascinating world of moths under the stars!
Plant for Pollinators at Monarch View Park May 17 & 18
Help create a haven for monarchs! Join Frisco Parks and Blackland Prairie Master Naturalist Laura Kuwayama for a community workday on the Monarch View project, May 17 & 18.
Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) Volunteer Opportunities for 2025
Angela Lewallen, Friends of LLELA – I wanted to share some updated information about the volunteer opportunities at LLELA for our BPTMN volunteers. I’ve attached a one-pager for download that lists all the events and contact information at LLELA.