It is amazing that we are celebrating the 60th edition of Shaking the Trees. As we found ourselves thrown into the glum alienation of COVID, I thought it was imperative that we celebrate accomplishments and become familiar with the uniqueness of every member.
News
Making Your Yard A Safe Haven For Opossums And Other Wildlife
Renee Dowhaniuk, Class of 2023 – Plant bushes, trees, and vines next to your fence to allow the opossum to climb down into your yard for a visit. Once your trees mature, allow some branches with leaves to hang down upon the fence, which will become the opossum’s highway along its nightly route, visiting different yards.
Kingbird Highway by Kenn Kaufman: A Book Review by the Chapter Librarian
Linder Orourke, Class of 2023 – This story is one long tale of Kaufman’s obsession with birds and the magic he experienced when finding rare ones. Every one of his forays into the wilds of America and Mexico and Canada in search of ornithological wonders was funded by his odd jobs like apple picking.
Our Tribe’s Fortune – Ruby: 4,000 Hours – Georgette Guernsey
Georgette Guernsey, Class of 2004 – Georgette Guernsey highlights the importance of mentorship from county extension agents and park rangers in her Master Naturalist journey.
A Vulture Valentine: Petunia’s Sweet Treat
Tina Burke, Class of 2024 – Happy Valentine’s Day! I had the honor of making Valentine’s boxes this week at the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center.
All About Skunks!
Article submitted by Leah Justice from the Class of 2021 titled “The Eastern Spotted Skunk”, a Texas Monthly Article from Author Sasha von Oldershausen
Rewilding Sticker Hill: Trying to Succeed at Succession
Article and Photos by Karen Glenn, Blackland Prairie Master Naturalist; Submitted by Patricia Crain, Class of 2018 One thing I really love about the concept of rewilding is the opportunity… Read More →
My Favorite Things through the Four Seasons: Spring
John W. Garbutt, Class of 2019- I never really looked forward to spring being a lover of winter’s cooler air. Then I got into birding and in turn began paying attention to the natural world. I now look forward to the plant’s subtle signs they are awakening from their winter slumber, the behavioral changes of the resident birds, and for the arrival and passing through of neotropical migrants to our area.
Our Tribe’s Fortune – Gold: 1000 Hours – Leah Justice
Leah Justice, Class of 2021 – “Being outside is my happy place. One day, I came across a conversation on social media about quails in Connemara where someone mentioned Texas Master Naturalists.”
Apricity is a hiemal word!
Balaji Devarajan, Class of 2022 – weather for an entire week between Jan 21st and 27th. After a long wait, there was light at the end of the week. That Sunday Jan 28th was literally a SUN-day as the sun shone bright on a clear sky. That’s also when I came across a new word “apricity”.