Congratulations to our fellow Blackland Prairie Chapter Annual Awardees!
News
The 2023 Annual Conference October 14 Eclipse at El Sauz Ranch is sponsored by the East Foundation.
Vickie Sanders, Class of 2022 – “Clouds. They can be lovely, or provide shade, or promise much needed rain, but on Saturday, October 14, they were NOT what we wanted to see. Eight buses with over 400 Texas Master Naturalists loaded up in McAllen and headed to El Sauz Ranch, very anxious to see what the day held.”
2023 Texas Master Naturalist 1st Place Award for Trees of North Texas Brochure (PDF download) by Lisa Travis
Andrea Ridout, Class of 2009 – “Lisa’s Trees of North Texas guide is so useful that she even won an award for it at this year’s Texas Master Naturalist Annual Conference.”
News Article – Trees Are Stressed. Now They Can Tell Us Why
Leah Justice, Class of 2021 – Submitted Bloomberg Article by Todd Woody – TreeTag sensors, developed by startup ePlant, can give homeowners, farmers and forestry managers early warning when trees are water stressed or in danger.
Our Colorful Pond Visitors
Barbara Hibberd, Class of 2023 – “Starting in the fall (usually between Halloween and Thanksgiving) several other species of ducks arrive to spend the winter. I am fortunate to live by Big Lake Park in Plano which is home to many interesting ducks. My husband and I also often picnic at Bethany Lakes Park in Allen where we can find several species that don’t come to the creek by our house.”
Eco Explorers On the Go!
Kathy Boys, Class of 2023 – “October took us to Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve in East Plano. Master Naturalist, Daniel Miranda, was our tree and trail expert, guiding us along one of the many nature trails offered. Master Naturalists, Daniel Miranda, Randy Boys, Kathy Boys and Kim Montange, took 34 Girl Scouts, their leaders, and family on this adventure to earn four different badge levels (Daisy Shapes in Nature, Brownie Hiker, Junior Animal Habitats, and Cadette Trees). “
Our Tribe’s Fortune 1,000 Hours – Sue Makuta
Sue Makuta, Class of 2021 – There is a saying, “Bloom where you are planted.” I was born and raised in Colorado. I grew up in Cheyenne Canyon in the foothills of Colorado Springs. Being outside, exploring the canyons, raising gardens with my grandparents and mom, and enjoying nature were my playgrounds and activities.
The historical record for the Collin County Texas Master Naturalist Chapter – THE BLACKLAND PRAIRIE CHAPTER OF THE TEXAS MASTER NATURALISTS
Donna Cole, Class of 2006 – We did hold our first class that February of 2006, and with over twenty new members we could qualify for ‘chapterhood’ and became THE BLACKLAND PRAIRIE CHAPTER OF THE TEXAS MASTER NATURALISTS!
In my backyard? Are you kidding?
Sam Crowe, Class of 2021 – For years, I have been trimming shrubs and pulling out vines that have been determined to take over everything in my yard. That changed a little this year.
One day, I glanced out the window and saw what looked like a Gulf Fritillary laying eggs on one of the vines. For the next few days, I paid more attention to the area, and every day, Gulf Fritillary would stop by.
Continued Observations of a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Colony
John W. Garbutt, Class of 2019 – On May 1st I set out to observe the herons hunting along the edge of the pond. I anticipated that with mouths to feed in the colony, I would find a lot of heron activity at sunrise. I laid on the ground using a Bald Cypress as a blind and its roots as a tripod as I awaited a heron to work its way toward me.