Remember the ‘white aliens’ of 2020? 👽 For this week’s Flashback Friday, we’re revisiting John Garbutt’s wonderful chronicle of a Cooper’s Hawk family—from incubation to the surprise discovery of ‘Thing 5.’ It’s a beautiful reminder of the magic we find when we slow down and observe.
Shaking the Trees
Class of 2025 Bioblitz Activity at Hagerman NWR
From local ecology insights with Dr. Wayne Meyer to a high-energy treasure hunt, our recent reunion at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge had it all. Despite the elusive bald eagles, the breathtaking Snow Geese and friendly competition made for an unforgettable day on the trails.
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.
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.
Monarch View Park Planting
Join us to help create a thriving native plant pollinator garden! We’ll be installing 400+ native plants and removing weeds to support local habitat.
Time To Restore Project
The Time To Restore project (TTR), led by the USA National Phenology Network and covering the states of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, is gathering long‐term data on the timing of flowering and fruiting of plants on their native plant priority species list. The project seeks to generate better information about native plant nectar availability and seed production timings to help those working on pollinator restoration to better know what to plant and when to best harvest seeds.
Colmena Ranch Native Prairie Plants Rescue
Over the past seven months, the group has salvaged approximately 550 plants from 59 different species, along with collecting seeds from several others. This crucial effort will help restore local habitats, preserve regional biodiversity, and support native wildlife. The chapter is grateful for the landowner’s support and hopes this project serves as a model for future conservation opportunities.
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.
Barbara Hibberd’s Pocket Prairie
What began as a hopeful rescue of a discarded Evening Primrose plant twenty years ago blossomed into a cherished, enduring “pocket prairie” that returns to Barb’s front yard year after year.