Tom Shackelford, 2018 – (2020-2021 President)
DESCRIPTION – Clymer Meadow Projects: Remnant Blackland Prairie restoration, preservation, maintenance, seed collection, plant/ wildlife & insect surveys. This includes Clymer Meadow, Park Hill Prairie, County Line Prairie, Matthew’s Prairie and other outlying remnant prairies.
VOLUNTEER WORK PLANS – There are multiple tasks that volunteers may have the opportunity to be engaged in. Examples:
- Removing invasive species from various tracts within the Clymer Meadow
- Removal of fence lines and some trees that inhibit the ability of prairie plants, insect populations to “communicate” from one tract to the next. This promotes diversity across the entire Meadow area.
- Seed Sorting – prepping seed previously collected for planting or distribution to other nearby Blackland Prairie sites.
- Seasonal opportunities that arise to address issues / items that crop up during the year:
We typically work 3½ to 4 hours and then break for snack or lunch. This time is spend learning about the areas we have worked on, observations, and discussion. We frequently discuss upcoming activity or needs.
Gilgai are one of the unusual features at Clymer. These microtopographic features are irregular basins arranged in honeycomb-like patterns on level clay soils. Their ability to hold water influences the plant communities within the basin and on the micro ridges creating distinct ecosystems in and around them.
SCHEDULING YOUR VOLUNTEER TIME: Email Tom Shackelford, project leader at toms@bptmn.org to inform him if you will be participating as a volunteer. Either CC Brandon Belcher, or contact by email or phone (brandon.belcher@tnc.org | 903-752-0676 – mobile) if you will be a participant. This provides info to review and schedule activity.
Location: Clymer Meadow Preserve – 4818 FM 1562, Celeste, TX 75432
Meet at: Clymer Meadow Preserve – White farmhouse office; north side of road. Parking left side of Office. (Car Pooling is encouraged)
Dress: Routine dress code for activity in the field: Long pants, boots/close-toed shoes; long-sleeved shirts are recommended. Master Naturalists should wear their name badges. Suggest that you bring a face mask (used if indoors).
EQUIPMENT: Hand tools needed to perform volunteer work are provided by The Nature Conservancy. Individuals may bring their own loppers and hand tools (Tools should be marked and they are your responsibility.) Power tools are used on some projects but volunteers must be pre-certified in their use and safe handling at all times. Brandon determines the need and certification of the individuals. Failure to exhibit ongoing safe use of the equipment will result in loss of certification.
Bring: Drinking water, gloves. You will also need PROOF OF HEALTH INSURANCE. TNC requirement for all volunteers
Other Information: TNC requires that volunteers sign a standard waiver and a Covid waiver
CONTACTS (at location): Brandon Belcher – brandon.belcher@tnc.org | 903-752-0676 – mobile
(BPTMN project leader): Tom Shackelford – toms@bptmn.org | 214-505-1177
Logging VH: Log under BPTMN: Clymer Meadow Preserve Projects. VH time should include travel time.
Thank you for your participation in this project!
Tom Shackelford Texas Master Naturalist
toms@bptmn.org Blackland Prairie Chapter
(214) 505-1177
