Join Texas Master Naturalist Randy Boys for an engaging presentation exploring the fascinating rocks, minerals, and fossils of North Texas. Discover the ancient geological history right beneath our feet and learn how local rock formations shape the soils, habitats, and diverse ecosystems of our region.
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Speaker:
Recently retired, Randy is a Systems Engineer and cognitive sciences researcher with 45 years of electronics and man/machine interface R&D experience. Randy’s interests in environmental stewardship aligned well with his ‘ancillary’ assignments while Strategy & Technology Manager at Oncor Electric Delivery, such as leading engagements with EarthX, university and municipal sustainability or energy offices/programs, and various ‘new energy’ forums. These topics included active consumer/prosumer participation in Grid operations (e.g., IoT-enabled consuming devices, demand management, vehicle-grid integration, future markets) and energy-related influences on equity and the environment. Employed initially in the UT system, Randy spent the bulk of his career with Texas Instruments and Raytheon, performing R&D across all Services and many 3 letter agencies.
Randy has authored papers in distributed energy management, microgrids, artificial intelligence, distributed simulation, EEG and functional lateralization of the cortex, electrophysiology of the eye, human factors, human/robotic interfaces, psychopharmacology, psychophysiology, systems engineering, and statistics. Randy is an avid participant in anything involving the outdoors, and is active in both Scouts BSA (nee Boy Scouts) and Girl Scouts. A certified Texas Master Naturalist, Randy volunteers at local nature centers and with related community projects, enjoying both shovel work and youth engagement teams. Randy is an Individual Volunteer of the Year, Keep Texas Beautiful awardee and Gold Award recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, among other volunteer and professional awards.
Topic: Digging Deep: Rocks, Minerals & Fossils of North Texas
What can a rock tell us about the plants, animals, and landscapes of North Texas? More than you might think!
In this engaging exploration of North Texas rock, mineral, and fossil collecting, we’ll look at the fascinating geological history beneath our feet and learn how the rocks and sediments found across our region shape the world above them. We’ll explore common local rocks, minerals, and fossils, where they can be found, and what they reveal about the ancient environments that once covered North Texas.
But the story doesn’t stop with geology. By connecting the rocks beneath us to the soils, drainage, and habitats we see today, we will discover how geology helps create the diverse ecosystems of North Texas, including the Blackland Prairie.
When: September 14, 2026, at 7 PM CST
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