“Education, Restoration, Conservation”
Our Mission
The Texas Master Naturalist Program’s mission is to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the State of Texas.
Our Commitment to You
The Blackland Prairie Texas Master Naturalist chapter is strengthened by the diversity of our members. We are committed to providing a welcoming environment where diversity, equity, and inclusion are a core part of everything that we do. We strive to be an organization that reflects the communities we serve and encourages multiple ideas and viewpoints.
The Texas Master Naturalist program is a partnership between the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and other local partners.
Congratulations to the Blackland Prairie Chapter Class of 2025!
2025 August Chapter Meeting with Rick Travis | Riparian Rock Stars: Trees of North Texas Highly Prized by Wildlife
Vicki Sanders, Vice President
Topic: Riparian Rock Stars: Trees of North Texas Highly Prized by Wildlife
A discussion of key native trees found in north Texas that are highly utilized by wildlife, reviewing their physical characteristics, where they range, preferred habitat, natural history, and their value to the woodland ecosystem.
Speaker: Rick Travis
Rick is a valued member of our own BPTMN chapter, Class of 2018. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Forest Management and an MBA, both from Stephen F. Austin State University. With his retirement from a successful business career, Rick is now fulfilling a long-deferred desire to re-engage with environmental sciences and our natural world.
He is currently serving his fourth year as BPTMN Chapter President. Rick is also a member of Frisco’s Natural Resources Advisory Board and works closely with Frisco Parks on multiple projects within the city. Additionally, he serves as a volunteer trail guide at the Heard Wildlife Sanctuary, Plano Parks and Trails, as well as for Frisco Parks and Trails. He further contributes as the Forest Ecology instructor for our Blackland Prairie chapter, the North Texas chapter, and the Elm Fork chapter’s new member training programs.
When: Tuesday, August 12th, 2025 – 7:00 PM
Click here to view our Calendar.
- SRC Doors will open at 6:30 PM
- Zoom meeting waiting room will open at 6:45 PM
- Business Meeting will begin at 7:00 PM
- Naturalist Talk will start at 7:30 PM (approximately)
Physical Meeting Location: Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary,
1Nature Place, McKinney, TX 75069, Science Resource Center (SRC) building.
Directions to SRC: Drive through Heard gates, past the parking lot and museum building, and continue until the road ends at the large white SRC building.
Register in advance for this Zoom meeting:
Use the email address associated with your personal Zoom account.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElcOmsrTsrGtbd5HCAAws7J_qSSob6IxpQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Logging AT: The monthly meeting presentation will allow members to earn 1-hour of AT. Log as AT: BPTMN Chapter Monthly Meeting Only (1 hour) with the speaker’s name and topic in the description box.
If you have any additional questions, please email.
Chapter Meeting Host: Vicki Sanders, vicepresident@bptmn.org
Past Chapter Meeting Speakers and Topics
Past Deep Dive Speakers and Topics
Current News
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge: A Haven of Nature and Opportunity
The Friends of Hagerman NWR offer many volunteer for Texas Master Naturalists, all of which have been approved for AT or VH in the Blackland Prairie chapter. Visit friendsofhagerman.org/tmn for more information The Field Trip Team It’s no secret that many children today don’t spend enough time outside — and for some public school students, field trips are a rare opportunity. That’s why the Friends of Hagerman offer free, nature-based field trips to connect kids with the great outdoors. We offer field trips for every grade level, but most field trips are K – 4. Every field trip includes a guided nature…
