Andrea Ridout, Class of 2009, recent North Texas Chapter transfer
Renee Dowhaniuk is our BPTMN Chapter Photographer and she also gives of herself generously when needed. She recently received her 250 Hours Award from BPTMN and we had a chance to chat with her about her Master Naturalist experience and some of her other volunteer activities.
BPTMN: What inspired you to become a Master Naturalist?
Renee: I believe we all have a responsibility to leave this earth a better place than we found it. That saying resonates with a lot of people but often we don’t know what or how to do things to make a positive impact. I felt that the TMN program would give me the tools to start a journey of positive change (and it most certainly did).
BPTMN: On what type of projects do you typically spend your service hours, or are they varied?
Renee: For as long as I can remember I have been an animal advocate. Last year alone I volunteered for a local rescue and photographed 1200 dogs looking for homes and fosters. I spend almost all my volunteer hours doing animal care and using a social media platform to share humane education and everything I am learning with our community. I do animal care at Holifield and with North Texas Wildlife Center. I also got my sub-permit license and most recently rehabilitated 4 baby mallards until release.
BPTMN: What’s the most fun, craziest moment or most interesting experience that you have had as a Master Naturalist?
Renee: I think it was learning more about snakes and realizing we all have the responsibility to relocate and not kill. I had a big snake up by the backdoor. I went and grabbed the hose believing it would scare it away. Nope, it leaned right into the water and kept coming closer to me. The entire patio was filled with a skunky funk and a snake that was determined to get closer to the door. I finally got a big pail and a shovel and relocated him back to the lake. I learned at our Herp class the next week that it was a water snake and my hose has zero impact. Since that time I have bought a snake grabber and relocate snakes for the neighbors as well as in our own yard.
BPTMN: When you were taking the Master Naturalist classes, do you have a favorite lesson that has stuck with you?
Renee: Week 3, Ornithology with Sam Crowe. I have always loved and admired birds-but I never really learned their songs and what makes each one unique. The class opened my eyes to the diversity and beauty and made me realize just how many different kinds of birds were in the yard. I felt I hit the jackpot when I saw my first Painted Bunting.
BPTMN: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and perhaps what you like to do in your spare time?
Renee: I am a photographer and I specialize in pets with their people. I believe with my whole heart that not all family walks on two legs, some of our favorite family members walk on four! I volunteer for several organizations in my spare time to take networking and marketing photographs for them. Two of the ones I work most regularly with are Dallas DogRRR, Grace Lake Ministries (Equine Therapy). We lived in Louisiana for several years and during that time I could always be found at the high skill shelters, photographing dogs in need and teaching humane education.
BPTMN: Is there one thing that you’d like to tell others who are thinking of becoming a Master Naturalist or perhaps current members who might need a little bit of inspiration?
Renee: Being a Master Naturalist is like being a chef, your dish may be a little different than the next person. You will add a little bit of spice, unique to you and make your mission uniquely you. Collectively we all find our lane and individually we all contribute to making a difference and sharing our knowledge. Our passions can ignite others and even if you can help someone to make just one positive change you are making a collective difference.
Click here to watch Renee interact with a local hummingbird visitor…
https://www.facebook.com/rldPhotographyTX/videos/1479643459487674/
And here she is “in the field”…
