Our Tribe’s Fortune 1,000 Hours – Gwen Thomas

Gwen Thomas, 2011

“The Master Naturalist Program is the essence of the small group of thoughtful, committed citizens.  And yes, we are changing the world, one small piece of North Texas at a time.” - Gwen Thomas

I can’t quite believe I have volunteered 1000 hours!  My husband, daughter, and I moved here in the summer of 2010 from Wisconsin. When we arrived in Texas in the summer of 2010, I knew it was a time for me to jump back into a professional life.  With a background in forestry and resource management, I started investigating environmental activities in the greater DFW area.  That was when I crossed paths with the Master Naturalists and the indomitable Sally Evans.  Sally was so enthusiastic about the Master Naturalist Program and especially the Blackland Prairie Chapter that she convinced me to apply and I was accepted into the Class of 2011. 

What I found was not only a wonderful avenue for me to be involved in environmental efforts, but I met kindred spirits of all ages and from all walks of life who were concerned with protecting and restoring this exquisite planet we live on.  In fact, many of my closest friends are current or former Master Naturalists

Because I wanted to be better acquainted with my new State and gain an understanding of environmental issues facing North Texas (and beyond), I volunteered on a variety of projects.  I volunteered at Clymer Meadow and Connemara Conservancy; BRIT’s herbarium and educational programs; I was part of a dynamic joint Chapter team to organize our 2017 regional conference. I contributed administrative time doing background checks for chapter members and I participated in a whole host of one-time activities including tree planting, water testing, prairie restoration, and trail guiding.

Perhaps the project I was involved in for the longest period of time was the Jr. Naturalist Program which met weekly at Wilson Middle School in Plano from 2012 – 2017.  This was an after-school program, team taught by 4-5 of us with others jumping in to help with special topics.  Incidentally, while many Master Naturalists have worked on it since, the Jr. Naturalists were the force behind the development of the glorious Heritage Farmstead Prairie Garden.

My work with the Master Naturalists connected me with the Texas Society for Ecological Restoration, with whom I worked for a number of years before making a shift in 2018 to teach science.  As I dove into teaching and the pandemic hit I pulled back from the program for a bit.  I am however, taking this year off to recharge my batteries and I have had such fun reconnecting with the program, meeting new folks who have joined in the past few years, and getting my hands dirty.