What inspired you to become a Master Naturalist?
My overall lifelong love for nature, natural sciences, and Texas filled me with a desire to learn as much as I possibly can about how the natural world works.
On what type of projects do you typically spend your service hours, or are they varied?
My volunteer hours are mostly spent as a trail guide at LLELA where I enjoy leading monthly nature hikes and assist with the full moon hikes. There’s something very special about being in the woods or on the trail at night!
When you were taking the Master Naturalist classes, do you have a favorite lesson that has stuck with you?
I enjoyed them all, but the class on geology helped me dive into the rabbit hole of paleontology. The classes provide a solid foundation for anything one might want to do.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and perhaps what you like to do in your spare time?
I’m a life-time outdoorsman. I started hunting with my dad as far back as I can remember, and we also fished as well. I’ve pretty much given up hunting in favor of simply watching wildlife, but I will wet a fly line in just about any body of water I can finds. I was a Boy Scout, so hiking and camping have always been major forces in my life. I’ve spent thirty years in the Fire service and am looking forward to soon retiring and having even more opportunities to volunteer and spend time outside. I’m especially looking forward to furthering my knowledge and experience in tracking.
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?
Jump in! Pick an area that you’re interested then get outside and get busy learning. Keep open to other areas because you can’t tell when something will grab you.
Comments
The world is shrinking and more disappears every day. It’s important to not only learn about and enjoy nature but also to try to inspire love, respect, and enjoyment of it in others. If we’re not careful, we’ll wake up one day and it will be gone.
