“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 2024!
![](https://txmn.org/bptmn/files/2024/05/BPTMN-2024-05-Class-Graduation-Photo-1024x419.jpg)
Monthly Chapter Meetings
2024 September Chapter Meeting with Rich Lefebvre | Wings of Progress: Enhancements and Upcoming Developments for the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center
Enhancements and Upcoming Developments for the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center” is an insightful presentation that highlights the recent upgrades and future initiatives at our center. Join us as we explore the exciting improvements we’ve made in raptor care, conservation efforts, and educational programs while also unveiling our vision for the future. This session will showcase how these advancements will enhance our mission to protect and preserve North Texas raptors and their natural habitats.
![](https://txmn.org/bptmn/files/2024/08/2010-04-Richard-and-Red-Shoulderd-Hawk-Pippin-1024x685.jpg)
Tuesday, September 10, 2024 – 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 begin at 7:30 PM (approximately)
Topic: Trees of the Piney Woods
Speaker: Rich was introduced to working with raptors through the Texas Master Naturalist program. He graduated as a master naturalist in the class of 2007 as part of the Blackland Prairie Master Naturalist chapter. He received his initial raptor training at the University of Minnesota Raptor Center. Since then he has worked as a volunteer at the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center. Over the years, he has gained experience in all aspects of the raptor center operation.
Here are some of those activities:
- Maintenance of the RaptorMed medical records system
- Raptor ambassador care and feeding
- Raptor flight enclosure construction
- Presentation of raptor education programs
- Raptor physical exam and treatment as part of the clinic operation
- Raptor ambassador training
- Behind the scenes tours of the raptor center
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; go past parking lot and museum building; continue until the road ends at the large white SRC building.
Online Zoom Meeting Registration:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqc-yrqT4rHtzVMlNaWFk_mL0NlAjq0Lpj
Please register ahead of time for this meeting using your Zoom Account Email address.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with 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.
For any additional questions, please contact.
Chapter Meeting Host: Cali Bakker – [email protected]
Past Chapter Meeting Speakers and Topics
Online Zoom Deep Dive – “Requiem for a Wren”, with ED Burke
![](https://txmn.org/bptmn/files/2024/08/Slide11-1024x576.jpg)
Tuesday, August 20 – “Requiem for a Wren”, with ED Burke
Click here to view our Calendar.
Topic: Requiem for a Wren is about a little-known island bird called Lyall’s Wren or Stephen’s Island that has a lot to teach nature lovers about conservation and invasive species – even those we love.
Speaker: ED Burke (pronounced Ed) is a Master Naturalist, class of 2024. They foster caterpillars into butterflies, have a special interest in birds, and are the proud guardian to two very spoiled cats. They graduated from Southwestern University in 2013 after majoring in Communication Studies, with a minor in Mandarin.
Online Zoom Meeting Registration for “Requiem for a Wren” with ED Burke:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtd-GvpzssGNx7VCkoBC7csgEVRGSfSo7j
Please register ahead of time for this meeting using your Zoom Account Email address.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the meeting.
Logging AT: Approved for 1 hour of AT to be logged as AT: BPTMN: Other Pre-approved Training with name of speaker and topic in the description box.