From tracking bat acoustics and banding migratory birds to planting native pocket prairies and cooling down raptors, our Spring 2026 grant awardees are doing incredible work across North Texas! Click through to see the full list of funded projects, meet the project leads, and find out how you can volunteer to get your hours.
Blackland Prairie Chapter
Texas Master Naturalist 2026 Annual Meeting – Sponsorship and Vendor Opportunity
The Annual Meeting provides an opportunity for Texas Master Naturalist volunteers from around the state to gather, participate in hands-on educational seminars, and complete Advanced Training requirements within one weekend. It is also a chance for program participants and partners to network, share ideas, and learn from efforts happening across Texas. Attendance typically exceeds 600+ participants, including volunteers, partners, and members of the public.
Deep Dive – My Visit to Every State Park Retirement Project with Suzanne Tuttle
From managing the Fort Worth Nature Center to a wild quest visiting every single Texas State Park, plant ecologist Suzanne Tuttle has seen it all! 🌿 Ready to hear about her epic, multi-year adventure and the insights she gained along the way?🗺️
Deep Dive – The Constellation of Living Memorials – Bringing Sacred Ground to Life with Julie Fineman
Honoring history through habitat 🌿✨—join us April 13th at 7 PM CST for a Deep Dive into the Constellation of Living Memorials with Julie Fineman. Discover how five historic Dallas cemeteries are being revitalized into thriving native landscapes and how this two-year pilot program plans to shine across the entire state of Texas, online via Zoom. 🏛️🌸
Deep Dive – Texas Acoustic Bat Monitoring Project with Linda Nixon
Tune in and take flight 🦇—join us March 23rd at 7 PM CST for a Deep Dive with Linda Nixon, exploring the Texas Acoustic Bat Monitoring Project and how technology is protecting our state’s bat diversity, online via Zoom.🦇
Deep Dive – From Screens to Streams: The Decline of Outdoor Play and How We Can Reverse It with Patricia Crain
Unplug and put down roots—join us March 30th at 7 PM CST for a Deep Dive with Patricia Crain, presenting From Screens to Streams: The Decline of Outdoor Play and How We Can Reverse It, online via Zoom.
Deep Dive on From Backyard to Blackland: Raising Natives for Restorations with Heather Fell and Katelyn Miller
Join us on Wednesday, February 25th at 7 PM CST for a Deep Dive with Heather Fell and Katelyn Miller, presenting From Backyard to Blackland: Raising Natives for Restorations, online via Zoom.
BPTMN Newsletter – January 16, 2026
Hello Blackland Prairie Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists, Welcome to 2026! We’re kicking off the year with a fascinating look at nature’s “living opals” brought to life through the eyes… Read More →
Focus on the Future!
Is your old pair of binoculars feeling a little “out of focus” on your shelf? Give your retired gear a second life! We’re collecting gently used binoculars to help the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center teach the next generation of birders how to spot their first hawk. Your “old” glass could be a kid’s “new” favorite hobby.
Snow Wonder It Works: The Magic of Winter Sowing 🌱
Winter sowing is the ultimate budget-friendly hack for growing native plants, allowing you to turn recycled milk jugs into mini-greenhouses without any expensive indoor equipment. This method relies on nature’s natural freeze-thaw cycles to stratify seeds outdoors, producing hardy seedlings that are ready to thrive in the spring. Read the full post to master the simple milk jug method and learn how to boost biodiversity in your own backyard for pennies.