John W Garbutt, 2019 – I struggled on how to approach doing an article for the newsletter. I initially wanted to do one on ducks and the seasonal shift that brings them down in autumn. I also switched the theme from my enjoyment of them, my approach to photographing them, and interspersing information about the ducks into the text. After countless rewrites, this is mostly just the facts Joe Friday style.
Current News
Preservation of Remnant Smiley-Woodfin Prairie
Rick Travis, 2018 – The article tells the story of how the remnant Smiley-Woodfin Prairie will be preserved versus being eliminated by the construction of a solar power farm. The company, Orsted developing the solar farm and the Nature Conservancy recently reached an agreement that will preserve about 1000 acres of the prairie.
Canyon Creek Wetland and Wildscape
Julia Koch, 2020 NTMN – I have to give another shout out to one of your members that is volunteering at the Canyon Creek Wetland and Wildscape project in NW Richardson. Brenda Clark is not only helping us to remove invasive species and is caring for hundreds of plants in her greenhouse that will be planted this spring at the site but she is an exceptional photographer.
2022 BPTMN Holiday Party
Michelle Connally, 2018 – The SRC building at the Heard Museum was decorated for Holiday cheer and buzzing this past Tuesday night with Jolly Master Naturalists. The Holiday party event committee did an outstanding job creating an inviting place to share stories and visit with each other. Thank you to Elly Tittle, Jean Suplick, Michelle Norris and Charlise Hill-Larson for your planning and hard work hosting the event. Enjoy the photos below from the party and our Chapter meeting certifications & recertification awards.
BPTMNs Attend TMN Annual Meeting in Houston Texas
Linda Nixon, 2018 – Just prior to the start of the TMN 2022 Annual Meeting (Meeting) in Houston Texas, we decided to ask attendees, both those in person and those online, to write about their experiences so we could share them with BPTMN members who did not attend this event. We hope you will enjoy their musings and that what you read will inspire you to participate in a future Annual Meeting.
Texas Master Naturalists, Blackland Prairie Chapter
Rick Travis, 2018 –
2022 was an eventful year for the Blackland Prairie Master Naturalist Chapter! The Covid scourge FINALLY began to loosen its grip on us, and as the year progressed, we began transitioning back to in-person chapter meetings, classes, and volunteer activities. Online meetings helped keep us stitched together in 2020 and 2021, but (in my humble opinion) there’s no substitute for in-the-flesh gatherings.
Announcement re the Death of Gailon Brehm
It is with great sadness that we are informing you of the death of one of our chapter members, Gailon Brehm. Gailon died Thursday evening, and the communities with whom he devoted his time are in mourning.
VH – Outreach Booth Connemara Meadow Hay Day
Linda Nixon, 2018 – We are looking for some volunteers to work in the Master Naturalist Booth at the Hay Day Festival at Connemara Meadow on Saturday, October 1. Your mission: To help kids create nature journals. Find out more below.
BPTMN Asian-American Outreach Committee Presents…
Michelle Connally, 2018 – 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. #APPI #Asian-American #East Asian #South Asian
Sign up for our 9/13 Chapter Meeting Pizza Party!
Hi Blackland Prairie Master Naturalists! The next BPTMN Chapter meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 13, 2022. Please join us as we welcome Professor Elizabeth Mellott of Collin College for… Read More →