Donna Cole, Class of 2006 – We did hold our first class that February of 2006, and with over twenty new members we could qualify for ‘chapterhood’ and became THE BLACKLAND PRAIRIE CHAPTER OF THE TEXAS MASTER NATURALISTS!
Sally Evans
Fall is here
Sally Evans, 2006; Founder & Emeritus Leaves are fluttering down; Butterflies are fluttering around; Hummingbirds are fluttering as they nectar. Lizards are sunning; Squirrels are running; Red lilies are stunning… Read More →
Annual Sunflower
Sally Evans, 2006; Founder & Emeritus
The annual sunflower plant (Helianthus annuus) was one of the most plentiful and versatile plants the Indians had available. It was convertible into a dye, a liniment, a medicine, a coffee, and a delectable food. By boiling the crushed seeds, an oil could be skimmed off and used for cooking or as a hair dressing, whatever the need at the time. Nature provides many teas, but few coffees. Delicious coffee was made by roasting and boiling the seeds as we roast and boil the coffee bean. Black and purple dyes were also derived from the seeds.
Ode to Virus
Michelle Connally, 2018 Starting in April 2020, the Shaking of the Trees newsletter provided myself and others a connection to our fellow chapter members in a time of isolation. Hooked… Read More →
What we have seen
Dave Powell, 2007 My three spiny Fence Lizards are here as is my Anole however I have noticed the insect population is down. I attributed it to the freeze which might have killed a lot of insect larva that was getting close to maturity, the rain does not seem to cause the same thing. Maybe someone else can give definitive answer.
An Acquaintance
By Sally Evans, Member Emeritus and Class of 2000. A cotton tailed rabbit in my garden dwells, lifting its nose to smell the smellsAnd lifting its ears to hear the… Read More →
What a Difference a Week Makes
By Sally Evans, Founder and Emeritus THEN: By the time anyone reads this epistle the Backyard Bird Count will be over, the Great Winter Storm will be over, Valentine’s Day… Read More →
Ramblings on a Cold Morning
By Sally Evans, Founder Emeritus, 2006 By the time anyone reads this epistle the Backyard Bird Count will be over, the Great Winter Storm will be over, Valentine’s Day will… Read More →
The Legacy of Bill Holifield 1931 – 2021
by Sally Evans, 2006
Dr. Bill Holifield was the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum for the Plano Independent School District for many years. He was an advocate of children learning in a positive, hands-on, safe and stimulating environment. He seemed to have an awareness of the life situations of his staff and of the community they worked in.
Sally Evans – What Izzit?
I found this recently in my yard. iNat was stumped. I call it Plantus Drivewae. It is a low growing plant that is heat tolerant, tire tolerant and needs little… Read More →