Join the Friends of LLELA on Saturday, January 17, 2026, for our annual Native Landscape Seminar: “Getting to Your Roots”. This year features keynote speaker Jeff Lowenfels, author of Teaming with Microbes, along with a panel of local experts including John Sackett, Dr. Vanessa Corrisher-Olson, and Dr. Jane Duke.
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Move over chiggers, there is a new ITCH in town!
Picture source: Wikipedia, Pyemotes herfsi
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.
TPWD 2026 Texas Waters Webinar Series
Texas Parks and Wildlife present the 2026 Texas Waters Webinars, which are part of the certification process to become a Texas Waters Specialist. However, you do not need to be involved in the certification program to participate in these FREE webinars.
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.
Blackland Prairie Chapter Book Club Details – 2026 Dates
Blackland Prairie Chapter Book Club Details for the 4th Tuesday in January, March and May, from 6-7 p.m. Attendees should arrive a few minutes early and bring their own drinks, as no food or virtual attendance option will be provided.
Experiencing Nature through Eco Explorers
Guiding Girl Scouts through our Eco Explorer program creates “Aha!” moments through hands-on discovery. From tracking wildlife to tasting sumac, BPTMN volunteers help youth earn badges while fostering deep conservation values. With registrations filling fast, your help “ices the cake” for these new environmental stewards.
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My Favorite Things through the Four Seasons: Autumn
John W. Garbutt, Class of 2019 – It was the day before the autumnal equinox, and I noticed the Barn Swallows were gone from around my home. Perhaps it was oversight and they had been gone for a couple of weeks. Regardless of the exact timing of their departure, when the harbinger of spring departs, autumn is near.
New Study Reveals Central America’s “Five Great Forests” Are Lifelines for North America’s Migratory Birds
Submitted by Donna Cole, Class of 2006: New Study Reveals Central America’s “Five Great Forests” Are Lifelines for North America’s Migratory Birds.
Opal Collecting in North Texas
While true gem opals are found a thousand miles from North Texas, our local prairies are home to “living opals” hidden within the iridescent exoskeletons of beetles. By mimicking the same light-shifting physics found in precious stones, these insects use microscopic layers of chitin to create stunning displays of structural color and metallic luster. Join Randy as he explores the intersection of mineralogy and entomology, sharing photography tips and the “collector’s code” for finding these shimmering natural wonders in our own backyard.