The 2026 Texas Master Naturalist Annual Meeting heads to Waco, a unique ecological crossroads where the Blackland Prairie meets the Cross Timbers. We are now seeking dynamic Classroom and Field Session proposals that highlight this rich mosaic of grasslands, riparian corridors, and limestone bluffs. Whether showcasing Ice Age history at the Waco Mammoth National Monument or stewardship at Mother Neff State Park, your expertise can help train volunteers from across the state. This is a premier opportunity to recruit supporters for your specific conservation projects. Submit your proposal by May 15 to help shape our shared mission in Waco!
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Lights Out, Dallas! Spring 2026 Survey
Migration season has officially arrived! 🐦⬛🦉🦜 Here is the key information for the upcoming bird conservation surveys in Downtown Dallas. Reach out to join our daily survey teams from March 16 to May 31. It’s a small commitment that makes a huge difference for bird conservation in Texas.
🌿 Blackland Prairie Chapter Bioblitz at Oak Point Park
Join us on March 28th at Oak Point Park for an afternoon dedicated to the simple joy of nature and community science where we identify flora and fauna using the iNaturalist smart phone app.
🌱 New Season, New Growth: Spring Grant Applications Are Opening!
Dust off those project ideas! The Blackland Prairie Chapter’s semi-annual grant program is officially returning for the spring season.Whether you’re looking to breathe new life into an existing site or have a vision for a brand-new initiative, we want to help you make it happen. If your project aligns with our mission of education, restoration, and conservation, this is your chance to secure chapter support.
Supercharge your City Nature Challenge at LLELA!
Where the Wild Things Are (And You Should Be, Too) – 🐺 🍄 – Trade the screen for the canopy and become a pioneer of the urban wild. LLELA invites you to spend time during the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge with the plants and animals along its trails. All area Master Naturalists participating in the Nature Challenge will have no-charge access to the public areas April 24 through April 27, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
My Favorite Things through the Four Seasons
By John W. Garbutt- Class of 2019
“As meteorological winter began, North Texas was awaiting a 3rd front of arctic air. Though it was only the beginning of December everyone was dressed as if they lived in Chicago.”
Clearing the Way for Spring: Protecting Trout Lilies in Plano Parks
One primary focus has been the removal of privet (Ligustrum spp.), an aggressive non-native shrub that threatens native plant diversity and degrades habitat for wildlife. With support from Plano Parks and Recreation, our volunteers have been able to expand efforts.
The Humble Bee of Harriet, Texas
When BPTMN’s Arica Shields (Class of ’22) found a lethargic Sonora Bumblebee in Harriett, TX, she stepped up as a member of the “royal guard.” From hand-feeding sugar water to providing a cozy overnight greenhouse stay, it’s a sweet story of a human-bee connection. Read how Arica helped a future colony thrive!
Letter to A Friend
By John W. Garbutt- Class of 2019 “I wrote this in January of 2020 on a lazy Sunday afternoon while watching football and glancing out the window at the American Kestrel below.”
The Sunrise
By John W. Garbutt- Class of 2019: “From the earliest faint light of astronomical sunrise through civil sunrise, to the sun cresting the horizon; witnessing the start of a new day has always been my favorite time of day.”