🐸 Is your knowledge of local amphibians a little… “croaky”? On April 23rd, join us as Braeden Duffee, Nature Preserve Manager at the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, presents: Collin County Croakers! 🌿 Braeden will guide us through the fascinating life histories and identification of our local frogs and toads. You won’t want to miss this “un-frog-ettable” evening!🐸
TexasMasterNaturalist
🐾 Volunteer Spotlight: Sarah Densmore, A Success Story in Wildlife Rehab
We celebrate our Blackland Prairie Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists for National Volunteer Month with a spotlight on our Sarah Densmore, Class of 2021, wildlife rehabilitator and Advanced Training VHAT Calendar Coordinator.
📸 Volunteer Spotlight: John W. Garbutt, A Passion for the Prairie
We celebrate our Blackland Prairie Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists for National Volunteer Month with a spotlight on our John W. Garbutt, a dedicated naturalist who uses photography and storytelling to bridge the gap between our community and the natural world.
Join us as a presenter in 2026 Annual Meeting!
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!
🌿 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.
Cooper’s Hawk
Remember the ‘white aliens’ of 2020? 👽 For this week’s Flashback Friday, we’re revisiting John Garbutt’s wonderful chronicle of a Cooper’s Hawk family—from incubation to the surprise discovery of ‘Thing 5.’ It’s a beautiful reminder of the magic we find when we slow down and observe.
Seeding the Future
🌱 Leah Justice, Class of 2021 – Discover how seeds and seedlings from The Nature Conservancy’s preserves are reviving native habitats and protecting the landscapes that define our state. 🌾🌳
Share Your Garden Seeds at the Fall Chapter Meetings
🌱 Share Your Garden Seeds at the Fall Chapter Meetings! 🌼
Got extra seeds? Bring them to the seed swap table at the Fall meetings!
Blackland Prairie Chapter receives a 2nd Pollinators for Texas Award from H-E-B and the Texas Master Naturalist Program
We are thrilled to announce our continued participation in the Pollinators for Texas project! Our chapter has been selected to receive a $4,000 grant to help support native pollinators in our area.
Finding Happiness Through Sharing Nature
John W. Garbutt – Class of 2019- Over time, I learned to find happiness alone through nature. A majority of the learning has been from behind the camera’s viewfinder, the eye piece on my binoculars; and through contributing to the chapter’s monthly newsletter, Shaking the Trees.