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Blackland Prairie Chapter

  “Education, Restoration, Conservation”

Our Mission

The Texas Master Naturalist Program’s mission is to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the State of Texas.

Our Commitment to You

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. We strive to be an organization that reflects the communities we serve and encourages multiple ideas and viewpoints.

The Texas Master Naturalist program is a partnership between the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and other local partners.

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Congratulations to the Blackland Prairie Chapter Class of 2025!

2025 July Chapter Meeting with Bryon Clark | Bats – Chiroptera

Vicki Sanders, Vice President

Topic: BATS–THINGS THAT DON’T GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT

Bryon will discuss how he became interested in bats, past research projects, and anecdotal stories from over 40 years of studying these interesting creatures. Bats are found throughout the world, but because of their nocturnal habits, people oftentimes have misconceptions regarding this unique group of mammals. The talk will include an overview of bat characteristics and what separates them from other groups of mammals. Specific topics discussed will include the distribution, habitats, diet, movements, and diversity of bats. Even though the presentation will focus on the species found in Texas, the talk will also include facts about bats from across the United States and throughout the world.

Speaker: Bryon Clark

Bryon Clark is a lifelong nature enthusiast with a passion for wildlife and conservation. He holds a BA in Biology from Central College, an MS from Western Illinois University, and a PhD from Kansas State University, where he studied the impact of fire and grazing on small mammals. His postdoctoral research at Oklahoma State University focused on the endangered Ozark Big-eared Bat.
For 30 years, Bryon served as a faculty member and administrator at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, teaching Mammalogy, Wildlife Management, and Conservation while securing over $14 million in grants. As an administrator, he held roles including Vice President for Academic Affairs and Interim President.
Now retired, he remains active in conservation, serving as a Texas Master Naturalist, a board member for the Texoma Audubon Society, and past president of Friends of Hagerman NWR. He has helped secure over $83,000 in environmental education grants and enjoys sharing his knowledge of mammals and nature.

When: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 – 7:00 PM
Click here to view our Calendar.

  • SRC Doors will open at 6:30 PM
  • Zoom meeting waiting room will open at 6:45 PM
  • Business Meeting will begin at 7:00 PM
  • Naturalist Talk will start at 7:30 PM (approximately)

Physical Meeting Location:  Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 
1Nature Place, McKinney, TX 75069, Science Resource Center (SRC) building.
Directions to SRC: Drive through Heard gates, past the parking lot and museum building, and continue until the road ends at the large white SRC building. 

Register in advance for this Zoom meeting:
Use the email address associated with your personal Zoom account.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElcOmsrTsrGtbd5HCAAws7J_qSSob6IxpQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Logging AT:  The monthly meeting presentation will allow members to earn 1-hour of AT. Log as AT: BPTMN Chapter Monthly Meeting Only (1 hour) with the speaker’s name and topic in the description box.

If you have any additional questions, please email.
Chapter Meeting Host: Vicki Sanders, vicepresident@bptmn.org

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Past Deep Dive Speakers and Topics
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Magical Mothing Event at the Heard Museum, Celebrating National Moth Week

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Get ready for a night of enchantment! Celebrate National Moth Week at the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary’s Magical Mothing Event on Saturday, July 26, from 8:00 to 11:00 PM. Come discover the fascinating world of moths under the stars!
Read More

The Nature Conservancy’s Smiley Meadow Preserve Tour – Saturday, June 14

06/05/2025
The warm weather is bringing about fresh, green colors everywhere, and our flowers are beginning to bloom. Don’t miss your chance to walk among the blooms at TNC’s 1,050-acre Smiley Meadow Preserve, which contains one of the most significant remnants of Silveus’ dropseed prairie—a rare type of tallgrass prairie that supports hundreds of species of grasses, wildflowers, and wildlife. You’ll immerse yourself in the beauty and color of true Texas prairie while learning about the history and ecology of our native grasslands.
Read More

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge: A Haven of Nature and Opportunity

07/10/2025

The Friends of Hagerman NWR offer many volunteer for Texas Master Naturalists, all of which have been approved for AT or VH in the Blackland Prairie chapter. Visit friendsofhagerman.org/tmn for more information The Field Trip Team It’s no secret that many children today don’t spend enough time outside — and for some public school students, field trips are a rare opportunity. That’s why the Friends of Hagerman offer free, nature-based field trips to connect kids with the great outdoors. We offer field trips for every grade level, but most field trips are K – 4.  Every field trip includes a guided nature…

Read More

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06/27/2025

Sourced: CBSDFW News What do you do when you find an invasive hammerhead worm? Sam Kieschnick gives us the scoop! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YqW2XmQNzHk

Read More

Magical Mothing Event at the Heard Museum, Celebrating National Moth Week

06/16/2025
Get ready for a night of enchantment! Celebrate National Moth Week at the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary’s Magical Mothing Event on Saturday, July 26, from 8:00 to 11:00 PM. Come discover the fascinating world of moths under the stars!
Read More

The Nature Conservancy’s Smiley Meadow Preserve Tour – Saturday, June 14

06/05/2025
The warm weather is bringing about fresh, green colors everywhere, and our flowers are beginning to bloom. Don’t miss your chance to walk among the blooms at TNC’s 1,050-acre Smiley Meadow Preserve, which contains one of the most significant remnants of Silveus’ dropseed prairie—a rare type of tallgrass prairie that supports hundreds of species of grasses, wildflowers, and wildlife. You’ll immerse yourself in the beauty and color of true Texas prairie while learning about the history and ecology of our native grasslands.
Read More

 

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