By Jan Poscovsky
After its summer hiatus, I’m especially excited to introduce our reformatted, web-based newsletter – and of course to reconnect with all of you. Our Communications Team, led by Tonya Steckbeck, has put an incredible amount of time and creativity into making this happen. What you see is the result of many hours of work, discussion, experimentation, and problem-solving. It is still a work in progress, but I think the result is terrific! I hope you’ll take some time to explore it and let the team know what you think.
It’s hard to believe how much we’ve packed into the first part of 2026. From our work at Seabourne Creek Nature Park and our other project sites to educational programs, outreach, community partnerships, and the countless hours members have contributed throughout Fort Bend, Waller, and Wharton counties, you have continued to show what happens when people who care about nature put their time, talents, and enthusiasm to work.
And now we have a wonderful fall ahead of us.
I hope you’ll join us in Waco!
The Texas Master Naturalist Annual Meeting, October 22–25 in Waco, is one of the best opportunities we have each year to step outside our own chapter and become part of the larger Texas Master Naturalist community.
The educational opportunities are truly impressive. There are presentations, workshops, demonstrations, speakers, and activities covering an amazing range of natural history topics. Some of the field trips are already full, but don’t let that discourage you from attending. There is still so much to learn, and just as importantly, so many people to meet and ideas to bring home with you.
Explore the 2026 Annual Meeting program and details
We also have a limited number of $250 scholarships available to help members attend. If you are interested, please send me a DM via Slack. I would love to see more of our Coastal Prairie members represented in Waco!
And then…Woodland Wonders!
Mark your calendar for November 7, when we return to Seabourne Creek Nature Park for Woodland Wonders in the Woodlands/Bird Sanctuary. We’ll celebrate the birds, wetlands, plants, and other wildlife that make this special part of the park such a wonderful place to explore. There will be opportunities for learning, discovery, and plenty of ways for our members to get involved.
When I think about everything our chapter has accomplished, I’m reminded that our greatest strength isn’t any one project or program—it’s you. Every hour spent pulling invasives, leading a hike, planting natives, answering a question, collecting data, teaching a child, or simply sharing your enthusiasm for the natural world adds another root to the strong foundation we are building together.
Thank you for being part of this remarkable chapter. I’m looking forward to seeing what we accomplish together in the months ahead.
Growing Deeper Roots—together, for nature and for our community.