We learned of the program from a flyer at the Kerrville Arboretum and knew immediately this was what we were looking for. Belinda is a retired oncology nurse, and Jim spent his career in land development in Houston. We have a son and daughter and six grandchildren. Always volunteering, Jim has been on over 50 mission trips and Belinda has served as chair of several committees for their Houston church. We were fortunate to be able to purchase remnant Blackland Prairie acreage in Austin County about 20 years ago and have loved learning about it and watching the animals, sunrises, and sunsets.
Our favorite things about being members of TMN are the opportunities to continue learning and being around other likeminded people who love the ‘weeds’ and ‘bugs’. One or both of us have participated in Monument Hill projects, Burton Cotton Gin Festival, Indian Creek cleanup, Stephen F Austin State Park Pollinator Garden, Winedale Pollinator Garden, assisted with prescribed burns, facilitated a training, class, Brenham ISD Outdoor Classroom, Nest Watch, CoCoRaHS, construction of blue bird houses for speakers and other things.
For our favorite critters, Jim likes bluebirds and Belinda likes spiders. All of Texas is beautiful so we don’t have a favorite spot unless you say whichever part of the natural world we are in at the time. We love Palo Duro Canyon, West Texas, the Big Thicket, Padre Island, Rockport, the Frio River and any prairie.