Interview by: Sherri Wilcox
I recently had the pleasure of spending the morning with long-time chapter member Judy Deaton. Judy is the quintessential naturalist. Her interests are varied and her enthusiasm for all aspects of the natural world remains strong.
After graduating in 2008, Judy was recruited immediately to serve as the chapter’s outreach leader. Over the next six years, through 2014, Judy traveled the five-county area recruiting new members. Back then, Judy reports, the chapter recruited mainly through in-person events, and she covered them all. One of her recruits was her husband Bill, who graciously volunteered to take the training a second time when Judy feared the class might not fill.
If you know Judy, you know that she likes bats. Over the years she has made it a mission to educate the public, especially children, about bats. She has bat puppets, bat posters, and other resources to replace fear with knowledge. Many of you know her through her leadership, along with Chuck Babb, of our bat monitoring project. The knowledge gained from this citizen science project will give conservationists the knowledge they need to make good conservation decisions to protect all, but especially those species that are threatened.
Another special interest of Judy’s is invasive plants. She led the chapter’s project at Festival Hill that targeted invasive species removal. Judy organized two Invaders of Texas workshops for chapter members, most recently in 2019. She continues the battle against invasive species at the Indian Creek Nature Trail. Judy has been involved at Indian Creek since the project’s inception in 2008. Judy’s husband Bill and project founder Carol Montgomery built the bridge over the creek in 2009. Now she supports the ongoing efforts, under Ann Ray’s leadership, to rid the woods of ligustrum and other invasive species. If you have not visited this gem of a nature trail, it is worth a stop.
Another favorite project site was at Washington-on-the-Brazos, then a state park and now a historic site. Judy and Bill lived about a mile from the park for 10 years until Bill’s death. Judy and her good friend Charlotte von Rosenberg, also a long-time GLC member, led nature walks at the state park. Judy was involved with the initial creation of the pollinator habitat at the park.
When asked about her favorite TMN activity, Judy replied, “teaching the kids.” She has been a regular volunteer in a host of educational programs, including the Brenham outdoor classroom, nature programs at Lake Somerville State Park, leading tours of Indian Creek Nature Trail, and more.
After almost 20 years as an active Texas Master Naturalist, Judy points to the people and the fulfillment of working in nature as her motivators. “I love the camaraderie. I love knowing everyone. I love doing the work.” We are blessed to have Judy as a member of our chapter.