Our Heartwood Chapter received a variety of awards and recognition at the Texas Master Naturalist (TMN) Annual Meeting held in Georgetown, Texas on October 26-28. It was the 20th Anniversary of the TMN program. This was the largest statewide TMN Annual Meeting ever held with 650 registrants and over 700 attendees including speakers and guests. The highest percentage of chapters were represented, with 46 of the 48 chapters across the state represented. There were 152 sessions and 17 field trips offered. The first Gala raised $25,000 for the TMN Endowment. For the first time, two Texas Master Naturalists reached the 20,000 service hour milestone.
The Heartwood chapter had 21 attendees registered. Chapter members received training on a variety of chosen areas including monitoring butterflies, the night sky, snakes, geology, ecology, and took field trips to Selah Ranch, caverns, Llano and other locations.
Heartwood chapter members (photo by Julie Vickers)
Heartwood Chapter members (photo by Julie Vickers)
Three chapter members in attendance were recognized for milestone service hours:
Carolyn Langlinais – 500 volunteer hours
Jay Rubens – 500 volunteer hours
Allison Copony – 250 volunteer hours
Heartwood Chapter members (photo by Julie Vickers)
Our chapter won First Place in the Video Contest and received a $500 grant for the video titled “Water Willow Project Planting, Part II about the project at Lake Livingston where members are planting American Willows.
Heartwood chapter program showcased with 20 year program stats. (photo by Julie Vickers)
Diana Foss, our Chapter Advisor, received the statewide award for Chapter Advisor. She was one of three nominees for the award. She received a plaque, a field bag and on-stage recognition. Diana has served as our Chapter Advisor since the chapter started in 2004.
Chapter member, Francisco Montalvo, received two awards in the Art Contest for his artwork of a dragonfly. The painting received Best Painting/Drawing and the overall top award, Best in Show.
The 2019 Annual Meeting will be held in Rockwall, Texas on October 18-20, 2019.