Class of 2025: New Master Naturalists Ready to Make a Difference
By Reed Armstrong
Photo by Reed Armstrong
Upon graduation this week, HLMN gained 25 new graduates of which eleven are already fully Certified Master Naturalists. This is a Chapter record.
Host Leah McKern emceed the white elephant gift exchange, where hummingbird feeders and handmade walking sticks were the hot items.
No one left hungry, except for the desire to get back outside and get back to work on their happy place (favorite volunteer opportunities.)
The HLMN class of 2025 is a tight-knit group with high expectations for future engagements.
“As one chapter ends and another begins – their adventures are just getting started.”
“Gardening is my passion” says new graduate Janet McCreless. Janet is one of many who chose to affiliate with HLMN because the group is large, active and a strong promoter of native Texas plants.
New graduate Dana Ross says “Our goals when applying for the class were increased knowledge of flora, fauna, and natural elements in our little part of the planet, and a path to make positive impacts on the Llano Uplift that we love. Meeting all you good, nature-loving folks was the bonus. It has lifted our spirits and restored some hope. Look forward to years ahead of joint efforts and good camaraderie!”
We used to have many openings for liaison roles with partners like the Science Mill, but no more; the class of 2025 has filled every opening.”—MJ Hansen, training coordinator.
“We (the training coordinators) had to keep up with them (the class)”—Becky Larkin, training coordinator.
And here are the statistics:
25 Graduates (100%).
Eleven Certifications (44%).
Two re-certifications.
984 combined Volunteer Service Hours as of 5/11/2025.
A New Voice for Nature at Blanco State Park
By Reed Armstrong
Meet Katy Tiedeman, the not-so-new Blanco State Park Interpreter.
Katy came to Blanco SP at the beginning of 2025 from Enchanted Rock SNA, via Guadalupe and Mother Neff State Parks, all while finishing her undergrad last May (Red Raider, guns up!).
“I see my role as the bridge of conservation science with the general public,” says Katy.
Katy especially likes home school groups and would welcome support from HLMN engaging kids with birds, lizards, and plants.
“I could also use help in crafting – not my strongest subject, but important for some Park visitors.”
Please introduce yourself to Katy next time you visit Blanco SP.
Katie Tiedeman, Blanco State Park Interpreter, celebrating with two proud Junior Rangers
Photo by Reed Armstrong
Collared Lizard Sighting at Inks Lake State Park
This is a single frame from a video of a Collared lizard zipping across a vernal pool at Inks. We don’t see them very often. Jerry Stacy, April 22, 2025
New Class Training
On April 3rd, training was hosted by Sheryl Smith-Rodgers, James Hearn, and Prima (their cat) in their native plant gardens. They learned more about using iNaturalist and picnicked for lunch. The day started with Sheryl presenting her “Spiders of Central Texas” program.
Photo by Sheryl Smith-Rodgers, James Hearn, and MJ Hansen
Forest Bathing for Trainees
by Claudia Machell, 2025 Training class member
Forest bathing. I knew the concept. What I didn’t know is how much it would affect me.
It was the fourth week of our Master Naturalist training class and we were at Candlelight Ranch. Lynnete Holtz was describing the different activities they do at the Ranch for the children that come there and, rather than just describing this particular activity, she wanted us to experience it ourselves. She told us to walk outside for a minute or two, find something that attracts our attention, and then just “sit” for four or five minutes, in silence. I walked up a short hill, and my eyes were drawn to a large, multi-trunked live oak tree. Birds were singing nearby, the sun was shining through the branches, and leaves were scattered on the ground surrounding its’ huge base. I found my “happy place”, and sat down.
As I listened to the birds, and felt the breeze on my face, I suddenly had a flash back to my childhood. There was a huge weeping willow tree on a small hill in my backyard where I grew up in Pennsylvania. I spent days lying under that tree, watching clouds float by, listening to bird songs, and looking for bugs and butterflies. I was enthralled by nature then, and I still am. The simple act of just sitting by a tree brought back wonderful memories of spending time outdoors, and how much I loved, and missed, this type of experience.
I moved to the Hill Country with my husband almost four years ago and relish being outside. Whether I am chopping over-abundant cedar trees, working in the garden, or adding more bird seed to our feeders, I am always outside doing something. This experience made me realize that I need to spend more time outdoors, just being; not doing.
To really experience forest bathing, and let it transform you, you can’t be doing anything else. I learned my lesson that day during training. Forest bathing is not just for kids – it’s for all of us.
Colorado River Watch Network Training
Article and Photos by Karen Stewart
HLMNers Betty Secrest, Larry Secrest, Karen Stewart, Dannielle Clayton, Charlotte Willis, and veteran Jerry Stacy attended the CRWN—Colorado River Watch Network— LCRA water testing on March 26. We learned what Jerry has been doing for years: testing lake/river water for nitrates, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO) and turbidity. We recieved our certificates, and now we wait, hoping to be assigned a spot on the lakes and rivers to test. We would be responsible for testing once per month and entering the data remotely.
Adopt-a-Highway
The Friends of Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery (FOIDNFH) teamed up with Friends of Inks Lake State Park group (FOIL) to clean up Park Road 4 in front of the Hatchery and entry to Inks Lake State Park.
Photos by Linda O’Nan
Texas Mussel Research @ Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery
Article and Photo by Reed Armstrong
Jacqualyn Halmbacher, Hatchery Biologist and Friends of Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery
Native Texas freshwater mussel populations could really use a boost, which is why the Friends of Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery asked so many detailed questions during Hatchery biologist Jacqualyn Halmbacher’s February 12th presentation to the Friends group.
You may know that the Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery does a lot more than raise fish to fulfill agreements with Ft. Cavazos and Native American tribes in the southwest.
But, unbeknownst to many of us, native freshwater mussels play a critical role in the development of many important fish species, including crappie and bass. Native freshwater mussels may not boast the abundant charisma of popular game species, but without them, fishing in Texas would really suffer.
As you may remember from your initial Master Naturalist training, freshwater mussels are an important part of the biodiversity of our lakes and rivers. They are not only a part of the food chain, but help filter toxins from the water, improving water quality not only for the animals living in the water, but for humans, too.
Over the past two years, the Fish Hatchery has produced more than 10,000 glochidia (the microscopic larval form of freshwater mussels and clams) for release into the San Antonio River, where they support the growth and development of healthy ecosystems in some of the state’s most challenging environments.
Next time you tour the hatchery, look for new information about the good work Jacqualyn’s team does boosting our Texas native freshwater populations.
