Upcoming Events
Wildflower Walks at Mockingbird
9 a.m. at Mockingbird Nature Park, Midlothian.
May 21st. June 18th. September 17th. October 15th.
Join us the 3rd Saturday of the month to see what’s blooming at Mockingbird Nature Park. Members of ITMN will lead free nature walks. Plan about 1hr. for this 1/2 mile walk. Close toed shoes & comfortable outdoor clothing are recommended. Walks are cancelled in the event of rain.
Monthly Meetings and Programs
6:00 PM – Chapter Business Meeting
7:00 PM – Program
Location: First United Methodist Church; 505 W. Marvin Ave., Waxahachie.
Family Life Center – Gathering Room
Or join us online using ** Zoom **
May 23, 2022
TxDOT’s Wildflower & Native Grass Program
Travis Jez
The Texas Department of Transportation manages and maintains of over 800,000 acres in the Texas Right-of-Ways. Travis will speak on implementing and improving pollinator habitat and about TxDOT’s extensive work involving wildflower/pollinator awareness in the Safety Rest Areas throughout the state.
Travis Jez is a 6th generation Texan who has deep ties to the Central Texas Blackland Prairies. After graduating from Texas A&M University – Kingsville, Travis worked in the agriculture field assisting rural communities with nonpoint source pollution remediation projects that included reclamation with native grasses with USDA-NRCS. He is currently a Vegetation Specialist with TxDOT.
June 27, 2022
Bees in North Texas
Ryan Giesecke
Local beekeeper Ryan will provide an overview on the types of bees found in North Texas, with a focus on bee biology and diversity. Die-off will be addressed, as we explore the myths, the realities, and the potential impacts of loss of pollinators. Conservation concerns will be discussed in regards to both honey bees and other bee species, including how we can help by providing food, water, and nest sites.
Ryan Giesecke, along with his wife and children, owns and operates G-Bar Naturals, an educationally-centered homestead project located in East Dallas. From there they offer homegrown products and learning opportunities, and Ryan performs bee-friendly removals of honey bees and bumble bees as “Honey Bee Relocation Services”. He loves to talk about bees and has done so all across the state. Ryan is past president of Trinity Valley Beekeepers Association in Dallas, past president of Metro Beekeepers Association in Fort Worth, a Texas Master Beekeeper, and has taught classes on bees at several area colleges. His other areas of natural interest of late include invasion biology, evolutionary theory, mass extinction events, and sustainability. Ryan participated in Texas Master Naturalist training with the North Texas Chapter in 2018.
