Upcoming Events
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 **
February 27, 2023
Wasps
Sam Kieschnick
Why do people hate wasps? Lots of critters bite or sting, but wasps rank among the top of ‘least liked insects.’ Fear of wasps may be linked to a lack of information about these really amazing and interesting insects. In this presentation, we’ll learn all about wasps from the social nest forming hornets to the solitary and secretive wasps. They can parasitize garden pests, pollinate some of our plants, and provide a tremendous ecological service for so many organisms. Let’s learn to appreciate wasps… at least, maybe from a distance.
Sam Kieschnick is an Urban Wildlife Biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, serving the east side of the DFW metroplex. Sam holds a Master’s Degree from Tarleton State University and has previously worked as a nature educator for the City of Mansfield, a naturalist at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge, a science interpreter with the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, a biologist with BRIT, and as an instructor at Weatherford College.
March 27, 2023
Mapping Texas Landscapes on the Go:
Using TPWD’s TEAMgo app
Wendy Anderson
Wendy Anderson, spatial ecologist at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), works to analyze habitats and ecosystems across Texas. She earned her B.A in Biology and Spanish, as well as her M.Sc. in environmental sciences and MPA from Indiana University where she focused on grasslands, water resources, and bird conservation. In 2016 she was hired by TPWD as the botanist for the Landscape Ecology lab, where she surveyed plants across the state. Since then, she has worked on projects including mapping habitat for the Houston Toad, and remotely sensing open water across the state. A master naturalist herself in the Capital Area Chapter, she loves working with plants, outdoor education, and restoration.
April 24, 2023
Overview of a Wildlife Monitoring Project
Rachel Richter
Rachel Richter is an Urban Wildlife Biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife in DFW. She has a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from Texas A&M and a master’s degree in Wildlife Ecology from Texas State. As an Urban Wildlife Biologist, she focuses on making our communities more wildlife-friendly through educational outreach and providing technical guidance.
Flight by Jim West
Jim West, a chapter member, has published another photo essay book which should arrive by December 15th. This is 34 pages softcover. If you would like a copy, please send an email to Jim. He’s even offered to sign a copy if you get one from him! They are $30, plus shipping cost (unless you’re an ITMN member, then it’s free delivery).



