Welcome – Indian Trail Master Naturalist – Ellis and Navarro Counties

Need a good read? Fall Newsletter

Take a look at ITMN’s new iNaturalist Collection! Join us in adding species to the Collection for Ellis and Navarro Counties.

If you missed signing up for this year’s class, you may send us your contact information and we will keep you updated on the 2019 class.

Monthly Meetings and Programs:

Location: First United Methodist Church
505 W. Marvin Ave., Waxahachie, TX
Family Life Center – Gathering Room

• 6:00 PM – Business Meeting
• 7:00 PM – Program

October 28

The Beneficial Bat – Myth and Misinformation Busting!

Rebecca Schumacher, a certified Texas Master Naturalist – Indian Trail Chapter, has been a veterinary technician with experience in wildlife rehabilitation for over 30 years, and has been permitted as a bat rehabilitator for 9 years.

Seeing a lack of reliable and accessible information about the bats that occur in the North Texas area, Rebecca developed educational programs with the goal of empowering individuals to become “Bat Advocates” in their sphere of influence, and has delivered customized talks to hundreds of members of the public from kindergarten to senior citizens, including a two hour session at the Master Naturalist State Conference in 2015.

Rebecca’s discussion will include a brief introduction to the anatomy and taxonomy of bats; the beneficial role of bats globally, and why they are at risk; the common species found locally, and their habitats; and what to do in case of a close encounter with a bat.

November 28

Ecology in your Backyard: Bardwell Lake

Quite often in many suburban areas, our natural habitats and systems get lost in the hustle and bustle. Our plants go unnoticed, animals underappreciated, and the uniqueness of the natural history neglected and unexplored. Bardwell Lake is located in Ennis, TX and provides a refuge for many of the local flora and fauna of the area. Stephanie Hebert’s discussion aims to bring the natural landscape of Bardwell to light, and the possibilities it has moving into the future as a natural history hot spot in the suburban landscape.

Stephanie Hebert has been involved in the Natural Resources/ Conservation Ecology field since 2008. She is also a state-recognized member of the Mi’k maq nation, originating from Nova Scotia, Canada. Stephanie holds a Masters Degree in Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology from New Mexico State University, and a Bachelors in the same from Northland College and is currently employed as a Natural Resources Specialist with the US Army Corps of Engineers at Bardwell Lake.

Indian Trail Chapter is part of the statewide Texas Master Naturalist Volunteer Program of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

This program is part of a series of “no cost” “open to the public” Master Naturalist programs offered the fourth Monday (generally) of each month, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Please bring a friend! For more information, please call the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension at 972-825-5175 or email: info@itmnc.com