Our members use iNaturalist and the Seek App to record observations in neighborhoods, parks and places like Sibley Nature Center and I-20 Wildlife Preserve. We often participate in BioBlitzes to record as many species of plants and animals as possible in a short amount of time. Check out what we see in our area…it’s probably more diverse than you might imagine! Click on the logo for iNaturalist to get started with an account. If you already have an account, go to one of our project areas to see what observations have been made recently or what the project is about and join us in recording the amazing diversity of the Llano Estacado. LETMN posts pictures in iNaturalist projects that support TPWD. Texas Nature Trackers. Texas Nature Trackers (TNT), is part of the Wildlife Diversity Program and tracks the status of wild populations of plants and animals throughout Texas. The Great Texas Wildlife Trails, Adopt-A-Loop is another area where LETMN posts photos and makes hotspot eBird lists. You can find hotspot eBird lists for Sibley Nature Center, I-20 Wildlife Preserve, Comanche Trail Park (Odessa, TX), Wadley Barron Park (Midland, TX) and Andrews Bird Viewing Area.
LETMN BioBlitz 2020
Did you know that Midland has a colony of bats? Have you ever seen a honey locust tree? Know what an American Snout is? Traveled in a prairie dog town and seen the “howdy bird”? Run with a Texas whiptail?! This is just a small fraction of the variety of species of plants and animals that LETMN Members and Interns observed during our June 2020 BioBlitz. A BioBlitz is an event that focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time. At a BioBlitz, scientists, families, students, teachers, and other community members work together to get a snapshot of an area’s biodiversity. From June 20th-June 28th, 2020, LETMNs used eBird, iNaturalist and small group observations to document the biodiversity throughout the area at places like Midland College, Goldeneye Pond, private residences, Beal Park, Lake Colorado State Park, Upton, N. Lamesa St. prairie dog town and others to document birds, insects, plants, mammals, lizards and more. You can see more photos at our iNaturalist Project Area https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/llano-estacado-texas-master-naturalists.
This was a great way to get familiar with the area’s diveristy, get outside for a break from the pandemic blues and accrue Volunteer Hours towards TMN certification.
