March 13, 2021 The Jasper Master Gardeners and Longleaf Ridge Master Naturalists jointly care for a 2-mile stretch along Hwy 2799/W. Houston St. The last trash pickup was Feb. 8, 2020. So what you see here is a little over a year's worth of accumulated trash. Thanks to all the volunteers who … [Read more...] about Adopt-A-Highway Trash Pickup with the Master Gardeners/Master Naturalists
How to Stay Informed of Events
Due to the pandemic, Texas Master Naturalists (TMN) require that we try to the best of our ability to provide remote access to our meetings. We have tried our best to provide virtual meetings during the COVID-19 crisis and met with issues. Our Zoom volunteer did more than we can expect from her, and … [Read more...] about How to Stay Informed of Events
Groundhog Day – When Will It Warm Up Outside?
Traditionally, if the Groundhog sees his shadow when he comes out of his burrow on February 2nd, it means that the day is sunny and warm, and the opposite will be true for the remaining weeks of winter. However, if he does not see his shadow due to a cloudy, dreary day, then spring weather is just … [Read more...] about Groundhog Day – When Will It Warm Up Outside?
Neches Wilderness Race
By Penny Lanham My husband tried this challenging competition for the first time in 2020, and I just had to do a write-up about it! Even as a spectator, I had a blast cheering on the racers, talking with paddlecraft lovers, and seeing a new part of the untamed East Texas woodlands. This … [Read more...] about Neches Wilderness Race
My Experience Tending to Passionfruit Vine: Inadvertently Raising Gulf Fritillary Caterpillars
During my time at Stephen F. Austin State University, beginning in 2006, I learned how to identify plants, including edible plants. Among my mentors was Greg Grant, who was in charge of the SFASU Pineywoods Native Plant Center at the time and is now a well-known East Texas horticulturalist and … [Read more...] about My Experience Tending to Passionfruit Vine: Inadvertently Raising Gulf Fritillary Caterpillars
50th Anniversary of Earth Day 1970-2020
by Penny Lanham Every year on April 22nd, environmentalists gather to teach the public about environmental awareness. We set up tables and chairs inside school gymnasiums or outdoors in a community garden. We put up posters of sea turtles, globes with smiling faces, and Smokey the Bear. We set up … [Read more...] about 50th Anniversary of Earth Day 1970-2020
Cypress Swamp of Bevilport: One of East Texas’ Hidden Gems for Paddlers
by Penny Lanham In the community of Bevilport, there is a boat ramp and a sign next to it that says Angelina Neches / Dam B Wildlife Management Area (WMA). We put in our kayaks with the intention of investigating an area that my husband saw on the Google satellite image just upstream from the boat … [Read more...] about Cypress Swamp of Bevilport: One of East Texas’ Hidden Gems for Paddlers
Learning to Zoom!
Every adversity is an opportunity, and Longleaf Ridge Master Naturalists are using the COVID-19 crisis to learn how to use new tech savvy tools while we shelter-in-place. The April chapter meeting was held on Zoom, thanks to the coordination efforts of Danielle "Doc" Horton, who is an experienced … [Read more...] about Learning to Zoom!
Trail Between the Lakes Hike
Longleaf Ridge began exploring the Trail Between the Lakes on a hike Sunday afternoon, February 23, 2020, led by Lisa Wise. We headed west off FM 2426, walking about an hour into the serene Sabine National Forest, following a small stream. The most noticeable flora was Red Buckeye, Aesculus … [Read more...] about Trail Between the Lakes Hike
Adopt a Highway Cleanup!
Volunteers from Longleaf Ridge Master Naturalists joined the Jasper Master Gardeners on Saturday morning, February 8, cleaning up for the Adopt a Highway program on 2799. Big kudos to these folks who are helping us Keep Jasper Beautiful! They collected an awesome 35 bags of trash and debris in two … [Read more...] about Adopt a Highway Cleanup!