The Lost Pines chapter serves primarily Bastrop and Caldwell counties of Central Texas (click here to find a statewide list of chapters). These counties are predominantly in the Post Oak Savannah and Blackland Prairie Ecoregions. In addition, our area includes the unique “island forest” of the Lost Pines, the westernmost extent of the loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), separated by about 100 miles from the pine forests of East Texas. Species in the Lost Pines are particularly adapted to the drier conditions here, and provide unique habitat for varied flora and fauna that can be seen in Bastrop and Buescher state parks and other nearby natural areas. You can learn more about what makes these parks so special and see pictures of them by visiting our “State Parks & Natural Areas” page; you can also find many links to information about the native plants, animals and ecology of the Lost Pines region on our resources page.
- An Otter’s Guide to Success
The air carries a muddy edge, the smell of river water in mid-winter. It’s time to play. There’s a flutter in my stomach, like a snagged plastic bag flapping in the wind, those first moments when I think about what I’m about to do. Peering through the desiccated bankside weeds, my buddy behind me feels… Read More → - Membership Dues are DueChapter Dues of $30 are Due December 31, 2022. If payment is not received by January 31, 2023, you will be moved to inactive status in the VMS. If dues pose a hardship, please notify President, Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer about assistance before the January 31 deadline. Pay on PayPal on the Contribute Page,… Read More →
- Did We Used to be a Fish?
In all of taxonomy, the most “wonder-full” species in Kingdom Animalia is man. The planet has been immutably transformed since our arrival, and our future is full of possibilities. If you consider just 3 generations back, it’s astounding what man has wrought. From the days of a primitive telegraph, behold an infinite world of ones… Read More → - Become a Master NaturalistTo learn how to become a certified Master Naturalist please contact us at https://txmn.org/lostpines/ Scholarships available. Contact training@lostpinesmasternaturalist.org
- Back Roads Nature–Meridian State Park
Situated along the 98th meridian on the transition between sweeping prairieland and the top edge of the Texas Hill Country is the embodiment of a legend. In the 1933 novel Lost Horizon by James Hilton, the author describes a mythical land of Shangri-La. It was a fictional account of a lost Tibetan paradise, a valley… Read More → - Winners at Master Texas Naturalists Annual MeetingThe Lost Pines Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists won three awards at the recent annual meeting of the Texas Master Naturalists in Houston. Allen Guisinger gave a presentation about the Bridge maniacs bird blind project, which was covered in a recent blog post on this site, and won $300 prize for third place in… Read More →