Our project list is still growing, and we’re always looking for new ways to pursue the Texas Master Naturalist mission in our community! If you have questions or ideas to share, feel free to contact us.
- Adopt-a-Loop – Citizen science project by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas Master Naturalists to better understand the distribution of Texas’ wildlife. The program helps to evaluate sites regularly and monitor the distribution of wildlife along the Great Texas Wildlife Trails (GTWT). The Piney Wood Lakes chapter has adopted a number of trails on the GTWT to help with this monitoring.
- Friends of Lake Livingston – Leading the effort to restore the aquatic habitat of Lake Livingston, including engaging student volunteers in the propagation and planting of native water willows.
- East Texas Conservation Expo – Annual event for the East Texas community, providing a forum for community members to connect with providers of agricultural, timber, water resource, wildlife management and recreation products and services, along with environmental agencies and educators, in order to learn about conservation sustainable best practices, new technology and products, innovative ideas, and available assistance for land management
- Library Programs – Host events at local libraries, including reading, nature puppets and craft activities. Popular during summer reading programs!
- Community Outreach – Participate in various community events including downtown holiday fairs, the dogwood festival, and more.
- Seed Collection – Harvesting of native wildflower seeds for use in various restoration projects.
- Pollinator Gardens – Help establish pollinator gardens at schools and other community locations; Teach students about the importance of pollinators and how to harvest seeds, plant and propagate native plants.
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Projects – Assist with workshops, tours, and other events such as:
- Ag in the Classroom – brings agricultural concepts to students in grades K-12
- Free Tree Giveaway – distribution of bare root trees from the Forestry Service to the community
- CEU educational workshops
- Gazebo Nature Preserve @ Lake Livingston Dam – Development and planting of a nature preserve and birding area.
- Great Backyard Bird Count – Citizen science sponsored by National Audubon, held each February.
- Christmas Bird Count – Citizen science project sponsored by National Audubon, held in December and January.
- Monofilament Recycling – Collecting discarded fishing lines for recycling.
- General Recycling – Volunteer support at Polk County Recycling Center.
- NestWatch – Monitor bird nests for Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
- School Outreach – Reach out to area schools with wildlife and ecosystem resources and education.
- Feed Sack Aprons & Bags – Recycling/upcycling of feed sack bags for gifts and fundraising.
- CoCoRaHS – Citizen science rainfall tracking project coordinated by the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network.
