By: Kathy Weston
The Annual Meeting of the Texas Master Naturalists took place during October in the vibrant city of Houston in and around the Galleria Area and within a short drive to the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. The main venue was hosted by the Omni Hotel Woodway with 18 available field locations including Brazos Bend State Park (which is the host to numerous alligators), and the Houston Audubon Raptor Education Center (which is the home to raptor ambassadors and other education animals). The field sessions stretched to a fish hatchery in Lake Jackson, TX (which has a focus on saltwater fish). The event was planned to perfection with full breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided each day.
Registered attendees were able to download an “all-purpose app” designed by a young naturalist allowing participants to track (on personal cell phones) all events, times, and locations.
The speakers ranged from employed professionals to personal landowners; all showed a love of nature, respect for the land and a clear understanding of current issues in the state of Texas. The large number of topics for individual sessions was able to satisfy numerous personal interests including rangeland, wildflowers, invasives, songbirds, hogs, owls, nature journaling, photography and many others.
The silent auction was just “fun”.. To browse and shop throughout the day and admire the talents of master naturalists in the state of Texas.
My favorite session was Nature Journaling. We took the last half of the session outdoors and engaged in individual activities which gave us the opportunity to appreciate time in the present.
It was also very special for me to spend time with other chapter members and to get to know each of you personally.
Here is a photo of the black swan who hung out with me during my nature journaling class. His job was to stand guard over the water feature behind the hotel while his bride was sitting on their nest in her personal shelter provided by the Omni.
By: Karen Aho
The most useful things I learned
- I learned about how to become a Texas Water Specialist and am looking forward to completing my training hours.
- The North Texas Chapter is working alongside members of an underserved community to make a piece of property more accessible and welcoming. Relationships and trust are the foundation of the project.
- There is a list of native plants that are approved for use in children’s play areas, increasing their safe engagement with nature.
Favorite class sessions attended
- Texas Waters Day (pre-conference) with Melissa Felty, TPWD
- Intro to Interpretation with Ben Horstmann, TPWD
- Plants and Children Growing Together with Melissa Felty, TPWD
Favorite field sessions attended
On our own trip to the Houston Nature Center and Arboretum
Thoughts on keynote speakers
We met an astronaut!!!
By: Katie Moses
The most useful things I learned
- As best they can, TXDOT makes roadside management decisions that will benefit pollinators and native plant species.
- How to collect a fungal specimen to be submitted to UT’s Fungarium.
- That dark skies are important for humans too and that our artificial light blocks our melatonin production.
Favorite class sessions attended
My favorite session attended was “Convincing a Park to Reduce Mowing” with Sam Keischnick. He discussed how to build a relationship with a local government to bring about change.
Favorite field sessions attended
I didn’t attend any scheduled field sessions but Karen and I snuck away to visit the Houston Nature Center and Arboretum. They had the most amazing indoor hands-on learning activities and beautiful walking trails outdoors.
Thoughts on keynote speakers
Jaime Gonzalez, the Houston Urban Conservation Programs Manager for The Nature Conservancy in Texas, gave a very empowering presentation about the work they are doing in Houston to promote and conserve green spaces. One project that they are excited about is a land bridge which will provide 100 acres of new park area providing a safer crossing for visitors and wildlife over the busy Memorial Drive.
