Coordinators: Michael Weiss and John Kennedy. Another month of wonderful opportunities for Advanced Training in our area:
Chihuahuan Desert Exploration – April 19
Join us on Saturday, April 19 for a unique Advanced Training experience hosted by the Chihuahuan Desert Preserve Association (CDPA) at the Blake Williams Biological Research Station near Shafter. Founded by Dr. Martin Terry and Dee Blinka, the station serves as a hub for desert research and conservation. We’ll meet at 8:00 AM in Marfa to carpool to the research station, where the day’s activities will include:
- Interpretive Botany Exploration: Led by botanist Kelsey Wogan, assistant curator of the herbarium at Sul Ross State University and CDPA board member.
- Lunch Break: Participants are encouraged to bring their own lunches to enjoy amidst the serene desert landscape.
- Service Project: Engage in a small-scale, easy service project involving plant surveys and measurements, contributing directly to the conservation efforts of the CDPA.
Estimated time of departure will be in the afternoon. This special event offers a chance to deepen your knowledge of our region’s remarkable flora while supporting desert conservation. Please RSVP to AT Committee Co-Chair John Kennedy at john@bigbend.bike. Spaces are limited, so sign up early!
The Big Bend Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas will hold a program on Saturday April 5 at the Fort Davis Public Library at 11:00 AM.
Nick Loveland will present an overview of the mission of the Rio Grand Joint Venture. Rio Grand Joint Venture is a local Alpine organization that specializes in riparian and grassland habitat restoration. After the discussion, Nick will lead the group to a local site that demonstrates their restoration techniques. Come see how this local organization operates. Come learn with the Native Plant Society.
All are welcome. You need not be a member to attend. To sign up or get information contact Fonda at fondag@sbcglobal.net as space is limited.
CDRI’s R. Conant Distinguished Guest Lecture Program
Bill Neiman, founder and owner of Native American Seed in Junction, Texas, will be CDRI’s next guest lecturer at the Spring 2025 Roger Conant Distinguished Guest Lecture Program. The lecture will take place on Thursday, April 10, at the Crowley Theater in Marfa, Texas. Doors will open at 6:30pm, and the lecture will begin at 7:00pm. As with all CDRI programs, admission is free. Beverages and hors oeuvres will be served after the lecture.
Mr. Neiman founded Native American Seed 36 years ago and has literally grown the business into a nationally recognized source of native seeds. He is an exceptional storyteller and brings a wealth of knowledge about conservation and the diverse native flowers and grasses found in each of the regions of Texas. The event promises to be an enjoyable and enlightening evening.
This is a great opportunity for TGMN members to earn continuing education hours. For more information, please call 432-364-2499 or email programs@cdri.org.
Virtual Volunteer Fair – Our volunteers are ready to volunteer!
Our Texas Master Naturalist Volunteers are dedicated to natural resource conservation work. After the innovations of the pandemic, we’re continuing to hold our ever-popular Virtual Volunteer Fair in 2025 where Texas Master Naturalist volunteers are introduced to virtual and distanced service projects offerings of our partner conservation organizations in their communities. This returning feature of our program easily allows members to remain active during the hottest months of the year and provide service opportunities for any ability throughout the year.
During the hottest months of the year, in-the-field service projects become less desirable and hit a lull until cooler months come around. The TMN Virtual Volunteer Fair (VVF) is an opportunity for our partner conservation organizations to present service projects that need volunteers from a distance or virtually! After five successful TMN VVF events, our members are asking for more virtual and distance-based service projects!
The Virtual Volunteer Fair will be an opportunity for our partner conservation organizations to present volunteer service projects that need volunteers from a distance or virtually! Save the date and plan to join us on Tuesday April 8, 2025, for this series of project presentations showcasing opportunities from across the state and across the spectrum of natural resource topics.
Shumla Archaeological Research & Education Center
Robert Stein – Interning with Shumla: A Firsthand Account
In this presentation, Texas State University student Robert Stein will discuss his recently completed internship with Shumla. He will cover his participation in lab and field work relating to the Hearthstone project. Robert completed graphic databases for rock art figures at multiple sites in the Lower Pecos for Hearthstone, and participated in documentation of and scouting for Pecos River Style sites.
Presenter: Robert Stein
Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Time: Noon to 1:00 PM Central Time
Platform: Zoom