Coordinators: Michael Weiss and John Kennedy.
Upcoming AT opportunities for the month of FEBRUARY 2026:
| Local / In-Person Alpine Wildlife Weekend 2026 Dates: January 30 – February 1, 2026 Location: Alpine, TX (various venues around town) Description: A weekend of activities, information and education on Texas wildlife – this year’s focus is on OWLS! This FREE community event features guided nature walks, expert presentations, a wildlife photography contest, family-friendly activities at the Alpine Farmer’s Market, and more. Join us in Alpine for any or all of the events and learn from partners like the Borderlands Research Institute, Texas Parks & Wildlife, Texas Ornithological Society, and others. Format: Festival Cost: No tickets required for most events (some small-group hikes require free reservations due to limited space – see the schedule for details). Registration: visitalpinetx.com Riverside Archaeology Field Season (BBRSP) Dates: January through March Description: There will be a range of training opportunities over the season, many of these may alternately be claimed as volunteer service. Trainer: Tim Gibbs, Archeologist Big Bend Ranch State Park Complex Location: River corridor, BBRSP (Highway 170) Register: All interested please contact [email protected]. Show “TMNTG Archaeo” in the subject line. Introduce yourself, state any scheduling preferences and give him a brief background applicable to field and/or archaeo work. Ancient Foodways of La Junta De Los Rios Date & Time: February 7, 1:00 – 3:00 PM Program: We will take a step back in time to explore the historical foods in the La Junta de Los Ríos region and sample some of the delicious harvest! Prickly Pear (Opuntia) is abundant in the Chihuahuan Desert and indigenous people survived off of it. Come enjoy some cactus tacos at the Fort! Location: Fort Leaton Historical Site Cost: Free with park admission, $5 per person 13 and older. Park Admission is free with a Texas State Parks Pass. Register: Reservations are required due to limited space. Make your reservations here. Friends of Seminole Canyon State Park Guided Hikes: Presa Canyon Date & Time: Saturday, February 7, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM CST Program: A very strenuous, all-day hike through canyon bottoms that includes navigating thick brush and boulder fields. A typical Presa Canyon hike may visit rock art sites such as VV75, Red Linear, and Black Cave, though specific sites and time spent at each depend on canyon conditions and guide discretion. Location: Seminole Canyon State Park Cost: $33.85 Registration: https://friendsofscsp.org/eventbrite/ WATER IN THE DESERT 2026 Information click here Dates: February 11 – 13, 2026 Program: A conference all about water in the Chihuahuan Desert of West Texas – featuring presentations from scientists and land managers, field trips to local sites, and networking opportunities. Topics include desert water conservation, hydrology, and ecosystem impacts. Location: Sul Ross State University (Alpine, TX) (This conference is a fantastic way to earn AT hours and learn about a critical resource in our region.) Friends of Seminole Canyon State Park Guided Hikes: Upper Seminole Canyon Date & Time: Saturday, February 14, 8 AM- 12:30 PM CST Program: Learn about the park’s railroad and military history and visit remote rock art sites in the upper portions of Seminole Canyon. Location: Seminole Canyon State Park Cost: $17.85 Registration: https://friendsofscsp.org/eventbrite/ Star Party in the Borderlands Date & Time: February 14, 7:00 PM Program: Celebrate Valentines Day and explore the far reaches of the universe! Park Rangers will take you on a guided tour of our night sky and look at some of your favorite planets and stars through a telescope. Bring Red lights (to protect night vision), Weather-appropriate clothing, Water and snacks, A telescope (if you have one!), Your own chair (for a comfortable viewing experience). Speaker: Omar Udave Location: West Contrabando Trailhead. Located on FM 170 (River Road), approximately 7 miles from the Barton Warnock Visitor Center and 40 miles east of Fort Leaton SHS. Cost: Free with park admission, $5 per person 13 and older. Park Admission is free with a Texas State Parks Pass. Register: Reservations are required due to limited space. Make your reservations here. Desert Adaptations Night Hike Date & Time: February 20, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Program: Explore the Las Burras trail at Night with a park ranger to learn about how many creatures have adapted to the desert, especially at night! The hike is about 2 miles round-trip. Speaker: Park Ranger Arian Velazquez-Ornelas Location: Las Burras Trailhead, BBRSP RSVP: [email protected] Cost: Free with park admission. The Big Bend Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas invites your members to our February Monthly Program. Title: Bats, Bugs & Blooms Presenter: Austin Drews, Sul Ross Date: Sat. Feb. 21, 2026 Time: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Location: Alpine Public Library, AEP room Stars Over Big Bend National Park Date & Time: February 21, 8:30 PM Program: Join Big Bend Rangers to observe and learn about the wonders of our solar system, galaxy, and universe! Telescopes will be available for viewing. Bring a camp chair (if you’d like) and wear warm clothing! Location: Panther Junction Visitor Center, BBNP Cost: Free, with park admission. No reservation required. White Shaman Preserve Tour (Witte Museum) Date & Time: February 21, 12:30 PM Program: The White Shaman Preserve, located on the Pecos River and 2 miles west of Seminole Canyon State Park, is one of the most significant archaeological sites in North America. Program: 2 hour, 1.5 mile guided hike. Terrain is moderately challenging. Location: Seminole Canyon State Park Cost: $40 Register VIRTUAL / ONLINE TMN Tuesdays Webinar Date & Time: February 10, 2026 at 12pm CT Program: Join Texas Master Naturalist Program Director Michelle Haggerty to learn about top conservation issues of the state, earn advanced training hours, and interact with wildlife professionals from across the state! Speakers: Michelle Haggerty Registration Texas Nature Trackers Bat Acoustic Monitoring Project 2026 Date & Time: February 13th, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Program: Online Webinar meeting for TMN chapters that are ongoing participants and for chapters that have an interest in joining the project, including Q&A. Registration: please call Rachel Grotte / Texas Nature Trackers Biologist / TPWD Wildlife Division / c. 512-547-9730 Wildlife Conservation Webinar (TPWD) Date & Time: February 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM (Central) Program: Guadalupe Fescue augmentation (Andrew Barton & Helen Poulos) Format: Virtual / Online (Webex) Cost: Free Registration Required Texas Waters Webinar (Water in Texas Series) Date & Time: February 24, 2026, 6:30 – 7:30 PM (Central) Program: The Creek in My Backyard – A Guide to Understanding Stream Regulations in Texas Speaker: Beth Bendik & Sue Reilly & Alaya Keane, Aquatic Resource Permitting and Consultation Program Leader & Conservation Ecologists at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department – Inland Fisheries Format: Virtual / Online (GoToWebinar) Certification: Counts toward Texas Waters Specialist certification for Texas Master Naturalists. Accumulate a combination of at least 8 hours of Advanced Training (AT) utilizing the Texas Waters curriculum in the following: Cost: Free Registration Required UPCOMING AT Christmas Mountains Weekend Date & Time: March 2026 (two nights, exact dates TBA) Location: Christmas Mountains Research Station (near Big Bend area) Program: A special weekend offering both service and advanced training opportunities. Help with the installation of native plants as a service project, and enjoy guided botany hikes, birding outings, and geology explorations in the unique Christmas Mountains terrain. Register: Please contact Michael Weiss & John Kennedy for information and to register. (Details will be provided as the date approaches – watch for updates in the next newsletter.) |