An Urgent Message for all NTMN Members

An Urgent Message to the NTMN Community about Coronavirus

As the world wrestles with the sweeping problems coronavirus brings, our hearts are with those affected by this epidemic, now pandemic. For us, as North Texas Master Naturalists, two responsibilities come to mind. First, we want to protect the health of our members and the community we serve. And we seek to support the work of health officials to contain covid-19. We don’t want to be fearful, but rather properly cautious.

We volunteers have a number of service and leadership roles in the community that may be impacted by this virus. Here are specific areas with which we ask your help:

1 – Practice good hygiene

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

2 – Practice social distancing to minimize close contact, especially if you are at higher risk.

On field trips, at events, and in classes, take advantage of the space available to spread out.
Greetings – consider a wave, nod, etc. A handshake isn’t necessary.
Vulnerable populations (60+ years old and/or certain health conditions) – don’t go to gatherings of ten or more people.
Again, if you are sick, stay home and seek medical advice as needed.

These practices truly slow the spread of infection. And, you’ll be modeling good behaviors to the public.

Meetings and Activities Postponed
We are aligning with the Dallas County Emergency Order (see pages 1 and 3) by postponing meetings and classes for its duration, currently through March 20, 2020 and subject to extension. As Judge Clay Jenkins noted, “It is imperative that the public do their part.” By taking strong measures now, we increase the likelihood of not overwhelming our healthcare system. The April chapter meeting and other activities beyond March 20^th may also be affected.

The New Class meeting scheduled for March 17^th has been postponed, as has the field trip scheduled for March 14^th.

New dates will be determined. There are several considerations pending before we decide how to best continue with the remaining class schedule or possibly postpone the remainder of the class to the fall. These include changes to covid-19 approaches, availability of meeting space, and conflicts with busy May-August schedules. The key takeaway here is that we will work with the class to ensure that everyone has a path to being certified.

Volunteer work at group activities is similarly suspended. Many of the activities NTMN participates in may be cancelled; others may involve more than ten in vulnerable groups. Please also look for communication from event organizers. EarthX, for example, a very large gathering that may be impacted, is just over a month away.

This is a rapidly evolving situation. As the numbers of infected people increase and research continues, we expect the guidance we receive to change. We’re tracking the most recent guidance from Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS– our local health official), the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and recommend following their lead. And, we may get further direction from our sponsors at AgriLife and Texas Parks and Wildlife.

We will stay in touch via email and post information on the chapter website.

Thank you,
Scott Hudson
President
North Texas Chapter
Texas Master Naturalist Program

This is why “social distancing” matters. Click here.

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9:00 AM - Trinity River Audubon Center || Sunday Morning Bird Walk (AT)

8:00 AM - Friends of Oak Cliff Workday (VH)

9:00 AM - Friends of Oak Cliff Workday (VH)

9:00 AM - Western Heights Cemetery Volunteer Day (VH)

7:30 AM - John Bunker Sands Wetland Center || 1st Saturday Walk & Talk Bird Tour (AT)

8:30 AM - Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center || 1st Saturday Bird Walk (AT)

9:00 AM - Friends of Oak Cliff Workday (VH)

9:30 AM - Heard Museum || Guided Trails (AT)

10:00 AM - Laura W Bush Native Texas Park || Guided Walk (AT)

more...

9:00 AM - Friends of Oak Cliff Workday (VH)

9:00 AM - Western Heights Cemetery Volunteer Day (VH)

7:00 PM - NTMN Chapter Meeting: Herping the Metroplex

7:30 AM - LLELA || 2nd Saturday Bird Walk (AT)

8:00 AM - Heard Museum || 2nd Saturday Bird Walk (AT)

9:00 AM - Spring Creek Forest - 2nd Saturday Workdays (VH)

9:00 AM - Friends of Oak Cliff Workday (VH)

10:00 AM - W.W. Glover Cemetery Volunteer Day-Winter (VH)

more...

10:00 AM - Friends of Oak Cliff Parks || Bird Walk with Carrie & Ben(AT)

12:00 PM - Twelve Hills Nature Preserve || Bilingual Nature Walk (AT)

9:00 AM - Friends of Oak Cliff Workday (VH)

9:30 AM - TMN North Texas chapter || Joint Hike with our chapter at the Elm Fork Nature Preserve (AT)

8:30 AM - Texas Trees Foundation Workday (VH)

9:00 AM - Western Heights Cemetery Volunteer Day (VH)

10:00 AM - Kiest Conservation Area Planting Event (VH)

8:00 AM - Prairie Creek Marsh and Wildscape Workday

9:00 AM - John Bunker Sands Wetland Center || 3rd Saturday Guided Boardwalk Tour (AT)

9:00 AM - Friends of Oak Cliff Workday (VH)

11:00 AM - Dallas Public Library || Floriography: The Language of Flowers (AT)

9:00 AM - LLELA || Thrive Nature Walk –(AT)

9:00 AM - LLELA || Nature Walk at Thrive(AT)

2:00 PM - Ned Fritz Nature Preservation || Yellow Walk in the Bonton Woods (AT)

9:00 AM - Friends of Oak Cliff Workday (VH)

9:00 AM - Western Heights Cemetery Volunteer Day (VH)

8:00 AM - Heard Museum || 3rd Thursday Bird Walk (AT)

8:00 AM - Paschall Park Butterfly Trail Workday (VH)

8:00 AM - Texas Trees Foundation Workday (VH)

7:30 AM - Prairie & Timber Audubon Society Field Trip || Chalk Hill Farm (AT)

9:00 AM - Friends of Oak Cliff Workday (VH)

9:00 AM - Trinity River Audubon Center || Sunday Morning Bird Walk (AT)

9:00 AM - Friends of Oak Cliff Workday (VH)

9:00 AM - Western Heights Cemetery Volunteer Day (VH)

9:00 AM - Friends of Oak Cliff Workday (VH)

6:00 PM - Tandy Hills Prairie Sky/Star Party (FYI)

9:00 AM - Constellation of Living Memorials First Annual Symposium (AT)

9:00 AM - Friends of Oak Cliff Workday (VH)

9:00 AM - Western Heights Cemetery Volunteer Day (VH)

7:00 PM - NTMN December Chapter Meeting

7:00 AM - Trinity River Audubon Center || Bird Excursion (AT)

7:30 AM - John Bunker Sands Wetland Center || 1st Saturday Walk & Talk Bird Tour (AT)

8:30 AM - Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center || 1st Saturday Bird Walk (AT)

9:00 AM - Friends of Oak Cliff Workday (VH)

9:30 AM - Heard Museum || Guided Trails (AT)

Trinity River Audubon Center || Sunday Morning Bird Walk (AT)

October 26, 2025

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Trinity River Audubon Center

Guided Walks/AT

Trinity River Audubon Center || Sunday Morning Bird Walk (AT) Sunday, October 26, 2025 || 9am – 10am CT More Info & to register: https://trinityriver.audubon.org/events/sunday-morning-bird-walk-11...