Announcements from the Jan. 2020 General Meeting

The Announcements
View the full set of January announcements by clicking here.

Highlights of the Meeting

Happy New Year!
What a wonderful way to start 2020! We had a great turnout for our First Hikes at Dogwood Canyon with some 84 intrepid Master Naturalists and guests. Crisp weather greeted hikers for the five guided walks and all enjoyed the chance to kick the year off outdoors.

Thanks to our speaker, Mick Tune, author of Wildering: Anyone’s Guide to Enjoying the American Wilderness, for a fascinating presentation. His interesting stories and photos offered practical advice for everyone from novice hiker to experienced backpacker. Mick keeps things direct and to the point: “Use your evolutionary advantages; you are good at walking, and you have an unusually large brain. Your opposable thumbs will come in handy, too. You will be amazed at the surprises that you find along the way. The American wild awaits you.”
(Tune, Mick. Wildering: Anyone’s Guide to Enjoying the American Wilderness (p. 6). Kindle Edition)

Much appreciation to our hike leaders Amy Martin, Bob Richie, Dana Wilson, Marcus Cole, and, from the Indian Trails chapter, Eileen Berger and Elaine Ruby for providing engaging and informative walks. Plenty of positive feedback for your program committee to consider for a repeat performance in 2021.

And thanks to everyone for bringing such a fine spread for the Black-Eyed Pea and Cornbread Lunch. With so many tasty options, we’ve definitely secured good luck in the coming year.

Important Announcements That You Didn’t Hear

• NHG in the Field – Winter Tree Identification (AT)
  Saturday, January 11, 2020   10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  Also offered on Sunday, January 12, 2020   2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  Learning to identify trees in winter is a great way to tell the many species apart, when the leaves have fallen, and you can clearly see the tree structure and the surrounding habitat. At a park in northwest Garland, a small group will get a hands-on experience recognizing trees in this free class. Another chance for those who weren’t able to go on this hike January 1^st. Register at https://www.nhg.com/gardeneducation/classes-workshops.
• New home: the AgriLife Office at Hillcrest and LBJ (6820 LBJ, Suite 3200) is on schedule to open in April. Since the old office was closed by tornado damage, forcing an early move, many of you have asked about the new location opening. I was in the building this week and am pleased to report it is an enormous improvement over the old basement location – a very nice, modern space.
• New Class – We’re excited about the 2020 class beginning February 4^th. Thanks to the New Class Committee for sorting through the 90(!) applicants  and getting this year’s group ready to Learn, Volunteer, Repeat.
• New Name Badges – Members may order a replacement or duplicate NTMN name badge. We have changed the name tag so that the name is easier to read. The name tag is also larger and more durable. Your order will be added to the bulk order that we are placing February 15 for new members (newly certified members badges are automatically ordered).
  Stay tuned for the order form to be posted on the NTMN home page later this month. Place your order before the February 15, 2020 deadline.
  Cost: Badge w/magnet attachment = $11; Badge with pin attachment = $9
• Our dues for 2020 are $40 and were due before the start of this year. If yours aren’t in, now’s the time. Please pay online using PayPal.

Thank you for all you do for our chapter and our community.

Wishing you all the best in the New Year!

Scott Hudson
President
North Texas Master Naturalist