Dragonflyer Newsletters – See the Public Site

The Dragonflyer, August 2020, Volume 82

Sep 1, 2020 | Dragonflyer Newsletters - See the Public Site

Owlets photo by Marcie Haley

A Message from our President

Fall is just around the corner! We can all look forward to bird migrations, cooler weather, and the Texas Master Naturalist 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting! Though volunteer opportunities may have been scaled back this year, there are lots of ways to get hours both at home and in person at our partners’ work days. Read Scott’s summer update here.

September Chapter Meeting this Wednesday!

On Wednesday, September 2nd from 7-8:30, Christopher Roos, Professor of Anthropology at SMU, will present Native Hunters, Prairies, and Bison, a look at the methods indigenous people used to manage prairies and bison herds. He will discuss the role of fire in the evolution of global grasslands and methods that Indigenous hunters use controlled wildfires in grasslands to improve their hunting. Read all about it here.

Citizen Science Project: September Bioblitz

Our own Sam Kieschnick is hosting another Bioblitz on iNaturalist September 6-12. there will be 7 daily challenges which offer a great way to engage with nature while competing with other local Master Naturalist chapters to see who records the most (and most interesting) observations. Learn more here.

Photo: Sam Kieshnick

Class of 2020 Update

Our new Naturalists are finding all kinds of ways to earn hours and engage with one another and the Chapter despite this year’s limitations. Learn about how they continue to innovate here.

Sharing Nature at the Office

Read about how Jeanne practices citizen science (recording over 60 species on eBird!) and helps her coworkers learn about the wonderfully wild world just outside the office window here.

Photo: White Ibis by Jeanne Kuehn

2020 Virtual Annual Meeting October 14-17

For only $55, you can access nearly 100 general sessions, virtually-offered technical sessions, and some fun surprises surrounding the Annual Meeting! Steve Wilson tells us all about it here, or if you’re ready to go for it, register now here!

Earning Volunteer Hours and Advanced Training: Opportunities Abound!

Are you craving some outdoor activities where you can engage with nature and support our partners? Is helping out from home more of interest? Want to build out or help with our educational trunks? Are you into social media? There are so many ways to get volunteer hours the opportunities are nearly endless!

Russ Olivier offers dozens of ways to earn volunteer hours and advanced training. Take a look here.
Elaine White is seeking a few good trunk coordinators. Learn all about it.
Do you love to use Pinterest, Instagram or Facebook? Amy Martin is looking for people to enhance our visibility on social media.

Mayors’ Monarch Pledge Success in Carrollton

Our members are working to create habitat as part of the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayors’ Monarch Pledge program. Read about how they are creating demonstration gardens and educating residents about these important pollinators.

Aquatic Alliance

The Texas Stream Team members continues to work hard monitoring our waterways during the pandemic. Read more about their efforts here.

Photo by Richard Grayson

Join us on Social Media! Be sure to follow us on your favorite app.
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Did you know we have a private Facebook Group just for our members? Check it out!

Dragonflyer #73 – June 2018

Jun 12, 2018 | Dragonflyer Newsletters - See the Public Site, Short Announcements

A Message from our President

Bruce Stewart summarizes the role of the citizen scientist as it has developed through the centuries, and reminds us of what we can do to continue this valuable work in the community. Read the article here (https://public.ntmn.org/presidents-message-what-is-old-is-new-again) .

New Look, Same Dragonflyer!

As Newsletter Editor, I have the opportunity to read up on the chapter’s happenings before anyone else. And, as our sometimes 14-page .pdfs have proven, we are a busy chapter! Well, we assume you’re just as busy doing outdoor things, or nature-related things, or family things, or… well, you get it. We want to provide you with the information you want, in an easy to read and search format.

From now on, we’ll be hosting our Dragonflyer-worthy content on our NTMN website (https://public.ntmn.org/) , and then sending you the most current info and happenings straight to your inbox. Read the articles you want. Skip over the ones that don’t apply to you. And, you can always check in on our website if you want to know more.

Let us know what you think: newsletter@ntmn.org (mailto:newsletter@ntmn.org).

I want to hear from you!

Jennifer Weisensel
NTMN Newsletter Editor
NTMN Class of 2008

Next Month is our Summer Social!

Join us on July 11th at Texas Discovery Gardens in Fair Park as we not only have our annual summer social, but we will also be celebrating 20 YEARS as a TMN chapter! Enjoy a pot luck dinner, conversing with fellow members, an ice cream contest, and displays and games that highlight our 20-year history. Click here (https://public.ntmn.org/2018-summer-social-on-july-11-at-630pm) for more information and to sign up to volunteer for the social.

Wednesday, July 11th starting at 6:30 pm at Texas Discovery Gardens. See you then!
Vice President Rose Mercer competing at the 2017 Summer Social’s annual seed spitting contest.

Volunteer Projects At a Glance

Spring Big Chapter Project (https://public.ntmn.org/spring-big-chapter-project-at-lakewood-outdoor-learning-area-by-ginger-greatens)
On March 31st at the Spring Big Chapter Project, 40 dedicated, enthusiastic Master Naturalists joined together to plant 25 native trees and 120 native plants.

City Nature Challenge (https://public.ntmn.org/city-nature-challenge-by-sam-kieschnick)
Our own TPWD Advisor, Sam Kieschnick, gives his always enthusiastic account of the City Nature Challenge; it’s purpose, it’s value, and it’s results.

Quarterly Volunteer Award Winner – Natha Taylor

In Jim Folger’s article (https://public.ntmn.org/natha-taylor-historic-birder) , he notes that Natha is the “gold medalist” of birding and historian duties, and scrapbook extraordinare. Read about her efforts as a NTMN since 2001.

Native Prairie Walks

This year in April and May, the annual Native Plants & Prairies Day morphed into Native Prairie Walks (https://public.ntmn.org/native-prairie-walks). Several NTMNs volunteered for this effort, and its success can be measured by the amount of attendees that appeared throughout Dallas County to learn about native plants and walked away as outdoor enthusiasts.

Fall Class Happenings

Have you heard about the new fall class at Mountain View College? Registration is open through June 20^th. A lot of hard work has gone into making this class a reality. More information here (https://public.ntmn.org/fall-class-at-mountain-view-college) .

The Media Room

Here we’ll post photos and videos and such by our great photo committee and video committee members. This issue:

Spring Big Chapter Project (https://www.flickr.com/photos/128346633@N02/albums/72157665507290577)

Native Prairie Walks (https://www.flickr.com/photos/128346633@N02/albums/72157694748953241)

Save the Date for the TMN Annual Meeting in Georgetown, Texas

Are you an active NTMN member? Save the Date for the Annual Meeting in Georgetown, October 26 – 28th.

Call for proposals has ended, but there is still time to develop your submission for scrapbook, photos, videos, and several other contests. Coming soon to the Annual Conference website (https://txmn.org/2018-annual-meeting/) .

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Parting Shot – NTMN volunteers at work at the Spring BCP.

** (https://www.facebook.com/northtexasmasternaturalists)
** Link to the NTMN members Facebook account. (https://www.facebook.com/northtexasmasternaturalists)
** (https://ntmn.org/calendar)
** Go the NTMN website to view the calendar. You will have to login. (https://ntmn.org/calendar)

The Dragonflyer – Volume 73 – January/February 2018

Feb 26, 2018 | Dragonflyer Newsletters - See the Public Site

The Dragonflyer – Volume 73 – January/February is now available! This edition includes some wonderful photography by our photography committee, a recap of our annual end-of-year awards banquet, some personal narratives from those members who were awarded scholarships to attend the 2017 TMN Annual Conference, and what is ahead for our chapter in 2018.

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Questions/comments? Email us at: newsletter@ntmn.org

The Dragonflyer – Volume 72 – November/December 2017 Issue

Dec 5, 2017 | Dragonflyer Newsletters - See the Public Site

The Dragonflyer – Volume 72 – November/December 2017 is now available! Our chapter has been busy in November, and it looks like our December will end on the same note. With recaps of those activities to articles about planning ahead for 2018, here’s 21 jam-packed pages of news! See attached most recent edition of The Dragonflyer.

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Have a story? Email us at: newsletter@ntmn.org

The Dragonflyer – Volume 71 – September/October 2017 Issue

Oct 16, 2017 | Dragonflyer Newsletters - See the Public Site

The Dragonflyer – Volume 71 – September/October 2017 is now available! Read up on all the chapter happenings. VH opportunities, the Monarch migration, a special event partnership with Master Gardeners and Athletes for Change, a well-attended open house, and information on the upcoming Big Chapter Project on 11/11.

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Have a story? Email us at: newsletter@ntmn.org

The Dragonflyer – Volume 70 – July/August 2017

Aug 19, 2017 | Dragonflyer Newsletters - See the Public Site

The Dragonflyer – Volume 70 – July/August 2017 is now available!

With volunteer opportunity announcements, in-depth project highlights, and photos from our July Summer Social, there’s a little bit for everyone. Take a look:

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Have a story? Email us at: newsletter@ntmn.org