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Native Plants and Prairies Day is May 4, 2024
Join us for Native Plants and Prairies Day at the Bath House Cultural Center at White Rock Lake
presented by the North Texas Master Naturalists, Native Plant Society of Texas, Dallas Chapter, and the Native Prairies Association of Texas, Blackland Prairie Chapter.
Step into the vibrant world of our North Texas Blackland Prairies on Saturday, May 4th, from 10am—3pm at the Bath House Cultural Center at White Rock Lake in Dallas. This fun, free event for families celebrates the beauty and splendor of our Blackland Prairies.
Embark on a journey through our cherished prairies with captivating speakers, engaging exhibits, guided prairie tours, and an array of activities tailored for all ages. From the colorful tapestry of prairie flowers to melodious birdsong, delve into the wonders of our local ecosystem.
Our speakers will help you discover the essence of DFW Prairies and unlock the secrets to bringing the prairie’s splendor into your own backyard. Whether you’re seeking inspiration for your home landscape or simply eager to bask in the beauty of nature, this event promises something special for everyone.
See the full list of talks and tours here: https://www.ntxnppd.org/
Native Plants and Prairies Day shines a spotlight on the critical role played by our North Texas prairies as essential habitats for a diverse array of wildlife, including insects, birds, and mammals. This unique ecosystem, characteristic of our ecoregion in Texas, spans from the Red River to the Gulf Coast. However, development has taken its toll, with much of the Blackland Prairie disappearing. Shockingly, the World Wildlife Fund reports that less than 1% of the original Blackland Prairie vegetation remains intact.
Location: The Bath House at White Rock Lake, 521 East Lawther Dr, Dallas, TX 75218 map
Parking: There is limited parking, so consider carpooling, walking, riding your bike, or using a rideshare service. Overflow parking is available in White Rock Lake Park at Dreyfuss Point, Stone Tables, Big Thicket, Boy Scout Hill, and along E. Lawther Dr. Additional parking may be available on adjacent neighborhood streets, as permitted.
Texas Riparian Association Annual Meeting (AT)
Texas Riparian Association Annual Meeting (AT)
Friday, May 3, 2024 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
The Texas Riparian Association is a statewide organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Texas communities by promoting healthy rivers. The annual meeting will take place in Kerrville, Texas. In the morning, the meeting will feature presentations and a tour of the Upper Guadalupe River Authority EduScape low-impact features at the meeting site. The afternoon will be a visit to a nearby field site to learn about UGRA’s management in the area.
Cost: $40, includes breakfast food and lunch
Location: Guadalupe Basin Natural Resources Center, 125 Lehmann Dr., Suite 100, Kerrville, TX 78028
For more details and registration: https://texasriparian.org/2024-tra-annual-meeting/
Report hours to AT: Texas A&M AgriLife Offered Training (Approved for 6 hours AT)
Do not include drive time.
MM 4/3/24
March 6, 2024 Chapter Meeting & March 10th Birding Opportunity at TRAC
Discovering the Joy of Birding
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Spending time in nature is essential for our well-being and we are genetically inclined to prefer nature, having spent thousands of years of evolution before the development of modern cities. Humans have evolved with birds and their songs and seeing birds in nature makes us happy because when they are thriving, we are reassured that we can also thrive.
In north Texas, we are lucky in that we live within a major migration flyway and we have lots of opportunities to see unique migrating birds. We will discuss nearby locations excellent for birding and the best times to see migrating birds.
Birding is a social act and gateway to a deeper connection to nature. To be a birder is to engage with birds and people to create a shared experience of being present in the moment. Through birding, we find stillness and a connection between the natural world and each other. Birding can bring us a sense of awe and humility, greater self-awareness and a sense of attachment and responsibility as advocates for the natural world.
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_W12k0cdCQbqb6m3-77LsIA
Schedule:
- 6:30 Camera Roll and Socializing
- 7:00 Introduction and Announcements
- 7:20 Featured Presentation
- 8:45 Adjournment
Join us at Dallas College Brookhaven Campus, Building H, Room 125. Campus map. Or participate via Zoom — register here. (If you are attending in person, you don’t need to register for Zoom.)
Or join us in south Dallas at Dallas College Mountain View Campus, Building S (Administrative offices), Room 1029. (Mountain View Campus map).
Note: It is best to enter the Mountain View campus from Duncanville Road; there is construction but you can park directly in front of the S building. Room 1029 is on the lower level, continue down past the administration areas and turn left once you see a Subway and go down short hallway.
Please bring snacks at 6:30 p.m. to share with others! (at both locations)
Green Jay (Cyanocoraxync as seen in south Texas)
Field Trip – Birding Opportunity, Sunday, March 10th at TRAC
Enjoy Birding at Trinity River Audubon Center on Sunday, March 10th, 6500 S Great Trinity Forest Way, Dallas, TX 75217. Meet at 8:00 am in the Audubon Center lobby. Bring binoculars and dress for the weather.
We will have a short talk and small group bird walks with tour leaders, Caleb Hinojos, Karen Carpenter, Nathan May, Natha Taylor and Reba Collins. Sign up at https://volunteersignup.org/FAJ3X
Speakers:
Karen Carpenter:
Karen’s love of birds and birding led her to pursue Master Naturalist designation in the NTMN class of 2023. She is passionate about bird conservation and outreach to create a safer world for the birds that she loves.
Natha Taylor:
Natha Taylor has been a NTMN since 2001, serving as president for the chapter in 2008-2009. Served as Chapter Historian/ Archivist, 2003-2017, producing State Conference award-winning scrapbooks from 2013-2017. Began Birding 101 in 2005 with 4 other birder enthusiasts from the class of 2001. Birding 101 has introduced over 300 people to the joys of birding.
Nathan May:
Nathan May is an educator at the Trinity River Audubon Center and a member of NTMN, class of 2023. Nathan has also worked with Texas Conservation Alliance leading bird collision surveys downtown for the Lights Out Dallas program. He’s a Blackland Prairie devotee through and through, but he must confess that it was a trip to the Gulf Coast Prairie that first set him on this path, introducing him to his “spark bird,” the Attwater’s Prairie Chicken. Nathan is excited to share in the thrills and excitement that birding in DFW provides.
Camera Roll: As usual, show up or tune in between 6:30 and 7 pm for an array of photos by TMNs & socialize with all.
Native Plants and Prairies Day – May 6, 2023
Presented by the North Texas Master Naturalists, Native Plant Society of Texas, Dallas Chapter, and the Native Prairies Association of Texas, Blackland Prairie Chapter
Wildflowers on remnant patch of Blackland Prairie, Winfrey Point, White Rock Lake, Dallas Texas by Sean Fitzgerald
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Join us Saturday, May 6th, from 10am – 3pm at the Bath House Cultural Center at White Rock Lake for a fun, free event for families to celebrate our Blackland prairies here in North Texas.
Throughout the day, we will have a range of speakers, exhibits, prairie tours, native plant sales, and activities for kids. Highlights include learning about the prairie flowers and insects, prairie photography and how to recreate the prairie at your home. See the full list of talks and tours here: https://www.ntxnppd.org/
Native Plants and Prairies Day highlights the importance and value of our North Texas prairies as habitat for insects, birds, and mammals, and as a vital natural resource. The Blackland prairie is unique to Texas and most of it has been destroyed by development. The ecoregion extends from the Red River to the Gulf Coast. According to the World Wildlife fund, less than 1% of the original Blackland prairie vegetation remains.
Location: The Bath House at White Rock Lake, 521 East Lawther Dr, Dallas, TX 75218
A Message from Our President, March 2023
by Scott Hudson, Class of 2018
Thinking about the March 1st Awards Banquet
Have you been to Big Bend Ranch? How about Purtis Creek State Park? Cedar Hill State Park? Our advisor and keynote speaker Sam Kieschnick challenged us to get out and celebrate Texas State Parks’ 100th Anniversary. A special opportunity is slated for North Texas with the late-2023 opening of Palo Pinto Mountains State Park.
He shared many ideas on engaging with nature, in and out of state parks, this year. Most afford iNaturalist opportunities, including the City Nature Challenge coming at the end of April. The Annual Meeting, in McAllen this October, will feature a range of outings to learn about the South Texas Plains and Gulf Prairies/Marshes ecoregions.
In talking about the good state of our chapter, I pointed out that members logged a very impressive 23,835 volunteer service hours, plus 3,442 advance training hours last year. Thanks to everyone for these enormous contributions to conservation!
We have plenty of work ahead and look forward to building connections in our community and within our chapter, strengthening our projects, and enhancing diversity and inclusion at NTMN.
While they are being recognized elsewhere in this newsletter, I want to again congratulate the 41 members initially certifying in 2022. You are off to a fine start! I offer special congratulations to John Wilt on his amazing 10,000 Hour Milestone and to Laura Kimberly on her much-deserved President’s Award.
I owe many thanks to Cachet Petty for chairing this year’s banquet, to the banquet committee members, and to all the volunteers who cooked, decorated and cleaned – much hard work. You afforded everyone a fine evening.
And most of all, thanks to everyone who participated in the banquet! It was heartwarming to see such a large, enthusiastic group gathered together. You made the evening a great success.
Scott Hudson
President, North Texas Master Naturalist
Insect Appreciation Workshop
December 3rd, 2022 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Sign up to attend virtually or in person today! It’s sure to be an informative and fun filled day!
Agenda
8:30 – 9:00 am: Registration, coffee, and light breakfast
9:00 – 9:10 am: Welcome and Introduction to Speakers –
Sam Kieschnick, Urban Wildlife Biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife
9:10 – 10:00 am: The Joy of Moths – Kimberly Sassan
10:10 – 11:00 am: The Joy of Beetles – Mike Quinn
11:10 – Noon: The Joy of Bees – Ryan Giesecke
Noon – 1:00 pm: Lunch (provided on site)
1:00 – 2:00 pm: The Joy of Flies – Laura Kimberly
2:00 – 3:00 pm: The Joy of Dragonflies – Brent Franklin
Coordinator: Sam Kieschnick, Urban Wildlife Biologist, DFW Texas Parks and Wildlife
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Protecting Dark Skies for Humans & Wildlife
October 5, 2022 Chapter Meeting
Protecting Dark Skies for Humans & Wildlife
The summer Milky Way rises over the MacDonald Observatory near Fort Davis, Texas.
By spritnyuk via Adobe Stock
Wednesday, October 5, 2022, our speaker, Karen McGraw, Ed.D., will talk about how almost every living thing on our planet uses the cycle of light and dark to trigger life processes.
Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) and light pollution interrupts this cycle. This program will help us understand the effects of light pollution on living things, including ourselves, and how we can protect dark skies for humans and wildlife.
Participants will take home a new awareness about lighting practices, which allow us to have the light we need for nighttime activities while minimizing the negative effects of ALAN. You will learn what you can do to reduce light pollution (glare, light trespass, skyglow), increase safety, limit the negative consequences on wildlife, and create a more aesthetically pleasing nocturnal environment.
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xj9nTaXxSwWUrNkOyreSOQ
Summer Social: July 2022 Chapter Meeting
Join your fellow North Texas Master Naturalists for the Annual Summer Social on Wednesday, July 6, 2022!
This year’s event will be indoor/outdoor at the Texas Discovery Gardens. Bring your own food and alcohol, picnicware (napkins, plates, and cutlery), and a blanket or lawn chairs to relax on the grass. Non-alcoholic drinks will be provided.
BRING A DESSERT TO SHARE!
Stroll the grounds and enjoy the food and fellowship. The Class of 2022 will also showcase their projects in the Grand Hall.
Volunteer opportunities to help set-up and clean-up are now open. Please click on the following web link to sign-up!: volunteersignup.org/ECXXX
March 2022 Chapter meeting: Mapping Landscapes on the Go
Wednesday, March 2: Mapping Landscapes on the Go
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Landscape Ecology Program has developed a mobile version of TEAM (Texas Ecosystem Analytical Mapper) called TEAMgo to allow Texas citizens to utilize and contribute to the Ecological Mapping Systems of Texas (EMS) data on handheld devices. The TEAMgo application is a free, easy to use, interactive mapping tool accessible on a mobile phone that assists users in understanding Texas habitats and integrates vegetation data with land management and resource planning of all types.
So be sure to bring your tablet or mobile phone. So be sure to bring your tablet or mobile phone and have this URL handy: https://tpwd.texas.gov/gis/teamgo/ Works best with Chrome. Quick tutorial.
Wildlife biologists, land managers, naturalists, planners, and conservationists can use TEAMgo to view the EMS data in relationship to their current location or property. Users can use TEAM to view and print the EMS data in relationship to other natural feature layers such as soils, geology, hydrology and ecoregion.
Schedule:
- 6:30 Seed Swap, Camera Roll and Socializing
- 7:00 Introduction and Announcements
- 7:20 Featured Presentation
- 8:45 Adjournment
Join us at Dallas College Brookhaven Campus, Building H, Room 125. Campus map. See Covid protocol, below. Or participate via Zoom — register here. (If you are attending in person, you don’t need to register for Zoom.)
Field Trip
We’ll visit a Scyene Overlook and JJ Beeman Trail on Piedmont Ridge in southeast Dallas the following weekend to practice our TEAMgo skills. Info here.
Our Speaker
Wendy Anderson, spatial ecologist at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), works to analyze habitats and ecosystems across Texas. She earned her B.A in Biology and Spanish, as well as her M.Sc. in environmental sciences and MPA from Indiana University where she focused on grasslands, water resources, and bird conservation. In 2016 she was hired by TPWD as the botanist for the Landscape Ecology lab, where she surveyed plants across the state. Since then, she has worked on projects including mapping habitat for the Houston Toad, and remotely sensing open water across the state. A master naturalist herself in the Capital Area Chapter, she loves working with plants, outdoor education, and restoration.
Seed Swap
Got seeds? Let’s swap. Bring packaged and labeled seeds to NTMN chapter meeting. Swap table will be ready by 6:00 p.m. Empty envelopes will be provided at the table for your just swapped seeds. It’s a fun way to try new varieties and, yes, maybe save some money.
Camera Roll
As usual, show up or tune in between 6:30 and 7 pm for an array of photos by TMNs. Send your favorite photos to Ashleigh Miller.
Covid Protocol
Please participate at the level you’re comfortable. We’re excited to meet in person, but we don’t take this decision lightly. We expect all attendees to consider the health and well-being of their fellow attendees and comply with all policies.
- MASKS are required at Dallas College in accordance with the Dallas County Risk Level Red.
- The room will be set to allow for SOCIAL DISTANCING (4 people per table for maximum capacity of 100).
- HAND SANITIZER will be available.
- Food and drinks will not be provided, but you may bring your own and share with others if desired.