TCA initiates grassroots conservation activities with local and regional stakeholders. The organization uses resources with partnered conservation groups to fulfill its mission to educate the public on sustainable practices, to protect wildlife and native habitat, assist with important scientific research, and inspire young people to appreciate and respect nature. This aligns well with Texas Master Naturalists’ mission.
TCA engages with local communities to protect rivers and forests and build alliances to enhance and sustain wildlife habitat. TCA also educates Texans and younger generations about nature and conservation while choosing projects that benefit wildlife, rivers and native ecosystems. Education on iNaturalist use and animal identification, getting injured wildlife connected with appropriate rehab facilities or deceased wildlife to researchers to help remaining wildlife.
2024 Activities – 23 volunteers with 413 hours of service performed
- Worked with TCA’s Action Team on conservation projects.
- Lights Out Dallas bird surveys collect injured and dead birds resulting from window strikes during spring and fall migration periods, about 12 weeks each season. Surveyors followed a predetermined route of 10 buildings in downtown Dallas. After ID-ing the birds, the data was entered into iNaturalist and carcasses sent to Texas A&M for further research and processing.
- Volunteered on several habitat restorations in north Texas and TCA’s Native Plant Propagation Program at the Dallas Zoo greenhouse. Every year, over 10,000 native plants are grown here and supply restoration efforts for several partner projects, some within our chapter.
- Helped with bi-annual Longleaf Pine planting in Big Thicket National Preserve.