The Dragonflyer, August 2020, Volume 82

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.