If you have any interest in nature, whether it is birds, wildflowers, kayaking, nature photography, hiking, or just love to be outdoors, you should consider joining Texas Master Naturalists.
Texas Master Naturalist describes itself as a corp of well-informed volunteers to provide outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the State of Texas.
Sounds like a governmental description, doesn't it?
Well, never mind the dry practical view for it is so much more than that. Yes, yes, "a corp of well-informed volunteers to..." is at the core of the group, but what they (we) do is so much more exciting than that. For example, here is a partial list of the FUN that the Cypress Basin Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist members had last year:
- A few of our members got to help with the release of paddlefish in the Big Cypress
- Some of group has been instrumental in assisting with the weevil project that is a major weapon in the fight against Giant Salvinia in Caddo Lake
- Some us learned simple methods for identifying plants, birds, mammals, tree and learned about other nature related subjects.
- Many of us helped with maintaining trails at the Caddo Lake refuge
- Some of us helped with demonstrations at various locations of the Working Dogs for Conservation group and their efforts at combating Zebra Mussels in our area lakes
- A few of us learned more about photography included using advanced features on our cameras and how to take better pictures
- Some of learned how to present nature subjects in classrooms and then some of those members also put that training to use in classrooms and at events in our area
- A few of us worked on paddle trails at Caddo Lake replacing old trail markers and designing new ones
- A few of us went on bird watching trips including observing the Bald Eagle’s nest on Lake O’ the Pines
- Many of our members helped flooding victims at Caddo Lake; some for more than one flood
- Some of us held a Moon Over Caddo a star gazing event and learned more about the moon, the stars and planets as we hosted the event for visitors
- Other members helped maintain a butterfly garden at a local school
- Many of us planted milkweed as part of an ongoing effort helping Monarch Butterfly populations
- Some us were involved in monitoring traps used to detect the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer
- A few of us were trained in local watersheds and how we can help monitor and maintain water quality in our local lakes and streams
- Some of us worked with Caddo Lake State Park personnel with monitoring elementary school students as they learned about nature at the park
- A few of us attended a workshop on Plants and Birds at Collins Academy so we could pass on that training
- Some of attended a Native Landscape Certification Course where we learned to use native plants in local landscaping and how to assist others who wished to do the same
- Many of us viewed online training seminars on a variety of topics on nature and related subjects.
If this sounds like fun to you, why don't you see about becoming a member? The Class of 2017 starts their training soon. The training is fun and easy. You will also put 40 hours of volunteer time next year (and each year). That comes out to about 1.3 hours a week - doing things like on the list above.
For more information, visit the Cypress Basin Chapter - Texas Master Naturalist website. You can read more about us and get information on how to join us.
For more information, contact me using the Contact Us page on the menu at the top of the page or email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Check us out, come join us, and have some fun in 2017.