The SOUTH TEXAS CHAPTER OF MASTER NATURALISTS completed the 2008 Fall training of 7 enthusiatic interns. The South Texas Chapter is based in Corpus Christi, Nueces County, but also encompasses Kleberg County. Fifty hours of training spanned from September to November. Training sessions included lecture and field studies involving presenters from the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Refuge, PINS, the Marine Development Center, the South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program, the Greenwood Water Recycling Plant and presenters from our own chapter. Topics ranged from inland to coastal ecosystems and the fauna and flora typical of each, plant adaptations and invasive plant species, the impact of urbanization on our natural resources, aquaculture and management and preservation of the diverse ecosystems and the inhabitants. Interns were also introduced to many volunteer opportunities at the training sessions as well as earned volunteer hours at community events such as Adventure Bay/Bay Fest and post-IKE beach clean-up days. Congratulations to a great class of interns!!

Texas Master Naturalist Heartwood Chapter recently graduated the 2008 interns to status of Certified Texas Master Naturalist after completing an extensive 45 hour-10 week training course. The Texas Master Naturalist Heartwood Chapter, based in Montgomery County at W. Goodrich Jones State Forest near The Woodlands/Conroe, is a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to training and organizing volunteers inspired by nature. The hapter uses lectures, printed materials, in the field observations, and community volunteer projects to pursue their mission.

Many communities and organizations rely on such citizen volunteers for implementing youth education programs; for operating parks, nature centers, and natural areas; and for providing leadership in local natural resource conservation efforts.

Besides completing the required class work and hours, the recent 2008 graduates finished over 500 volunteer hours. The next intern class starts March 14, 2009. For registration information visit www.heartwoodtmn.org.

The Lennox Woods Preserve, one of the most beautiful and pristine old-growth forests in the state, is a vital refuge for several rare species of plant and animal communities supported by the waters of Pecan Bayou, one of the largest undammed watersheds in northeastern Texas. Visitors can hike, bird watch or take advantage of a self-guided nature trail. The old-growth timber and cathedral-like canopy of these woods are thought to be typical of the undisturbed floodplains throughout the state prior to the arrival of settlers.

The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization and operates around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy has protected more than 117 million acres of land and 5,000 miles of rivers worldwide.

In the photo, Red River Chapter Texas Master Naturalists Elouise Prater, Velma Davidson, Nancee Salzman, Margie Rice, and John Nichols admire the newly erected nature sign along with The Nature Conservancy's Larry Crane, and Jim Eidson.

At their quarterly meeting in September, members of the Red River Chapter participated in a training program on native grasses and grass identification presented by Mr. Sydney Newman, transportation engineer with the Texas Department of Transportation. Mr. Newman, a specialist on grasses, teaches 4-H members how to identify native grasses and coaches them for state grass identification competition. Following the training, Mr. Newman led the chapter members on an identification field trip at J.W. and Roberta Smiths property in Greenwood. Greenwood is an ecologically diverse conservation property on the Red River in North Red River County. The photo shows Mr. Newman, left, teaching the structure of a grass to Nancee Salzman, Gary Robertson and J.W. Smith. The majority of the Red River Chapters TMN training is done outdoors to give members a hands-on approach to learning about nature.

On September 22, almost two dozen members of the El Camino Real Chapter had a walking tour of the property of member Ed Voss. Ed researched and conducted the blackland prairie / post oak savannah walking plant identification tour. He led his fellow members in a highly informative hands-on demonstration not only of his flora, but also described each species and its place in the landscape. It was a tremedous example of how members can become well-informed and provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities, in this case literally their own backyard. The photograph shows members Paula Engelhardt, Cindy Bolch, Ed Voss, Ann Barr, Vivian Dixon and Paul Unger enjoying the sunset walking tour.

On August 12th and 13th, 2008, 63 people, including community members and Naturalists from eight chapters, got together in Rockdale for Horned Lizard Watch training.
The event, coordinated by the El Camino Real Chapter, in conjunction with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and City of Rockdale, featured biologist Lee Ann Linam of TPWD's Texas Nature Trackers program. The training offered an overview of the Texas Horned Lizard Watch, as well as specialized training on obtaining DNA samples under permit from the State Reptile, the Texas Horned Lizard. The Horned Lizard is a protected species. With the training, Master Naturalists and citizen scientists hope to help stewardship of this important state resource.

Featured in photograph: TPWD's Lee Ann Linam shows Master Naturalist Member Vivian Dixon a live Horned Lizard.

2008 Training Class out fossil hunting with Dr. Pam Stephens, Midwestern State University. 
Members in training were first introduced to Geology in a training class before venturing out to Jacksboro to actually dig for fossils. All came home with a handful of fossils but better yet, a greater understanding of the geological past of the Rolling Plains of Texas.

The Rolling Plains Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist proudly announces its partnership with TPWD and TCU on their 2008 DNA study of the Texas Horned Lizard. 

Our chapter has established sites in Archer and Wichita counties for the field study.  Chapter members will be collecting tissue samples for Dr. Dean Williams, Professor of Biology, and Dr Amanda Hale, Assistant Professor of Biology, both at TCU.  As well as collecting tissue samples, chapter members will record data for Lee Ann Linam of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.  We are excited to help out on such a worthy endeavor.

The Big Country Master Naturalist assembled blue bird houses for the Blue Birds Society.  Pictures taken at Judy & Brian Hetherington's Ranch in Bronte, Tx. Brian took the pictures and fed us a delicious brisket lunch.

This bug is starting to sing in Austin. There was an outbreak of 'em from Hays to Medina County last year...
Central Texas Katydid and Broad-tipped Conehead - Neoconocephalus triops (Linnaeus 1758)
Song: (listen)
Range: (check it out)

The larva will eat the milkweed leaves for about two weeks as they develop into grown caterpillars. Then the caterpillars attach themselves head down from a twig. They shed their outers skin and begin the transformation into a pupa or chrysalis, a process which is completed in a matter of hours.In about two weeks the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis, drys its new wings and flys off to start the life cycle all over again.