By Connie Koval

The Texas Master Naturalist 2020 Annual meeting was VIRTUAL and a resounding success! Despite not being able to gather in person, there were more than 800 attendees learning from over 100 speakers. The speakers came from all parts of the country from coast to coast and included several of our chapter members: Cynthia Contreras, Jessie Crowley, Dodi Dilipan, Laura Kimberly and Judy Parsons, as well as Sam Kieschnick and Rachel Richter.

The sessions began with virtual field sessions and concluded with the annual awards presentation. The presentations included wild Texas, Bats, Butterflies, Bees, Flies, Birds, Lichens, Fungi, Biodiversity, Service, Conservation, Frogs and Toads, Communication, Habitat, Botany, Moths, Native Plants, Sustainability, Poaching, Grasses, Owls, Seeds, Weeds, Squirrels, Lizards, Photography, Parks, Leading Hikes, Building Paths and the highlight of the Keynote Speaker, Doug Tallamy, speaking on Nature’s Best Hope – Restoring Nature’s Relationship. 

How many were you able to attend? Not only could registrants pick and choose the sessions to attend virtually in-person, but all sessions are available online to view when convenient. We now look forward to meeting in person here in North Texas in October, 2021.

NTMN Chapter Recognition

After several days of wonderful presentations by Naturalists across the nation the 2020 TMN Annual Meeting culminated in a presentation of awards, including many for our members.

Milestone Achievements

250 hours: Dorothy Buechel, Reba Collins, Carol Garrison, Ginger Greatens, Scott Hudson, Mark Kennedy, Amy Martin, John Pauley, Carol Silverstone, John White, Nancy Hudson Wilson

500 hours: Henry Aschner, Judy Cato, Michael Gaffney, Tabatha Knickerbocker, Alan R. Lusk, Wendy Stewart, Susan Walters, Elaine Epps White

1000 hours: Jo Lynne Merrill, Janet Smith

2500 hours: Marcie Haley, Tom Willard

Photography Awards

With over 200 total entries from 80 participants in the 2020 Photo Contest, the attendees voted for two of our talented chapter members for their photographs.

Adam Cochran 3rd place Plant Photo “Eryngium Sunset”

Roger Sanderson 3rd place Wildlife Photo “Alligator & Ribbon Snake”

See all photography awards here.

Conference Project Award

The 2020 Class Project: White Rock Lake Blackland Prairie Unit 2 Restoration Project took home (in a tie for 1st Place) the TMN Conference Project Award.  In addition to the recognition, the project will receive a $650 grant. Learn more about their project here.