Why the Texas Master Naturalist Program is for Me!

It’s not my style to share much on social platforms. That said, I help recruit for my Texas Master Naturalist (TMN) chapter’s training class. I’d like to share my story to inspire others to consider the program. I hope you apply! I’m speaking for myself here and not for the program or chapter. Go here to find your local Texas chapter and find out about training and requirements to become a certified volunteer: https://txmn.tamu.edu/chapters/.

We are often at our best as people when we share experiences that rekindle childlike wonder, curiosity, and kindness. Despite volunteering more than 350 hours to the program in fewer than two years, the TMN program has served my family far more than I have served it as a volunteer. It has been a place to find home in nature and with people. As I learn the names of all our living and nonliving neighbors such as cheerful prairie coneflowers and chalky Edwards Plateau layers of rock, I have bonded with people of all ages and backgrounds. Together, we find joy in the pockets of nature within the urban sprawl and we find hope in efforts that result in pollinator gardens, clean parks, counted species, and nature-excited youth.

My homes growing up were the Caribbean and Florida. Spanish was my first language. My family lived in a densely urban area. On weekends, I escaped to rain forest, shoreline, and coastal prairie as a mostly unsupervised child of the 1980’s. Like many other Master Naturalists, I was a Scout. I developed a passion for coral reefs and karst caves, as well as people in the past. I applied those early experiences to study, travel, and work around the world as an anthropologist/archaeologist, scuba diver, volunteer, and flight attendant. Settling into suburbia as a mom upon relocating from Connecticut/NYC Metro to Texas/Dallas Metro was a challenging transition. I struggled to find like-minded people and ways to harness my passion and quest for novelty as I became a “stay at home mom”.

At first, I found TMN as a way to attend free or low-cost, high-quality nature programming. As a doctoral student, I held a science fellowship to teach grade schoolers. We gallivanted about the playground testing student hypotheses and learned quite a bit about spider and pillbug behavior. Rather than simply learning subjects from teachers, now my children similarly directly collaborate with scientists and experts. Most naturalists, even the ones with degrees, are self-taught as they continue to nerd out on their niches. In addition to iNatting everything I can in our area, my interests have branched to geology and paleontology, and I will be teaching mammalogy to our chapter’s 2025 training class.

TMN helped make Texas feel like home. In the spring of 2023, I completed the 13-week training program for my chapter, including a class project at a pollinator garden in which we taught preschoolers about butterflies, flowers, and birds. I have met strong leaders, generous colleagues, and creative nerds. I encourage you to consider joining this unique set of wonderful people; unleash the inquisitive kid in you to find awe in the everyday and protect our beautiful natural spaces here in Texas.

Publicado el 09 de septiembre de 2024 a las 02:44 PM por ornithoptor ornithoptor

Comentarios

Love this!!!

I especially love that the program has opened these doors:

Rather than simply learning subjects from teachers, now my children similarly directly collaborate with scientists and experts.

It was volunteers from the Texas Master Naturalist program who drew me into iNat - which has been life changing for me! - which has in turn connected me with like-minded folks and unlocked numerous places and experiences. Our local chapter is so lucky to have @ornithoptor here - if you're considering the program, please check it out!

Anotado por scarletskylight hace 27 días

@scarletskylight Thank you for your encouragement, patience in helping me ID things on iNat and all the love for grasses and tiny flowers! Love learning from you.

Anotado por ornithoptor hace 27 días

Angel!! This is awesome, thank you for sharing!! The 2025 class is in for a treat with you teaching mammalogy.

I found the Texas Master Naturalist group through my (previously closeted) iNat obsession and met so many wonderful, nature-loving folks in the NTMN class of 2023 (and beyond). I have expanded my knowledge, found amazing new local spots, and discovered the joy of Bioblitzes--wandering the wilds with other nature loving, iNat obsessed, DFW friends.

Anotado por sandrahorton hace 26 días

Well said, Angel. I chuckled when I got to the word "gallivanted". It comes up as a spoken word so much more than in print (for me, anyway) that it slowed me down for a split second while reading.

Anotado por chuckwilliamson hace 19 días

@sandrahorton Thank you! I love when we iNat together, I learn so much from you. I thought about you on our recent family trip because of your fun vacation iNat posts lol. I'm fascinated by the little pockets of nature that show up in cracks of cement just as much as the prairies and coastlines. It's really a beautiful way to live.

Anotado por ornithoptor hace 15 días

@chuckwilliamson Hope y'all recognize each other when I mention the wonderful people my kids get to meet! Kindergarteners definitely gallivant -- I had to double check the spelling lol. Chuck, I get so much joy from your critter photos on here.

Anotado por ornithoptor hace 15 días

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