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Next Chapter Meeting Tuesday, March 11th at 7:00 pm: Dark Skies

Next Chapter Meeting Tuesday, March 11th at 7:00 pm: Dark Skies

It’s Spring time! Or is it?  What is the forecast for spring and summer?  How much water will our pollinator gardens need?  Our March chapter meeting will feature Bob Rose, the chief meteorologist for the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). Bob is responsible for the …more

Gearing up for the City Nature Challenge

Gearing up for the City Nature Challenge

Do you use iNaturalist?  If not, now is a great time to start – we’re gearing up for City Nature Challenge on April 25-28, a worldwide competition between cities and regions to record the most iNaturalist observations between April 25-28.  BCTXMN is coordinating with other …more

Let’s Swarm and Remove Invasives!

Let’s Swarm and Remove Invasives!

Join us as we tackle the invasive plants threatening native vegetation along Bull Creek. The effort to eradicate invasives in the 62-acre Stenis tract has been ongoing for a few years, and we’re hoping our Swarm can make a significant impact! We’ll start with a …more

Notorious B.I.G: That’s Bird Interest Group

Notorious B.I.G: That’s Bird Interest Group

Join us for our first birding event of 2025! If you’re interested in birds, this is your chance to spend time with fellow chapter members exploring local wildlife. Lake Creek Trail, a favorite birding spot, offers diverse habitats including woods, waterfront areas, and open fields. …more

A Letter from Our President

A Letter from Our President

Happy New Year Master Naturalists! What a fantastic 2024! Over 10,000 volunteer hours were logged during our chapter’s 10th anniversary year. We celebrated 39 first-time certifications and 45 re-certifications. My sincerest thanks to everyone who made this happen. Our 2025 theme is “Do Good, Have Fun, & Don’t …more

Do Good, Have Fun, & Don’t Make It Complicated.

Do Good, Have Fun, & Don’t Make It Complicated.

“Do good and have fun” is our motto for 2025, and we’re kicking off January with five great ways to get started.Jan 18: Volunteer Fair, Chapter Meeting, Pot-Luck, and Awards.Jan 25: Volunteer Swarm at Snowden with Breakfast taco, advanced training, and invasive removalJan 28: Star Party at Reimer’s …more

Volunteers Needed for the 2025 Insect EXPO

Volunteers Needed for the 2025 Insect EXPO

Monday, March 24, 9AM-1:30PM The Entomological Society of America, Southwestern Branch, is holding its annual meeting in Round Rock, TX, in March of 2025. Along with the meeting, we are hosting an Insect EXPO for area 3rd-5th graders. Insect EXPO is a free event for …more

Guinea Paper Wasps

Guinea Paper Wasps

Guinea paper wasps, Polistes exclamans, are one of the more common paper wasps seen in Texas.  They are reddish brown wasps with yellow markings, about ¾ inch in length with smoky wings. Antennae are tipped with orangish-yellow.  The base of the abdomen where it joins …more

Fireflies

Fireflies

What do you call those flashing beetles that light up in the summertime?  Is it a firefly or a lightning bug?  Different areas of the U.S. call these beetles one or the other or, sometimes, use the terms interchangeably.  Fireflies and lightning bugs refer to …more

Golden Cheek Warbler’s migration and lifecycles – breaking research by Janet Rogal.

Golden Cheek Warbler’s migration and lifecycles – breaking research by Janet Rogal.

On Saturday, March 23, biologist, Scott Rowin, of the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge (BCNWR), will give our chapter a presentation on groundbreaking research conducted on the migration and overwintering grounds of the endangered golden-cheeked warbler. This study involved capturing the warbler in mistnets and …more

Volunteer Fair: Saturday, Jan 20 at 9:30

Volunteer Fair: Saturday, Jan 20 at 9:30

This is a rare chance to meet over 10 local non-profits who work to preserve and enhance central Texas’ environmental vibrancy.  Meet the people to lead the organizations, learn what they do, and find volunteer opportunities that support your passion. DetailsDate: Jan 20Time: 9:30 – …more