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NOTE: There is plenty of room for all class members on the field trips this year, so don't worry that you won't get a spot. However, we do want to know how many to expect, so we will ask that you finalize your sign up at least 48 hours in advance, barring emergencies. If you would like to attend a field trip to John Bunker Sands Wetland Center or Clymer Meadow please only sign up for ONE of the two field trip dates to allow space for everyone.

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Connemara Meadow Preserve

Saturday, February 22nd, 9:00 - 11:30 AM

Guide(s): Bob Mione

BPTMN Hosts:

No cost

Time: 9:00-11:30 a.m.

Click HERE for Parking Information and Map

Connemara Meadow Nature Preserve is a 72-acre oasis of nature and one of the state’s first land trusts. The Nature Preserve’s mission is “To preserve, restore and maintain the Connemara Meadow Nature Preserve as a natural space open to the public, suitable for native plants, and animal species, and an example of a thriving Blackland Prairie and woodland habitats”. With this mission in mind, many volunteers from our chapter continue to work at the meadow daily.

Bob Mione wanted to share this video presentation he gave at the Allen Public Library. Watch it and come to the meadow to learn more!

Read more about Connemara here: Connemara Conservancy | Protecting Open Spaces for Future Generations

Blackland Prairie Raptor Center

Saturday, March 1st , 12:00 - 2:30 PM

Guide(s): Marla Layne

BPTMN Hosts:

Time: 12:00 to 2:30 pm

No fee for the class tour (see note below about BPRC’s first Saturday) *

Location: (Directions) Please note that parking for the field trip will be at Brockdale Park not at the rehabilitation center.

The Blackland Prairie Raptor Center is a rehabilitation and conservation education organization, specializing in fostering better public understanding of the relationship between birds of prey and healthy ecosystems. Our trail guides will lead us through some of the 66 acres of prairie/woodland areas where major work continues to be done daily to restore the native ecosystem. The second part of the tour will include a special inside look at the amazing rehabilitation center where they receive injured birds of prey. Both the prairie restoration group and the rehabilitation center rely heavily on the help of volunteers. The BPRC is one of the top four key partners for our chapter.

*Our field trip tour will follow the BPRC’s First Saturday event which runs from 9:00am to 12:00 pm. This BPRC monthly public event features activity stations and live raptors in the park. If you would like to attend or perhaps bring your family to this portion of the event, the cost is $15 per adult and $10 per child ages 3-13. We will not be able to accommodate any family members on the training field trip tour starting at 12:00pm.

Read more about the BPRC here: https://bpraptorcenter.org/

Photo courtesy of Tim Cagler

John Bunker Sands Wetland Center Field Trip #1

Saturday, March 8th, 9:00 - 11:30 AM

Guide(s): JBS Field Guide

BPTMN Hosts:

Park fee-Paid for by BPTMN

Time: 9:00 to 11:30am

Location: Please note that following some GPS apps to the 655 Martin Lane, Combine, TX, 75159 address may take you to the wrong location. Use this MAP provided by the Center. HINT: If you drive under the overpass after exiting U.S. Hwy. 175, you just missed the turn to the Center.

The John Bunker Sands Wetland Center provides education, research, and conservation opportunities pertaining to wetland systems, wildlife management, and water conservation. The Center, situated on the Rosewood Seagoville Ranch property in Combine, TX, is surrounded by man-made wetland habitats. The wetlands include shallow-water seasonal emergent wetlands, shrub swamps, and

flooded bottomland hardwood forests. Today 1,840 acres of land, part of the Seagoville Ranch, is being used by the North Texas Municipal Water District to clean and process water drawn from the adjacent East Fork of the Trinity River. Come learn about this unique environment that provides habitat for wildlife as well as water for residents of North Texas.

Read about John Bunker Sands Wetlands here: JBSWC Home - John Bunker Sands Wetland Center

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge

Sunday, March 30th, 1:00-3:30pm

Guide(s):

BPTMN Hosts:

Park Fee: None

Time: 1:00-3:30pm

Hagerman NWR: Directions

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1946 to provide habitat for migratory birds, wildlife, and plants native to the area. The 11,320-acre refuge is an overlay of the Big Mineral Arm of Lake Texoma. Shallow marshes, creeks, bottomland hardwoods, forested uplands and grasslands, and managed farm fields provide habitat for more than 300 species of birds and many varieties of wildlife. Western areas of the refuge are within the unique Cross Timbers Ecoregion which features stunted, gnarly-shaped post oak and blackjack oak trees that are much older than they appear.

Holifield Learning Center

Friday, April 4th, 10:00am-12:00pm

Guide(s): Keith Griffin, Brett Taylor and Elisa Caywood-Best

BPTMN Hosts:

Park fee-none

Time: 10:00am-12:00pm

Location: 3401 E. Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, 75074

The Holifield Learning Center provides a nature study center for the students of Plano ISD. It consists of two parts, the Outdoor Learning Center, and the Living Materials Center. The Outdoor Learning Center began in 1977 and was headed by teacher/nature interpreter Sally Evans. She was the only teacher in Plano ISD to specialize in outdoor activities at the time! Sally is a charter member of the Blackland Prairie Texas Master Naturalist Chapter. The Living Materials Center which houses a large collection of animals, was started by biologist, Jim Dunlap. The Holifield Learning Center presently sees from 50 to 90 elementary students K-5th grade per day during the school year. Specialized lessons are created so that the students take trail hikes and observe the animals during their visit. Join us on this field trip and see this unique learning center that gives kids a chance to learn about the interconnectedness of the environment.

Read more about the Holifield Learning center here: Holifield Science Center / Homepage (pisd.edu)

John Bunker Sands Wetland Center Field Trip #2

Friday, April 11th, 9:00 - 11:30am

Guide(s): JBS Field Guide

BPTMN Hosts:

Park fee-Paid for by BPTMN

Time: 9:00 to 11:30am

Location: Please note that following some GPS apps to the 655 Martin Lane, Combine, TX, 75159 address, may take you to the wrong location. Use this MAP provided by the Center. HINT: If you drive under the overpass after exiting U.S. Hwy. 175, you just missed the turn to the Center.

The John Bunker Sands Wetland Center provides education, research, and conservation opportunities pertaining to wetland systems, wildlife management, and water conservation. The Center, situated on the Rosewood Seagoville Ranch property in Combine, TX, is surrounded by man-made wetland habitats. The wetlands include shallow-water seasonal emergent wetlands, shrub swamps, and

flooded bottomland hardwood forests. Today 1,840 acres of land, part of the Seagoville Ranch, is being used by the North Texas Municipal Water District to clean and process water drawn from the adjacent East Fork of the Trinity River. Come learn about this unique environment that provides habitat for wildlife as well as water for residents of North Texas.

Read about John Bunker Sands Wetlands here: JBSWC Home - John Bunker Sands Wetland Center

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge

Saturday, April 12th, 1:30-4:00pm

Guide(s):

BPTMN Hosts:

Park Fee: None

Time: 1:30-4:00pm

Hagerman NWR: Directions

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1946 to provide habitat for migratory birds, wildlife, and plants native to the area. The 11,320-acre refuge is an overlay of the Big Mineral Arm of Lake Texoma. Shallow marshes, creeks, bottomland hardwoods, forested uplands and grasslands, and managed farm fields provide habitat for more than 300 species of birds and many varieties of wildlife. Western areas of the refuge are within the unique Cross Timbers Ecoregion which features stunted, gnarly-shaped post oak and blackjack oak trees that are much older than they appear.

Chalk Hill Farm / Stiff Chapel Cemetery

Friday, April 17th, 9:00 - 11:30

Guide(s): Fran and Bill Woodfin

BPTMN Hosts:

Park Fee: None

Time: 9:00-11:30am

Chalk Hill Farm: Directions

Chalk Hill Farm is 110 acres of land located in Collin County owned by Blackland Prairie Master Naturalists, Bill and Fran Woodfin. The historical Stiff Chapel Cemetery resides on the eastern side of the property. This two-acre cemetery has been protected from grazing and plowing since 1847 and is a wonderful snapshot of what the Blackland Prairie looked like before most Anglo settlers arrived in Texas. Originally neglected agricultural land, the rest of the farm’s terrain varies from relatively flat areas of black clay to rolling fields, and chalky outcrops. The eastern border is formed by Stiff Creek and is bottomland forest. The Woodfin’s have worked tirelessly for the past 21 years to rehabilitate the entire property from agricultural lands back to native prairie. Come and see the untouched prairie in the cemetery and hear about the successes and challenges of bringing native plants and grasses back to the farm.

Read more about the Stiff Chapel Cemetery's history HERE

Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA)

Saturday, April 19th, 9:00 - 11:30am

Guide(s): Erin Piper

BPTMN Hosts:

Park fee-none

Time: 9:00-11:30am

LLELA: See Parking Instructions

With a mission to preserve and restore native Texas ecosystems and biodiversity, LLELA offers a diversity of habitats to explore. Located where the Blackland Prairies and the Eastern Cross Timbers meet, the area includes prairies, forests, and wetlands. Trail guides will walk us through this diverse area with a focus on education about the local flora and fauna.

Read more about LLELA here: Research | Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area

Clymer Meadow Spring Tour #1

Thursday, May 1st, 5:00-7:30pm

Guide(s): Brandon Belcher

BPTMN Hosts:

Park fee-none

Time: 5:00-7:30pm

Click HERE for directions to Clymer Meadow

Don’t miss your chance to visit this picturesque 1,400-acre preserve, containing one of the last remnants of the Blackland Prairie—an imperiled ecosystem comprised of numerous bird, butterfly, and wildflower species. Step back in time as you immerse yourself in the beauty and color of true Texas prairie while learning about the history and ecology of our native grasslands. Grab your binoculars and camera, pack a picnic lunch and get back to nature!

Read more about the meadow here: Clymer Meadow Preserve | The Nature Conservancy in Texas

Clymer Meadow Spring Tour #2

Sunday, May 4th, 9:00-11:30am

Guide(s): Brandon Belcher

BPTMN Hosts:

Park fee-none

Time: 9:00-11:30am

Click HERE for directions to Clymer Meadow

Don’t miss your chance to visit this picturesque 1,400-acre preserve, containing one of the last remnants of the Blackland Prairie—an imperiled ecosystem comprised of numerous bird, butterfly, and wildflower species. Step back in time as you immerse yourself in the beauty and color of true Texas prairie while learning about the history and ecology of our native grasslands. Grab your binoculars and camera, pack a picnic lunch and get back to nature!

Read more about the meadow here: Clymer Meadow Preserve | The Nature Conservancy in Texas

Parkhill Prairie

Saturday, May 10th, 9:00-11:30am

Guide(s): Rich Jaynes

BPTMN Hosts:

Park Fee: None

Time: 9:00-11:30am

Location: Co Rd 668, Blue Ridge, TX 75424

**Please note that there may not be access to any restroom facilities as they are often locked.

Parkhill Prairie is a 52-acre remnant of original Blackland tall grass prairie located within the 436-acre park preserve in northeast Collin County. Rich Jaynes will lead the group through this preserved area where you will see native grasses and plants in abundance.