GRADUATION

Graduation Details

WHEN: Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 6:00 – 9:00 PM

WHERE: Myers Park Event Center Myers Park & Event Center

7117 Co Rd 166, McKinney, TX 75071

OTHER: We'll have pizza, drinks and dessert - RSVP on the SUG

AGENDA:

Dinner and socializing
Graduation: Presenting the members of the Class of 2026 who have completed training
Presentation of Certificates and Pins to the newly Certified Texas Master Naturalists
Speaker, Carol Clark

Logging Class 14

Make sure that you have recorded last week's attendance in VMS

IF YOU MISSED A PREVIOUS CLASS and need week 14 to count as your 13th class, log as:

Opportunity: Init Training - Class 14

Date: May 6, 2026

Hours: 3.0

Description: End-of-Class presentations by Class of 2026 trainees

IF YOU ATTENDED (or made up) ALL 13 CLASSES, log week 14 as:

Opportunity: AT: BPTMN: Other Pre-approved training

Date: May 6, 2026

Hours: 2.5

Description: End-of-Class presentations by Class of 2026 trainees

Volunteer & Training Opportunities

Advanced Training (AT) Opportunities

See event listings and detailed info on chapter calendar

Volunteer Service (VH) Opportunities

See event listings and detailed info on chapter calendar

Pics from the 2026 Graduation Celebration

POD 1

Guides: Arica & Morgan

Graduates: Ashley, Grayson, Hannah, Kathleen, Pat

POD 2

Guides: Peter & Alika

Graduates: Elizabeth, Jamie, Kourtney, Larry, Sherry

POD 3

Guides: Dennis & Paulette

Graduates: Ale, Carrie, Christina, McKenzie, Melissa

POD 4

Guides: Adele & Shannon

Graduates: Chris, Jenny, Joe, Madeline, Zach

POD 5

Guides: Sue & Tina

Graduates: Ashley, Karen, Lisa, Mary, Shepherd

POD 6

Guides: Harvey & Kara

Graduates: Annelise, Megan, Rachel, Sheryl, Tony

POD 7

Guides: Linder & Linda

Graduates: Jan, Lauren, Lisa, Lucy, Maya

POD 8

Guides: Deanna & Grayson

Graduates: Ally, Amber, Johnny, Kendall, Tee

POD 9

Guides: Alex & Spencer

Graduates: Laurie, Mike, Olivia, Shannon

Our newly CERTIFIED Texas Master Naturalists: front row: Margaret Andreescu, Alex Casillas, Erik Ralston, Genna Hiltz, Hannah Luke, Kara Ezell, Kim Muzquiz, Liz McDermott, Mary Riley-Samuels; second row: Pat Goodrum, Makagan Mitchell, Emma Brewster, Adolfo Reyes, Becky Toomey, Bill Brady, Caterina Provost-Smith, Dennis Burke, John Fell; (not pictured: Gobriel Rusthoven)

Our Double-Certifications (re-certifications for 2025, 80 hours Volunteer Service and 16 hours of Advanced Training): Adolfo Reyes, Bill Brady, Caterina Provost-Smith, Dennis Burke, Genna Hiltz, Margaret Andreescu, (not pictured: Gobriel Rusthoven); pins presented by Dave Powell & Jean Higgins

Our 2025 Education Training Committee: front row: Rhonda Sanchez, Heather Fell, Paulette Platko, Arica Shields, Vicki Sanders, Linder O'Rourke, Nancy Casillas; second row: Adele Bourget, Alissa Dare, Tina Burke, Leah Justice, Sumi Srikanth; third row: Peter Williams, Deanna Flanagan, Harvey Mette, Brittany Hamilton, Lisa Travis (not pictured- Cali Bakker, Kathy Battad, Stephanie Gonzalez)

Class Rep Name

newly elected Class Representative for the BPTMN Class of 2025

Arica's Summer Safety slides

TED Talk presentations:

In Defense of Fungi - Olivia Rodriguez

1st Annual State of the State Parks Address - Pat Foley

Slime Mold Has a Public Relations Problem - Lisa Manion

The Conditions That Shape Us - Jenny Gnau

Fireflies - Christina Freeman

North Texas Geology & Fossils - Joe Lynes

I Didn't Lose a Lawn - Lisa Hamid

Frogs & Toads of Collin County - Annelise Pretorius

Texas Wildflowers: the Good, the Bad, & the Ugly - Tee Roberts

Digital Sticker Pack - Kendall Zapoli, & trainee post choices

Sizzle Reels - Lauren Plunk

GRADUATION WEEK UPDATE

We have so much talent in this year's training class! Color me impressed. All of the presentation links are posted in the "extras" section at the top of week 14's webpage.

Week FIFTEEN: May 7-13

To-Do List:

If you haven't RSVP'd on the Graduation Celebration SUG, please do so ASAP. Event details are listed below.

Complete the feedback survey and pick your favorite 4 presentations. The results will be shared with our chapter Vice-president, Marla Layne.

Use the voting ballot to choose who you think would be a good Class Representative. Voting ends on Tuesday, May 12th and results will be announced at the graduation celebration.

If you are accruing hours to receive your early initial certification at graduation, have your VHAT hours logged in VMS by Friday, May 8th.

You can see how to log last night's hours on the graduation week webpage.

Look through Kendalls' digital stickers and make a post on social media.

Notes from Last Night:

Graduation Celebration:

Don't forget to sign up on the SUG. You are welcome to bring guests.

Yourself - no charge

1 guest - no charge

2nd guest + anyone else - $4 per person

I will have the floral envelope on the speaker table at Myers Park. Just check your name on the list and put the money inside.

The night will include:

Pizza dinner buffet with sides, drinks, & desserts

Dinner background music provided by DJ Mike Makuta

Class completion certificates & certification awards

Guest speaker, Carol Clark - "The Joy of Volunteering"

Native plant giveaway

This will be a really fun night filled with warmth and friendship. Past attendees will tell you that you'll feel the positive energy in the room. It is an incredible feeling and I hope you're all there to experience it.

May 13th, 6-9pm

Myers Park Event Center, McKinney

(Building with red roof, use north-facing door)

Spencer's Macro Kit:

You can check out Spencer's macro kit here.

Bird Survey Events:

Cornell's Global Big Day - On Saturday, May 9th, use the eBird app to record bird observations. You can do as little as 10 minutes. See event details here. You can watch real-time results here.

The “Big Sit” Annual bird Survey (global!) - Oct 10th & 11th

Check the Hagerman website as the date approaches for details.

“Little Sit” bird survey

The First Saturday of every month at Hagerman, beginning 30 minutes before sunrise. Location: H Pad, Sadler, Texas 76264 (H Pad is in Sadler, but it is part of the refuge) GPS Coordinates: 33.734961, -96.780582 Next one is June 6!

Great Backyard Bird Count

The annual Great Backyard Bird count is hosted every February and can be done right in your own backyard! Simply sit for at least 15 min with your Merlin app open and recording and all the birds tagged or saved will automatically be counted in the event! This is the world’s largest bird survey and has been conducted since 2002. Birders should be sure to join in 2027!

Class Timeline:

May 8th - Class, field trip, and VHAT hours should be logged in VMS for graduation recognition

May 13th - Graduation Celebration, Class Rep announced

Events This Week:

Mothing at Erwin Park (VH for iNatters & moth squad)

Friday, May 8th

7 - 10pm

Hilltop Pavilion (park map)

4300 CR 1006, McKinney 75071

Special guest: Sam Kieschnick

Heritage Farmstead Museum Project Workdays (VH event)

Saturday, May 9th and Sunday, May 10th