Forest Ecology-- April 29, 2026

Forest Ecology: Unit 17 in your textbook (optional quiz)

Rick & Lisa Travis, both BPTMN class of 2018

Read Rick's BIO and Lisa's BIO

1. Use Lisa's VMS slides to log last week's attendance in VMS

(If you missed class, contact Nancy to schedule a make-up.)   

Opportunity: Init Training-Class 12   

Date: April 22, 2026

Hours: 3.0     

Description: Entomology with Nancy Escobar

2. Complete your class feedback survey ASAP

3. Look through Unit 17 in your textbook. optional quiz.

4. Look over the Trees of North Texas brochure you received in class last night. We'll be using it in class for our Tree ID Lab.  (If you didn't get a brochure in last week's class, you can download and print a copy: Trees of North Texas: Key to the Broadleaf Trees )

5. Take the Tree ID quiz, using your brochure as a guide.

6. Use Lisa's instructions to create a shortcut for the Tree ID interactive slides on your phone. We'll be using them during class. 

7. Watch these videos covering "An Introduction to Our North Texas Woodlands". NOTE: these cover a great deal of information, so we recommend watching one at a time, maybe one each day.  This info will NOT be covered in class. 

Part One: Forest Ecology and the Benefits of Trees (17:53)

Part Two: Native Tree Species (about 37 minutes)

Part Three: Understory Trees (about 19 minutes)

8. Read this article on Rick's Tree Surveys: Park by Park reprinted from the Elm Fork TMN Chapter newsletter.

Optional Activities

Take the brochure outside and see if you can identify some trees!

Check out the tree poem created by Linda Barnes (pod 7 Guide).

Bring your Tree ID Brochure and lighted loupe to class with you. Dress for a walk in the woods.

If you "adopted" one of the Texas Yellow Star plants, please bring the empty pot back for Jean.

Logging Presentation Preparation

If you are working on a presentation, log your preparation hours in VMS

      Opportunity:  BPTMN:  Community Presentations
      Date: (date of your preparation work)
      Hours:  (actual hours of preparation or presentation, to the nearest quarter hour)
      Description:  (describe what you did and its purpose) example: Preparation for presentation: "First Steps in Tree ID" to be presented on May 6 to the 2026 Class

Logging City Nature Challenge

See event dates and locations on the chapter calendar and listed below. Sign up on the SUG.

All events should be logged as Volunteer Service Hours, whether you go out on your own or with one of the organized outings:

Opportunity: BPTMN: Blackland Prairie iNaturalist Project: Field Research Hours

Date: ACTUAL DATE

Hours: You should count your time at the event, plus travel time. If you spend additional time at home editing your pictures and entering your observations, you should include that as well. 

Description: Went to PLACE and LOCATION.  Took photos and made observations for entry into iNaturalist

example: Went to Hoblitzelle Park in Plano. Took photos and made observations for entry into iNaturalist.

Volunteer Service (VH) Opportunities

City Nature Challenge

Friday, April 24th

• Chapter BioBlitz at Steward Creek Wetlands in Frisco - 10am-noon

• Chapter BioBlitz at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano - 1-3pm

Saturday, April 25th

• Raptor Center BioBlitz at Brockdale Park in Allen - 9am-noon

• Chapter BioBlitz at Frisco Commons Park in Frisco - 4-6pm

• Mothing at Frisco Commons Park in Frisco - 7:30-10pm

Sunday, April 26th

• Heard Museum BioBlitz in McKinney - 2-4pm

• Mothing at Heard Museum in McKinney - 7:30-10pm

Monday, April 27th

• Chapter BioBlitz at Erwin Park in McKinney - 9am-noon

• Chapter BioBlitz at Hoblitzelle Park in Plano - 1-3pm

• How Trees Talk to Each Other - recorded Ted Talk

• Texas Oak Wilt Rising - 6 minute video

• The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate―Discoveries from A Secret World - book 1 of the The Mysteries of Nature Series

• BONAP - The Biota of North America Plant Atlas

• Discover Life: ID Nature Guides

• Flora of North America ID Keys for many plants

• Go Botany pictorial glossary Hands down, the most helpful guide to decoding botanical keys

• Plants of the World Online iNaturalist's authority for accepted botanical names

• SFASU Dendrology Detailed information on dozens of trees, plus many helpful resources for trees

• Virginia Tech Dendrology Another helpful tree resource

• A Field Guide to Texas Trees – book by Benny J. Simpson

• The Illustrated Book of Trees – book by William Carey Grimm

• Trees of Texas Field Guide – book by Stan Tekiela 

• Texas Trees – book by Howard Garrett

• Beneficial Trees for Wildlife: Forestry and Plant Materials Technical Note – USDA

• Texas A&M Forest Service “Trees of Texas” - website for tree ID

• Ladybird Johnson Wildlife Center Plant Database - searchable website

WEEK THIRTEEN CLASS UPDATE

I can't believe that we are already gearing up for week 13! Before we leave week 12, let's hear it for the dung beetles and their poop love balls. 😂

Notes from Last Night:

Graduation Celebration:

This is such a FUN night! Don't forget to sign up on the SUG.

Class Representative

The official nomination form link will be given out next week. Until then, use this week to think about who you would nominate to be Class Rep. 

FAQs:

Can I nominate myself? Yes!

What if someone nominates me but I don't want to do it? All nominees will receive an email asking them to confirm their nomination. Only those who confirm will be listed on the final ballot.

How will people outside my pod know anything about me? The final nominees will present a 60-second speech after our TedTalk presentations. This is a great time to share why you think you'd be a great Class Rep.

Mothing

Interested in joining the Moth Squad? Contact Rick at rickt@bptmn.org

Mothing Events, starting at sunset:

April 25th - Frisco Commons Park in Frisco

April 26th - Heard Museum in McKinney

May 8th - Erwin Park in McKinney

May 22nd - Hagerman NWR in Sherman

May 30th - Brockdale Park in Allen

June 6th - Breckinridge Park in Richardson

June 20th - Oak Point Nature Preserve in Plano

July 18th - Spring Creek Forest Preserve - Garland

July 25th - Heard Museum in McKinney

September 12th - Connemara

Highlighted Volunteer Opportunities:

Newsletter Writer - submit articles for the chapter's Shaking the Trees newsletter

End-of-Class Presentations & Projects:

This is the last call for project ideas. Let me know if you have one. (No squirrel presentation?? Come on!)

Lauren's BPTMN Reels:

If you haven't already signed up to record a short snippet for Lauren's reels, please consider it (SUG link). You can get a sticker. 🙂

Jean's Plant Pots:

I forgot to mention this last night. Once you've planted Jean's Texas Yellow Star, please bring the pot back so she can use it again. You can bring it to one of the classes, graduation, or chapter meeting.

Class Timeline:

April 29th - Forest Ecology class, Class Rep nominations begin

May 2nd - last field trip to Parkhill Prairie

May 3rd - Class presentation slides are due to me

May 6th - Class presentations, last day for makeups, Class Rep nominee mini-speeches, Class Rep voting begins

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

May 13th - Graduation Celebration, Class Rep announced

Week THIRTEEN: Apr 23-29

Pre-Work:

Next week is a "lab class". What does that mean? Most of our time will be spent outside and with hands-on tree ID. The only "lecture" will be a short wrap-up on North Texas trees at the end. So, where does the curriculum come in? In your pre-work!

Like Rick said last night, it is imperative that you watch all 3 videos prior to class.The videos range in length from 18 to 37 minutes, and every minute is relevant. Rick did a good job of paring down his wealth of knowledge into these digestible chunks. I would suggest following his advice and watch 1 per day to let it soak in. Get familiar with the tree ID brochure and download the interactive PPT onto your phone. We'll be using both during class next week.

We will not be sitting at pod tables for this class. We'll be sitting in our six tree walk groups. You can do the math...9 pods and 6 tree walk groups. Three pods will be splitting so look for your color group next week. (The group chart will be on a slide until 5:55.)

red

Pod 1 + Carrie, Christina F, Paulette

orange

Pod 2 + McKenzie, Ale, Melissa, Dennis

yellow

Pod 4 + Annelise, Megan, Harvey

green

Pod 5 + Sheryl, Tony, Rachel, Kara

blue

Pod 8 + Jan, Lauren, Linder

purple

Pod 9 + Lisa H, Lucy, Maya, Linda

We will be walking outside for 45 minutes, so be sure to wear appropriate shoes, long pants, bug spray, etc. Bring your tree brochure and lighted loupe!

Events This Week:

City Nature Challenge Events (VH event)

What to Bring: Smartphone with iNaturalist installed, water, sunscreen, namebadge, and comfortable walking shoes

How to Participate:

    Signup on the SUG

    Download the iNaturalist app

    Join the iNat project: BPTMN - City Nature Challenge 2026: Dallas/Fort Worth

    Take photos of wild plants and animals

Friday, April 24th

10am - noon  Stewart Creek Wetlands – Frisco

1 - 3pm   Arbor Hills Nature Preserve – Plano

Saturday, April 25th

9am - noon Brockdale Park / Blackland Prairie Raptor Center – Allen

4 - 6pm Frisco Commons Park – Frisco

7:30 - 10pm Evening Mothing – Frisco Commons Park – Frisco

Sunday, April 26

2:00-4:00pm Heard Natural Science Museum – McKinney

7:30-10pm Evening Mothing – Heard Natural Science Museum– McKinney

Monday, April 27

9am - noon Erwin Park – McKinney

1 - 3pm  Hoblitzelle Park – Plano

You can also participate independently anywhere in DFW and anytime from Friday, April 24th to Monday, April 27th.

For the entire weekend (24th-27th) LLELA is waiving their entrance fee for Texas Master Naturalists who are iNatting. They would like you to pre-register at volunteersignup.org/FLE3C. Wear your nametag and let the gatehouse attendant know who you are.

Events Next Week:

Field Trip to Parkhill Prairie - LAST FIELD TRIP

Saturday, May 2nd

9:00-11:30am

17109 CR 668, Farmersville 75442

Please arrive early to park and get ready,9:00am is late. 

Wear your nametag, outdoor walking shoes and dress for the weather.

If your plans change, don't forget to update the SUG.

Stiff Creek Wildflower Walk (AT event)

Saturday, May 2nd 

9:00am-1:00pm

4545 CR 412, McKinney 75071

Hayride transportation and brunch potluck

Native Plant Society of Texas members assist with native wildflower ID

SUG link

Looking Ahead on the Calendar:

Class Graduation Celebration

Wednesday, May 13th

6 - 9pm

Myers Park Event Center, McKinney

Pizza buffet, salads, desserts, drinks for you and a guest

You can invite more than 1 guest, but we ask that you make a $4 donation to offset the increased cost. I'll have a large floral envelope on the front table during classes 12, 13, and 14.

RSVP on the SUG 🙂

Class of 2026 Reunion Event (AT event for iNatters)

Wednesday, May 27th

6pm

Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve

Bring your sack supper to tailgate in the parking lot before exploring and practicing your plant/critter ID skills

Questions? Contact Lisa Manion at manion.lisa@gmail.com

Helpful Links:

Field Trip SUG

Class Snacks SUG

VMS login

Class Website

Chapter Website

Past Chapter Meeting videos

Volunteer Opps & How to Log

Texas Master Naturalist Listserv Sign-Up link

Graduation SUG

See you next week,

Nancy

Nancy Casillas, Training Director

Texas Master Naturalist, Blackland Prairie Chapter

nancyc@bptmn.org

214-725-2309