Optional first aid/CPR class for 1 hour AT...check update email for details!

WEEK 14: Apr 30 - May 6

Class Presentations-- May 6, 2026

This Week's Topic

"TedTALK-esque" presentations

Our Expert on Stage

YOU and your classmates

Pre-work - Must be completed by class time

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 13

Date: April 29, 2026

Hours: 3.0

Description: Forest Ecology with Rick & Lisa Travis

Complete your class feedback survey ASAP
If you are presenting next Wednesday, make sure to practice your timing. We will need to be firm with our ten-minute limit. You can contact one of your pod guides or Nancy to set up a ZOOM rehearsal prior to class time. Share your slide deck with Nancy by May 3.
If you are recording your presentation or creating a project, please share your video link or file with Nancy by May 3.
RSVP for graduation HERE. You are welcome to bring a guest (or guests).

Bring to Class

Anything you plan to share during your presentation

Reminders

Make sure all your classes and field trips are logged. You need to have at least 13 classes and 3 field trips logged AND APPROVED in order to graduate.

Last day for makeups is May 6th.

Make sure all your Volunteer Service Hours and Advanced Training hours are logged. You need to have 40 hours of Volunteer Service and 8 hours of Advanced Training logged AND APPROVED in order to receive your initial certification pin. You have until December 31, 2026 to accrue those approved hours.

Logging Hours

If you attend the field trip to Parkhill Prairie, log your hours in VMS .
Opportunity: Initial Training: Field Trip A, B, or C
Date: May 2, 2026
Hours: 2.5
Description: Field Trip to Parkhill Prairie

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED YOUR THREE FIELD TRIPS, Log as Advanced Training

Opportunity: AT: BPTMN Other Pre-approved training

Date: May 2, 2026

Hours: 2.5

Description: ADDITIONAL class Field trip to Parkhill Prairie with Rich Jaynes

Volunteer and 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

Presentations

Links will be provided AFTER class

"Extras" - additional information presented during class

CLASS MEETING INFORMATION

Meet at the Science Resource Center at the Heard Museum

Click here for Map to Heard Museum

Week FOURTEEN: Wednesday, May 6, 2026

6:00 - 9:00 PM

Class meets IN PERSON

WEEK FOURTEEN CLASS UPDATE

Last night was another fun one. Which did you prefer, the brochure or the phone app? Another highlight...I never knew that AM fungi looks like a tree!

Notes that SHOULD HAVE been from Last Night:

I can't believe that I totally forgot to tell you about another special AT opportunity! Before next week's class, Morgan Ray (RN and Guide for pod 1), will present a first aid/CPR refresher class for anyone wanting to practice those skills for summer. Meet her in Classroom 1 at 5pm for an hour of AT.

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 front table next week. Just check your name on the list and put the money inside.

Class Representative

Use the form linkto nominate someone, or yourself, for Class Rep. The form is anonymous. I will send an email to all nominees asking them to confirm their nomination for the ballot. Deadline for nominations is Tuesday, May 5th. The voting ballot will go out next week.

Highlighted Volunteer Opportunities:

EcoExplorers (VH)

Sunday, May 3rd

12:15-3:30pm

SUG link

Linda Barnes' Poems:

My Trees

A Walk Through the Woods - A Healing Experience

End-of-Class Presentations & Projects:

Presenter slides, brochure files, links, etc. are due to me by Sunday, May 3rd.

Jean's Plant Pots:

Please bring your black pot back so she can use it again. You can bring it to one of the classes, graduation, or chapter meeting.

Class Timeline:

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

Which Hours are Due in VMS?:

All trainees

All classes & 3 field trips

by Friday, May 8th

People wanting to certify early at graduation

40 VH & 8 AT

by Friday, May 8th

People wanting to double certify early at graduation

80 VH & 16 AT

by Friday, May 8th

People who want to take all of 2026 to certify

40 VH & 8 AT

by December 31, 2026

People who want to double certify in 2026

80 VH & 8 AT

by December 31, 2026

AT options

Parkhill Prairie Field Trip (if it's your 4th or more) = 2.5

or Stiff Creek Wildflower Walk (if you have all 3 field trips) = 3.0

Morgan's First Aid/CPR refresher before Class 14 = 1.0

Perfect attendance? Count Class 14 as AT = 2.5

Missed only 1 class? Do the makeup by May 6th and count Class 14 as AT = 2.5

2026 TMN recordings

2026 Texas Water Specialist recordings

Week FOURTEEN: Apr 30-May 6

Pre-Work:

Your pre-work will include logging your class hours and completing the feedback survey. With no other assigned work, everyone should be doing the feedback form!

If you are a presenter, send me your finished slides, files, links, etc. by Sunday, May 3rd.

We'll have rows of chairs with no tables. You can sit wherever you want. 🙂

Events This 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. Remember that it will be muddy.

The restroom might still be locked...

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

Events Next Week:

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 next week.

RSVP on the SUG 🙂

Looking Ahead on the Calendar:

Clymer Meadow Preserve Wildflower Tour

Saturday, May 16th

There will be 3 walks offered: 9:00am, 10:30am, & noon

See event details and register HERE

These will fill quickly!

Class of 2026 Reunion Event (VH 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