Prairie Ecology -- February 18, 2026

The Blackland Prairie Ecoregion: Read pp. 142-145 in textbook. 

Brandon Belcher, Grassland Project Director for the Nature Conservancy 

Read Brandon'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 02   

Date: February 11, 2026  

Hours: 3.0     

Description: Ornithology with Sam Crowe

2. Complete your class feedback survey ASAP.

3. Reading:

Read pp. 20-42 from the intro section of Flora of North Central Texas.

Take the open-book QUIZ over the reading material above. (Please do refer to the reading material as you take the quiz! We don't expect you to have memorized all that information.)

"Islands of Grass" TPWD magazine article

"A Prairie in Pieces" TPWD magazine article

4. Watch these two videos and complete the questions

"Last of the Blackland" featuring Brandon Belcher (5:18)

"The Blackland Prairie Ecoregion" by TPWD (5:34)

5. Jot down any questions that bubbled up while completing your pre-work. You can ask Brandon during your Q&A rotation.

6. If you have not downloaded the iNaturalist app and created your account, you need to do that before class. (Your rotation with Lisa will involve using the app.) If you haven't sent her your username, do that too. 

7. Watch the iNaturalist videos: 

Introduction to iNaturalist (17:19)

TPWD video featuring Sam Kieschnick aka. "Master iNaturalist" (6:11)

8.  With your phone's camera, take 4-6 pics of ONE species, but don't upload to iNat yet. We will use them in class.

*Make sure you have downloaded the iNaturalist app and created your account. (You will be using the app in class.) If you haven't sent Lisa your username, do that, too. 

Optional Activities

Read/re-read Chapter 4 and take the optional quiz  on Texas Ecoregions

Look at the diagram of grass structures on page 371 of the textbook

Videos:

Features for Identifying Grasses (11:08)

Identifying Species of Bluestem (1:00)

Little Bluestem (1:22)

Great Backyard Bird Count

Friday, February 13th - Monday, February 16th

How to Participate webpage

Webinar recording link

Advanced Training (AT) Opportunities

• Building a Pollinator Haven at Home Webinar, February 12th, noon-1pm, registration link

• Biodiversity Workshop, February 14th, 10:30-11:30am, details & sign-up info

Volunteer Service (VH) Opportunities

These prairie restoration projects are listed on the chapter calendar. Check their listings for event details and information.

• Blackland Prairie Raptor Center - Prairie & Garden Workday, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9am-noon

• Connemara Meadow Preserve Restoration, Sundays through Fridays each week, 9am-noon

• Erwin Park Prairie Restoration Workday - Mondays, 9am-noon

• Wylie Prairie Restoration Workday - Thursdays, 9am-noon

• Clymer Meadow Preserve Workday - 3rd Wednesdays, 9am-noon

• Collin College Farmersville Prairie Restoration Workday - 3rd Saturdays, 8:30-11:30am

• Clymer Meadow featured on TPWD TV episode

• Selah, Bamburger Ranch - National Geographic short film

• New Landowners Course - Texas A&M AgriLife

• Developing a Land Stewardship Plan for Your Property

• Center for Environmental Studies (Austin College) - website

• Learn About Clymer Meadow Preserve (The Nature Conservancy)  - video

• Lone Star Land Stewards (TPWD) - short video series

• Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute - website

• Texan by Nature - website

• Bob Mione's video about Connemara Meadow Preserve

WEEK THREE CLASS UPDATE

Sam did a great job last night. You're still thinking about the moonwalking Red-capped Manakin, aren't you? Me too. 🙂

You can see Sam's slide deck and other links in the "extras" section of the Week 2 webpage. Just scroll down to see it.

Last Week's To-Do List:

Field Trips - Six of you still need to sign up. Please take care of that this week and get the dates on your calendar.

Snacks - It looks like week 3 is in good shape, but there are lots of slots left after that. TWENTY-FIVE of you still need to sign up for a class.

Week Three: Feb 12 - Feb 18

Pre-Work:

Log your class hours in VMS and complete your feedback survey for Sam Crowe’s bird class by Friday.

Next week’s topic is Prairie Ecology. To be ready, check out your pre-work prior to class. 

GBBC VH:

If you have at least 15 minutes to spare this weekend, consider the Great Backyard Bird Count. It counts as VH!

You can make your observations solo or link up with others at an area event. Harvey Mette, pod 6 Guide, has shared info about 2 events this weekend. See details here.

Hagerman NWR VH:

Pat Goodrum, class of 2025, typed up a list of really good information for those of you who are interested in volunteering at Hagerman NWR. See the info here.

DFW Wildlife Coalition VH:

Kathleen Richter, class of 2026, shared some volunteer information for the DFW Wildlife Coalition. See below.

Wildlife Transport Volunteer Training (VH Reportable)

DFW Wildlife Coalition will host wildlife transport volunteer training on Sunday, February 22, 1–3 PM at Rogers Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Advance registration is required (space is limited).

To sign up or ask questions, contact Whitney Wolf at redwolf8@swbell.net

or 214-738-2997. 

Time spent transporting wildlife is also reportable as VH.

Also needed: Wildlife Hotline Volunteers (VH Reportable)

Hotline volunteers take a 2-hour weekly shift answering calls about injured or orphaned wildlife. This is a remote opportunity that can be done from home. If interested, contact fellow MN trainee Kathleen Richter at kathleenrichter@hotmail.com.

VMS:

Log your class hours, plus any AT or VH you have accrued. Remember that you have tons of resources to help you. Check out the VMS Information page of the class website. Please log your hours before the weekend so we can check them for errors before the VHAT team starts their approval process on Sunday.

See you next week,

Nancy

Nancy Casillas, Training Director

Texas Master Naturalist, Blackland Prairie Chapter

nancyc@bptmn.org

214-725-2309