Our program is designed to inspire people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Come see what’s brewing at free family science events, and spend more time exploring the natural world with us!

Get ready for one of the most exciting citizen science projects to hit the global stage. Join us the last weekend in April.

Our HCMN Fall Class of 2024 will graduate on April 12 and will forever be known as the…WAIT… what’s a Fatmucket?

Organizing, launching, and sustaining a volunteer project is no easy task. So it's only fair that we show them off!

Nature offers a sense of wholeness, but where do plants fit within this framework? If nature is chaos in motion, then what is a plant?

21st Annual Photography Contest
Entries accepted March 31 - June 23, 2025. Let’s make it the best one yet!

Dramatic nature is everywhere. Leave the headphones at home—watch, listen, smell. You might be surprised when you truly start seeing what’s around you.

The Prize
Congratulations! Hays County now claims three Bird Cities: Dripping Springs, Wimberley, and San Marcos, raising the total to 15 Texas cities so far.

Places, Planning, and The Point
Folks from various organizations often cross-volunteer among multiple opportunities across the County. But the prestigious Bird City certification is granted to cities!

People, Projects, and Protection
Bird City Texas aims to restore habitats, increase native plants, increase public awareness, and promote environmental stewardship. See how Hays’ Bird Cities made it happen.

The Texas Hill Country’s storied natural landscapes, its birdsong mornings and starry nights, are a world disappearing. How much of our natural world will we leave to our children’s children?

These two large wading birds—Great Egret and Great Blue Heron—were not only tolerating one another but seemed to be working together. Is this unusual behavior?

We asked a range of experts who work with landowners to share some common complaints they hear. Their insights reveal why certain plants are often maligned and what happens when a plant is viewed from just one perspective.

No single person in Texas history has done more to preserve and protect public lands. The impact of his work may be felt every time you set foot on a Texas trail.

2024 Christmas Bird Count

“We had the highest species count we have ever had over the 9 years we've surveyed the San Marcos circle.” Drumroll please!

A large bird flew across my path, landing on a fence post near my neighborhood entrance. As I got closer, I realized it was a bird I’d never seen in my area before.

A teaspoon of good soil can hold billions of bacteria, yards of fungal threads, thousands of single-celled organisms, and dozens of nematodes. What’s the impact on plants?

Hays County Master Naturalists gathered at the Wimberley Community Center to celebrate another year of accomplishments and to honor the HCMN Class of Agaritas.

2024 Photography Contest Results
This year marks two decades of celebrating the region’s natural beauty through nature photography. Check out this year’s winners!

Snails can be found worldwide, even in Antarctica. By most estimates, they’ve existed for ~600 million years, making them one of the oldest-known animal species.