It’s All Connected
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?
2024 HCMN Gala
Hays County Master Naturalists gathered at the Wimberley Community Center to celebrate another year of accomplishments and to honor the HCMN Class of Agaritas.
Naturescapes
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!
What about Snails?
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.
About the Cover…
Fall Bluebirds—their arrival felt like a quiet reminder of nature’s resilience and its ability to bring unexpected joy.
Texas Master Naturalist
Over 200 speakers from across the state made presentations on a variety of topics at the 2024 TMN Annual Meeting. Check out highlights of talks made by your Hays County colleagues…Impressive!
Boots on the Ground
Thirty-four field sessions were offered at this year’s TMN Annual Meeting. Hays County Master Naturalists led the way with “boots on the ground.”
The Monarch Butterfly Migration
In a changing world of heat, urbanization, pollinating drones, and slow political will, what's the future of this miraculous butterfly migration?
About the Cover…
Did you know that Texas has an official state insect? Wanna guess what it is?
The Clean-up Crew
I realized soon enough that the vulture was headed toward our pet’s gravesite—not intending to pay its respects but rather...
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Two of the three populations of U.S. vultures are thriving thanks to their protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. But for black vultures, that protection is threatened.
Dripping Springs—Bird City!
Thanks to teamwork by the city, local birders, and HCMN, Dripping Springs became a Bird City in 2022 and has risen in the ranks of birding hotspots.
Honey Creek
Situated on the western side of Comal County in the Texas Hill Country, this hidden gem is located within Guadalupe State Park.
About the Cover…
"Vultures...silent sentinels of our natural world. ...nature’s cleaners, ecosystem guardians, flying giants, and devoted parents.”—iVAD
It’s Only Fair
Organizing, launching, and sustaining a volunteer project is no easy task. So it's only fair that we show them off!
Adopt-A-Loop
Adopt-A-Loop will inform us about species distribution and empower citizen scientists to assist in the conservation of Texas' wildlife.
Shaping Place
But look how the surrounding land has been transformed! A dry creek now eddies around the site, its banks begging for wildflowers.
It Took a Village
A very public native garden will serve as a model for water conservation and land management in this time of warming climate.
Lights Out, Neighbors!
Be LIGHT SMART like this all year round! Millions of birds—and your pocketbook—will thank you.