A Model of Service-Learning in Action
Beneath the charm of two beloved mascots lies a powerful partnership—reimagining nature outreach in the Texas Hill Country.

Part 1- What do birds need? Discover how to make your little piece of the Texas Hill Country more inviting for our feathery friends.

10th Annual Christmas Bird Count “Though the weather was less than ideal, we still ended up with 116 species.” Take a virtual walk with the Zone 1 Team to see a sample of the birds they documented.

When you’ve stood at the edge of Jacob’s Well, you can empathize with Macfarlane. “I dream often of rain; we all do,” he writes about a devastatingly dry summer.

Elusive, playful, and now more visible along our local waterways, these semi-aquatic mammals are a hopeful reminder that conservation efforts and habitat restoration can allow native species to rebound.

A night of fellowship, gratitude, and glowing achievements—see highlights of our Annual Gala, where members, partners, and Spring Class graduates were recognized for a remarkable year.

Take a joyful look at this year’s Fall Training Class and the adventures, mentors, and moments that helped our newest naturalists take flight.

Naturescapes returned to the Walkers’ Gallery with another impressive juried exhibition celebrating the beauty of the natural world. Discover the award winners and learn more about this year’s contest.

This month’s cover highlights the lively Snowy Egret, along with a companion feature on the rare sight of both Snowy and Great Egrets together at Plum Creek. Learn what sets these look-alikes apart.

A visit to Native American Seed revealed the rhythms of restoration—from blooming fields to the delicate timing of harvest.

HCMNs traded work gloves and loppers for paddles and picnic plates. It was a day to relax, laugh, and celebrate the people who give so much to our natural spaces.

Costumes, games, native plants, and fluttering wings—this year’s Monarch Fest was a joyful celebration of pollinators and the people who care for them.

Support vital research on winter bird populations. Grab your binoculars and help count the colorful visitors at bird blinds across Hays County.

At the 2025 Annual TMN Meeting, Hays County Master Naturalists helped showcase the knowledge, talent, and spirit that define our chapter.

Hearing the whistling wings of a flock of Teal overhead keeps me waking up before sunrise, putting on waders, and waiting patiently for the ducks.

Snakefessst 2025 slithered into the San Marcos Discovery Center with record crowds, dazzling snake displays, snake yoga, and a 14-foot python named Gomez. A hiss-terical success!

Floodwaters rise and recede rapidly but leave lasting scars on the landscape. Learn why land practices matter.

Flutter into fall fun at the San Marcos Discovery Center—plants, crafts, games, and milkweed await October 11.

On the Wildlands, this volunteer finds joy in seed collecting, native plant propagation, prairie restoration, and more. Explore opportunities that could inspire you too.

Yes, they’re creepy, and you can find them right here in Hays County.