Spring for a Project!
Photos courtesy Mimi Cavender
Mimi Cavender
A Hays County Master Naturalist Project Fair was presented on Sunday, March 2, at Dripping Springs Ranch Park in Dripping Springs, Texas. Project Coordinators and team members staffed exhibit tables with photos, videos, stickers, and samples of educational materials we use when taking our project to the public.
Organizing, launching, and sustaining a project—an application of volunteer work to achieve a specific goal within the mission of Texas Master Naturalist™—is no easy task. But over the quarter-century lifetime of the Hays County Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist here in central Texas’ Hill Country, the organization has actively sought out the need for our well-informed volunteers’ work and has designed volunteer projects to meet that need. So it’s only fair we show them off.
This spring’s Project Fair was organized by HCMN Director of Volunteer Service Projects, Dixie Camp, by whose count in March 2025 our Hays County Master Naturalists “have 63 projects across Hays County, with some extending into adjacent counties.” Let’s look at some of them.
Beautiful Hays County Activity and Coloring Book - Project 2301: Volunteer your creativity and education skills to help develop a third grade level activity and coloring book focused on the beauty of Hays County. Your work will contribute to educational resources available online. Presenters: Paula Glover and Melinda Seib. Photo: courtesy Mimi Cavender
City Nature Challenge - Project 2402: The City Nature Challenge is an annual four-day bioblitz with corresponding identification period immediately following. The Challenge takes place the last weekend of April, from Friday through Monday, via iNaturalist. Winners of the competition are recognized for the number of observations recorded, number of species recorded, and number of observers.
Great Texas Wildlife Nature Trails, Adopt-a-Loop - Project 2403: Participate in quarterly exploration of GTWT sites to keep the state abreast of maintenance issues and to highlight observed wildlife using iNaturalist or eBird. Presenters: Bobby Langlinais and Carolyn Langlinais. Photo: courtesy Mimi Cavender
Bluebird Nestbox Monitoring - Project 702: Assist in the construction, placement, and monitoring of nesting boxes to support the local bluebird population. Your efforts will help ensure the successful raising of bluebird nestlings. Presenters: Betsy Cross and Mimi Cavender. Photo: courtesy Mimi Cavender
City of Buda Parks - Project 2101: Master Naturalists are teaming with the Hays County Master Gardeners and the Hays County Historical Society to work in collaboration with the City of Buda Parks Department. Projects can include invasive plant removal, in-person educational projects, such as Night Skies awareness and children's activities, development of website links/brochures/markers to learn about the natural resources in the parks, constructing a birding station, and outreach to increase awareness of the Master Naturalist program. Presenter: Martha Sanders. Photo: courtesy Mimi Cavender
Canyon Gorge - Project 704: Passionate about geology and biology? Volunteer as a docent at Canyon Gorge, where you’ll guide tours, discuss the Guadalupe River, Canyon Dam, and more. You can also participate in habitat restoration, trail maintenance, and educational activities for fifth graders. Presenter: Deb Bradshaw. Photo: courtesy Mimi Cavender
San Marcos Discovery Center – Project 406: Support the community by maintaining native plant beds, planting and caring for trees, and removing invasive species. Volunteers can also lead workshops on habitat conservation. Opportunities are available Monday through Friday.
Austin Water Quality Protection Wildlands – Project 426: Contribute to water and wildlife conservation through habitat restoration, tree planting, and invasive species removal. Volunteers also monitor wildlife and vegetation, supporting conservation education for the public.
San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance - Project 424: Help protect natural areas in San Marcos by volunteering with the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance. Opportunities include conservation, stewardship, education, and support for passive recreation in these valuable spaces. Todd Derkacz’ project, Presenter: Dick McBride. Photo: courtesy Mimi Cavender
Hays County Birding Project - Project 1306: Help us create a sustainable birding environment in Hays County. Volunteers will assist with the management of natural resources to make our county a premier destination for birders. Presenter: Larry Calvert. Photo: courtesy Mimi Cavender
Dripping Springs Ranch Park – Project 1902: Enhance community education by maintaining the Bird Viewing Station and assisting with nature programs. Volunteers also help with trail maintenance and native plantings, supporting the park’s conservation efforts.
Project FeederWatch – Project 1110: Help track bird populations by participating in a citizen science survey at community sites. This data supports Cornell’s research on bird distribution and trends. Presenter: Tina Adkins. Photo: courtesy Bob Adkins
The Hays Humm - Project 401-CB: Enjoy photography and have a computer or tablet? Need volunteer hours? Join the Hays Humm Team and help us tell our story! This monthly online magazine by our Master Naturalist chapter is accessible at beautifulhayscounty.org. To contribute, contact Betsy Cross at news@haysmn.org—your impact will be meaningful! Presenters: Betsy Cross and Mimi Cavender. Photo: courtesy Mimi Cavender
Light Pollution Education and Outreach – Project 1108: Join us in the fight against light pollution! Volunteers are needed to educate the public, staff outreach tables at local events, organize star parties, and help with Texas Night Sky Festivals. If you’re passionate about preserving our night skies, we need your help! Presenters: Julie Gutierrez and Soll Sussman. Photo: courtesy Mimi Cavender
HCMN Direct/Indirect Outreach - Project 704: Share your passion and knowledge of Texas natural resources, restoration, and conservation with your community. Promote our HCMN Chapter, its mission, and events; provide guidance, referrals, and educational materials to the public. Presenter: Steph Dodson. Photo: courtesy Mimi Cavender
Kyle Parks and Recreation – Project 2102: Make a difference in underrepresented areas of Hays County by volunteering with us! We’re looking for volunteers to help with education, outreach, and the creation of a new hiking trail connecting to the Emerald Crown Trail. Be part of creating a wildflower and pollinator area that will benefit the entire community. Presenter: Lauralee Harris. Photo: courtesy Mimi Cavender
John Knox Ranch – Project 1001: Make a lasting impact on wildlife and the environment by volunteering at John Knox Ranch. We’re looking for volunteers to help with habitat redevelopment, invasive species removal, trail maintenance, and environmental education for children.
Travis Audubon Chaetura Canyon – Project 1301: Preserve a vital bird sanctuary by supporting conservation efforts, research, and education on avian species, contributing to the protection of local wildlife. Presenter: Steve Janda. Photo: courtesy Mimi Cavender
Blanco Watershed Quality Monitoring – Project 802: Help protect our water resources by volunteering to monitor water quality in the Hays County watershed. We use approved Texas Stream Team methods, and your efforts will contribute to keeping our water clean and safe. Presenter: John Moore and Pat Heintz. Photo: courtesy Mimi Cavender
Charro Ranch Park – Project #1010: This beautiful former ranch property just south of Dripping Springs offers a native specimen garden, huge old oaks, and lush wooded trails. It’s forever a protected green treasure, thanks to you and your fellow HCMN volunteers. Join up for once-monthly Saturday mornings of mulching, planting, invasives removal, and great camaraderie. Project coordinator is Michael Meves. Photo: courtesy Mimi Cavender
Patsy Glenn Refuge Wimberley - Project 418: Help us develop wildlife habitats, build trails, and engage in educational outreach at Wimberley’s birding center. Your volunteer efforts will help maintain a sanctuary for birds and a learning space for the community. Presenter: Bob Currie. Also pictured are Dick McBride and Larry Calvert. Photo: courtesy Mimi Cavender
Central Texas Plant Rescuers - Project 2405: Collect native plants and seeds on private properties that have been slated for clearing for construction. Presenter: Marty Sterne. Photo: courtesy Mimi Cavender
Research Rangers - Project 1903: Inspire people to spend more time exploring the natural world around them. The team encourages and supports people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to enjoy and study wildlife in their local area and to observe and record information about the local environment. We need volunteers passionate about science and education! Presenters: Jill Zipperer and Kristy Daniel. Photo: courtesy Mimi Cavender
Wimberley Village Library Nature Garden - Project 1307: Help us beautify the Wimberley Village Library with native plants! We need volunteers to plan, plant, and maintain garden beds, as well as educate the public on creating beautiful spaces with small plots of land. Presenters: Sherry Colca and Tina Adkins. Project Coordinators: Dell and Gerin Hood. Photo: courtesy Mimi Cavender
Blue Hole Park – Project 604: Help us develop wildlife habitats, build trails, and engage in educational outreach at Wimberley’s birding center. Your volunteer efforts will help maintain a sanctuary for birds and a learning space for the community. Presenter Lin Weber. Photo: courtesy Mimi Cavender
Hays County Managed Parks - Project 603: Join our team of volunteers at Hays County Managed Parks, including Jacob’s Well Natural Area, Karst Canyon Preserve, and Sentinel Peak Preserve. Opportunities include maintaining trails, removing invasive species, serving as docents, and engaging in conservation projects. Presenters: Katie Peltier and Deborah Estes. Photo: courtesy Mimi Cavender
