Texas Master Naturalist Tierra Grande Chapter

06/19/2026

Today's federal holiday, Juneteenth, marks the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas after a 2.5-year delay with the news that the last remaining 250,000 African American enslaved people in the U.S. were free.

🌎 We can only truly succeed when we move forward with justice for people and our planet. To learn more about the history of this freedom day, visit: https://nature.ly/4ejWyeQ

Photo: R.J. Hinkle

06/19/2026

Happy Juneteenth, everyone! On a day where we celebrate freedom, CDRI is offering free admission all day long. Come on down!
Photo by Faith Hille.

06/19/2026

Have you ever been in Big Bend and wondered what the heck that red thing was that you just saw racing across the road?

Most likely, it was a Western Coachwhip snake, also known as a red racer because of their coloration and speed.

Coachwhips are a common, nonvenomous species that can reach up to 6.5 feet in length. Across their range, they vary in color from light yellow to black, but here in the southwest, adults are usually a deep pinkish-red.

They're arguably the most commonly seen snakes in Big Bend National Park, in part because they're active when we are. Most snakes avoid the heat, but these guys are often seen zooming across the road at all times of the day. Coachwhips eat a variety of birds, lizards, rodents, and even other snakes. They want nothing to do with people, so count yourself lucky if you get the chance to see one in the wild, and give them their space.

📸 K. Morse

06/12/2026

Summer Shake Up is in full swing at the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute, where youth from 1st to 8th grade learn about nature and biodiversity outside with Tierra Grande Chapter Texas Master Naturalist volunteers like our Warren Shaul and Susan Kirr.

06/12/2026

06/10/2026

The United States is home to the greatest total number of turtle species and subspecies of any single nation! They play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and habitats.

Every turtle counts. If they survive beyond the hatchling phase, it can take many species a decade or more to reach maturity. Those that do make it must reproduce for their entire lives just to ensure they replace themselves in the population.

Photo by Danielle Brigida/USFWS

06/10/2026

Some of our Texas Master Naturalist volunteers met again today at our Texas Department of Transportation segment of 118 between Alpine and Fort Davis to cleanup and Keep Texas Beautiful.

06/10/2026

Join us for a conversation about tackling issues, strengthening partnerships, and sustaining working lands that support wildlife across Texas. Learn about emerging conservation priorities, habitat restoration strategies, and innovative research on birds, bears, bighorn sheep, and other wildlife native to the Trans-Pecos, during this 3-day event, the Tran-Pecos Wildlife Conference, Aug. 5–7 in Alpine.

To register or for more info: https://cutt.ly/TPWC-event