Texas Master Naturalist - El Camino Real Chapter

10/15/2026

Some wildlife observations bring pleasant surprises, like friendly creek spiders.

by Eric Neubauer On the way back from the October chapter meeting I stopped by Alligator Creek. It’s a location that always has something to offer, and there is an early winter species I have…

10/10/2026

Austin Knight discussed Texas programs to restore Texas Spiney Lizards (H***y Toads around here) to the Central Texas area. Several organizations in Texas, including several zoos in the state that are breeding them are sponsoring the project. Houston Toads also are being restored in the area - including Milam County. Houston Toads were close to being extinct until restoration efforts were started a few years ago. The Texas Spiney Lizard in the photo is a baby. It's been tagged for tracking. The little tag only lasts about 2 weeks due to fast growth and skin shedding of the lizard.

10/05/2026

Outreach at Blessing of the Animals

By Linda Burgess Last weekend, the All Saints' Episcopal Church in Cameron held their annual Blessing of the Animals/Fall Festival. Our Master Naturalist Chapter was invited to have a table there this year, and we were thrilled to participate. This was a great educational public outreach opportunity to discuss the importance of pollinators, promote our seed libraries, and recruit members for our upcoming Master Naturalist class to begin in January 2027....

By Linda Burgess Last weekend, the All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Cameron held their annual Blessing of the Animals/Fall Festival. Our Master Naturalist Chapter was invited to have a table t…

10/05/2026

Austin Knight will be speaking to the Texas Master Naturalist - El Camino Real chapter about his work with Texas Horned Lizards Thursday, Oct. 8, at the regular meeting. Texas Horned Lizards are more commonly called H***y Toads around here. The public is invited. The program starts at 6 p.m. at the All Saints Episcopal Church meeting room.

10/02/2026

This time of year our Wildscape really shines!

by Catherine Johnson You can tell it is Fall in the Wildscape. More pollinators are coming out, also a dark snake in the top of the Mexican Plum tree. Some of the natives are done for the year and …

10/01/2026

Texas Master Naturalist - El Camino Real chapter student trainer Alan Rudd held a "get into nature" social gathering at his place a few weeks ago. Current members and future trainees practiced kayaking and canoeing and a little camaraderie. If you are interested in becoming a Texas Master Naturalist, the El Camino Real chapter will begin classes in early January. For more information about the class email Alan Rudd at [email protected] or check out our web page at https://txmn.org/elcamino/ . Join and help to conserve native species in Texas. The organization works under the auspices of the Texs PArks and Wildlife Department.

09/26/2026

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The library is excited to announce a brand new partnership with Texas Master Naturalist - El Camino Real Chapter in the form of a much anticipated seed library!

The El Camino Real Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists received the H-E-B Pollinators for Texas 2026-2027 award and, in doing do, are committed to expanding seed library locations and focusing on the importance of pollinators through educational programming. The Little River Basin Master Gardeners- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension are working in conjunction for seed collecting and seed packing.

Only native pollinators are available at the seed library for now, but make sure to leave a comment or suggestion for what seeds you wish to see at the seed library in the future after picking up a couple of seed packets of your own!

Happy growing! 🌱

09/18/2026

This is a great time of year to collect wildflower seeds! Learn more from our community seed library leader, Linda Burgess.

by Linda Burgess Volunteers of the El Camino Real Master Naturalists and the Little River Basin Master Gardeners met together Tuesday to collaborate and fill the card catalog drawers of the Sow &am…