Texas Master Naturalist - Mid-Coast Chapter

06/08/2026

06/08/2026

06/02/2026

ATTENTION REFUGIO AND ARANSAS COUNTY LAND OWNERS - This is a FREE WORKSHOP that can have a great impact on our waterways from rivers to wetlands to bays and the gulf.

Event Details: Mission & Aransas Rivers Watershed Workshop

Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026

8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (some sources list until noon, but the full program runs to 2 p.m.)
Location: Refugio County Fairgrounds, 245 Fairgrounds Rd, Refugio, Texas
Cost: FREE
Target Audience: Residents of Refugio and Aransas Counties

What It Covers
This is hosted by the Lone Star Healthy Streams Program and the Texas Well Owner Network (through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension).

Key topics include:
Private water well management and protection
Groundwater and surface water quality
Grazingland stewardship and watershed conservation practices
W**d and brush management
Updates on the Mission & Aransas Rivers Watershed Protection Plan
Best management practices to protect local rivers, wetlands, bays, and the ocean

Bonus perks:
Free private well water screening (samples due Monday, June 22, 8–10 a.m. at either the Refugio or Aransas County AgriLife Extension offices)
Free soil testing for grazing, hay, or rangeland areas
2 Texas Department of Agriculture CEUs (1 Integrated Pest Management + 1 General) for pesticide applicators

How to Participate
Contact:
Refugio County AgriLife Extension: 361-526-2825
Aransas County AgriLife Extension: 361-790-0103

For well testing, drop off samples early that week so you can get results and advice at the workshop.

05/27/2026

🌧️ With all the recent rains — and the water challenges we still face — it’s the perfect time to think about how we can better protect our Mid-Coast ecosystems and watersheds.

Healthy soil, good vegetation cover, and smart land management make a huge difference in how rainwater is absorbed, filtered, and stored — helping both our groundwater and surface waters.

Watch this excellent rainfall demonstration from the Texas Water Resources Institute to see it in action:

What are some ways you’re already helping our local watershed? Whether it’s planting natives, managing runoff on your property, supporting conservation grazing, or volunteering with habitat restoration — every action counts!

Drop your ideas or tips in the comments below.

Let’s keep our Mid-Coast healthy for wildlife, future generations, and our communities. 💧🌿

Ever wonder what actually happens to water when it rains? And why s...

05/26/2026

Reminder: The ARK is hosting the IWRC Foundations of Wildlife Rehabilitation course from July 11-12, 2026 in Port Aransas, TX. This course is approved for RACE-approved Continuing Education for veterinary professionals.
This course needs 9 more registrations in order to be able to proceed! If anyone is interested in attending, please register as soon as possible! This course is open to any rehabilitators or the public who wish to attend.

05/23/2026

🎉 Happy Father’s Day Weekend! Join us for a special Texas Master Naturalist Night at the Corpus Christi Hooks! ⚾🌿

Celebrate all dads and the amazing dads in nature with us on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at Whataburger Field!

Bring the whole family for an evening full of:
• Fun naturalist activities & games
• “This is Your Father!” wildlife quiz featuring local species like hummingbirds, sea turtles, dolphins & more
• Free native wildflower seed packets so dads can “Sow Seeds in Nature” with their kids
• Beautiful photo backdrop for family memories

Gates open at 6:05 PM • First pitch at 7:05 PM

Special Group Discount Tickets: Only $19.10 per person!

👉 Get your tickets now:
https://www.gofevo.com/event/Texasmaster2

Come celebrate Father’s Day the naturalist way — learning about our incredible Mid-Coast wildlife while cheering on the Hooks!
Tag a dad who would love this night! 👨‍👧‍👦

05/20/2026

With these wonderful rains and witnessing the extra water flowing in our streets, ditches, ponds, wastewater easements, this is a terrific time to attend this webinar and consider what others are doing right! After hard lessons learned.

05/20/2026

"What do we want??!!!!
🌼 POLLINATOR PLANTS!!!! 🌼
When do we want them?!!!
NOW!!!!!!! 🐝

Happy World Bee Day!

This little bee was absolutely covered in pollen while working hard on an Indian Blanket at the Rockport Post Office. Every time we plant flowers like this, we’re giving our pollinators the fuel they need to keep our gardens, orchards, and food supply thriving.

Bees (and other pollinators) are responsible for about 1 in every 3 bites of food we eat. They’re struggling with habitat loss, so the best thing we can do is plant native pollinator-friendly flowers and skip the pesticides.

What’s one pollinator plant you’re growing (or want to grow) this year? Drop it in the comments and let’s inspire each other! 💛

01/31/2026

🌿 Exciting Field Trip Alert! 🌿 Join the Mid-Coast Texas Master Naturalist Chapter for an Inspiring Day at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge! 🐦✨

Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 14, 2026 — turn Valentine's Day into a love affair with nature! 💚🌸

Your Itinerary for the Day:
Start with two amazing speakers sharing insider knowledge on the refuge's unique habitats and conservation magic! Then...

Pack a fun picnic lunch 🧺🥪 and explore the Refuge on your own! 🚗🌊 Drive the scenic 16-mile auto tour route, walk beautiful trails, spot incredible wildlife from observation towers, and soak in the stunning coastal landscapes with a fresh, deeper appreciation for its rare plants, birds, and ecosystems! 🌿🐚

Bring binoculars, sunscreen, comfy shoes, water, and your picnic — let's celebrate Texas nature together! 🎉

This special place is the winter home to the majestic whooping cranes 🏞️🦅 and over 400 bird species — a true biodiversity hotspot where coastal prairies meet sparkling bays and marshes!

All are welcome — Master Naturalists, birders, plant enthusiasts, families, nature lovers — no experience needed! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Come for the education 📚, stay for the adventure and picnic vibes! 🌳🍉

🐦 Questions? Reach out to the MCTMN chapter or Refuge staff. Hope to see you there — these inspiring events fill up fast! 🌊🌱❤️