Alamo Area Texas Master Naturalists

05/07/2026

AAMN May 2026 Monthly Newsletter

Hello friends, May in the Alamo Area is a vibrant "sweet spot" where spring blooms meet summer energy. In this, our wettest month, the meadows and savannas burst with life; bushes and trees leaf out to provide a lush backdrop for a second wave of iconic wildflowers and the brilliant yellow blooms of...

04/07/2026

April 2026 Chapter Newsletter

For a Texas Master Naturalist, April in San Antonio is a peak experience. As wildflowers reach their zenith, the urban canopy deepens its green, and the Central Flyway teems with migratory birds and butterflies, our city transforms into one of the most biodiverse hotspots in the country. The City Na...

03/03/2026

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/treetops-emit-ultraviolet-sparkles-during-thunderstorms-researchers-just-filmed-it-in-nature-for-the-first-time-180988275/?utm_source=smithsoniandaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=editorial&lctg=93132890

The weather events probably cause the air around leaves to produce weak electrical discharges

02/20/2026

AAMN member Krin Van Tatenhove shares some thoughts as part of our Evergreen Reflections blog series.

On a recent morning, I sat near the precipice of the South Rim Viewpoint, Big Bend National Park. Its 2,000 foot plunge gave me more than a tinge of vertigo. I took deep breaths and swept my gaze o…

02/02/2026

It's Groundhog Day.

Here's a small surprise to go with it:
Groundhogs are squirrels.

They're part of the same family (Sciuridae) as tree squirrels, chipmunks, and prairie dogs. Groundhogs—sometimes called woodchucks—are simply the ground-dwelling members of a very adaptable group.

We don't have groundhogs here in Texas, but their relatives are everywhere in the Park—up in the trees, along the trails, and perched in rocky places, keeping watch.

Different lifestyles.
Same family.

02/02/2026

FEBRUARY 2026 AAMN Newsletter

Hello Friends, January certainly gave us an eventful finale. I hope everyone weathered Storm Fern's recent stretch of grey, cold, and icy conditions safely. It’s beautiful and sunny as I write this, but as Central Texans, we know to stay alert—"rapid change" is practically our local forecast. As...

01/26/2026

Each journey to becoming a Texas Master Naturalist is unique. Hear the story of AAMN Outreach Volunteer, Amy Dawn Curtis.

My naturalist origin story starts with a painting. I lived in Tennessee and was new to my home educator career with my 3-year-old son. We were looking at a picture that showed a mother and small c…

01/20/2026

Meet our dedicated community outreach director, John Williams.

By John Williams People often ask me why I volunteer as a Texas Master Naturalist, and honestly, the answer is simple: it just feels right. After I retired from working in the cut flower industry, …

01/18/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16u2RkMDTX/

January iNaturalist Events — Learn, Practice, Get City Nature Challenge-Ready!

The last half of January offers several ways to build your iNaturalist skills — from talks and walks to online training.

• • •

From Garden to Global: iNaturalist & City Nature Challenge
📅 Thursday, January 22 | 6:00 PM–7:00 PM
📍 Wilson County Court Annex
Hosted by Wilson County Extension Master Gardeners

Learn how to use the iNaturalist app to identify plants, animals, and insects in your yard or garden — and how your observations connect to global community science through the City Nature Challenge. This talk is perfect for curious nature lovers and local landowners.

🔗 Details: https://bit.ly/45dIxf1

• • •

Learn to Make iNaturalist IDs on Your iPhone
📅 Friday, January 23 | 1:00–3:00 PM
📍 Classen-Steubing Ranch Park (Bexar County)
Hosted by Alamo Area Texas Master Naturalists

Want to learn how to identify plants, birds, and insects with iNaturalist on your iPhone? This beginner-friendly walk includes a quick overview of the app, a short walk to make observations, and hands-on help uploading and identifying what you find. Participants are encouraged to download the "new" iNaturalist app prior to the event.

📌 RSVP required.

🔗 Details and how to RSVP: https://bit.ly/4jLqnXP

• • •

Virtual iNaturalist 101 Training
📅 Wednesday, January 28 | 6:00–7:30 PM
Hosted by San Antonio River Authority

A free online session covering iNaturalist basics, observation tips, and identifications — a great way to prepare for the City Nature Challenge in late April.

🔗 Details: https://tinyurl.com/mu8zajdf

• • •

Helton Nature Walk with the San Antonio River Authority
📅 Saturday, January 31 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
📍 Helton Nature Park (Wilson County)
Hosted by San Antonio River Authority

Explore the park's natural beauty, practice observation skills, and contribute to community science while preparing for the City Nature Challenge in late April.

👥 Limit: 40 participants | 📌 RSVP required
🔗 Details and how to RSVP: https://bit.ly/3Lo3AF3

01/15/2026

This presentation is approved for AT.
VMS category AT: Presentations.
Registration is not required.

Join us for a nature talk on Understanding Climate Change and its Impacts on Ecosystems with Alamo Area Master Naturalist Gary Poole.