Chapter Projects – Nature Along the El Camino Real

Milam County Bats

March 14, 2026 Sue Ann (Suna) Kendall2 Comments

By Carolyn Henderson

The bats are in residence in a strip mall here in Cameron. I believe they are Mexican Free Tails. Every evening around 6:30 pm they exit their abode in search of the evening meal. I’m unsure where they get their water.

The still shot is of a bar that appears to have gotten a leg stuck in the sign panels. It survived there for at least three days. Unfortunately. I couldn’t get it loose.

Postcript

At our March chapter meeting, Michelle Lopez shared the results of our Milam County bat monitoring project from last year. In addition to Mexican free-tail bats, we have Tri-colored bats (these are rare), evening bats, big brown bats, and eastern red bats. Nine sites were monitored for a week each. Michelle spent countless hours analyzing the sound files.

Progress on Updated Wildscape

March 12, 2026 Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Catherine Johnson

Progress continues on the Pollinators for Texas in the Milam Wildscape. More crushed granite will arrive soon to finish the pathways. The new raised beds were recently planted and Redbud and Arroya Sweetwood trees are budding out. The challenge now is watering until it rains. (It did rain before the blog got posted, which is great news!)

The Pollinators for Texas project is a collaborative effort with H-E-B and the Texas Master Naturalist (TMN) Program focused on enhancing native pollinator conservation across the state by promoting awareness, conservation efforts and creating sustainable pollinator environments. The initiative aims to engage communities in supporting pollinator-friendly practices through funding TMN chapter-led projects and programs.

Signs of Spring

February 14, 2026 Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

Catherine Johnson

Signs of spring in February at the Wildscape include these welcome sights:

Fragrant Sumac buds
Bee on Elbow bush
Ducks in mud
Southwest garden

We look forward to seeing how all the work we’ve done for the Pollinators for Texas project comes to life in the next few months!

First Quarter Grant Update

December 10, 2025 Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Dorothy Mayer

This November we finished the first phase of the H-E-B Pollinators for Texas Project at our Milam Wildscspe.

A large number of our members volunteered many hours. Progress included new pathways, seating areas, native Texas redbuds, grasses and groundcovers.

In 2026 we will focus on identification of target pollinators and conclude the project with April and May Community tours.

City Wildscape Gets an Upgrade

December 7, 2025 Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Carolyn Henderson

The mini wildscape at All Saints Episcopal Church in Cameron got some new plants and grooming, and the fight against the persimmons continues.

Chad Cryer, Liz Lewis, Alan Rudd, and Carolyn Henderson planted six new Mexican Sage bushes, pruned back what was still blooming and scraggly, and took out a few more persimmons trying to pop up. Alan was gone by the time we thought to take photos.