Category: Chapter Projects

Some New Discoveries (for me)

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Carolyn Henderson

While my crew was out putting up the Bat Acoustic device Friday, I stumbled across an iNaturalist’s heaven. The pasture was covered in wildflowers – and all the butterflies, bees and other flying insects in Central Texas, it seemed. 

Chad Cryer and Teri Brickey had gone to explore the Little River, while I took pictures. I found two species that I had never seen before Friday. And I found a Texas Vervain that was five feet tall. The height seemed to throw off the identification for it on iNat. I was pretty sure it was a vervain, but iNat was unsure. Luckily, Linda Jo Conn verified it for me.

Texas Vervain – 5 feet tall
Texas Indian Mallow – flower has a unique color
Mexican Palo Verde – a tree-like plant growing under a larger tree;

Pollinators for Texas Progress

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Catherine Johnson

Chapter members’ work is paying off with blooms in the new barrels with signage.

The budget approved by H-E-B included funds for last minute strenuous labor which Mitchell Henderson has been doing. He has been  shoveling gravel and landscaping the upper pathway for easy access and greatly reduced weeding.

New construction will enable people to get close to Pollinators and native plants they are connected to.

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.

Nature Finds a Way at the Milam Wildscape

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Catherine Johnson

From April 25, 2026

Wildflowers that were removed to make way for paths have returned and native trees are thriving after the rains. Work on the H-E-B grant is nearing the end and we are looking forward to Blooms and Pollinators.

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.

Milam County Bats

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.

Evening bat. Photo by David Armour

Progress on Updated Wildscape

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.