by Pat Avery
She grew up in western Kansas under a cowboy’s watchful eye. Her dad taught her love of the outdoors and of animals. She learned to ride horses, care for cattle and then, at the end of the day, to revel in the beauty of the prairie skies. She firmly believes she was born with her fascination for the natural world.
As a kid, I tagged along with my dad, feeding sheep, milking cows and training horses to show. My extensive involvement with 4-H activities developed my public interaction skills.
I know I was an annoying little sister as I followed my brothers on hunting trips and their walks along the river.
Her name is Diana Lehmann and after living and dedicating her career to environmental issues, she moved to the Rio Grande Valley to pursue her lifelong passions. She and her husband Mark believe we have a spiritual connection to the earth and all its inhabitants.
She holds a BS degree in Environmental Science from the University of Kansas. She spent the major part of her career in the Lake Management Program within the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Her duties included collecting water quality samples across the state. She helped develop the Kansas Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Program. Many states used their program as a model. She spent fifteen years with that department and retired in 2015 after nearly thirty-five years of service to the state of Kansas.
I want to be outdoors and I want to educate the public about what we are doing to the environment. I hope to help change the public’s concern for nature, Diana explained her motivation to become a Texas Master Naturalist.
The availability of online classes (rather than driving to San Benito) and my new “full-time” Texan status created the perfect opportunity to learn and volunteer.
Diana’s husband, Mark, was born in Texas and wanted to retire here. They began vacationing here about fifteen years ago and eventually bought a home in Laguna Vista. After a few years of coming down as Winter Texans, and her retirement, they became full-time Texans in 2020.
I could not be happier. Her smile affirmed her words.
Diana is an accomplished artist and photographer, with a focus on our natural world. She hopes to use these skills in her educational endeavors.
I love to garden but am mesmerized by the big cats. My bucket list includes seeing a cougar and getting a photo of him in the wild.
Diana spends hours every day putting out food for the birds and waiting for photo opportunities.
I have been within 25 feet of a bobcat walking through my yard. We spent a moment gazing at each other and then he calmly walked away. I feel that I have an ability to connect with animals, somehow, on a spiritual level. I always take the time to thank them for letting me take a photo.
Respect nature! That’s the motto I cling to with public education, photography or painting. Whatever the medium, I try to spur curiosity in young people that will inspire them and develop their love of all aspects of Mother Nature.
Thanks, Diana, for sharing your life-long passion for Mother Earth, all her fascinating creatures and life-forms, and your desire to make a difference through the RGV TMN program.
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