by Mario Fierro

While working at Quinta Mazatlan as an Environmental Supervisor, I was first introduced to the world of birding and nature appreciation. The amount of information was overwhelming at times, but the beauty was even more so. This only made the desire to continue learning about the natural world around me even greater and led me to the Texas Master Naturalist Program.

Upon completing certification as a Texas Master Naturalist this year in the class of 2021, I realized how I have just scratched the surface. One of my thoughts that comes to mind often is: The more I think I have learned has, in reality, left me with many more questions than I had at first. I am grateful to have such a predicament and to be in such good company.  Blackpoll Warbler life bird for Mario

What has been reassuring and encouraging is that there are like-minded individuals that are excited to share what they have learned with each other and the community. This call to action, that has been fostered by volunteering with our South Texas Border Chapter, has allowed me to interact with people that have such diverse backgrounds. The enthusiasm in the projects we take on is sincere and contagious.

I have had opportunities to develop relationships with nature centers that previously were places I primarily enjoyed walking at. Now I have been able to contribute back through community science using iNaturalist and eBird. I was also motivated to represent our organization at the Dia de Los Niños event hosted by the City of Edinburg and was glad to work alongside the Edinburg Wetlands and World Birding Center education staff. We crafted bookmarks using native leaves and flowers as decorations with the kids and were met with requests for more nature activities! 

Once a month I make my way to South Padre Island and Sea Turtle, Inc. to serve as an Allison Lifeguard and InformationSpecialist on the hospital side. As I volunteer, I find that I learn so much from the staff there. I am also rewarded as Isee understanding and comprehension in the eyes of the visitors as they leave with a renewed appreciation of the roles these animals have in the natural world. Children and adults alike, it’s great to see their curiosity sparked.

On a more personal level, my hobby of going for nature walks has grown to include photography. This is something that I thoroughly enjoy doing on my own as a way to refresh; sharing this experience with friends and other TMN members always adds a unique touch to the memory. The perspective others bring enhances the detail of the setting around us. Whether it is the Old Hidalgo Pump House, Resaca de la Palma, or the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center, there is always a different and new experience at these sites  which has become dear to me. Sharing my photos of wildlife with family members has opened up a whole new experience. It is a privilege hearing my family recount birds they have begun to notice more and encounters they’ve had with wildlife in their daily lives. 

Two more activities that have contributed to my TMN experience and the pride I have in being a member include serving on the STB Chapter Board and working on the TMN St. George Pollinator Garden. Seeing the inner workings of how group decisions are made toward our goals and mission has really solidified my sense of identity as a Master Naturalist. So much so, that I have been favoring the certification dragonfly pin as my go-to for work and casual wear. This actionoften leads to a conversation about what the pin represents, who we are, what we strive to do, and why I’m proud to wear it as often as I can. I also value the work I do at the pollinator garden and view it as a continuation of all the work that was put in before me by previous members and other volunteers. The garden to me represents the results of our group and community effort. I was fortunate to receive a scholarship that allowed me to certify with the Texas Master Naturalists. The organization invested in my naturalist education and together we invest our joint knowledge and talents for anyone who has the interest. 

Finally, I’d like to share one of my most favorite aspects of this TMN journey which is best encapsulated by the followingexamples: As I’m driving to work, I notice a Great-tailed Grackle gliding over an agricultural field overgrown with beautiful sunflowers…Waiting at a red light underneath the expressway and enjoying the show as the Cliff Swallows swoop over the cars…Worrying about the drama the Mockingbird causes at my seed feeders and smiling as the hummingbirds chase each other away from a nectar feeder…Looking for the Red-crowned Parrots during my lunch break as they squawk in the distance. These creatures and naturally occurring moments of beauty transform the mundane into exciting discoveries which brings joy when you least expect it, and I find, at the times when I need it most.

What an interesting journey this has been…from a memorable night walk at Quinta Mazatlan to a year later giving that same tour as the educator…from one day during my time at Quinta seeing a group of visitors in green t-shirts and askingwho they were… to a year or so later and I’m proud to say I’ve joined ranks with those great people. I’m grateful and privileged to have found the Texas Master Naturalist group.