I consider it spring regardless the date on the calendar. I think this because I ’m finding fun surprises in the unmown parts of the yard, earthy cracks in parking lots, road sides and vacant lots around town. Growing up in the mid-west, it was always exciting to see pretty yellow dandelions dot the yard.…

As much fun as it is to go birding with the local pros, I just don’t want to get out that early. And if it’s cold, or worse — cold and rainy — nothing gets me out. I value my year with the birders, though. I wouldn’t have learned so much exciting information on my…

If you‘re a lecture junkie like me, you won’t want to miss WOWE! Fortunately WOWE is back for its 21st year, after missing last year for convention center renovation on South Padre Island. WOWE is the Winter Outdoor Wildlife Expo. Its original purpose was to let Winter Texans get a glimpse of all the outdoor…

Rodents are really destructive this time of year. Texas has nearly 50 species of rats and mice. Whether you’re in town, the country, along a river, or in an RV park, you’re not safe — from rats and mice, that is. I’ve learned to tolerate a number of different critters since becoming a Texas Master…

Is terminology important? After all, I’m a Master Naturalist, not cramming for a Ph.D. in botany, ecology or zoology. The first thing they taught in journalism school was that every word has its own distinct meaning. They said don’t rely on the vocabulary you grew up with. Look it up, even if you think you…

Remember! It’s still tree-planting time in the Valley – November through February. The first criteria for planting anything in my gardens is, “what can it do for me?” Selfish, but payload is important. I want wildlife in my yard but not be a slave to it. Planting what nature wants gives me endless hours of…