It’s International Day of Biodiversity! 🐢 Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms on Earth, encompassing genes, species, and ecosystems. This variety is essential to life as it allows for resiliency and adaptation, ultimately leading to survival. Diversity in plant species is crucial in order to have diversity in animal species. As development continues to spread worldwide, it’s important that we take action locally, planting native plants to provide food and habitat for native pollinators and other native wildlife amidst habitat loss and fragmentation in Texas. Thanks to the continued support from partners like the Dallas Zoo The Nature Conservancy in Texas Trinity River Audubon Center and TCA staff and volunteers, thousands of native plants grown each season at the Native Plant Propagation Center are distributed to residential yards, schools, businesses, and more throughout the DFW region. Celebrating 3.5 years of the Native Plant Propagation Center in partnership with the Dallas Zoo , visit the link below for tips on increasing biodiversity at home! www.linkedin.com/pulse/power-planting-native-dallas-zoo-mpsfc/?trackingId=uvROCeiFSw2WYoMjrLQDwg%3D%3D Thank you to all groups and individuals that support the Native Plant Propagation Center by purchasing plants, donating seeds, hosting native plant sales, promoting our efforts, and more. 🪴 Here’s to increasing biodiversity and LIFE! 🦋 #takeaction #protectwildlife #InternationalDayofBiodiversity (fb)

90 tires and 690 pounds of litter were removed from a 17-mile stretch of the John Graves Scenic Riverway along the Brazos River by 70 incredible paddlers! 🚣‍♀️💪 As part of the #TrashFreeGulf campaign, the 8th Annual Brazos River Cleanup—organized by the Rio Brazos Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist™ program and Friends of the Brazos River, and joined by TCA and Texas Land Conservancy wrapped up with a fun and impactful weekend featuring: ➡️ A magical mothing night with Sam Kieschnick, #TPWD Urban Wildlife Biologist ➡️ A fascinating pollinator talk by Ricky Linex, #NativePlantSocietyofTexas ➡️ Insight from Leanne Wiley, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s Lone Star Healthy Streams ➡️ Reflections on The Great Trinity Forest by Kristi Kerr Leonard, North Texas Master Naturalist ➡️ A story from Jay Kleberg, sharing his work with the Gulf Trust This event welcomed more than 10 Master Naturalist chapter members from Houston, Austin, the DFW area, and beyond, alongside our incredible hosts from the Rio Brazos Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist™ program! 🙌 A huge thank-you to Bob and Sherry Walker and their family for opening their ranch and offering such generous hospitality.❤️ Special shoutouts to: 🛶 @Brazos Outdoor Center – for providing canoes and access to their facilities 🍕 @Pizza Di Paolo – for feeding our hungry paddlers with delicious pizza As Bob shared, one of his favorite quotes from Baba Dioum reminds us: “In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.” Cheers to all the Master Naturalists, educators, and conservationists who teach, inspire, and advocate for healthier ecosystems and future generations. 🌱 Together, we’re keeping Texas rivers wild and trash-free—one paddle at a time. 💧🌍 #BrazosRiverCleanup #TrashFreeTexas #texasmasternaturalist (fb)