HEARTWOOD CHAPTER

Paola Silva was recently hired by Texas Forest Service to implement programs to better reach diverse people, groups and organizations by using the Texas Children's Forest as an education and demonstration instrument leader.  Diversity through Nature Discovery is a TFS program in conjunction with cooperating partners using existing programs, tools, resources and teachings in place at the Texas Children's Forest - Jones State Forest.

Classroom without Walls, Exploring Houston's Backyard & Beyond, NatureLIVE!, Jones State Forest Ecological Restoration and numerous other programs for young student and adult learners come under the Diversity through Nature Discovery umbrella.

Paola Silva, coordinator of special projects; John Warner, urban district forester; Dawn Vollmer, staff forester; and partner leaders with US Forest Service, Texas Master Naturalist, AgriLIFE Extension, Texas Parks & Wildlife, Stephen F. Austin State University – are assembling a  cadre' of people to advance the outreach mechanism to diverse audiences.

If you are interested in serving as a volunteer or know of someone fitting the dynamics we are looking for in a member, please contact Paola Silva or John Warner at 936/273-2261 weekdays or by email at psilva@tfs.tamu.edu  or jwarner@tfs.tamu.edu

Our first coordinating session is planned for early February. 

Volunteers needed to work in program assembly, this will be a 3-6 month commitment in development, purchasing, assembling, organizing and field testing for effectiveness.

Possible volunteers may come from            

• Texas Master Naturalist
• Texas Master Gardener
• Citizen Scientists
• Other organizations or interest groups