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our Heartwood Library

What will you find on our Heartwood Library Shelves? Educational articles; Media clips -audio and video; Reviews on books, films, and equipment; Recommended Web Links. All of them created by our Texas Master Naturalist volunteers and conveniently categorized by the Texas Master Naturalist Topics in our manual.

Select a Topic - Learn something new today
Texas Master Naturalist Program

The Texas Master Naturalist Program is a volunteer training and development program jointly sponsored state-wide by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The mission is to develop a corps of well informe volunteers who provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the State of Texas.
Naturalists in Texas History

There have been professional and amateur students of the plants and animals of Texas who are a part of our history.
Ecological Concepts

Ecology is the study of the relationships of organisms to their environment and to one another.

Key word phrases for our authors:

  • factors to keep the ecosystems in balance
  • biodiversity
  • factors relevant to threatened species
  • the laws to protect species
Geology and Soils

The geological processes create the habitat landscape.

Keyword phrases for our authors:

  • Geological processes that created the regions of Texas
  • Physical and chemical properties of soil
  • Prevention of soil erosion
Weather and Climate

The factors that create the weather and climate in our region. Keyword phrases for this section are:

  • temperature
  • winds
  • clouds
  • rainfall
Ecological Regions of Texas

Texas covers approximately 267,000 square miles. The size and it's location on the continent endows it with 11 ecological regions. The ecological regions can be mapped based on their different climates, topography, plant and animal communities.
Ecosystems

Managing the land for people, plants, and animals. How does your backyard, park, pasture, community, and watershed effect every thing on a larger scale?
Nature of Naming

The scientific classification of plants and animals -why do it and how to do it.
Plants

As a Texas Master Naturalist we study the parts of the plant, how to identify plants using a scientific classification key, and the invasive and native plant species common to our area.
Entomology -insects

The Texas Master Naturalists study the diversity of insects, some basic behaviours, the relationship between insect species, the habitat needs. We have several members in our Chapter who have a passion for butterflies, bees, or insects in general. We hope they will contribute to this section.
Ichthyology - fish and crustaceans

The study of fish. Crustaceans have their own science and name; however, it is not part of the TMN studies. I wanted it on our list, so I put them in here with their fish buddies.

Some keyword phrases for this topic will be:

  • species in Texas
  • fish shapes
  • fish habitats
  • the function of fish in the habitat
  • conservation concerns for fish
Herpetology - reptiles and amphibians

The study of reptiles and amphibians. Keyword phrases for our authors will be:

  • salamanders
  • lizards
  • snakes
  • frogs, toads
  • alligators
  • turtles
Mammalogy

Most mammals are four-footed terrestrial animals; but the category also includes bats, whales and dolphins.
Archeology - native cultures

Study to determine what past modes of human behaviour were successful and why -or- what failed and why.

Key phrases for our authors:

  • How did the people of the past manage the ecosystem?
  • the 7 archelogical regions of Texas
  • Antiquities laws in Texas
Forest Ecology and Management

The four major forested regions of Texas are (1) the Southern Pine Forest; (2) the Central Hardwoods of post oak and cross timbers; (3) the Mountain forest areas; and (4) the Rio Grande Valley forested area with a  semi-tropical forest.

Key word phrases for our authors are:

  • factors of the different forest types
  • stages of succession in forested ecosystems
  • Difference between preservation and conservation in forest management
  • Methods and tools of forest management
Aquatic Ecology and Management

We have ocean waters, rivers, creeks, lakes, ponds, and bayous among our Texas aquatic systems. Many of our Chapter volunteers are water quality monitors in our local waterways.
Wetland Ecology and Management

Wetlands provide flood protection, filter the water quality, replenish ground water, and provide habitat to numerous waterfowl and wildlife that cannot exist in any other habitat. Texas has lost over half of its original wetlands. Several of our volunteers are coordinating and assisting with wetland restoration projects in our area.
Rangeland Ecology and Management

Rangeland is defined as land on which the indigenous vegetation is predominanty grasses, grass-like plants, forbs, or shrubs and is managed as a natural ecosystem. This would include nature sites and grazing sites -prairies, grasslands, shrublands, deserts, wetlands, riparian areas, and tundra.
Urbanization: effects and solutions

What are the effects of urbanization on natural systems? How do you balance the resources for the needs of people and the needs of nature?

Key word phrases for our authors:

  • Altered soils
  • Altered temperatures
  • Altered water channels
  • Altered vegetation
  • Backyard habitats
  • Best Management Practices for Urban Systems
Volunteers as Teachers

Part of our mission as Texas Master Naturalist Volunteers is to share what we learn with others.

  • Orientation: greeting visitors to a site and directing them to learning materials
  • Education: formalized workshops and lectures
  • Interpretation: informal or recreational experiences to transfer information
  • Literature: articles, pamphlets, newsletters
  • Visuals: photos, films, displays
Ornithology - birds

The study of birds.
Recommended Places

This section is about the places in our area that our Texas Master Naturalist members recommend you visit and/or volunteer.