A Queenly Surprise
Why were so many Queens enjoying the blooms of the mistflower but not any of the other flowers? Discover the surprising answer and more.
Wild Neighbors Love Trees
Take a closer look at the remarkable connections between our Texas trees and the wildlife that depend on them.
Tree Care and Forest Health
Our trees have a lot to tell us about their health. A recent workshop helped HCMN members learn to read the signs.
Projects On Tap
Volunteer opportunities were on tap at Ghost Note Brewery as HCMN members explored projects, connected with coordinators, and learned about wildlife disease ecology.
About the Cover…
They were just dark birds in the grass—or so I thought. Curiosity told a very different story.
Nature Finds a Way
Everything appeared normal when I checked the nest box on June 20. But when I returned on June 27, the scene was dramatically different.
Mountain Pinks
Bouquets Built for the Rocks
It took everything I had not to pull over for a closer look. Had I not been on a schedule, I almost certainly would have pulled over to see if any had gone to seed.
From One Week to the Nest
Part 1 - Stowaways Behind the Grille Bewick’s Wrens readily adapt to life around people, often nesting in birdhouses, sheds, and mailboxes. But sometimes, they choose a location that leaves their human neighbors scratching their heads.
From One Week to the Nest
Part 2 - Letters from the Wren—An Imagined Journal Inspired by True Events “I've been busy gathering the final layer of the best soft moss ever, and when I come back, the whole building is gone! Gone, I tell you!”
Remembering the Kazoo Band
Relive the laughter, music, and community spirit of the HCMN Kazoo Band through photos, videos, and memories from Wimberley's Fourth of July parades.
About the Cover…
Despite the late-July heat, the month’s generous rainfall sparked an explosion of color—though on this visit, it was an unusual abundance of white blooms.
Turning Passion Into Purpose
A Pathfinder’s Vision
What happens after training ends, when the classes are over and the real journey begins? A new HCMN initiative is helping volunteers find connection, purpose, and a place to belong.
Turning Purpose Into Action
Explore, Connect, and Find Your Path
Something new is taking root. Pathfinders learn how one shared challenge inspired a program designed to help them thrive beyond training.
Bats, Algorithms, and a Cemetery
What the Night Reveals
Bat monitoring season is underway but choosing where to listen is no simple task. See how HCMN volunteers use science and technology to track bats across Hays County.
Wild Thumb
Putting Texas Native Plants Into More Hands
As Master Naturalists, our conversations about stewardship don’t have to end when an event is over. Discover a new tool helping Texans continue learning about native plants and pollinator habitat at their own pace.
About the Cover…
Pollinator Week: June 22 - 28, 2026
Nectar. Rest. Repeat. One garden visitor offered a closer look at pollination in action.
Historic Stagecoach Park
The 2nd Annual Stagecoach Park Conservation Fair connected families with nature and the local organizations working to protect it. See highlights from this growing community event in Buda, Texas.
Adding Color to the Classroom
A Firefly Grant, a handful of dedicated volunteers, and a big idea. Three years later, the Beautiful Hays County Activity and Coloring Book has become a countywide teaching tool for curious kids.
Fritillary Fandango
Watch the remarkable transformation of a Gulf Fritillary from egg to butterfly, captured through the patient observations of HCMN member Bob Currie and Salwa Khan.
2026 Migratory Bird Day Festival
Every bird counts—and so does every observer. See how the San Marcos community came together to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day and support the birds that travel through Hays County each spring.
