Time for Celebrating!
HCMN 2026 Spring Reunion & 2025 Fall Class Graduation
Betsy Cross
On Sunday, April 19, 2026, members of the Hays County Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist™ gathered for their Spring Reunion and celebrated the 2025 Fall Graduating Class of Free-tailed Bats. The event included a Project Fair, a field demonstration by the HELM Team, a social time with dinner, a welcome and introduction by President Katie Peltier, followed by a presentation of the graduating class by Training Director Jill Zipperer. Then came the awards presentation and recognition of Chapter members.
HCMN Chapter President Katie Peltier welcomed a full house of attendees to the 2026 Spring Reunion and Graduation Ceremony for the 2025 Fall Class.
The event, held at Beerburg Brewery, was well attended: 31 Graduates, 6 In-Training, 40 Legacy Members, 13 Recent Graduates, and 50 Guests!
2025 Fall Graduating Class Presentation
Fall Training Director Jill Zipperer welcomed the 2025 Fall Graduating Class of Mexican Free-tailed Bats!
Jill recognized the 2025 Fall Training Committee and Chapter Officers, expressing her enthusiastic appreciation for all who served to make this Fall Class an enormous success!
The 2025 Fall Graduating Class of Mexican Free-tailed Bats Recognition
Each member of the 2025 Fall Class was personally acknowledged by Jill and received a graduation packet from the Training Team.
Chapter Awards and Recognition - Spring 2026
Significant Contribution to the Chapter - Pat Heintz
Pat Heintz has been an outstanding Master Naturalist since graduating with the Crested Caracara Class of 2022. He has inspired many nature enthusiasts by leading interpretive hikes for Austin Water Wildland Conservation and Jacob’s Well Nature Center, sharing this knowledge and passion for the natural world with the community.
Pat supports the Training Committee as a mentor, sharing his experience with new trainees. He also assists new trainees in performing monthly water testing for the Blanco Watershed and managing the chemical kit. He recently led a project to install a bird viewing station for the United Methodist Church Green Team in Wimberley and is currently coordinating with fellow naturalists to add bird identification signage at the site while also launching participation in the FeederWatch program.
In addition, Pat lends his time and expertise to the Site Visit Committee for new training classes and to the Grant Committee led by Larry Calvert. Since becoming a Hays County Master Naturalist, Pat has continually broadened his knowledge and impact. His enthusiasm, leadership, and spirit of service make him an invaluable Hays County Master Naturalist volunteer. Congratulations Pat.
Significant Contribution to the Chapter - Christine Middleton
Christine Middleton, member of the Prickly Pears Class of 2010, has dedicated extraordinary service to our chapter and community, contributing more than 4,300 volunteer hours to date. Over the years she has taken on many leadership roles, including serving on the Training Committee in 2011, as Chapter Secretary in 2012, and as Outreach Co-Chair in 2019.
Christine’s impact has been especially significant in public outreach and environmental education. Following the 2015 Memorial Day flood, she worked extensively with landowners along the Blanco River and Cypress Creek, providing hands-on education and support. She also created The Riparian Network News, a newsletter that connected and informed more than 150 subscribers in the aftermath of the flood.
Her creativity and dedication continued during COVID, when she led the development of online educational content for children. In 2022, she expanded that effort by creating the Wild About Nature hands-on workshops for youth. Christine also organized the HELM site visit project, launched in fall 2020, which has since mapped and visited more than 150 properties.
In addition to frequently providing in-depth content for the Hays HUMM e-magazine and supporting the chapter’s public outreach through social media, Christine actively networks with local conservation groups and presented the HELM Project at the TxMN State Meeting in 2025.
Christine brings deep insight into local conservation needs and has a rare ability to envision, communicate, and implement complex initiatives that make a lasting impact. Organized, thoughtful, and an exceptional coordinator, she has strengthened our chapter and advanced conservation throughout our community.
Outstanding Volunteer - Don Locke
Don Locke exemplifies the spirit of leadership we strive to cultivate in Texas Master Naturalist. As one nominator beautifully expressed, “Few people make an extraordinary impact so quickly—and Don Locke is one of those rare individuals.”
In his short time with the Hays County Master Naturalists, Don’s energy, dedication, and passion for the natural world have shone brightly, inspiring everyone around him. Whether taking on new initiatives, sharing his knowledge, or leading by example, he has made both an immediate and lasting impact on our community and our mission.
Don’s remarkable accomplishments in such a brief period reflect not only his talents, but also his deep and genuine commitment to making a difference—earning him our heartfelt recognition and appreciation.
Among his many contributions are his work with the Wimberley Village Library Pollinator Garden, his involvement in Keep Wimberley Beautiful youth programs, and his efforts at the Patsy Glen Refuge.
Special Achievement Award - Carolyn Langlinais
Since transferring to our chapter in 2023 from the Heartwood chapter, Carolyn has distinguished herself through exceptional service. In 2025, she contributed 156 volunteer hours across seven projects. Notably, she served as Project Coordinator for two initiatives, both of which were newly established during the year, demonstrating initiative, leadership, and a commitment to program growth.
In 2025 Carolyn logged over 38 hours in the City Nature Challenge. Her involvement in the challenge mobilized 30 volunteers, resulting in an impressive 264 hours dedicated to community science and conservation efforts.
In 2026, she further expanded her leadership role by joining the HCMN Board as Communications Director. Her sustained dedication, leadership, and willingness to serve at both the chapter and state levels position her as an invaluable asset, and her continued contributions are expected to have a lasting and meaningful impact.
In the words of a fellow volunteer: “Carolyn carries sunshine wherever she goes—always smiling, always giving, and never waiting to be asked to make someone’s day better.”
Special Recognition - Susan Neill
Susan Neill is a distinguished member of the 2014 Monarchs and achieved double certification during her trainee year. Since graduating, she has maintained her certifications annually, reflecting her ongoing commitment to the program. In addition to her Master Naturalist certifications, Susan is also a certified Master Gardener.
In her first year as a certified Master Naturalist, Susan was honored as the Outstanding Chapter Volunteer in 2015 in recognition of her significant volunteer contributions to multiple projects. She contributed to the Training Committee in both 2014 and 2015 and was selected as the Training Class Director for 2016 and 2017. Further demonstrating her leadership, Susan was elected Chapter President in 2019 and served in this role through 2021. She skillfully guided the Chapter through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, and these efforts were recognized with the Special Achievement Award in 2021.
Susan has devoted substantial time to volunteer service across a variety of projects. Her notable contributions include: 1,446 hours at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 325 hours at Westcave Preserve, 929 hours with the Training Committee, and 943 hours in Chapter Administration for participation on the Board of Directors. Over her eleven years as a Master Naturalist, Susan has reported a remarkable total of 4,653 volunteer hours and 473 hours of Advanced Training.
It’s a bittersweet moment when a tenured and valued member of the chapter decides to leave the area. While we will miss Susan’s contributions to our mission, those of us who have had the pleasure of working with her will mostly miss her caring nature, support, and friendship.
In closing, HCMN President Katie Peltier recognized the growing list of 2026 HCMN members who have met their 2026 Recertifications.
Photos courtesy Tom Hausler and Betsy Cross
Program graphics courtesy Jill Zipperer