2026 Project Fair
April 19, 2026
Betsy Cross
2026 Project Fair Demonstration
The Hays County Master Naturalist Project Fair returned on Sunday, April 19, 2026, bringing HCMN members and their guests together on the grounds of Beerburg Brewing as part of the chapter’s Spring Reunion and Fall Graduation Ceremony. Project Coordinators and team members hosted exhibit tables filled with photos, videos, stickers, sign-ups, and examples of the educational materials they use to connect their work with the community.
Bringing a project from idea to impact, and aligning volunteer effort with the mission of the Texas Master Naturalist™ program, takes commitment, creativity, and follow-through. For over 25 years, the Hays County Chapter has continued to recognize where informed volunteer service can make a difference and has built projects to meet those needs.
The Project Fair offers a chance to see that work come to life and brings chapter members, guests, and new graduates the chance to explore project opportunities with the project coordinators.
This year’s event was coordinated by HCMN Director of Volunteer Service Projects, Dixie Camp, who shared that as of early 2026, the chapter supports more than 60 projects across Hays County, with some extending into neighboring counties. Here’s a look at a few of them.
City of Buda Parks - Project 2101: Work in partnership with the City of Buda to enhance and protect the natural resources in local parks while increasing visibility of the Texas Master Naturalist program—especially among underserved communities in Hays County. Volunteers will assist with management of native plant areas including invasive species removal, native plantings, and pruning. Volunteers will also lead nature-based educational programs, support conservation initiatives such as Monarch City, Bee City, Tree City, and DarkSky Texas, and foster community science by organizing bioblitz events that engage residents in exploring local biodiversity. Presenters: Russell Sanders and Martha Sanders.
Beautiful Hays County Activity and Coloring Book - Project 2301: Beautiful Hays County is 3rd grade level coloring and activity book that will have additional content on the beautifulhayscounty.org website (TEKS connections, additional resources, links to related sites, etc). The book is intended to capture a child’s interest in nature, and to put that interest into action by visiting HCMN projects described in the book with their parents, who may then be motivated to become an HCMN themselves. Volunteer your creativity and education skills to help develop a third grade level activity and coloring book focused on the beauty of Hays County. Your work will contribute to educational resources available online. Presenters: Patty Harrell and Paula Glover.
Blanco Watershed Quality Monitoring – Project 802: Help protect our water resources by volunteering to monitor water quality in the Hays County watershed. We use approved Texas Stream Team methods, and your efforts will contribute to keeping our water clean and safe. Presenter: Bret Fossum and Pat Heintz
Light Pollution Education and Outreach – Project 1108: Join us in the fight against light pollution! Volunteers are needed to educate the public, staff outreach tables at local events, organize star parties, and help with Texas Night Sky Festivals. If you’re passionate about preserving our night skies, we need your help! Presenter: Soll Sussman.
San Marcos Discovery Center – Project 405: Support the community by maintaining native plant beds, planting and caring for trees, and removing invasive species. Volunteers can also lead workshops on habitat conservation. Opportunities are available Monday through Friday.
Austin Water Quality Protection Wildlands – Project 426: Contribute to water and wildlife conservation through habitat restoration, tree planting, and invasive species removal. Volunteers also monitor wildlife and vegetation, supporting conservation education for the public.
San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance - Project 424: Help protect natural areas in San Marcos by volunteering with the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance. Opportunities include conservation, stewardship, education, and support for passive recreation in these valuable spaces. Todd Derkacz’ project, Presenter: Dick McBride.
City Nature Challenge - Project 2402: The City Nature Challenge is an annual four-day bioblitz with corresponding identification period immediately following. The Challenge takes place the last weekend of April, from Friday through Monday, via iNaturalist. Winners of the competition are recognized for the number of observations recorded, number of species recorded, and number of observers. Presenters: Carolyn Langlinais and Bobby Langlinais.
Dripping Springs Sports Park - Project 2504: Plant a pollinator garden using Texas Native Plants & Trees to attract birds, bees, bumblebees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. Provide education to the public about the importance of planting Texas Native plants and trees to promote beneficial pollinators and birds. Signage about the plants and trees will help to educate the public. Provide presentations in the park for the public to help educate them on importance of planting Texas Native plants and trees to promote beneficial pollinators and birds and once established require less water. This process will take time to plant all of the necessary plants and trees. This project will include maintenance of the pollinator gardens and trees which will include watering, weeding, mulching, adding compost as needed, and adding fencing around the trees to protect from the deer. Presenter: Susan Sellers.
Bamberger Ranch - Project 412: Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve is a 5,500-acre ranch in Blanco County that has been restored to its original state. Our mission is to teach ethical land stewardship by example and outreach. Presenters: Stephen Harrell and Patty Harrell.
Patsy Glenn Refuge Wimberley - Project 418: PGR is a 1.8 acre haven for local and migratory birds, other wildlife, insects and native plants located in Wimberley. Activities include habitat development, trail maintenance, erosion control, invasive species control, planting and seeding native plants, preserving the natural habitat and educational outreach. The site also hosts the annual Feeder Watch and other recognized birding activities. Help us develop wildlife habitats, build trails, and engage in educational outreach at Wimberley’s birding center. Your volunteer efforts will help maintain a sanctuary for birds and a learning space for the community.
Cypress Creek Nature Preserve - Project 410: CCNP is 7.24 acres of pristine, protected riparian area located in Wimberley. The trail system follows the Cypress Creek and connects with Blue Hole Park. All work projects are focused on the protection of this delicate area. Activities include invasive species control, planting and seeding native plants, trail maintenance, erosion control, preserving the natural habitat and educational outreach. Presenters: Don Locke and Pat Egan.
HELM Team Field Demonstration
The Habitat Enhancing Land Management (HELM) Team: Back row (L-R): DeAnna Creighton, Christine Middleton (Project Coordinator), and Deborah Bradshaw. Front row (L-R): Dick McBride, Doray Lendacky, and Cathy Ramsey.
The Habitat Enhancing Land Management (HELM) Team sponsored an in depth field demonstration during the Project Fair and 2026 Spring Reunion. HELM Project Coordinator Chris Middleton kicked off the field walkthrough, describing how HELM engages each landowner by exploring their goals for their HELM site visit.
HELM Project Coordinator Christine Middleton kicks off the walk.
The HELM Team broke out into four smaller groups to explore the Beerburg property and to talk about topics that would be covered during a typical HELM visit.
Each group was led by one of the HELM team members: Chris Middleton, Doray Lendacky, DeAnna Creighton, and Cathy Ramsey each led one of the four smaller groups.
Each group ended at the Beerburg Beer Garden, where HCMN Kiran Topiwala and Emily Dart have been working with the landowner to improve their property.
Emily Dart described the field work that she and Kiran Topiwala are doing on the Beerburg Brewery property, which is exemplary of the things that HELM recommends for landowners during a HELM site visit.
Photos courtesy Tom Hausler, Christine Middleton, and Betsy Cross