Nature Reflections

Texas Master Naturalists,

A small victim of this current quarantine and shelter in place is the missed opportunities of spring. So many of our Master Naturalist volunteer service projects literally take bloom during these spring months each year – we have a new crop of trainees joining in some chapters, plant sales and plantings of native butterfly gardens, youth education programs as Texas students cycle into earth sciences in the spring, bird and butterfly migrations, and so much more that isn’t able to happen in its traditional form right now!

With this time of anxiety and thoughts of those things missed – we also have the chance to pause and consider our connections to our natural resources a bit deeper. We take stock in the lessons learned from the Master Naturalist Program, the fascination with life in bloom, the connections to green spaces as a form of relaxation or health, the stewardship of those spaces for the enjoyment of others whose stress is greater than ours. Another thought – typically in the spring the Master Naturalist program is a flurry of events, programs, workshops and travel. With this extra pause we’ve each been given – have you taken a chance to look closer? To study the small things in your backyard, in your local park or just outside your window?

To that end, I would like as many of you as possible to respond to this statement: “In this unprecedented moment of pandemic, reflect upon what nature means to you and what benefits it provides you, especially in times like these.”

Capital Area Master Naturalists Bird Identification

Heartwood Chapter TMN member sketching and journaling about nature during walk on foraging in Texas — Capital Area Master Naturalists Bird Identification

Here are the ground rules:

Record your thoughts in a video on your phone or tablet, laptop or computer webcam. This is a video diary project that will be shared on the Texas Master Naturalist website for people to see, enjoy, relate to, and maybe even take comfort in.
On the video, please tell us your name, chapter and what city you live in. If you don’t feel comfortable including your name, chapter and/or city, you do not have to.
Feel free to wear your TMN name badge, shirt or swag!
Please keep your recordings to no longer than up 1 minute if at all possible. Generally, I won’t be editing your video for content, and short videos are viewed much more than long videos.
If you’d rather write your thoughts and reflections rather than recording a video, feel free to share those words with us below.
Follow all locally mandated health requirements and recommendations. Your backyard, kitchen table or living room is just fine. While it might be tempting to take your thoughts to your favorite trail or natural area, please stay safe and abide by these health and safety restrictions.
Please record and upload your video by Friday, May 15th using the form below.
Please remember: This doesn’t have to be a polished video – no one expects you to produce a professional-quality video. You don’t need a script, unless you want to write your thoughts down. Just speak from your heart.
And you can earn a little bit of Volunteer Service Hour credit logged under Chapter Admin – limit to .5 hours please at maximum.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know. While this is a video exercise, if you would rather share your written thoughts, a meaningful poem or quote relevant to this task, and/or a nature photo you took, please share those as well!

Again, stay safe and healthy, and thank you for your participation in this exercise! It’ll be so nice to hear your voices at this moment in time!

NOTE – If you have any issues with uploading your submission, please send Mary Pearl an email – mpmeuth@tamu.edu

Nature Reflections Video Submissions

Through this form, please submit your video release form and your short video reflecting on what Nature means to you during this time of pandemic.

Name*
First Last
Email*
Chapter*
Nature Reflections Video
Accepted file types: mp4, m4v, mov, m-jpeg.
Please keep your recordings to 1 minute if at all possible.
If you'd prefer to submit your Nature Reflections in writing rather than in video form, please submit here.
Consent*
I agree to the appearance release.
1. The Participant consents to the use by the Texas Master Naturalist Program (TMN) and assigns and grants to the TMN Program the irrevocable and unconditional power, right, privilege and permission to make, record, produce, edit, modify, reproduce, exhibit, distribute, publish, publicly or privately display, publicly or privately perform, create derivative works, and transmit by the means of still photography, live or recorded broadcast, cablecast, webcast, or Internet streaming, broadband, wireless, mobile, film, videotape, or any other similar mechanical or electronic method (whether now known or invented later) the Participant’s performance, contribution, appearance, name, voice, picture, likeness, poses, actions and any combination of any of these (the “Appearance”) in
connection with the Nature Reflections Project which is generally for the purposes of education, instruction, research, publicity, advertising, and promotion in connection with the Project. Participant also waives any moral or similar rights Participant may have in the Project relating to the Appearance.
2. Participant understands that the TMN Program shall have the absolute power and right to copyright the recorded production (and the TMN Program shall be the owner of such copyright), in whole or in part, of the Project involving Participant and the Appearance and that such recorded production may be subsequently used, in whole or in part (including but not limited to any still recordings, images, or screen shots) for any purpose, including but not limited to the purposes described above at any time and from time to time hereafter throughout the world.
3. Participant also understands that there is no
compensation or other consideration for appearance or participation in the Project, or for the grant of rights described in this document and that the opportunity to potentially appear in the recorded production related to the Project is sufficient consideration received for this Appearance Release.
4. Participant releases and discharges System Member, The Texas A&M University System and/or any affiliated
organization, and their respective, regents, officers, employees, agents, and representatives from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, or liabilities arising out of or in connection with the Appearance or the making, producing, reproducing, processing, exhibiting, distributing, publishing, transmitting by any means described above or otherwise using the recorded production relating to the Project or the Appearance (e.g., violation of privacy rights; rights of publicity; false light; libel, slander, or disparagement; or copyright or trademark infringement).
5. Participant represents and warrants that Participant has not granted any similar rights to any third party that would conflict with the rights granted to System Member in this Appearance Release. Participant certifies and warrants that Participant is of legal age, has full power, right and authority to enter into this consent and release, has read same in its entirety, understands all of its terms and provisions, and voluntarily and knowingly executes this Appearance Release.
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Master Naturalist Group down the Rabbit Hole John Bunker Sands

Dick Benoit Master Naturalist — Master Naturalist Group down the Rabbit Hole John Bunker Sands

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Nature Reflections – Join Us! says:

May 1, 2020 at 3:40 pm

[…] bit of Volunteer Service Hour credit logged under Chapter Admin – limit to .5 hours please. https://txmn.tamu.edu/nature-reflections/ If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know. While this is a video exercise, if you […]
Nature Reflections: A TMN Video Diary Project | Heartwood Chapter says:

May 2, 2020 at 4:33 pm

[…] https://txmn.tamu.edu/nature-reflections/ […]
Blackland Prairie Master Naturalists says:

May 4, 2020 at 11:25 am

[…] Nature Reflections […]

Nature Reflections Video Submissions

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Texas Master Naturalist Program Office