Nature Speaker Series

The McAllen Great Outdoors Nature Speaker Series is designed to be both education and inspirational. A wide range of speakers and programs are featured from October 2011 to April 2012. Subjects will range from organic cooking, painting in nature, designing a wildscape in your backyard, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies, book signings and so much more!

The winter to spring speaker series is in partnership with the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and Texas Nature and Environmental Photographers (TexNEP).

We'd like to thank our sponsor, Thurmond Eye Associates, for supporting environmental education!

Thanks for a Great Year!! See you in the Fall of 2012!!

2011-2012 Season

Regular Schedule & Fees
Date:	Thursday Evenings (October through April)
Time:	6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Fee:	Included in General Admission $2.00 Adults,$1.00 Seniors (65+)

<caption>Regular Schedule & Fees</caption>

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<td>Thursday Evenings (October through April)</td>

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<td>Included in General Admission<br />

$2.00 Adults,$1.00 Seniors (65+)</td>

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October 13 Presentation and Screening of the acclaimed 60 minute documentary film “Where Do the Children Play” Martin Hagne, Executive Director of the Valley Nature Center, will discuss the special Texas State Mandate called “Texas Children in Nature”
October 20 Wildscaping with Native Plants Mike Heep
October 27 Hummingbirds Everywhere! Mary Gustafson
November 3 The Art of the Animal Kingdom Exhibit & Hands-on Class with artists Delvis Cortez and Xavi Castillo
November 10 Leading the Way: McAllen's First 100 Years Eileen Mattei, Author and Book Signing
November 17 The Next New Bird- Which Rarity Will Appear in the Valley? Roy Rodriguez, Park Naturalist, Bentsen State Park
December 1 Homemade Holiday Nature Crafts Fun evening making Santa Rocks, Cone Feeders & Palm Antlers
December 8 Historic Ranches of South Texas Richard Moore, President, Valley Nature Films documentary
December 15 Concert in the Park “From Texas for a Christmas Night” Tish Hinojosa, Acclaimed Folk & Latin Artist
January 5 Create Sensational Pots and Plantings Ouina Rutledge, Program Coordinator, Office for Sustainability, UTPA
January 12 Celebrate a Texas Poet Laureate’s Journey Jan Seale, Author of Poetry Volumes and Books
January 19 Nature in Chinese Culture Program & Exhibit Pu Chen, Biologist and Photographer
January 26 Birding “Texas Style” –Voice & Visual ID Tips Luciano Guerra, Valley Photographer and Bird Enthusiast
February 2 2 Survival in the Brushlands Arturo Longoria, Author “Adios to the Brushlands”
February 9 Meet “Jason & Marcia,” the Renaissance Couple Presented by the Seale and Gause Families-Music, Poetry & History
February 16 Ten Best Trees to Plant in Your Backyard Assalia Belmares, Supervisor at Quinta Mazatlan
February 23 Butterfly Gardening for the Rio Grande Valley Gil Quintanilla, Butterfly Enthusiast & Photographer
March 1 Want Hummers in Your Backyard? Mark Klym with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Author of “Hummingbirds of Texas”
March 8 Nature in Motion-Using Shutter Speeds on Action Shots! Larry Ditto, Acclaimed Wildlife Photographer
March 15 Appreciating Plants through Botanical Illustration - for Science and Aesthetics Sue Sill, Career in Botanical Gardening
March 22 Fundraiser for Quinta Mazatlan “Moon over Mazatlan” Purchase Tickets in Advance for Private Event
March 29 Birds in Your Backyard Cliff Shackelford, Nongame Ornithologist for TPWD
April 5 Starting a Herb Garden Debbie Cox, Perennial Favorites at the Farmer’s Market
April 12 Cook Local! Drink Local! With Chef James from Alhambra! Taste the Valley’s best-cooking with locally grown foods!
April 19 Bringing Birds to Your Backyard Christine Williams, Supervisor at Quinta Mazatlan
April 26 Exhibit Opening Reception Mars Woodhill, artist