Texas Nature Expo

The Texas Nature Expo aims to deepen the connection between Texans and their natural environment. Our mission includes fostering scientific exploration, such as exploring biodiversity through guided hikes and using the iNaturalist app. We emphasize wellness with workshops discussing our intrinsic link to nature and showcasing the grounding, therapeutic effects of being outdoors. Additionally, we focus on the practical functionality of gardening with rainwater collection techniques and Korean Natural Farming methods, promoting sustainable living practices.

Early Bird Tickets available NOW!

Speakers and Workshop Hosts

Caleb Hinojos

At the Expo, Caleb plans to document as many species as possible on the property, discussing their connections, importance in nature, and the significance of biodiversity. Don't miss his Sunday morning talk on his discoveries on the property and join his four hikes throughout the weekend to gather and document specimens.

Michael A. Smith

Practicing Mindfulness in Nature

Michael Smith is a retired Psychological Associate, writer, and naturalist. He has written three books; two of them on the subject of herpetology and natural history and the third on the practice of mindfulness in various natural places in the state of Texas. He also writes at Our Lives in Nature (https://livesinnature.com) and for Green Source DFW (https://greensourcedfw.org).

His books are: Herping Texas: The Quest for Reptiles and Amphibians (coauthored with Clint King); The Wild Lives of Reptiles and Amphibians: A Young Herpetologist’s Guide; and Mindfulness in Texas Nature. All three are published by Texas A&M University Press.

Jessica Lombard

Charting the Stars

Hello! My name is Ranger Jenna! I've been a ranger at Purtis Creek State Park for nearly a year and a half. I lead programs like arts and crafts, guided hikes, fishing lessons, exploring the night sky, nature journaling, and more! I am excited to come out and make some connections with our Athens community!

Jessica Lewis

Breath•Body•Sound (yoga/breathwork)

Jessica is a body worker of over 16 years, yoga teacher, singer, and breathwork facilitator, combing practices to harness the healing power of the breath and connect to the innate wisdom of the body through movement, breathwork, and sound healing to regulate the nervous system and encourage holistic healing.

Coy LeBron Poitier

Urban 2 Nature

Coy LeBron Poitier, a distinguished leader and advocate based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, is dedicated to empowering individuals and fostering community development. His expertise extends across diverse sectors, reflecting a commitment to service and impactful change.

* Agricultural Leadership: As former Chairman of the USDA Farm Service Agency's Dallas Urban County Committee, Mr. Poitier championed innovative agricultural practices in urban environments. His election in 2024 as the Southwest Area Director for the National Association of Farmer Elected Committees (NAFEC) underscores his commitment to advocating for policies that support farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.

* Civic and Historical Stewardship: Mr. Poitier serves on the Dallas County Historical Commission, contributing to the preservation and interpretation of local history. His previous civic engagement includes appointments to the Mayor's Task Force on Confederate Monuments and the South Dallas Fair Park Trust Fund Board, demonstrating a dedication to addressing complex community issues.

* Heritage and Outreach: Since August 2024, Mr. Poitier has served as the Buffalo Soldiers Heritage and Outreach Program Coordinator for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, furthering the agency's mission to connect diverse audiences with natural and cultural resources.

Mr. Poitier's professional trajectory is characterized by a commitment to fostering positive change and building strong, resilient communities.

Brooke Poplin

Harris's Hawks in South Texas: Past, Present, and Future

Brooke Poplin is a graduate student from the University of North Texas pursuing her Biology M.S. For her master’s thesis, she is studying the social behavior of Harris’s Hawks in the Rio Grande Valley using VHF radio transmitters in conjunction with direct behavioral observations. Brooke has been interested in ornithology since her early undergrad days as she became involved with multiple avian research projects in north Texas. Perhaps, the most exciting were studies on the behavior of the American Kestrel and breeding ecology of the Painted Bunting. Her ultimate career goal is to pursue a career as a raptor biologist, one day becoming a professor to help inspire diversity in the world of ecology.

Tim Brys

Local Texas Fossils and reading Wylie Finds a Dinosaur

Tim Brys works for the Perot Museum of Nature and Science as the Community Engagement Collections Manager. He spends his work hours showing the DFW community the amazing wonders found in nature. He spends his free time exploring nature and doing readings of Wylie Finds a Dinosaur. The book is about the true story of his 4-year-old son finding fossils of an unknown dinosaur species near their home in Texas and the process that the bones go through in order to be named.

Liam Plybon

Dark Sky Health Science

Liam Plybon is currently an honors physics and astronomy teacher at Longview High School in Longview, Texas. Prior to his time in the academic system, Liam worked as an engineer at Astro-Physics Inc., designing and manufacturing astronomical equipment. When not working, Liam performs free astronomical outreach events in East Texas, showing the night sky to those who have never seen it before. Liam’s current research investigates super-resolution optics for amateur astronomers, and how color vision impairment may have affected early astronomers. Liam Plybon graduated with a degree in Physics from Texas A&M University, College Station in 2019, with a minor in Astrophysics and an award for commitment to service.

Melissa Walker

Storm Water Pollution and Water Quality

City of Arlington Stormwater Education Specialist and North Texas Master Natuarlist

Sharon Kilpatrick

Bees and Beyond: Discovering the Vital Role of Pollinators

Sharon Kilpatrick Sharon is a Texas Master Gardener and beekeeper. She lives on her homestead, Singing Goose Farm, where she applies her extensive knowledge and passion for gardening and beekeeping.

Susie Stillwell

Native Flower Pressing

Susie is an experienced educator with over 12 years in children's education. She is a Texas Master Naturalist, bringing a wealth of knowledge and passion for nature to the Learning Gardens. Susie is the President of the Learning Gardens non profit.

Austin Walsh

Korean Natural Farming

Farmer Austin is a farmer at the Learning Gardens with a passion for experimental gardening and implementing various permaculture techniques. Since 2015, he has been actively involved in garden education, sharing his expertise and enthusiasm with others. Austin is the lead on structure development at the Learning Gardens and leads the hikes in our forest class, guiding students through their exploration of nature.

Claire Howell

Growing + Using Herbs in North Texas

Claire Howell is the owner of Balcony Box, a regenerative gardening small business based in Dallas that empowers individuals to grow their own food, incorporate native plants, and cultivate medicinal herbs—no matter the size of their space. As a volunteer, Claire also runs a Creation Care ministry through her church and is the director of Eagle Ford Community Garden in West Dallas. All of these endeavors are efforts to support the healing of the land and community through caring for creation.

As a gardener, herbalist, Master Naturalist, and Master Gardener, Claire brings a deep understanding of sustainable growing practices and ecological stewardship to her work. She is committed building community and reconnecting people to the land and their food by promoting biodiversity, soil health, and sustainable living through education, hands-on workshops, and community outreach.

Julie Fineman

Reimagine Forgotten Historic Cemeteries As Wildlife Sanctuaries to Honor Ancestors and Nature

President, Friends of the Warren Ferris Cemetery, 501C3

Founder, Constellation of Living Memorials

Member, Urban Land Institute Community Development Council

After 30 years as an award-winning Hollywood photographer, Julie’s photographic legacy is now housed in the permanent collection of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Library. Subsequently, she re-envisioned her life’s focus through a year’s internship on an organic farm in upstate New York. She now advocates for wildlife conservation through multiple programs that she has developed. Since moving to Dallas in 2017, Julie has studied the native ecosystems of Texas and the native plants that thrive in the Blackland Prairie environment. In 2019, she became a master gardener and Texas Master Naturalist, awakening her to the importance of Blackland Prairie restoration. That awareness became the foundation for restoring the neglected historic Warren Ferris family cemetery in Dallas’ Forest Hills neighborhood. Julie has guided the rewilding of the cemetery's landscape, organizing volunteers to clear invasive species, plant indigenous species, and expand biodiversity. To sustain this work, Julie formed The Friends of the Warren Ferris Cemetery, a 501c3, garnering public & private support and expanding outreach. She produced a 7-part documentary on Warren Ferris and the re-establishment of a native wildlife habitat within Dallas, which was donated to the Dallas County Public Library System. The FWFC has partnered with the Dallas Pioneers Association, the Texas Conservation Alliance, the Dallas Discovery Gardens, the North Texas Master Gardeners Association, and the Native Plant Society of Texas. After fi ve years, the result of the cemetery is a peaceful, contemplative setting, rekindling the neighborhood's appreciation of its historic past, restoring biodiversity, and honoring the pioneers buried there. FWFC has earned a Preservation Dallas Achievement Award and is designated as a Certififed Wildlife Habitat and Monarch Waystation. Julie’s new initiatives for the FWFC include the Constellation of Living Memorials Program, which guides other neglected cemeteries in Indigenous landscape restoration and cultural archeological research.

Jacquelyn Riney

Restorative Yoga /Awaken & Rise

🧘‍♀️Yoga /Breath Work practitioner

Robin Swindle

Nature Journaling

Robin Swindle is a dedicated Texas Master Naturalist with a deep passion for all things nature. Her interests encompass gardening, birding, nature journaling, mycology, and studying aquatic macroinvertebrates. Robin's commitment to the environment extends to her role on the board of the Learning Gardens, where she actively promotes environmental education and sustainable practices.

Ben Boozer

Hydroponic Gardening

Share your passion for nature at the Texas Nature Expo! We're seeking experts to lead hikes or give talks on topics like biodiversity, citizen science, and more. Join us in inspiring and educating our community. Click here to fill out the form and we will get back to you!

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