OCTOBER 23, 2024 www.wintertexantimes.com 12 WINTER TEXAN TIMES (956)566-1157 ment; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and U.S. Department of Agriculture. The training provides an educational foundation about the unique ecology of the lower Rio Grande Valley given by teachers who are local experts highly rated by past trainees. Classes are Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m., from January 9 through March 27 in Pharr. Half of the field trips will be on Saturdays. They include visits to natural areas, state parks, national wildlife areas, and world birding centers. There will be approximately 23 hours of field trips to choose from. Registration open for Texas Master Naturalist training program Registration is open to join the 2025 South Texas Border Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist training class. Training will be in-person. Cameron, Hidalgo, and Starr County residents over the age of 18 and Winter Texans are welcome. As a chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist Program, the group develops well-informed volunteers to educate, outreach, and serve in the beneficial management of natural resources and areas in the Rio Grande Valley. Texas Master Naturalist is a unique educational volunteer program sponsored by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Sea Grant Program, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “Texas Master Naturalist chapters are made up of volunteers with diverse interests who are involved in myriad activities to learn about, work with, and help educate others about the special land in which we live,” said Tony Reisinger, Cameron County Extension Agent for Coastal & Marine Resources with Texas Sea Grant at Texas A&M University and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. “When nature is left to itself, a unique ecosystem develops – after hundreds of years. Today, that unique ecosystem is what Texas Master Naturalists learn about and help sustain: the Rio Grande Valley’s native habitat and the critters that depend on it.” Classes are taught by local university professors, and other field experts, including those from the Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartSouth Texas Border Chapter Texas Master Naturalist members maintain gardens they have developed as chapter projects. Photo courtesy of Becky Jones. Local community will walk to help defeat ALS® On October 26, people living with ALS, family members, friends, caregivers, and others affected by ALS will gather at Bannworth Park Pavilion for the 2024 Walk to Defeat ALS Rio Grande Valley. ALS, often called Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It gradually robs people of the ability to walk, move, talk, swallow, and eventually breathe. ALS has no known cause or cure, and the community is coming together to make ALS livable for everyone, everywhere. Hundreds of people will rally together at Walk to Defeat ALS® to fuel the mission and support people living with ALS in the region. Many who participate have a loved one who is battling ALS while others walk in memory of a loved one who has lost their fight. Some participate simply because they believe in the power of community and want to make a difference for those impacted by ALS. “Our Walk to Defeat ALS events bring the ALS community together, providing hope and inspiration for those impacted by ALS. Thanks to your generosity and support, we can fund global research, nationwide advocacy efforts, and local care services. All of these efforts are critical to making ALS livable until we can find a cure.” said Calaneet Balas, president and CEO of the ALS Association. With only two to five years to live, individuals living with ALS have an urgent need, and the community is stepping in to fill it by participating for those who cannot. Walk to Defeat ALS® is the ALS Association’s signature event and See ALS pg. 17 See NATURALIST pg. 17
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