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 2025 Virtual Birding SeminarsSpring 2025: March 4th @ 5:30 p.m. – Bird Behavior
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The funds raised through our virtual birding seminars support our youth program,
Rio Diablo Birding Camp.
Questions? Please email agrilife.birding@gmail.com.
If you are a Texas Master Naturalist, our educational seminars, birding trips, and some special events may count for Advanced Training! TMN AT Request Forms will be downloadable for all 2025 Virtual Birding Seminars.
Spring Virtual Behavior Seminar: Behavior – TMN AT Request Info – 2025
Waterfowl Week – TMN AT Request Info – 2025
Birding Backyard – TMN AT Request Info – Fall 2025
Backyard Bird Paradise
Wednesday , November 19th & Thursday, November 20th
Each day 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Registration Fee: $25.00
Wednesday – November 19, 2025
5:30 p.m. – Bring on the Birds!
Haeley Giambalvo – Native Plant Influencer and Author
Presentation Summary
Bring your yard to life with bird activity by landscaping with native plants! This presentation will explore how our native Texas plants provide the food, shelter, and nesting sites that birds need to thrive. You’ll discover how native plants not only produce seeds and berries for birds, but also attract the insects that are a critical food source for many species. Learn which plants attract different birds, how to create a bird-friendly habitat year-round, and simple design tips to transform your yard into the most popular one on the block for birds!
Biography
Haeley Giambalvo serves as the VP Communications for the Native Plant Society of Texas. She has been a native plant enthusiast ever since becoming a Texas Master Naturalist in 2019. A professional blogger and online content creator for the past decade, Haeley launched NativeBackyards.com in 2020 to encourage people to help the Earth from their own yards by growing native plants. Over the last five years, Haeley has transformed her San Antonio backyard with Texas native plants and turned it into a haven for butterflies, bees, and birds while helping thousands of native plant newbies make small but impactful changes to their own yards. Her books Native Plant Gardening for Beginners and My Garden Nature Journal are available on Amazon. Haeley has a degree in Marketing from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She lives in San Antonio with her husband and two teenage daughters.
6:30 p.m. – Growing Plants from the Ground Up
Beth McMahon – Horticulture Agent, Gillespie County
Presentation Summary
Have you ever wanted to have a green thumb so you can grow your own bird attracting plants? Keeping plants alive can seem like a daunting task, but doesn’t have to be. AgriLife Extension Agent Beth McMahon will talk on the basics of plant care, establishing plant beds and general plant maintenance.
Biography
Elizabeth “Beth” McMahon graduated from Texas A&M University in December 2010 with a double major in Rangeland Ecology and Management and Horticulture. She interned at the Grand Canyon National Park from February 2011 to July 2011 as one of their native plant nursery interns. Following this she was accepted into Oklahoma State University, where she got her Master of Science working on propagation efforts of the Chickasaw Plum. She joined AgriLife Extension first by working as a research assistant at the AgriLife Extension Viticulture and Fruit Lab, before transferring to the Brazoria County Horticulture Extension Agent position in January 2015. She moved to the Gillespie County Horticulture Extension Agent position in late July 2016 and works there currently, leading home and commercial horticulture programs, as well as coaching the local 4-H Range & Plant ID team. In her spare time she enjoys cooking and gardening.
Thursday – November 20, 2025
5:30 p.m. – Designing Home Landscapes from a Bird’s Eye Perspective
Dr. Michael Arnold – Professor of Landscape Horticulture and Director of The Gardens at Texas A&M University
Presentation Summary
This presentation will focus on discussions of design elements useful in attracting birds to home landscapes. Emphasis will include plantings and hardscapes that support critical habitat requirements for various types of birds. We will explore plant selections and site considerations to provide necessary water, food resources, shelter and nesting locations and materials throughout the year. Suggestions for designing to enhance viewing of birds will also be discussed.
Biography
Dr. Michael Arnold is a Professor of Landscape Horticulture and Director of The Gardens at Texas A&M University. Dr. Arnold has been involved in teaching, research, and outreach related to landscape plant production, establishment, and utilization for over 40 years. He has authored over a 100 peer-reviewed research papers, hundreds of scientific and industry presentations, four landscape plant materials texts, and numerous popular press articles. Dr. Arnold has taught thousands of undergraduate students and served on a 125 graduate student’s committees, 25 as chair or co-chair. Dr. Arnold was director of the former TAMU Horticulture Garden and since 2020 has served as the Director of The Gardens at Texas A&M University. He has been awarded national, regional, and university awards for teaching, research, and extension/service activities. He is a Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science, past president of both the American Society for Horticultural Science and the Southern Region of ASHS, and is a former chair of the Board of Directors of ASHS.
6:30 p.m. – Creating a Feeding Station to Enhance you Birdy Backyard
Liz Tidwell – Small Acreage Program Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Presentation Summary
Join Liz as she shares how to set up a backyard feeding station designed to attract your favorite birds. She’ll cover how to choose the right feeders and foods, and why it’s important to adjust what you offer throughout the year to meet the seasonal needs of different species. Learn practical tips to make your backyard a welcoming habitat for feathered visitors while enhancing your own birding experience.
Biography
Liz Tidwell, a Wildlife Program Specialist at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the birding community. Originally hailing from Pennsylvania, Liz pursued her academic interests with a B.S. from the University of Wyoming and an M.S. from Sul Ross State University, where she conducted extensive research on Montezuma quail in New Mexico. Her dedication to avian studies is matched by her commitment to empowering small acreage landowners through resource management programs. While her love for birds is undeniable, Liz also has a special affection for javelinas, fondly nicknamed “potatoes,” which never fail to delight her.