Habitat Improvement Practices for the Houston Toad The Lost Pines covers an estimated area of about 124,000 acres, of which most is in Bastrop County. Lost Pines of Bastrop County
Bastrop SP Buescher SP
Pine Hardwood Forest
Bastrop State Park 6,500 acres
Hwy 21 Backcountry – currently closed to public
Hwy 71 BSP Management Strategies
• Prescribed Fire Program • Provide compatible recreation opportunities • Interpretive Programming • Assist with census/breeding surveys • Assist Texas State University, Houston Zoo, Environment Defense Fund and US Fish & Wildlife with Head-start Program Bastrop State Park Prescribed Burn Units Use of hand lines Low to moderate intensity ignition strategies
Smoke Management Highway 21 Entering Bastrop on Hwy 21/71 December Burn April of following year Two weeks after burn Two weeks after burn 6 months after burn 10 months after burn Planting Pine Trees Pine Trees pre-drought
This area is temporarily CLOSED to public use: • Bastrop State Park Lake • Lakeshore • Lake Picnic Area
The Houston Toad needs your help! During breeding, the toad is in danger of being trampled or disturbed both on land and in water. Please help us protect this Endangered Species by staying out of closed areas. Typical breeding pond Male & Female Houston Toads in Amplexus Male Gulf Coast & Female Houston in Amplexus Locate & mark egg strands after breeding TSU & Houston Zoo collect ½ strand for Headstart Eggs ready for transport Young HT toadlet Media event for release Young toadlets ready for release Releasing young toads Rainfall for 2009
Jan - .29” July - .19” Feb - 1.21” Aug -2.81” March - 2.64” Sept - 6.90” April - 4.11” Oct - 11.00” May - 2.12” Nov - 4.40” June - .27” Dec - 3.44” Total for 2009 – 39.38” Best chance in a long time for Houston Toads! Todd McClanahan 512-321-1673 [email protected]