Alamo Area Chapter News June 2017 txmn.org/alamo
Events, Volunteer Opportunities, Education, and Training Volume 21, Issue 6
President’s Message AAMN Board Meeting June 13 at 5:30 pm Hi, Friends, AgriLife Extension 3355 Cherry Ridge Another busy month for AAMNs!! Classroom 208 Graduation was held May 6th at the lovely SARA headquarters!! We got General Meeting 7 pm (AT) to meet our new point of contact, Michael Grambley, and we kept him quite busy throughout the day. Many thanks to Michael, Donald Ewers, Greg Harman will and Lee Marlowe who were all so gracious and helpful. Thanks also discuss Standing Rock to Hospitality Director Camille Gong as well as Sharon Kilmer, Karen and the new climate Cabral, Patti Hass, Pam DeRoche, Martha Steele, Keeley Porter, and Em- justice movements ily Hawthorne for all of their hard work in organizing, setting up, serving, and clean-up of the outstanding meal provided by Class 40!! Last but cer- tainly not least, hats off to the entire training committee for an outstanding Officers and well organized event. President Martha Cray As I’ve been mentioning, we will be celebrating our 20th Anniversary this [email protected] year! Mark your calendars now for Sunday, November 5, 2017!! Keeley will have information to follow but the date has been set. (Rain date-No- Vice-President vember 12, 2017) Our location is still Joshua Springs Park and Preserve Aubrey George (kendallcountyparks.org/parks/joshua-springs-park-and-preserve-jspp), [email protected] and according to the committee that visited prior to finalizing the decision, it is an excellent choice for this event. Treasurer Nancy Thoss Another event that you should really put on your calendar is the AAMN nancy4gardens@gmail. ice cream social which will be held July 11, 2017, after the board meeting/ com before the general meeting. There will be more details to follow--look for an email blast from Pam Ball. If you are coming, please RSVP to Camille Secretary Gong at [email protected]. This should be a fun summertime Ron Tullius activity, so please make plans to attend. [email protected] One last request, if you find a volunteer activity and you really enjoy Immediate Past President it--consider writing an article for this newsletter and maybe even include a Liz Robbins few pictures. This will help other MNs learn of new opportunities. [email protected] Have a wonderful summer and Happy Volunteering! Committees Pins and Awards State Representative Stan Drezek Initial Dragonfly [email protected] Mac Everett – 38 Patricia Hallmark – 40 Peter Joseph Hernandez – 40 Activities Information Suzanne Irvin – 39 Pam Ball, Director Dan Jansen – 38 [email protected] Raymond Kinsel – 40 Patricia Lozano – 40 Community Outreach Mary MacGran – 40 Charles Mims – 40 Jessica Rupke, Director Cathi Petterson – 40 [email protected] Jessica Rupke – 39 Sandra Stacy – 39 Historian/Archivist Brent Wiles – 40 Keeley Porter Pamela Wilson – 39 Alec Wyatt – 40 [email protected] Joseph Yglesias – 40 Hospitality 2017 Recertification – Ridley Sea Turtle Camille Gong, Director Theresa Butler – 38 Julie Croisant – 30 [email protected] Donald Ewers – 31 Heather Ferguson – 38 Membership Bernice Gonzalez – 30 Nancy Thoss, Director Sherri Green – 38 [email protected] Jean Hackett – 37 Patricia Hallmark – 40 Cheryl Hamilton – 21 Media & Technology Peter Joseph Hernandez – 40 Evelyn Penrod, Director Melba Jacobson – 3 [email protected] Dan Jansen – 38 Sharon Johnson – 32 Raymond Kinsel – 40 Web Carolyn Lang – 36 Pat Symchych Cathy Marciniak – 39 [email protected] Susan McDevitt – 31 Newsletter Pam McMillie – 38 Cristina Gonzalez George Ozuna – 35 Keeley Porter – 30 [email protected] Catherine Rose – 22 Calendar Martha Steele – 38 Frank Ballard Julie Strepek – 37 [email protected] Olivia Tapia – 33 April Thomason – 35 Wendy Thornton – 21 Programs Priscilla Williams – 34 Penelope Boyer, Director [email protected] 250 Hours Dragonfly Raquel Barba-Garza – 31 Camille Gong – 31 Education and Training Joe Gonzales – 38 Jeanette Geiman, Director Donald Kolle – 37 [email protected] Carolyn Lang – 36 Joan Miller – 13 New Class Representatives Julie Strepek – 37 Joe Gonzales 500 Hours Dragonfly [email protected] Jeanne Bodine – T Freya McGregor Hal Manzke – 34 [email protected] 1000 Hours Dragonfly Alan Kuentz – 27 John Wolcott – 24 Class Representatives Class Representatives
Class 25 Class 33 Ron Tullius VACANT 210-739-2566 [email protected] Class 34 Chuck Saxer Class 26 [email protected] Dwight Henderson [email protected] Class 35 Billie Murrell April Thomason [email protected] [email protected]
Class 27 Class 36 Evelyn Penrod VACANT [email protected] Class 37 Class 28 Debra Haynes VACANT [email protected] Martha Cray Class 29 [email protected] Tom Brotherman [email protected] Class 38 Joe Gonzales Class 30 [email protected] Randy Baker [email protected] Class 39 Alba De Leon Freya McGregor [email protected] [email protected] Jessica Rupke Class 31 [email protected] Camille Gong [email protected] Class 40 Karen Stevenson Class 32 [email protected] Matthew Carley Shelly Abbott [email protected] [email protected]
Sandra Burge, Class #40, captured this busy scene of the rookery at Brackenridge Park in April 2017. Thanks, Sandra, for your submission!
Do you also have a picture you’d like to share with other Master Naturalists? Send them to your friendly newsletter editor at [email protected] for inclusion in the next newsletter. San Antonio Parks and Recreation Natural Areas Stewardship Activities
Ecosystem: A system that includes all living organisms (biotic factors) in an area as well as its physical environment (abiotic factors) functioning together as a unit. An ecosystem is made up of plants, animals, microorganisms, soil, rocks, minerals, water sources and the local atmosphere interacting with one another. The term ecosystem was coined in 1930 by Roy Clapham (http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/ Ecosystem).
Among the more prominent members of the local northwest San Antonio ecosystem are limestone, golden- cheeked warblers, Ashe juniper (commonly called cedar), monarch butterflies, bluebonnets, and the Edwards aquifer. Some of our local ecosystem members are here year round, others only seasonally.
Although with enough time and resources, it may be possible to identify many of the individual members of an ecosystem, the relationships among those members are often much more difficult to discern. For example, who would have guessed that all known populations of the bracted twistflower occur within 1 kilometer of the Balcones Fault Zone?
Moreover, it is difficult to predict the impact of the loss of one ecosystem member on the whole system. For example, consider oak wilt and the potential it has for significantly changing our local ecosystem.Try to imagine San Antonio without live oaks. Visualize not just the loss of the trees themselves, but also the plants that live beneath them, the birds that nest in them, even the soil around them.
The great thing about ecosystem focused management is that it benefits more than one species. For example, savanna restoration benefits monarchs (as well as other butterflies), birds, herps, grasses, forbs, insects, water quality and quantity, and more!
Come join us as we do ecosystem management. In June we will work at various City of San Antonio Natural Areas in the northwest part of San Antonio. You must make a reservation for each work day by e-mailing Jayne Neal at [email protected]. Jayne will confirm your reservation and give you directions to the specific site and the designated parking area.Work sites will not typically have access to water or restrooms.
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2017, 7:30 am – 11:00 am (RM), Location to be determined. To reserve a spot, you must contact Jayne Neal, e-mail above.
Wasp Collections
Molly Keck from Texas A&M AgriLife is collecting wasps for venom removal for venom therapy. If you have at least 10 paper wasp nests with active wasps and don’t mind having them removed, please contact Molly at [email protected]. Wasps will be collected either early in the morning around dusk. Spring 2017 Training Class 40 Wrap-Up
On May 6, 39 students from AAMN’s 40th training class (and one student from class 39) completed initial training and received graduation certificates.
AAMN Spring 2017 Graduates
Of these 40, nine students graduated with initial certification and three also graduated with 2017 recertification.
Two educators from NISD’s Project Acorn were among the Class 40 graduates.
I am mighty proud of them all!
As this was my first class as director, Class 40 was a learning experience for me, as well. I feel blessed that we have an amazing training team and fabulous speakers -- because it takes a village to train a class of this size!
I would like to give special thanks to Liz Robbins, who talked me into taking this role and then helped me to get through the reality of my first term - with my sanity intact and confidence that the next one will be easier! I also would like to thank Elizabeth Krueger and Catherine Lwowski, Nancy Thoss for her tireless support with record keeping for NISD Project Acorn Educators the class, especially with VMS training and approvals. And, a million thanks to the training team and all Chapter members who assisted with classes, including many Hospitality volunteers. We simply couldn’t do it without all of you! Spring 2017 Training Class 40 Wrap-Up, continued
AAMN New Class Training Team Graduation day was perfect. San Antonio River Authority opened their beautiful headquarters to us for our final field trip, graduation and lunch. Special thanks to Lee Marlowe and Michael Gramley and SARA staff for their gracious hospitality and to Donald Ewers, our awesome SARA liaison!
Graduation day was also bittersweet. We developed many close friendships with the students and it was a little sad to realize that we wouldn’t be meeting up with them (or with our training team) on Thursday’s any longer... And, we also realized we would surely miss the awesome snacks everyone brought in each week - especially Joedy Yglesias’ fabulous cooking! But... it was time for these students to begin their journey as Alamo Area Master Naturalists... and time for the training team to take a much needed break.
Class 41 begins on August 31. We will be ready and eager to introduce another 40 students to the Texas Master Naturalist program.
– Jeanette Geiman
Michael Gramley, Lee Marlowe and Donald Ewers June Training and Volunteer Events
Bulverde Oaks Nature Preserve Monthly Public Headwaters of Incarnate Word Film Series: The Tours (AT) Unforeseen (AT) Sat, June 3, 9:00 am – 11:30 am Mon, June 5, 3:30 pm – 5:03 pm Northeast corner of Judson Road and NE Loop 1604, Christus Heritage Hall, The Village at Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX 4707 Broadway, San Antonio, TX Join Green Spaces Alliance for a nature tour on the “In the 1970’s and 80’s, Land Developer Gary 1-mile out-and-back trail to see the rescue bee hives, Bradley worked to transform Austin, Texas’ pristine bird blind, stock pond, pollinator meadow, wildlife, hill country into lucrative residential subdivisions, and sharing with you why we conserve land. Each making both headlines and lots of money…When month brings something new to see! Learn more about local residents learned of new plans to develop 4,000 Bulverde Oaks Nature Preserve here. Bring your acres over nearby Barton Creek, they rose up to stop friends and family! Please reserve your spot below– Bradley and his partners in their tracks. Whereas we limit our group sizes to 25, to ensure everyone the developers had strong connections in the Texas can participate/hear/see on the narrow trail during the legislature–and a powerful ally in eventual Governor nature tour. We offer these tours free-of-charge, to be George W. Bush–the city had an even stronger accessible for all. We sincerely appreciate your donation connection to their unspoiled home... Filmmaker to support Bulverde Oaks Nature Preserve. Contact: Tia Laura Dunn’s 2007 documentary The Unforeseen Moen | Community Outreach Manager, Green Spaces captures the drama, passion, and heartfelt convictions Alliance, [email protected], 210-222-8430 x.302 on all sides of the conflict without making easy Bulverde Oaks Nature Preserve is located at the NW targets of any of them.” PBS.org. Run time: 93 min corner of Judson Road and NE Loop 1604 — headed Monday Matinee – Films on topics of environmental north on Judson road, continue underneath Loop 1604. conservation and preservation. Contact: Pamela Ball The property will be on your left. Look for cars parked at [email protected] or 210-842-7967. on the side of the road. If you reach the gated quarry Admission is free. entrance, you’ve gone too far! Balcones Satellite of the Texas Invaders: Invasive Friedrich Park: Hike Friedrich with the Family! (AT) Plant Eradication (RM) Sat, June 3, 9 am – 11 am Tue, June 6, 8:30 am – 11:30 am Friedrich Wilderness Park, 21395 Milsa Dr, San For the month of June, we will continue eradication Antonio, TX activities at Medina River Natural Area located at Enjoy a family-friendly hike along the trails of 15890 Highway 16 South in San Antonio. No prior Friedrich Wilderness Park. Explore the flora and experience is required. Parking available in lot next fauna along Water Trail and Forest Range with Nature to staff building. If this is your first visit to Medina Preserve Officer Thomas Paine. Hike will cover River NA, please allow extra transportation time so approximately one mile. RSVP required. Suggested that we can begin promptly at 8:30 am. Wear attire donation: $3 per person, $6 per family. For more suitable for working in rough terrain and brushy information, call 210-207-3782 or email nicole. areas with stickery plants, loose rocks, and assorted [email protected] critters large and small. Waterproof or work boots, gloves, hat, long-sleeved shirts and long pants are Eco-Explorers I (June 5-9) | Ages 6-8yrs (TR); strongly recommended. Snake leggings are helpful Eco Explorers II (June 5-9) | Ages 9-12yrs (TR) for going through the brush. Water is essential and Mon, June 5, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm insect repellent is likely to be needed. For questions, San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place, contact George Ozuna at (210-669-9935) or by email San Antonio, TX [email protected] or Olivia Tapia at (210-315- For information on volunteering with this program, 4707). To be added to the weekly email list, contact contact Nadezhda Garza at 210-536-1415. Olivia Tapia at [email protected]. June Training and Volunteer Events
AgriLife Extension Urban Wildlife Series: Local Hike the Canyon (TR) Resources & Tools for Wildlife Identification & Sat, June 10, 8:30 am – 12:00 pm Management (AT) Government Canyon State Natural Area, 12861 Galm Tue, June 6, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Road, San Antonio, TX Bexar County Extension Office, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Join the Friends of Government Canyon and the Sierra Ste 208, San Antonio, TX Club for a jointly-led guided hike, which will range from Local Resources & Tools for Wildlife Identification & 4 to 7 miles depending on the group. Open to ages 13 and Management Dr. Maureen Frank, Extension Wildlife over; minors must be accompanied by an adult. Group Specialist COST: $25 for the series or $10 per class size is limited; no pets please. On inclement mornings (payable at the door). Contact Denise by phone (210-631- call GCSNA’s main office (210-688-9055) after 7:30 0400) or email ([email protected]). Make checks am Saturday to check on trail conditions, or go to the payable to: Bexar Ag & Natural Resources Committee GCSNA website twitter feed (tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/ Mail registration fee to: 3355 Cherry Ridge, Ste. 212 San government-canyon), or to the GCSNA Facebook page. Antonio, TX 78230 and registration go to texasriparian. For more information call 210-688-9055; ext. 2009. org and facebook.com/TexasRiparianAssociation Growing Up Wild (AT) SA Parks & Rec Growing Up Wild: Lunch for a Saturday, June 10, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Bear - ages 4-7 (AT) San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place, Thu, June 8, 10:00 am – 11:30 am San Antonio, TX Friedrich Wilderness Park classroom, 21395 Milsa Instructor: Emma Trester-Wilson & Tim Roan, San Drive, San Antonio, TX Antonio Botanical Garden Staff . Growing Up WILD Learn about bears and their habitat through stories, is an early childhood education program that fosters songs, and hands-on activities. Growing Up Wild children’s interest in the nature around. builds on a child’s sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around Butterfly Gardens: Beauty and the Benefits (AT) them. Activities are designed to provide an early Saturday, June 10, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm foundation and appreciation of nature. RSVP required. San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place, Suggested donation: $3 per person, $6 per family. For San Antonio, TX more information, call 210-207-3782 or email nicole. Instructor: Drake White, Master Naturalist & Owner, [email protected]. The Nectar Bar. Learn the importance of butterflies for beauty and pollination. Through hands-on Wildscape and Spanish Courtyard Design. Guide: demonstrations, learn how to plan and plant a garden to Randy Baker, Master Naturalist and Master attract butterflies with native host plants that different Gardener (AT) species need to survive. *Sponsored by SAWS* Fee: Fri, June 9, 10:00 am $20 ($18 members). Register at goo.gl/IfXJMp San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place, San Antonio, TX Headwaters Sanctuary Workday (RM-NPA) Meet at 10:00 am at the Carriage House. Walk is free Sat, June 10, 8:30 am – 11:30 am to members or with paid admission, but registration is N29.4698, W98.4709 required at https://goo.gl/fN8JPP Help restore San Antonio’s birthright, the Headwaters of the San Antonio River. We make trails, remove invasive plants, germinate and plant native species. To get on Headwater’s e-mail list or ask questions, email howard. [email protected]. You volunteers are just the best people! Meet at the Headwaters tool shed near the picnic tables, north of Univ. Incarnate Word baseball field. June Training and Volunteer Events
Dinosaur George (AT) SARA Waterwise Educator Workshop Series: Disc Sat, June 10, 10:00 am – 11:00 am Golf - Keepin’ It Real and Relevant (AT) Eisenhower Park, 13399 NW Military Hwy, San Tue, June 13, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm Antonio, TX Graytown Park, 1239 CR 125, Elmendorf, TX Dino George is back, and brings his renowned DISC GOLF – KEEPIN’ IT REAL AND RELEVANT dinosaur program to Eisenhower Park! On display [field trip] Age Target: all Description: What do will be amazing replicas of dinosaur skulls and disc golf and the San Antonio River have to do teeth, including giant killer birds and large Texas with your students’ success in the classroom? mammals. Dinosaur George engages adults and Come meet SARA’s education team to explore how children of all ages—there’s something for everyone! recreation activities and correlative lessons increase No reservations needed. Suggested donation: $3 per the relevancy of the studies that students do in the person, $6 p. For more information, call 210-207-3782 classroom. We will explore the scientific method with or email [email protected]. disc golf at Graytown Park. These engaging lessons are hands-on, TEKS-aligned, and fun! Credits: 3 hours Mitchell Lake Birding Tour (AT) of CPE credits Special Notes: We will cook and serve Sun, June 11, 8:00 am – 10:00 am dinner as you arrive beginning at 5:00pm! Let us Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, 10750 Pleasanton know if you would like to camp overnight in the park Road, San Antonio, TX with us with fun camp activities, and participate in the Come meet our summer residents! Our seconds Teacher Flotilla workshops! Special Considerations: Sunday tours are led by experienced and engaging Please be prepared with your own sun and insect birders - you will be sure to see some of the more protection. Participants should expect to be physically than 300 species of birds who visit Mitchell Lake. active–we will be walking a disc golf course and Be sure to wear appropriate clothing, including a hat, throwing discs. No flip-flops, please. Registration: long pants, closed-toes shoes. Wear sunscreen and RSVP by Thursday, June 8, 2017 at goo.gl/zDhARF bring water! We can even loan you binoculars if you need them. Monthly Birding Tours No reservation MLAC FLYING WILD (AT) necessary Birding tour fee: $5 for non-members; $3 Fri, June 16, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm for members For more information, email us at mlac@ Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, 10750 Pleasanton Rd, audubon.org or call 210-628-1639. San Antonio, TX Help connect children with nature; embracing Participate in San Antonio Butterfly Count at the community outreach, service learning, conservation San Antonio Botanical Garden! (FR) and stewardship of our natural resources with Tuesday, June 13, 9:00 am activities that incorporate language arts, social science, San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place, math and science. This workshop makes it easy to San Antonio, TX educate kids about the natural world using birds as Drop in to participate in scientific research in action! the vehicle for learning. Flying Wild is adaptable The garden is pleased to partner with North American to all age groups and gives you the tools to share a Butterfly Association (NABA) to host twice annual whole-school approach to environmental education. butterfly counts. No prior knowledge is required, just This workshop is open to educators of all types. a willingness to help in this citizen science project. Registration is required at the following link: There is no program fee and admission is waived, but mitchelllake.audubon.org/events/flying-wild-workshop a $3 donation requested for NABA to cover costs of publishing results. This is collected by NABA at the time of the program, cash only please. June Training and Volunteer Events
Explore the Canyon (AT) PHP Oak Loop Walk: Native Plants in Nature & Sat, June 17, 8:30 am – 12:00 pm your Landscape (AT - TR) Government Canyon State Natural Area, 12861 Galm Sat, June 24, 8:00 am – 9:00 am Road, San Antonio, TX Phil Hardberger Park West, 8400 NW Military Hwy, Knowledgeable guides discuss the flora, fauna, natural San Antonio, TX and cultural history of this awesome natural area on this Come to a special event organized for Phil Hardberger exploration. Length of walk and interpretive topic will Park by the Native Plant Society’s San Antonio vary, depending on the group. Open to all ages; minors Chapter’s Joan Miller assisted by Donald Ewers. must be accompanied by an adult; group size limited to Information on how to use common natives found the first 12 people; no pets please. Dress appropriately, in the park in your own landscape will be provided. sunscreen and hat recommended, wear sturdy footwear Go to http://www.meetup.com/Alamo-Sierra-Club- for hiking over rough terrain; bring two liters of water Outings/ and the date (8am June 25) for a full and a snack. Natural Area Entry fees apply. Meet at the description. Contact April Thomason (alamocat@ Visitors Center by the rainwater harvesting tower after gmail.com) for additional information. stopping at the Entrance Fee Booth Area to self-pay/ register. Plan to be at the Visitor Center no later than MLAC Amateur Backyard Photography: Manual 8:15 am; the hike starts promptly at 8:30 am. Subject Mode (AT) to cancellation. On inclement mornings call GCSNA’s Sat, June 24, 8:30 am – 10:30 am main office (210-688-9055) after 7:30am Saturday to Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, 10750 Pleasanton check on trail conditions, or go to the GCSNA website Road, San Antonio, TX twitter feed (tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/government- Learn the ins and outs of photography in this series canyon), or to the GCSNA Facebook page. For more dedicated to the amateur photographer. With four information call 210-688-9055; ext. 2009. summer workshops, photographer Grady Clinkenbeard will take your passion for outdoor photography to the MLAC Beginner Bird Walk (AT) next level. For more information and registration, go Sat, June 24, 8:00 am – 10:00 am to http://mitchelllake.audubon.org/events/backyard- Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, 10750 Pleasanton amateur-photography-series-0 Road, San Antonio, TX $8 non-members, Free for Members. This bird tour AgriLife Urban Wildlife Series: Appreciating is perfect for the beginning birder! Your guide will Backyard Wildlife (AT) go over basic bird identification techniques, proper Thu, June 29, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm binocular use, and apply it in the field. Experience Bexar County AgriLife Extension Office, 3355 Cherry several of our varied habitats on your walk to see a Ridge, Ste 208, San Antonio, TX variety of bird species. This walk is family-friendly Appreciating Backyard Wildlife -- Jessica Alderson and suitable for all ages. Bring: water bottle, closed- COST: $25 for the series OR $10 per class (payable toe shoes, bug spray, hat, sunscreen, binoculars and at the door). REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Friday, favorite field guide if you have them For information, June 2, 2017. To reserve your spot, contact Denise by contact Jacob T Stush, MLAC, 210-628-1639. phone (210-631-0400) or email ([email protected]. edu). Make checks payable to: Bexar Ag & Natural Resources Committee Mail registration fee to: 3355 Cherry Ridge, Ste. 212 San Antonio, TX 78230 *for AT *for TR *for TR