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July-August-September 2013 Reporter Issue #119 Grants Received For Thicket of Diversity When the Thicket of Diversity, All Taxa Biodiversity Other foundations have often granted support, includ- Inventory organized in 2006, the first two foundations ing the Meadows, Temple-Inland, Stark, and Magnolia to support the project were the Brown Foundation and Trust Foundations. The ToD project has received match- the TLL Temple Foundation. From then until 2013, they ing grants from NPS Centennial Challenge and Park have faithfully responded to requests for additional Partnership programs. The Western National Park Asso- funding—the latest received in 2013. In addition, both ciation has funded specific TWIG projects, and recently foundations contributed generously to the BTNP Visi- a Supplemental Environmental Project grant (TCEQ tor Center construction project. That kind of generosity - Lone Star Sierra) authorized water-related research. imposes not only a debt of gratitude, but also a com- All of these entities have earned a Big Thicket-sized – mitment to earn that trust. THANK YOU! B.T.A. NEWS

Board Meeting & Neches Orange County. Following the trip, Douglas Neighbor, Thicket of Diver- River Adventure the quarterly meeting was held sity manager, Mona Halvorsen. Before the July 13 BTA board meet- in the Entergy Building. Among There were BTA Committee reports ing, the directors and staff boarded items on the agenda were reports by Nominating, Awards, and Audit the Cardinal for a from the President Jan Ruppel, Big Committees. A breakout session for Adventure on Ten-Mile Bayou in Thicket Supt. Strategic Plan Committees was held, and Dale Parish briefed the board on use of a “Huddle” program.

Big Thicket Day Oct. 12 Our annual Big Thicket Day will be Saturday, Oct. 12, in Saratoga at the BTNP Field Research Station. Arrive around 9:00 AM for coffee and cook- ies. Meet and greet old friends, then attend the general membership and board of directors meeting at 9:30. Dr. Ken Kramer is our speaker for the 49th Annual Big Thicket Day. Kramer recently retired as Chapter …continued on page 7 Supt. Douglas Neighbor reviews BTNP management of resources. Conservation Outlook

Moths of survey for the refuge but has not shoot for. Our new headquarters been able to find the time. has exterior white lights that stay on all night for security. Those are the By Stuart J. Marcus, Refuge Manager A few days later he sent back the main areas we have been checking If you build it, they will come. All of moth’s name. The next week I sent for moths. There are also numerous you have heard this, and I can really him a few more and then a few moths that are day fliers and ones attest to its merits when it comes dozen more. Now he is really inter- that are only found on other refuge to moths. It all started in April 2012. ested, and he does not even have tracts. Trinity River NWR (Liberty County, to come to the refuge. Most Refuge TX) staff had just moved into a new Managers who have been around From that simple beginning in April headquarters building built on one for many years (OK, I’m older) do not 2012 and counting through July of only a few high places within get to do anything remotely related 2013, this refuge has photographed this frequently flooded bottomland to field biology anymore. What a and documented over 315 species hardwood forest habitat. stress reliever this has become! from 31 families. A “real” survey in the bottomland hardwoods should One morning I noticed an interest- Okay, back to moths…. I also spend easily add a few hundred more. A ing moth on the new building, so I time checking out the three major few of the moths documented on snapped a few photos and checked websites dedicated to moths (But- the refuge have not been listed any- out our insect books and then went terflies and Moths of North America, where in , until now. Liberty online. With some 11,000 species Bug Guide, and Moth Photogra- County will now rank #1 in Texas for found in the U.S. and over 3,000 phers Group) to aid in identification. species of moths according to those species in Texas alone, I didn’t even Found out that only about a dozen websites although some private know where to begin. Being an avid species had been listed for Lib- collectors may have documented “butterflier,” I knew some folks that erty County while Hildago County more species. Our next goal is to were also into moths, so I sent one in southern Texas had the most in exceed the county in that of them the photo. Turns out this the state with over 170 species. has documented nearly 400 species. person would also like to do a moth This gave the refuge something to You probably were not thinking of an office building having so much diversity, with moths that is!!

Davis Hill State Park Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. (TPWD) hosted an open house in which agency staff provided a guided tour of this property on May 9, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM. The Depart- ment used this as an opportunity to open a dialog to consider special use permits and the development of a public use plan. An ad hoc advisory committee should be considered to develop a limited access program. Davis Hill itself is a sensitive area and together TPWD hosted an open house at Davis Hill State Park in May.

2 July-August-September 2013 Big Thicket Reporter #119 Conservation (cont’d.) with bottomland hardwoods, the National Wildlife Federation [says] (and eventually ours) or is it quietly park offers a remarkably diverse “In my mind, it’s not acceptable to burned in coal-fired power plants area. just say we’re not going to worry in the United States? Or is it just about what’s going to happen to dumped somewhere in Southeast Village Creek State Park the environment,” he said, noting Texas? VCSP’s Volunteer Association is that rivers offer economy-boosting The fate of the diluent required to sponsoring their annual photogra- activities like fishing, tourism and reduce the viscosity of the bitumen phy contest. Entries must be sub- recreation… as well as its chemical makeup is mitted by August 7. Photos will The agency [TCEQ] has already not publicly known. The amount, be displayed in the Nature Center, issued flow standards for a num- though, is known and is actually Aug.10 with a reception scheduled ber of rivers… Dr. Winemiller and quite large: One barrel of bitumen from 2:00-4:00 PM. Best in Show Ms. Kelly (who serves on a science requires 0.42 barrel of diluent to get will merit a $25 award. Ribbons will advisory committee in the flows it through a pipeline. recognize first, second, third and process) say that the commission’s honorable mention. Rules and entry Is a plan in place to recycle this recommendations have often fallen forms may be accessed either at the diluent material back to Canada? short of scientific recommenda- Park or on the Park’s Facebook page. Or is it somehow absorbed in the tions. So the ecological standards refinery operation? Or is it or some for rivers like the Neches, the Trinity Debate on Environment Grows part of it pumped underground and the Guadalupe are not as high as Drought Tests Texas Rivers and disposed of here? Texans need as scientists (and even some stake- by Kate Galbraith (excerpts from The answers. Texas Tribune and The New York Times) holders) think they should be… “You see all those dead trees?” said When the river turned black two TEXAS CONSERVATION Kirk Winemiller, who runs an aquatic years ago, saltwater was a key fac- ALLIANCE ecology laboratory at Texas A&M tor — some of it left over from Perhaps you already know that our University, pointing from a boat Hurricane Ike in 2008, according friend Janice Bezanson, Executive toward bald cypress trees that rose to Scott Hall, general manager of Director of TCA, was one of 15 Texas like ghosts along the bank. “They the Lower Neches Valley Authority, women leaders honored on Dec. 7, weren’t dead when we came out in which manages the river and sells 2012 in an exhibit of “Women Shap- 2011.” … its water… ing Texas” at the Bob Bullock State History Museum in Austin. Janice Like the Neches, other rivers across PIPELINE POSES PROBLEMS has spent a lot of years working for Texas have been severely tested by Carolyn Stonecipher, Letter to the parks, national forest wilderness the long-running drought, which Editor, Beaumont Enterprise, July 21 areas, and national wildlife refuges, still blankets most of the state Diluted bitumen (dilbit) that would plus a host of conservation issues. and comes on top of increasing come through the Keystone XL pipe- demands for water from a grow- line has a solid high sulfur compo- TCA is an affiliate of National Wild- ing population and industrial base. nent called petroleum coke. Petcoke life Federation, and BTA is a mem- Average stream-flow measurements makes up 15 to 30 percent of a bar- ber of the Alliance. TCA will hold its are well below normal, especially in rel of diluted bitumen (dilbit) and is annual meeting Saturday, Septem- western regions, prompting wor- removed in the refining process. ber 21, 1:30 – 4:00 pm at John Bun- ries about increased salinity and the ker Sands Center at Seago- health of fish and plants… What happens to this dirtier-than- ville near Dallas. coal byproduct? Is it shipped over- … Myron Hess, who manages seas so some other country can the Texas Water Program for the sicken its children and pollute its air

Big Thicket Reporter #119 July-August-September 2013 3 Preserve Overview by Ann Roberts UPCOMING EVENTS August 10 Supt. Douglas Neighbor reported Fire management personnel Hardin County Museum ribbon- on Preserve activities at the recent treated about 1,500 acres – primar- cutting at 10:30 AM BTA board meeting. ily in Big Sandy, Hickory Creek, and Turkey Creek units. August 10 Administration: A sequestration Village Creek State Park Nature cut of $155,000 is leaving positions The Interpretation/Education/ Center, Photography Contest, vacant. Currently, the staff is frozen Partnership personnel developed Reception 1:00-4:00 PM at 22 permanent employees; five are a Social Media Plan and a Geocach- fire personnel (but that too may be ing Plan. In a Turkey Creek wildfire August 17 reduced in coming years). That com- scar, volunteers planted 347 plants Neches Paddle, 7:30 PM, Collier’s Ferry, Beaumont. See details next pares to some 35+ employees in the from Kountze High School Native page. 1980s. Only two persons are cur- Plant Nursery. I & E staff participated rently in the Interpretation / Educa- in the JASON program, introduc- September 21 tion Division. ing 13,000 school children to NPS TCA annual meeting Saturday, in a two-week course, and they also Chris Suter was employed as the September 21, 1:30 – 4:00 pm hosted a Woodland Expo Event with Administrative Technician in April. A at John Bunker Sands Wetland the Natural Resource Conservation Center at Seagoville near Dallas temporary position to fill a vacancy Service with 300+ students partici- in Facility Management was filled by pating. September 28 Jeremy Williams. BTA workday at the Field Re- Resource Management staff coor- search Station; bring outdoors Planning: The General Manage- dinated use of funds provided for tools and contact Bruce Walker ment Plan should be completed the Nolan Transport spill in Big at 409-782-3486 or email by the end of 2013. Phase II of the Sandy Creek Unit. Restore Act fund- [email protected] Foundation Plan was completed; ing requests were submitted for that plan is required to compete September 28 , oil and gas projects. Proj- for internal funding projects. The Ghosts of Texas Past at Heritage ects have been developed for res- Fire Management Plan EA is being Village, Woodville toration funding from the National reviewed and should be completed Park Foundation. A pipeline fire October 3 this year. After three public scop- scar was treated to kill a forest of START meeting, Heritage Village, ing meetings, the Hog Management Chinese tallow to be followed by Woodville Plan is being drafted. Also com- replanting. pleted was the NEPA process for October 12 lowering an exposed Tennessee Gas Hunter registration permits began Big Thicket Day, 9:00-3:30 Pipeline in the Big Sandy Creek Unit. July 8 and continues at the Preserve Visitor Center daily from 9:00-5:00. October 18 Facility Managers launched Hunters may take white-tailed deer, Harvest Festival at Heritage Vil- trail maintenance and boardwalk lage, Woodville squirrel, rabbit, feral hog, and water- replacement projects in order to fowl. Permits issued per unit are: meet the requirements of the Amer- October 19 Beaumont 200; Beech Creek 150; ican Disabilities Act and other safety BioBlitz , Thicket of Diversity Big Sandy Creek 400; Neches Bot- standards. Day Use areas are being tom 150 and Jack Gore Baygall 400; managed for sustainability, includ- and Lance Rosier 900. ing vault toilets, picnic tables, etc.

4 July-August-September 2013 Big Thicket Reporter #119 We remember … MORE EVENTS ……. . . Rose Ann Jordan, 1940-2013 for the city of Orange. She served Rose Ann Jordan of Beaumont, as Director of Sterling Municipal Discovering the Outdoors passed away on May 15, 2013. She Library in Baytown for 35 years. is survived by her husband, Harrison Jordan; son, David Adrian; daugh- Bob Bowman, 1936-2013 ters, Diane Adrian and Kathy Smartt; A memorial service for Bob Bow- stepsons, Harrison W. Jordan, Hein man of Lufkin was held at Calvary and Marc Jordan, and their families. Baptist Church on July 18. Bowman Rose Ann graduated from Lamar is survived by his wife Doris, two University with her BA in Education sons -- Neil of Pearland and Jimmy This year a summer night paddle and her MA in Guidance and Coun- of Lufkin. is planned through Lake Bayou seling. After spending many years Bob Bowman (Bowman & Associ- off the Neches River. Meet at Col- as a classroom teacher, she retired, ates, Inc., a public relations agency), liers Ferry in Beaumont at 7:30 PM on August 17 at 7:30 PM. then she and her husband, Harrison was also one of Texas’ leading Jordan, enjoyed many years travel- historians and a long-time com- The two mile paddle up the ing to forty-nine of the fifty states munity leader in Lufkin and East Bayou to the Lake shouls arrives while birding, hiking, canoeing, and Texas. Bowman’s professional career at the lake at sundown, returning backpacking. included service in the newspaper under a full moon. The park closes at midnight. Be prepared field, the forest products industry, Rose Ann also volunteered for sev- with the legal lighting required eral organizations especially The Big and the oil and gas industry. Bow- for night paddling and all of Thicket National Preserve, serving man also wrote a weekly history col- the required safety equipment. as Volunteer Coordinator for four- umn for about 80 news- Check the Texas Web site for light teen years. She also served on the papers. requirements. Big Thicket Association Board for fif- He and his wife Doris were the teen years, and among many other authors of more than 45 books Watson Preserve On Saturday, July 27, 2013, at services chaired the Awards Com- about East Texas, covering East 10:00 AM, Texas native orchid ex- mittee. Rose Ann and Harrison often Texas community and county histo- pert Joe Liggio led a wildflower volunteered on National Audubon ries, folklore, travel, restaurants and walk at Watson Rare Native Plant Society Christmas counts. country cafes, East Texas expres- Preserve. The rare Chapman’s or- sions and idioms, hangings and chid was blooming. lynchings, home remedies, East Flora Richardson Wilhite, Scheduled field trips for 2014 in- 1930-2013 Texas rivers, ghost towns, historic clude April 12, May 24, June 21 Flora Richardson Wilhite died Sun- murders, biographies, business and July 26. day, April 28, 2013. She was born histories, and the Indians of East September 29, 1930 in Port Arthur, Texas. Among them was They Left Neches River Adventure Texas. Both Flora and her deceased No Monuments with its tribute to Cruise boat tours each Saturday, husband Ross, were dedicated life Lance Rosier. Their books often had March-November. Reservations members of BTA. intriguing titles like If I Tell You a Hen required – call 409-651-5326. Dips Snuff. Flora held a degree in Library Sci- ence from the University of North Bowman served as a member of Texas at Denton. She served as Engi- the Texas Historical Commission, neering Librarian at Lamar Univer- president of the East Texas Historical sity, and then she joined the U.S. Association, a member of the Texas Special Services managing libraries Sesquicentennial Commission, and in Manheim, Heidelberg, and Berlin member of the Texas Capital Cen- Germany. Upon returning to “The tennial Commission in 1988. States” she became head librarian

Big Thicket Reporter #119 July-August-September 2013 5 Diversity Dispatch

Thicket of Diversity Executive A BioBlitz is schedule for Oct. 19 fea- cal High School, Alex worked with a Council Meeting turing Scott Solomon (Rice Univer- team of undergraduates to design The ToD Executive Council meeting sity). and implement a science education convened at the BTNP Headquarters program with laboratory experi- on July 10 at 1:30. Alex Dye, ToD Intern ments and demonstrations. Alex Dye of Indianapolis, Indiana Dye assists Mona Halvorsen, Direc- Neil Ford will begin a mussel survey was selected as the 2013 intern tor of the Thicket of Diversity Proj- on the Upper Neches River Corridor. for the Thicket of Diversity Project, ect. Skilled in ArcGIS Mapping, Funding was approved for study of and his internship continues until he is currently applying mapping macrofungi by Bart Buyck. October 2013. Funds for the intern- and geospatial analytics to current The latest Taxa Tally reports 12 spe- ship were provided by funding from species collection records for the cies new to science with another 30 a Park Partnership grant acquired Thicket of Diversity All Taxa Biodi- potential additions. Also reported through the US National Park Ser- versity Inventory. are 267 species new to the Preserve vice and were matched by the BTA. Alex worked with West Hardin and 133 new to the State (pending Hired through the Chicago Botanic CCISD science teacher, Mr. David 13). Ants, grasshoppers and Trema- Garden, Alex is a 2011 graduate of Pickett, with eighty 6th and 7th grade toda have been added to the cur- Purdue University and earned his science students on a field trip of rent Taxa Tally. Odonata and Gyr- Masters in Geography at the Uni- exploration and learning in May, inidae data are being added to the versity of Tennessee. Alex served and more recently participated in national NPS database. as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, Nematode ATBI field collections Paul Tinerella and Katie Winsett a Guest Lecturer, and as a Sci- with Matt Lodema from University were added to the Science Commit- ence Learning Community Mentor. of Nebraska-Lincoln. tee and Dale Parish was added to Through Purdue University and in the Data Management Committee. partnership with Arsenal Techni-

East Texas Miscellany

START: The Area chaired by J.A. McKim, has acquired Comer’s BBCC update, Raymon Recreation and Tourism group met and renovated an old bank building Hedges (USACE) will address con- in Orange on July 11, 2013 at the and installed exhibits. There is also a servation priorities, Doyle Shook Orange Travel Information Center meeting room on the second floor. (LMVJV) will report on the NE Texas to share information about upcom- The BTA has transferred some of the Conservation Delivery Network, ing events. The next meeting will be remaining stored artifacts from the and Comer will cover new habitat held at Heritage Village Museum in former Big Thicket Museum to the modeling efforts. After lunch Donna Woodville on October 3. new Museum. Work (TFS) gives an update on education/outreach activities, and HARDIN COUNTY MUSEUM: The East Texas Black Bear Task Force Nathan Garner will review the “Next Ribbon Cutting for the Hardin (ETBBTF) meets at the BTNP Field Steps.” County Museum is set for Saturday, Research Station on August 14, August 10th at 10:30 am. The Har- 10:00 AM–3:00 PM with Chris Comer din County Historical Commission, (SFASU) presiding. In addition to

6 July-August-September 2013 Big Thicket Reporter #119 B.T.A. News (continued from page 1)

Director of the Lone Star Chapter The Big Thicket region and its Big Thicket environmental learn- Sierra Club. Kramer continues to vol- National Preserve were venues for ing classes and securing equipment unteer as Chair of the Water Conser- his field trips and research. His lead- with grant funds from The Stark vation Committee and Legislature ership in projects like the JASON Foundation. Kathryn Walker handles Advisor for the Chapter Executive Alliance of Southeast Texas attracts the public, private, and school reser- Committee. Ken has a Ph.D. in Politi- an average of 8,000 fourth- through vations as well as booking the cap- cal Science from Rice University and eighth-graders and 200 science tains, 1st mates, and BTA volunteers his special area of interest during his teachers to the Lamar campus & guides. The Big Thicket National academic career teaching and con- annually. For 18 years Westgate has Preserve has provided NPS staff on ducting research at Texas state uni- served as science advisor for “Teach- the boat for the public tours and versities was environmental policy ing Environmental Science in the outdoor classrooms. and administration. He has 25 years Three Rivers Watershed’s & Wetlands To date 890 passengers have partici- of experience working on water and K-12 Teacher Institute” – always pated (5 schools with 359 students, other environmental issues as an including field trips on the Neches 12 public tours, and 9 private char- academic, an environmental group River and Village Creek. Recently, he ters). Tour passengers and students leader, and public policy specialist. hosted a group from Bonn University. are learning about the history, cul- He has been appointed to numer- In 2011 he received the prestigious ture, and significance of Big Thicket ous task forces and advisory com- Minnie Stevens Piper Professor National Preserve and Neches mittees by Texas state officials, Award. Westgate has served as pres- River. They also are becoming more including the Governor and by the ident of the Texas Academy of Sci- informed about the Big Thicket Speaker of the Legislature. ences in 1999-2000, and he received Association, Thicket of Diversity, Dr. James Westgate Honored their outstanding services award the Field Research Station, and the with R.E. Jackson Conservation in 2008. He has received over 45 Temple Big Thicket Series. Award grants, written two books, four book chapters, and published 31 research Election Professor James articles plus 84 peer-reviewed articles. In September members will receive Westgate (PhD, ballots for the election of officers University of Neches River Adventure and directors, and results will be Texas, 1988) uni- by Bruce Walker, Exec. Director confirmed in the annual business versity profes- The 2013 season for BTA Neches membership meeting October 12. sor of earth and River Adventures has been under- You may vote for the slate selected st space sciences, way since April 1 with BTA’s full by the Nominating Committee or st has accrued 24 participation beginning June 1 . write-in candidates. On the ballot years (1989- The transition from Dr. Bothel’s for 2014-2015 terms are Secretary, 2013) of outstanding services to Environmental Learning & Research Betty Grimes; Treasurer, Dr. James in Beaumont. His Center to the Big Thicket Associa- Westgate; Directors, Fred Allen, work has also benefited the scien- tion has been relatively seamless. Elaine Allums, Judy Aronow, Ellen Buchanan, Leslie Dubey, Idolina tific community and public educa- BTA profoundly thanks two corpo- Gonzalez, Lane Harrison, Dr. Dale tion. BTA has benefited from his rate sponsors for the boat: Mobiloil Kruse, Dale Parish, Ann Roberts and active participation and commit- Federal Credit Union and Mead- John Stafford. ment as a member of our board of Westvaco. Michael Hoke is writing directors since 2009. outdoor classroom curricula for the

Big Thicket Reporter #119 July-August-September 2013 7 Big Thicket Association P.O. Box 198 Nonprofit Org. Saratoga, TX 77585-0198­ U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 1

Big Thicket Reporter published quarterly by Big Thicket Association (www.bigthicket.org)

Editors Maxine Johnston | Ann Roberts ([email protected]) Layout Connie Blakley ([email protected]) Send address changes to address noted above

WEB SITES Big Thicket Association www.bigthicket.org Big Thicket National Preserve www.nps.gov/bith East Texas Black Bear Task Force www.bbcc.org Conservation Fund Big Thicket Association Membership www.conservationfund.org Gulf States Mycological Society BTA Dues www.gsmyco.org $ 15.00 Active National Audubon Society $ 25.00 Supporting www.goldentriangleaudubon.org $ 10.00 Senior / Student www.houstonaudubon.org $ 25.00 Institution, Organization, Business National Parks Conserv. Assoc. $500.00 Life Membership www.npca.org Native Plant Society of Texas Designated contributions (Checks payable to BTA) www.npsot.org Land Fund Nature Conservancy Legacy Fund www.nature.org/texas Outdoor Nature Club, THICKET OF DIVERSITY - ATBI www.outdoornatureclub.org Make checks payable to Big Thicket Association -ATBI Sierra Club Group www.texas.sierraclub.org/triangle $ 25.00 Species level $ 500.00 Class level Texas Conservation Alliance $ 50.00 Genus level $1,000.00 Phylum level www.TCAtexas.org $ 100.00 Family level $5,000.00 Kingdom level Village Creek State Park $ 250.00 Order level wwww.tpwd.state.tx.us.park

8 July-August-September 2013 Big Thicket Reporter #119