WANTED Orientated Book Store Is Coming
Capital Area Master Naturalists 2010 FIELD NOTES Meeting May 26th Chapter elections and Naturally Curious, a nature WANTED orientated book store is coming. Donʼt forget the door prizes and there will be pizza and possibly surprises!
Regular Monthly Meetings are the last Wednesday of each month and are held at 6:30, at the Austin Nature and Science Center, Zilker Park. All meetings are open to the public so bring a friend!
CAMN Board Meeting
Join the Board of Directors for a spirited YOUR VOTES! discussion about CAMN business on May 6th, 2010. Contact any Board Member for details. Are you Naturally Curious? I know you are, so you are all going to one of the first books I came across enjoy our next monthly meeting on May when I was looking on their website. 26th. As you know, it is our annual This delightful business is owned and elections and it is very important that operated by Sandy and Randy Mock. you attend to elect new board members Sandy told me “Randy and I started Volunteer and and show appreciation for out-going Naturally Curious because we wanted to Advanced Training board and committee members. These make it easy for people who were members have worked hard on your learning or teaching about nature to find Opportunities behalf to keep the behind the scenes the right book or other item at the right activities going and to ensure the smooth price. Michelle and Sonny kept inviting Visit the CAMN website at running of the organization. It is us back to your State Meetings because www.camn.org and log in to the CAMN occasionally a thankless job but most of they understand our education value. Volunteer Calendar to start fulfilling those the time we have fun. Come and thank (It’s certainly not because of our pretty volunteer hours. these hard working people who have faces!).” So, bring your cash, checks, and make CAMN run like a well oiled credit cards just in case! machine with just a few squeaks and Did I say there would be pizza too? Well, rattles! Cindy, our out-going “food and fun” Visit the CAMN yahoo Some of you may have heard of the book person will be working her magic so who group for On-line store, Naturally Curious and they will be knows what else there will be. networking attending our meeting with all their I am also fairly sure there will be door wares for sale. It is a wonderful prizes and some excellent conversation. organization and they have many of There may also be some very brief those hard to find books you have been speeches and I am sure some surprises so looking for. Lets face it, how many come and enjoy the comradeship, oh, and bookshops do you know that carry did I say PIZZA? something like, A Field Guide to Ticks? Well, Naturally Curious does. That was CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 1 Field Prep: by Jim and Lynne Weber Filter Feeders
What makes no sound and cannot Texas fatmucket see? Often lives for decades, but seldom moves from a secure spot? Causing a stir, making us ponder their future as well as our own? The answer to this riddle is freshwater mussels! Nearly three hundred species of native freshwater mussels (also called unionids) live in the United States, with more than fifty of them found in Texas. Yet nearly seventy percent of the known species are extinct, endangered, or in need of special protection, largely due to the changes that have occurred in their ecosystem in the last two hundred years. Living buried in the sand and gravel at the bottom of rivers, and streams, with a few adapted to the quiet waters of lakes and ponds, freshwater mussels are filter feeders. They draw their food to them by siphoning water into Freshwater mussels are protected pistol grip, and washboard, Texas unionids their shells and using their gills to filter from predators by a hard, calcium-based were often named after items that out algae and small particles from the shell consisting of two halves joined by a resembled the shapes of their shells, by water and to take in oxygen. Although hinge. Thin-shelled species live on those who harvested them for their pearls freshwater mussels have a muscular ‘foot’, average four to ten years, while thick- and for use in the shell-button industry. they don’t move very much but use this shelled species can live twenty to forty Fifteen species of Texas freshwater foot to burrow into the mud or provide years or more. With colorful common mussels are now on the state threatened limited travel if disturbed by droughts or names including terms like floater, list, which means they are protected and floods. pocketbook, fatmucket, pimpleback, cannot be collected or killed. Those found in the Colorado River system in central Texas include the False spike Pistol grips (Quadrula mitchelli), Smooth pimpleback (Quadrula houstonensis), Texas fatmucket (Lampsilis bracteata), Texas fawnsfoot (Truncilla macrodon), and the Texas pimpleback (Quadrula petrina). In addition to their unusual common names, these bivalves also have a very unusual reproductive cycle. First, eggs held inside the female need to be fertilized by sperm released into the water from a nearby male. The resulting young mussels, or glochidia, are in turn released by the female and temporarily attach themselves to a fish’s fins or gills. This sounds like tricky business, and it is! Female mussels have evolved to attract certain species of host fish by using insect, worm and fish-shaped lures – tissue-based extensions of their bodies – developed to bring the fish in close
CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 2 Field Prep: by Jim and Lynne Weber Filter Feeders
enough for the dispersed glochidia to attach. During this harmless parasitic stage, the glochidia grow into tiny mussels and within a few weeks drop from the fish and down to the river bottom or stream bed to mature and continue the cycle. Sadly, there are many reasons for the decline of freshwater mussel populations in Texas, and most of them are man-made. Changes in the natural flow of rivers and streams due to dams and lake construction, increased deposition of silt due to runoff caused by the clearing of indigenous vegetation, introduction of aquatic contaminants and exotic plant species, and the lack of native fish hosts are a few of those reasons contributing to the decline. Freshwater mussels are an important indicator of the vitality of our aquatic ecosystems. Healthy populations would reflect more pure, clean water for humans as well as many other aquatic plants and animals!
Send your nature-related questions to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to answer them. If you enjoy these articles, look for our book, NatureWatch Austin, to be published by Texas A&M University Press in 2011 Large washboard
2010 Seed Cleaning Party Dates 10 am – 2 pm all involve pizza!
May 29 June 19 July 17 August 21 September 18 October 23 November 20
Where? With Flo at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center of course!
Have some fun WILDFLOWER QUIZ—TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE here!
CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 3 Field Notes: Denali Kervella My CAMN Experience
“The CAMN class of 2010. The greatest people you will ever meet!”
It was the summer of 2009 when my journalist Norman McGinnis was detailing at eight and not being able to drive on mother first suggested I enroll in the how to document a trip into nature. All account of my tender age of fifteen. CAMN program. To be honest, my first around me were friendly looking However, as the CAMN classes continued response was not of overwhelming naturalists decked out in braids, khaki I became more and more intrigued by the excitement. If there is one thing teenagers pants, and baseball caps. So began my subject matter, fell in love with the are protective about, it’s their Saturdays. journey in the CAMN class. The first class beautiful places, fascinating teachers and After endlessly hearing the wonders of the was a hectic experience; it took a while for all around amazing people. I began to look CAMN program I decided to apply, and me to adjust to a room full of thirty adults forward to my CAMN classes, and the was accepted as a CAMN class member of spouting off knowledge that far surpassed program I once thought would make my 2010! my eighth grade earth science class. schedule even more hectic, became an As soon as I walked into my first CAMN There was a small amount of stress that escape from everyday life. Before I knew, class (only a little late) at Wild Basin, I was surrounded the first few CAMN classes; it nine classes passed and I was headed into instantly intrigued. Award winning nature was difficult for me to adjust to waking up my tenth and final class.
CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 4 Field Notes: Denali Kervella My CAMN Experience
As soon as I walked into Baker Sanctuary I felt a rush of sentiment towards my CAMN members. It had been an amazing and far too short journey, but we still had one class in front of us. After hearing a fabulous lecture about conservation versus restoration by Kevin Theusner, it was time for us to graduate. CAMN president Lynn Weber and our fantastic class coordinators Patricia McGee and Kris Thorne handed us our certificates, and we were official CAMN class of 2010 graduates! The CAMN experience has been one of the best in my life; I met so many great people and learned SO much! Thank you to everyone who had a part in my CAMN experience.
“Me with two lovely CAMN members, Lynn Weber and Kris Thorne!” (above).
“My class members Jerry and Sandie Mayfield. They both have finished all forty hours of volunteering. How inspiring!” (left).
Eds. Note: A third member of the 2010 had actually fulfilled their requirement but was not acknowledged at that time. Dale Rye had completed his forty hours of volunteering and his advanced training hours. Our congratulations go to them all. Gardens On Tour 2010 Gardens on Tour 2010 will be on Saturday, May 8, during Mother's Day weekend. The tour will feature exclusive looks at five private gardens as well as the Wildflower Center. It will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. rain or shine. As every year, these beautiful gardens are excellent examples of fine design using wildflowers and native plants. You can purchase a $25 pass to see all the gardens online here or at Barton Springs Nursery, Plant Escape Gardens, Pots and Plants, Shoal Creek Nursery, The Natural Gardener, and the Wildflower Center Store. Passes and individual garden tickets for $6 are available at each garden. Children 5 and under are free and kids 6-12 are $3.00.
“Today, you’ll see the results of a year-long search for fabulous gardens that show the variety and versatility of wildflowers and native plants. We hope these gardens, and the Wildflower Center itself, will inspire you to use more wonderful native plants in your own landscape. Record-breaking heat and drought last year with hard freezes and heavy rains this year put plants to the test. These gardens demonstrate how our natives can beautify a space, no matter the rigors of the region. Native plant gardens are highly sustainable. In the right place, they are conservative in water use, need fewer chemicals to make them thrive and are easy to maintain. So put on your comfortable walking shoes, use this map and join us for a day in the gardens. Our knowledgeable staff and volunteers, as well as garden designers, will be on hand to answer your questions at each garden.” Susan K. Rieff Executive Director, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 5 Field Prep: Jerry Mayfield, Sandie Mayfield Uncommon Visitors Field Study With the past fall and winter providing many nourishing rains, our spring has seen abundant wildflowers, grasses, and blooming trees in Travis County. With this abundance, our area should see many butterfly favorites, such as the Giant Swallowtail, Monarch, Queen, Red Admiral, and Southern Dogface. But what about the more uncommon or rare butterflies to our county? We’ve provided a short profile of some of the more uncommon butterflies that visit Travis County and listed their food sources so that you can watch for them among their known larval and nectaring plants. All these uncommon butterflies have been documented as visitors in Travis County by the Austin Butterfly Forum and well worth the search to find—see you in the fields! Long-Tailed Skipper Urbanus proteus Family: Hesperiidae Range: Atlantic coastal states; Gulf coast states into Mexico Size: 1 ½ to 2 inches Habitat: Open fields, woodland edges, brushy and disturbed areas Brood: 2-3 broods; almost year-round Larval food: Various legumes, including cultivated beans and blue peas Adult food: Lantana, bougainvillea, shepherd’s needle, & others
Green Skipper Hesperia viridis Family: Hesperiidae Range/Flight: Central Rockies into New Mexico and into west Texas Size: 1 to 1 3/8 inches Habitat: Grasslands, prairie, canyons, roadsides; bases of mesas Brood: 2 broods; April - October Larval food: Grasses, including blue gramma, buffalo grass and fluff grass Adult food: Flower nectar Red Spotted Purple Limenitis arethemis Family: Nymphalidae Range: Eastern US southward from Ontario, down into east and central Texas Size: 3 to 3 3/8 inches Habitat: Open woodlands and meadows, paths, riparian canyons Brood: Up to 3 broods; April - October Larval food: Willow, poplar, aspen, cherry, hawthorns, apple, others Adult food: Rotting fruit, carrion, dung, and occasional nectar from spiraea, privet and viburnum
CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 6 Field Prep: Jerry Mayfield, Sandie Mayfield Uncommon Visitors Field Study Tropical Checkered Skipper Pyrgus oileus Family: Hesperiidae Range: Gulf Coast Florida to South Texas Size: 1 to 1 3/8 inches Habitat: Open areas—wherever mallows grow Broods: Multiple; almost year-round Larval food: Mallow, hollyhock and velvet-leaf Adult food: Nectar from flowers of sidas and small-flowered composites
Crimson Patch Chlosyne janais Family: Nymphalidae Range: South Texas through Central America to Columbia Size: 1 ¾ to 2 inches Habitat: Subtropical wooded or scrub areas, riparian areas Brood: 2-3 broods; July - November Larval food: Acanthus family, particularly Flame Acanthus Adult food: Flower nectar
Rounded Metalmark Calephelis perditalis Family: Riodinidae Range: South Texas Size: 5/8 to 7/8 inches Habitat: Tropical woods and scrub, fence lines, roadsides Brood: Multiple throughout south Texas; most common March - November Larval food: Mistflowers, boneset, Old man's Beard Adult food: Flower nectar, including boneset
Tawny Emperor Asterocampa clyton Family: Nymphalidae Range: From Great Lakes to Pennsylvania, southward through most of Texas Size: 1 7/8 to 2 3/8 Habitat: Woodlands and thickets with hackberries Brood: 1-3 broods; March – November in the south Larval food: Hackberry Adult food: Rotting fruit, dung, carrion; rarely visiting flowers
CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 7 Field Prep: Jerry Mayfield, Sandie Mayfield Uncommon Visitors Field Study Blue Eyed Sailor Dynamine dyonis Family: Nymphalidae Range: South Texas Size: 1 5/8 to 1 7/8 inches Habitat: Tropical and subtropical woodlands Brood: 1 brood; May - November Larval food: Noseburn Adult food: Nectar from composites
Spicebush Swallowtail (male) Papilio troilus Family: Papilioninae Range: Eastern US from Great Lakes southward into central Texas Size: 3 ½ to 4 ½ inches Habitat: Edges of woods, meadows, fields, riparian areas, gardens Brood: 2 broods; April - October Larval food: Spicebush, sassafras, tulip tree, sweet bay, redbay, camphor, sometimes prickly ash Adult food: Thistles, milkweed, azalea, lantana, mimosa, honeysuckle, others
White-Striped Longtail Skipper Chioides albofasciaatus Family: Hesperiidae Range/Flight: Central and South Texas to Argentina Size: 1 ¾ to 2 inches Habitat: Clearings, edges of woods, sparsely wooded hills, edges of tropical forests Brood: Several broods; almost year-round Larval food: Wild beans, milk peas, vine-like legumes such as snoutbean Adult food: Flower nectar
CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 8
White-spotted Towhee Field Prep: Jerry Mayfield, Sandie Mayfield Uncommon Visitors Field Study
Great Purple Hairstreak Atlides halesus Family: Lycaenidae Range: Southern US from California across to North Carolina Size: 1 ¼ to 1 ½ inches Habitat: Canyons and streamsides with trees hosting mistletoe Brood: 2; April - October Larval food: Mistletoe growing on oak, ash, cottonwood, mesquite, etc. Adult food: Nectar from flowers, including goldenrod, shepherd’s needle, pepperbush, and wild plum
Oak (Southern) Hairstreak Satyrium favonius Family: Lycaenidae Range: Southern New England along Atlantic coast south to Florida; west to central Illinois, down to eastern Oklahoma and Texas. Size: 1 to 1 ¼ inches Habitat: Oak woodlands Brood: 1 brood; March - June Larval food: Oaks Adult food: Flower nectar
Bibliography Brock, Jim P. and Kenn Kaufman. Field Guide to Butterflies of North America. Hough Mifflin Company, New York. 2003. Butterflies and Moths of North America, www.austinbutterflies.org/checklists, to databases of www.butterfliesandmoths.org Glassberg, Jeffrey. Butterflies through Binoculars: The West. Oxford University Press, New York. 2001. National Audubon Society. Field Guide to North American Butterflies. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 1981; 1998 by Canticleer Press, Inc. A special thanks to Dan Hardy, Austin Butterfly Forum, for his assistance in butterfly identification and lore. All photographs: Jerry Mayfield
CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 9 Field volunteering: Dale Rye Cave Fest Fun On March 19, a stalwart crew of CAMNers under the direction of Education Committee Chair Peggy Murphy literally showed the flag at Cave Fest. This is the annual event of the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District and the Texas Cave Management Association intended to to educate local residents about the importance and sensitivity of the aquifer and its recharge features. This is one of the rare opportunities for the general public to take short tours of local karst features, Get Down and Live Oak Caves on the Village of Western Oaks Karst Preserve in South Austin. Probably a thousand people swarmed to the preserve, just west of the intersection of Mopac and Davis Lane, for a full day of activities, including storytelling, flint knapping, and other fun. The CAMN group had two activities. We had a sample of soil showing the variety of living things, both plants and animals, that can be found in the living earth. Children and their parents used magnifying glasses to identify a wide range of very small creatures that live in the soil. Nearly, an exhibit showed how deep roots can go into the subsoil. This activity, under CAMN's new Big Top, fit into the overall theme of the festival, relating to conservation (and particularly the conservation of water and endangered species in the zone feeding Barton Springs). The relatively small preserve has six karst features, one of which has been shown to recharge the aquifer and another that has cave species of concern. On the opposite side of the walk leading into the festival, we had a table at which children could make wearable bat wing headbands to commemorate the Austin area's most famous (Above) One of the caves in Cave Fest. The CAMN banners (below cave (and bridge) dwellers. We saw a lot of people and a good left), Peggy setting up with Sally (center), and Sally with two time was had by all! enthusiastic children making “bat ears” (right).
CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 10 Book Review: Dale Rye An Excellent and Useful Field Guide to Cacti Texas Cacti Brian Loflin and Shirley Loflin College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 2009.
The latest volume in the Nature Guide series from Texas A&M Press follows the path of the Loflins’ Grasses of the Texas Hi Country. It couples clear narrative descriptions aimed at a lay audience with stunning photographs of each one of the nearly one hundred and fifty species of cacti found in Texas. The book is small enough to easily carry as a field guide, and even has a ruler printed on the inside cover to take measurements. The fifty pages of introductory matter includes descriptions of the diverse vegetational areas of Texas that allow our wide variety of cacti, overviews of cactus anatomy and each of the cactus genera found in Texas, and even a description of the “cactus critters” that interact with the flora. At the end of the volume is a table of species synonyms, a map of Texas counties, a bibliography, a glossary, and a complete index. However, the two-page species accounts are the meat of the book. They are grouped into eight sections by the predominant cactus stem shapes. These sections are marked by color-coded page edges and a shape icon. It is not entirely clear how the varieties are ordered within each group, but the index and photographs make it easy to identify the species of interest. The page spread for each variety presents a full-page close-up photograph of the plant on the left side of the spread, with insets showing the blossoms and spine pattern. The narrative is on the right page, with a map showing the range within Texas and another photograph showing the plant in its natural setting within the environment. Each narrative includes sections on features, spines, flowers, fruits, seeds, habitat, flowering season, common names, synonyms, and look-alike species. There is also a code for each species identifying it as secure, apparently secure, vulnerable, imperiled, or critically imperiled, and an icon showing whether it is day- or night- blooming. The Loflins fit a lot of information within a limited space. Obviously, there are other books with longer descriptions and more information, but it might be hard to carry them on a hike. This provides almost everything that most of us would want for use in the field. As with the earlier book on grasses, the magnificent photographs are the main draw for this book. It will be very useful for anyone with even a limited interest in cactus. Left, the Loflins were gracious enough to lead us on a native grass field trip last year.
CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 11 Field Trip: by Bill Ward What’s in a Native-Plant Name? Part V Another surname used frequently by the taxonomists who chose names for Texas plants is “Wright,” as in Wright’s acacia, Wright’s anisacanthus, Wright’s cliff-brake, Wright’s evening primrose, Wright’s false mallow, Wright’s milkvetch, Wright’s pavonia, Wright’s plantain, Wright’s skullcap, Wright’s threeawn, and Wright’s tick-clover. The species name for most of these plants is wrighti or wrightii. These botanical names acknowledge the considerable contributions of Charles Wright, a Connecticut Yankee who made plant collections in Texas during the mid 1800s. After graduating from Yale University in 1831, Wright moved to Natchez, Louisiana to tutor children of a sugarcane planter. Later he moved to Zavala, Texas, where he taught school and surveyed some of the counties in what is now LBJWC Deep East Texas. Later he moved west to be the surveyor for Menard County. Apparently he had developed an interest in botany as a young man, because he botanized and collected specimens as he traveled around East Texas and the Menard County area. In 1844, Wright began a forty-year correspondence with Asa Gray, a professor of natural history at Harvard and coauthor of Flora of North America. In 1845, Wright took an administrative and teaching job at the first college to open in Texas, the Methodist Rutersville College in Fayette County (the predecessor of Southwestern University in Georgetown). Later he moved to Austin to teach and collect specimens of native plants. Asa Gray arranged for Wright to conduct a botanical expedition by traveling with US troops moving across the Rio Grande Valley to El Paso during the spring of 1849. “This expedition is of special interest because the Smithsonian’s $150 contribution to defray Wright’s expenses was, according to some, one of the early steps taken by that institution toward the formation of a national herbarium” (page 64, Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas). Charles Wright walked the 673 miles to El Paso, collecting and preserving specimens under difficult and frustrating conditions. Wright sent 1,400 species LBJWC of Texas plants to Gray at Harvard and also shipped many specimens of cacti to Engelmann at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Wright’s 1849 collection was a Top: Datura wrightii, Jimsonweed, Thorn major contribution to the botany of Texas. apple, Datura, Angel Trumpet, Sacred datura After that expedition, he taught in San Marcos and then in New Braunfels, Jimsonweed is a branching forb that blooms where he befriended Ferdinand Lindheimer. Then he joined Col. Graham's large, white, fragrant, trumpet-like flowers survey of the Mexico-US boundary. The results of Wright’s extensive collections from evening through morning. from Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona were published in Asa Gray’s “Plantae Wrightianae, Parts 1 and 2, Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge, 3 and 5,” as well as in other reports by John Torrey and George Englemann. Wright Bottom: Aloysia wrightii, Wright's beebrush, This served as botanist on an 1853 expeditions to many parts of the North Pacific, species is a member of the verbena family (family before returning home to Wethersfield, Connecticut. In 1856, still Verbenaceae), which includes about 75 genera and unencumbered by a wife and family, he began an 11- year botanical exploration 3,000 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees, mostly of of Cuba. Later he worked at Harvard’s Gray Herbarium. tropical and warm temperate regions. As suggested At his death in 1885, Charles Wright had become one of the best known US by its name, this plant is loved by native and botanists. introduced honeybees alike.
CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 12 State Conference News TMN Annual Meeting and Advanced Training Members may begin reserving Obviously, the more people you care to 3. Click on Reserve Online accommodations the TMN Annual have in your room, the less of a per 4. Check T Bar M Groups & Meeting and Advanced Training person cost there will be to you. The Conferences, then Continue The 11th Texas Master Naturalist majority of the rooms are double/doubles that may sleep up to 4 individuals. If you 5. Enter Group # txmasnat Enter Statewide Annual Meeting & Advanced Password naturalist Training will be held October 22-24, are planning to share a room with 2010 at T bar M Ranch in New Braunfels, someone, only one person needs to make 6. Continue to date entry Texas. the reservation, However, once the 7. Enter correct data (you will need to conference registration becomes The Lindheimer Chapter of the Texas select 2 as the # of nights to read available each person attending the correctly or it will not work) Master Naturalist program will be conference will need to register for that. assisting as hosts of this years conference If you live close enough to T bar M to 8. Search for availability and together we have already planned commute, then all you will need to 9. Choose room type many exciting training's and features for register for is the conference once the conference. 10. Verify all data, go to the bottom of available. ALL ROOM the screen and continue This year, the overnight accommodations RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE will be separate from the conference BY September 27, 2010. 11. Select SKIP Virtual store to continue with reservation registration expense. While, the You may make your room reservation at conference registration is not yet this time on-line. The instructions 12. Enter personal data on Reservation available, members may begin reserving provided to us are as follows: Entry Form their rooms at T bar M now. ON-LINE (T Bar M's Preferred Method 13. Click Make Reservation A block of rooms is available to reserve that you use): Receive confirmation at the special rate of $85.00 per room per night (plus tax, where applicable). Rooms must be reserved by September If you have any question concerning The rooms are extremely nice, hotel 27, 2010 making your reservation or about T Bar style rooms. There are also a limited 1. Go to www.tbarm.com M please contact a reservationists at 800/292-5469 twenty-four hours a day number of 2 & 3 bedroom condos 2. Click on Reservations available at $85 per bedroom as well. and reference reservation number 308734.
Numbers Count! If you have led any tours or hikes, visited any schools, made a presentation to a group, manned a booth, helped another organization at one of the spring festivals, or otherwise had conversations with the public on behalf of CAMN this year, we need a head count! These public contact activities are part of how we fulfill our mission of education, outreach, and service, and all the numbers matter. We’ve all been busy outside in this gorgeous spring weather working on service projects and sharing nature stories with the public about our beautiful Central Texas plants and wildlife. Now that things may be slowing down a bit, it’s time to catch up. The annual report asks for the number of adults and number of young people we reach in our education and outreach programs. Numbers have been collected for the spring programs coordinated by the Education and Outreach Committee, but we may have missed a lot of other programs conducted by individual CAMNers. If you haven’t done so already, send those numbers (estimates are fine), along with the name and date of the event, to Jerry Cooper at [email protected] (Jerry is a member of our Education and Outreach Committee, and she’s offered to track our numbers this year so we won’t have to scramble at the end of the year for the annual report. Thank you, Jerry!) Check the Guidelines for Education and Outreach Programs in the members’ area of our website for more details about what to report. Peggy Murphy
CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 13 Field Study: Bev Hoffman Cedar Sage
Have you been wondering what to plant in those shady areas, where you'd like to have flowers but haven't been able to get them to bloom? Cedar sage (Salvia roemeriana) may just be the perennial you've been looking for! Native to the Edwards Plateau and the Trans- Pecos, it can be found thriving in the dense shade of oaks, mountain laurel, and ashe juniper. With warmer springtime weather, the plants send up their 12-inch bloom stalks, which are soon covered with bright red flowers - just in time for the hummingbird
migration. The plants can continue to bloom throughout the summer. The small black seeds are favored by songbirds and, if left to drop, will result in more plants the next year. Seeds can easily be harvested, and used to start new plants in another location. Even the leaves of cedar sage are attractive, being gently scalloped along the edges. During winter, those leaves will be close to the ground, in an attractive rosette. Cedar sage will grow in limestone, clay, sand or loam soils; just be sure the plants have good drainage.
Cedar sage (Salvia roemeriana) shown above right in its perfect natureal setting, a wooded area (image Bev Hoffman). The perfect bloom for the hummingbird and they are just ready as the first hummers arrive (image LBJWC). The seeds (right) are tiny but easily collected and quick to germinate (image LBJWC).
CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 14 Field Notes: Carrie McDonald and Valerie Bugh The Fauna Project
One of our recent instructors and an amazing volunteer Valerie Bugh has conceived and launched a really interesting project at the Wildflower Center, The Fauna Project. Chances are if you’ve been here on a Thursday, you’ve seen Val, long braid down her back, studying and photographing plants and insects up close and personal or maybe you’ve seen her releasing butterflies hatched in our insectary. If you took a moment to stop and look at what she’s studying, she might show you three different kinds of bees on a redbud or tell you what it was thought to have meant when the gigantic black witch moth came to your house. She has taught classes, cataloged insects at various public and private gardens and is truly a wealth of information. I consider the Wildflower Center very lucky to be the beneficiary of her passion and to have her as part of our family. She’s written more about The Fauna Project below, so let me know if you’d like to be involved with it or if you’ve already begun to catalog birds, butterflies or other creatures here. This project will help consolidate all that data. It’s a terrific learning opportunity and I think you’ll find her enthusiasm infectious. Carrie McDonald Volunteer Services Manager [email protected] 512.232.0102
Valerie Burg tells us: Gardens are not just collections of plants; they are ecosystems. While the flora of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has been intensely studied and documented, the animals that live therein have not. The Fauna Project will help collect information on the non-human visitors (and residents) of the Gardens. The main activity of the Fauna Project will be weekly surveys to note observations about the animals found in the Gardens and surrounding trails. These basically consist of a group of people trying to see as much as possible. Our main focus will be on the numerous insects, spiders and other invertebrates, but we will occasionally encounter larger animals such as reptiles, birds, and mammals. Valerie Bugh will be leading the surveys, but has little knowledge of birds, so an experienced birder would be MOST welcome. The information gathered will be added to a database that will eventually give a more comprehensive view of the wildlife populations. One of the benefits of these surveys will be to help the visiting public see and understand a bit more about the ecology of gardens. Whether you would like to learn more about identifying insects, hone your observational skills, or discover more about the complex web of life, all levels of expertise are welcome, and no special knowledge is required. Our basic tools will be sharp eyes, cameras, and taking notes. Identifications will sometimes require the use of reference books and research afterwards. Surveys will be held on Thurs. mornings, starting at 8:30 for now but the time may shift to 8:00 as summer progresses, and probably end around noon. Additional survey times on other mornings, such as Sat., will also be scheduled as time permits, to allow more people the chance to participate. Everyone is welcome, and it is not necessary to join in on a regular basis, or even to stay for the entire time.
Editors Note: Remember, all of us can volunteer at the Wildflower Center but we can only count those hours once — either as CAMN hours or LBJWC hours. Make sure Carrie knows you want to use them as CAMN hours.
CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 15 Splendid blooms: Bob Kamper Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata )
An evergreen perennial that is similar in appearance to its cousin the trumpet vine, Crossvine has smaller blossoms (about 2 inches long) and does not die back into an unsightly mass of dead foliage every winter, making it a low maintenance alternative in the hummingbird garden. Blooms hang in clusters of about five red and yellow blossoms March through May. The Crossvine uses clawed tendrils to climb, allowing it to cling to any support – fence, tree, stone, or brick – as it makes its way upwards towards the sun. It can overwhelm a small shrub or tree, so care should be taken when planting in a natural setting.The vine can reach between 36 and 72 feet in length.Although evergreen, the simple leaves do change from glossy dark green in summer to a reddish purple hue during the winter. Crossvine is a Plantwise Native alternative to several exotics or invasives, including English ivy, Japanese honeysuckle, and the wisteria family.
The crossvine has been absolutely splendid this year. Check out the local nurseries (Countryside Nursery in north Austin has a particularly impressive one as does the LBJWC) as many have them growing on trellises and fences and it will give you an idea of what to expect in your own garden.
Calling all Educators (thats us!) Let’s face it, teachers and parents who ignite a lifelong love of learning will change a life forever. The Acton Eagle Awards celebrate those special people who change the lives of children and want to share their magic with others. Eagle Awards recognize teachers for creating engaging hands-on challenges for children ages six to fourteen. Over $5,000 in awards for teachers, parents, and schools to use in the classroom. Deadline for submissions is Monday, May 31; celebration on June 11. The best ideas and lesson plans will be shared with all participants. More Contest Information and Entry Form (www.actonacademy.org/contest) Sponsored by: The Acton Academy (www.actonacademy.org), The Acton Foundation (www.actonfoundation.org) The Acton School of Business (www.actonmba.org)
CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 16 Field Notes: Text and Photos by Robert Kamper Celestial (Nemastylis geminflora) Celestial (Nemastylis geminflora), is named rocky soil. Celestials vary from light blue curling up by late afternoon. According to for the sky-blue color of its beautiful and todarker, richer blue and from several the literature, each flower lasts for a delicate petals. The Celestial is found inches wide such as these to more single day, so it is fortunate that they blooming March through May in sun and compact forms. A member of the Iris colonize, or we would not be likely to find partial shade and in a variety of dry family, also known as Celestial lily and them at all, as they disappear after alkaline soils. These particular blossoms Prairie celestials, this beauty is found in blooming until the following Spring. were stumbled upon below Ashe juniper short grass prairie and wildflower and Prickly Pear and highly calcareous, meadows opening in late morning and
Austin Passes Invasive Species Resolution
The Austin City Council recently approved a resolution directing the City Manager to develop an Invasive Species Management Plan for city owned land. The resolution encourages community collaboration and innovation in protecting and restoring the city’s natural resources, and will mitigate the negative impacts invasive species have on Austin greenspaces. Austin may be first city in Texas to create an invasive species resolution – View Resolution. Want to Get Involved? VOYAGER ONLINE TRAINING PROGRAM Become a Voyager Citizen Scientist by completing the Online Training Program. The Voyager program is for those wanting to work on their own. When you have completed the online training you will be ready to fly solo and report observations. Step 1. Visit the online training page and sign up to create a user profile. Step 2. Once you have created a profile, login and complete the 8 online training modules and associated quizzes. Step 3. After you have completed the online training you can login to your profile and begin reporting observations. Just click "Add New Observation" on your profile page to get started. Please note: For those who would like to join their local satellite, please contact the satellite leader to request permission. After permission is granted you can change your satellite by clicking on the "Update Profile" link on your profile page.
CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 17 In Memoriam: Ann Syptak Landon Johnson Lockett, III
Landon Johnson Locket, III passed away Landon resumed the studies that had on April 3, 2010 at the age of 80. On that been interrupted by polio and received a day, Texas lost a great naturalist and Bachelor’s in Economics at UT followed Reflections by those who advocate for native plants, especially palms. by a Bachelor of Laws at UT on January knew Landon During his childhood and through his HS 30, 1957 followed by a Master of years, his family was stationed in a variety Comparative Law from Southern It was my great privilege in October of military posts in the Philippines, Methodist University June 1, 1959. Landon 2003 to award Landon with a special Minnesota, Georgia, Louisiana and was admitted to the bar December 7, 1956. President’s Award at the annual Native Oklahoma. Landon attended high school Upon graduation, Landon practiced law in Plant Society of Texas Symposium. I, and in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Landon was Houston, Texas, after a difficult time of the Board of Directors, wanted to have a always a lover the out of doors. He and a interviewing. He told friends that the only special recognition to Landon for his boyhood friend, Charlie Boyd, would pack person who had treated him decently making us aware of Sabal mexicana. Not the items needed to fry fish and fishing during his interviews for work as a lawyer only did he write and promote the use of gear into a canoe and set off on river trips in Houston was a Texas oil man named the plant, the discovery of new lasting several days. They would fish and George H.W. Bush. While practicing law populations, he participated in annual explore. in Houston, Landon regularly read the NPSOT-Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Wall Street Journal as part of his business Center Spring Symposiums. He was a Following graduation, Landon attended day. It was there that he read of the guest speaker at Capital Area Master Texas A&M for one year, then received National Defense Education Act. He truly Naturalist. He even led a field trip an appointment to West Point Military disliked the practice of law and decided to around Austin for CAMN and NPSOT Academy. Landon was early a student of return to UT to seek a higher degree in members, pointing out all of the different languages, and because of his linguistics. He pursued and achieved a palms we have in the area. Landon was membership in the Spanish Club between Doctor of Philosophy degree in untiring and would not take no for an his sophomore and junior years at West Linguistics on June 1, 1968, with answer. He was interested in education Point, he traveled with a delegation of not just on Sabal mexicana but on cadets to Mexico. He said, “We attended Landon had a life-long love of nature and its conservation. He loved to drive preservation of all of our native plants formal events, in uniform, in Mexico City, and plant environments. but later went to Acapulco, where we around Texas observing and sharing his knowledge of all things natural. wore civilian clothes for part of the trip.” On a more personal note, the Sabal When he returned to West Point, concentrations in Portuguese and Arabic. mexicana grew profusely on my husband’s Landon became ill. With great He taught Portuguese at UT and, in uncle’s farm in the lower Rio Grande reluctance, he finally went on sick call Mexico and Brazil, he taught linguistics Valley. Upon his uncle’s passing in the mid and was admitted to the infirmary. He and English as a Second Language. In 1979 70’s the land was sold. The next owners spent several days there, becoming he met Carol Yvonne Ramsay, who would bulldozed down every single one of these progressively weaker, but remained become his wife on August 11, 1990. They majestic palms, even those along the undiagnosed. Ultimately, a civilian doctor were married until her death on fence lines that would not have interfered was called in and quickly made a September 3, 2009. with their cultivation. So not only had diagnosis of polio. Landon was Landon won me over due to his cause, he Landon had a life-long love of nature and its transferred to Walter Reed Army challenged me and members of NPSOT conservation. He loved to drive around Hospital in Washington, DC. His parents and CAMN to think and question our Texas observing and sharing his knowledge were living in San Antonio at the time, beliefs about nature and conservation. of all things natural. He would point out the and his father pulled some strings to get We have truly lost a great friend. location of the western most occurrence of Landon transferred to Brook Army palmetto, I believe it was somewhere near Sue M. Wiseman Medical in SA. He did rehabilitation at Leakey. He knew where to find the largest Past President Warm Springs Rehab center near bald cypress in Texas. He could spot painted Gonzales, Texas, where he met a future Native Plant Society of Texas buntings while driving. traveling partner, Sam Dehm, who had Capital Area Master Naturalist also contracted polio. Although both In the mid-1980's, Landon became even men were in wheelchairs, in subsequent more focused on the natural history of years, the two of them would make many Texas. He may have been encouraged by trips together with a college-aged male the publication of Del Weniger's The helper, to go bird watching along the Explorer's Texas, The Lands and Waters in Texas coast. They also traveled in Mexico. 1984. With Carol's help, Landon researched
CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 18 In Memoriam: Ann Syptak Landon Johnson Lockett, III
the earliest observations of Texas flora. He previously been dismissed as palmetto read the original accounts of early palms. In 1989 he started working with local Cindy Phillips reflects that “Landon died explorers and settlers. He became Palm Society member, Dennis O'Conner to this morning, age 80. Though paraplegic, convinced that Sabal mexicana, the native raise money for the land. O'Conner offered Landon led a useful and adventurous life. Texas palm tree had grown much farther to contribute $40,000 to purchase the He earned degrees in law and linguistics, north than current botanists believed. tract, if Landon could match the money identified our native Texas palm (Sabal with donations from others. Landon went mexicana), taught birdwatchers and nature He read the original accounts of early explorers and settlers. He became around the state speaking to conservation lovers, hunted from his car with a 57 convinced that Sabal mexicana, the groups soliciting donations. He got the Magnum, travelled extensively, native Texas palm tree had grown much Texas Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the encouraged young musicians, held great farther north than current botanists United States Fish and Wildlife Service parties, and had a wonderful marriage. believed. (USFWS) interested. The plan was for A more engagingly cranky friend could There was confusion caused by the use of TNC to buy the land and donated it to not be found. the word palmetto to refer to both the USFWS to be a part of the San Bernard Sabal palmetto and Sabal mexicana. National Wildlife Refuge. In 1992, TNC However, some accounts mentioned the was able to purchase 23 acres of the original Ann Syptak left the following note height of ten feet or more. Sabal palmetto 40 acre tract. This ensures that a major “Landon will be missed. The only person does not grow that tall. Landon, his wife portion of the stand is saved. Most of the I've ever known to be a member of Carol and friend, James Stewart would known Brazoria County hybrids are on NORML and the NRA. A true spend days driving the back roads near several tracts of land totaling 90 acres. libertarian.” Victoria looking for palms and the location Landon was a teacher, whether in the of the Fort Saint Louis established by La classroom, over a drink, or beside a Salle in 1684. By locating a stand of the campfire. His excitement about his Chris Strickling said about the irises Sabal mexicana along Garcitas Creek in subject—whether linguistics or palms or outside. “I found a use for them. Our old northern Victoria County, he and Carol the cultures of the people who spoke the friend died in the early morning hours of proved them to be indigenous not just to languages he taught — was contagious. the day, with his best friend at his side. the Rio Grande Valley, but also as far north His satisfaction came when he was able to No better way to use them than to as the central Texas coast. impart knowledge. His intellectual celebrate that life and his sweet passage.” Landon was also responsible for the study curiosity, depth of knowledge and agile and subsequent protection of a hybrid palm mind were the hallmarks of a great grove in Brazoria County, which had teacher. Examples of Sabal mexicana, the palm that facinated Landon for a great part of his life.
LBJWC LBJWC
CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 19 Field Work: Cappy Smith May Wildland Conservation Education & Volunteer Opportunities Explore properties only open to the public through special activities such as these guided hikes. To learn more about these events, or to register, please visit the calendar on our webpage at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/water/wildland/onlineregistration/ ecowebevents.cfm. All events are free of charge. Guided Hikes
Exploring Land Management in Vireo Habitat Through Time Insect Safari at Onion Creek Endangered Species Habitat(Hosted Saturday, May 15th, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Saturday, May 15, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. by Travis County) Balcones Canyonlands Preserve – Vireo Water Quality Protection Lands–Onion Saturday, May 8th 9:00-12:00 pm Preserve Creek Balcones Canyonlands Preserve – Travis 3 hour hike, moderate, 12 and up 3 hour hike, easy County’s Jollyville Unit Located near the intersection of Pascal Located near the intersection of FM 967 3 hour hike, easy, 12 and up Lane and Loop 360 and FM 1626 Located near intersection of RM 620 and While long considered a birder’s paradise, There are insects and spiders all around us, RM 2222 this preserve has something for both the but they might as well be invisible if we don't Join us for a guided interpretive tour of novice naturalist and the expert. Vireo know a little about them. The world of Travis County's Jollyville Unit. Our tour preserve’s unique history has marked its arthropods is vast and fascinating, with will include stops at both golden-cheeked landscape in interesting ways. This hike thousands of species. No single person can warbler and black-capped vireo habitats will pass through rich shrublands, golden- ever hope to see and learn them all, but it is and a brief discussion on management cheeked warbler habitat, and grassy fun to try. Valerie Bugh, an experienced local practices for both of these endangered hillsides while offering some of the best entomologist, will give pointers on finding, species. See unique geological features, scenic views of Austin. Guides will discuss identifying, and understanding these little plants and native wildlife with Travis the preserve’s history and how it is creatures that rule the world. Join us for a County BCP Staff. For more information expressed in today’s natural communities. casually-paced, detail-oriented bug hunt in on Travis County BCP Lands and This 3-hour hike has rocky sections and the varied terrain of Onion Creek. Programs please visit grassy overgrowth, steep inclines and Suitable for ages 8 and up. All youth must Considerations: Please feel free to bring declines, and will proceed at a moderate be under parental supervision at all times binoculars and/or photographic cameras. pace. Due to the terrain and pace, this and participants under 18 must be Portions of the hike will occur off-trail. hike is intended for audiences 12 and up. accompanied by an adult. All youth must be under parental Therefore, participants must wear a long- Suggested items to bring: close-focusing sleeved shirt, long pants, and closed-toe supervision at all times and participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. binoculars, a hand lens, a digital camera, hiking-appropriate shoes for protection. and an inquisitive mind. Sun protection such as sunscreen and hats Considerations: Portions of the hike are strongly recommended. Participants will occur off-trail. Therefore, participants Considerations: Portions of the hike will must bring drinking water. No drinking must wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, occur off-trail. Therefore, participants must water will be provided. Volunteer guides and closed-toe hiking-appropriate shoes wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and have the authority to deny participation for protection. Sun protection such as closed-toe hiking-appropriate shoes for due to basic unpreparedness. sunscreen and hats are strongly protection. Sun protection such as sunscreen and hats are strongly recommended. Please note that a portable bathroom will recommended. Participants must bring drinking water. No drinking water will be Participants must bring drinking water. No be available on site, but sinks and running drinking water will be provided. Volunteer water will not. Smoking, pets, and provided. Volunteer guides have the authority to deny participation due to guides have the authority to deny collecting of plant materials are not participation due to basic unpreparedness. permitted. Plan on staying for the entire basic unpreparedness. hike as guides will not able to divide the Please note that a portable bathroom will Please note structural bathroom facilities, group to lead anyone out early. be available on site, but sinks and running sinks, and running water will not be available on site. Smoking, pets, and Limited to 25 individuals, ages 12 and up. water will not. Smoking, pets, and collecting of plant materials are not collecting of plant materials are not permitted. Plan on staying for the entire permitted. Plan on staying for the entire hike as guides will not able to divide the hike as guides will not able to divide the group to lead anyone out early. group to lead anyone out early. CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 20 Field Work: Cappy Smith May Wildland Conservation Education and Volunteer Opportunities
Wooded Hills on Little Barton some water as the guides explain why this must wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, Sunday, May 16th 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. unique 928-acre tract is important for the and closed-toe hiking-appropriate shoes water quality and quantity of our local for protection. Sun protection such as Water Quality Protection Land property – aquifer. sunscreen and hats are strongly Little Barton This is a moderate hike which does always recommended. Participants must bring 3 ½ hour hike, moderate, 12 and up follow a trail and requires some drinking water. No drinking water will be provided. Volunteer guides have the Located near intersection of Hwy 71 and backcountry walking. Participants should authority to deny participation due to Hamilton Pool Road be prepared to walk on steep, rocky, uneven ground. Hike leaves promptly at basic unpreparedness. The guides will begin this 3.5-hour starting time, so please arrive on time. Please note that a portable bathroom will excursion by leading the group through a Due to the length and pace, this hike is be available on site, but sinks and running dense woodland with large red oaks and intended for audiences 12 and up. All water will not. Smoking, pets, and flame leaf sumacs. Then, after exploring youth must be under parental supervision collecting of plant materials are not an open hilltop, you will descend to the at all times and participants under 18 must permitted. Plan on staying for the entire limestone banks of Little Barton Creek. be accompanied by an adult. hike as guides will not able to divide the Come see the scenic vistas, fossils, native group to lead anyone out early. grasses and wildflowers, and maybe even Considerations: Portions of the hike will occur off-trail. Therefore, participants
Volunteer Opportunity
Sowing Native Grass Seeds – J17, of stands of the invasive King Ranch weather, are recommended but not Southwest Travis County Bluestem. required for sun protection. Long pants are required. Work gloves will be provided. Date and Time: Saturday, May 8, 2010, Activity Details: Volunteers will meet at 1pm to 4pm the front gate for a brief orientation at Participants Need to Bring: We will which they will be required to sign liability have drinking water on site, but volunteers Logistics: Participants will meet at the release forms. They will then drive from should bring water bottle to fill. Some property gate which is between the Shady gate to the site needing seeds. They will light snacks will be provided, but volunteer Hollow neighborhood and the intersection carry 5 gallon buckets with grass seed and may want something of greater substance. of Brodie and Slaughter. We will then drive spread them by hand in designated areas. a short distance to the work location. Essential Project Needs and Safety The buckets will contain about 8 pounds Considerations: Directions will be sent after you register. of seed when full. We are attempting to Gates will be locked once work day begins, sow at a rate of roughly 5 to 8 pounds per Activity will occur in cloudy or drizzly so please be prompt. acre. A volunteer crew leader will help conditions, but will be cancelled in the Location: J-17 tract, Upper Bear Creek designate the area and ensure that the event of inclement weather. unit. seeding rate is correct. Some of the Sites are remote without indoor or Age/Physical Limits: Must be property is rocky, but it is all relatively flat. portable bathroom facilities. accompanied by parent if under 18 years The property does contain some cactus Those with allergies to bee stings or fire old. Project requires participants to be but it can be avoided. City staff will ants should be prepared as necessary. able to walk over rocky, uneven ground. provide all tools, and have water and Nearest medical facility is approximately Gatorade coolers on site. However, # ofVols Needed: up to 30. 25 minutes away. A first aid kit will be participants will want to bring bottles or available on site. Activity Goal: To overseed grass seeds on canteens that they can refill from these an area that was burned in January of 2010 coolers. There is the possibility participants may in order to restore native prairie and encounter snakes, spiders, scorpions and Clothing Required: Participants must other wildlife. increase water infiltration into the Barton wear appropriate footwear for hiking on Springs segment of the Edwards aquifer. rugged terrain, ankle support is vital. Leather work gloves will be provided. Our efforts will result in: increased grass Long-sleeved shirts, lightweight in warm coverage, reduce erosion, and replacement
CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 21 Scat and Frass Gardens for Birds Workshop Our next goal is to have pictures added to Workshop 1-4:15 p.m. Pre-registration not Gardens for Birds? Yes, you can make your each of the item listings. required. Free. Pedernales Electric garden more inviting to our feathered Happy Shopping! Cooperative Headquarters Main Lobby friends with just a few simple steps. Join Auditorium* 201 A. Avenue F, Johnson the Austin Parks and Recreation Advanced Training opportunities City, TX 78636 Department’s Wildlife Austin program available this summer near the Waco and the Travis Audubon Society to Area.... Workshop Topics discover what it takes to make your Baylor University, in partnership with the • What is a conservation easement garden a bird oasis. Workshop will include Lake Waco Wetlands and the Cameron • Why donate a conservation easement an urban bird walk along Lady Bird Lake, Park Zoo has five educator workshops in • Income and estate tax benefits of backyard bird identification, bird Waco planned for the summer. Many of donating a conservation easement gardening basics, and nest box care and these training's may be fitting for your • The role of the land trust organization proper bird feeding. chapter to approve as Texas Master [donor-donee relationship] When: Saturday, June 5, 2010 8:45 am - Naturalist Advanced Training. More • Landowner considerations in donating a 12:30 pm information and registration is available at conservation easement Where: Mexican American Cultural www.baylor.edu/crasr or contact Co-Hosts: Center, 600 River Street, Austin, TX [email protected]. Blanco County Farm Bureau, General 78701. (512)478-6222.www.ci.austin.tx.us/ June 12th- Project WET (Water Land Office, Farm and Ranch macc Education for Teachers) facilitator Conservation Program, Guadalupe-Blanco Cost: $10.00 (includes light refreshments) training-Lake Waco Wetlands - 9 am to 3 River Trust, Hill Country Alliance Register: May 28, 2010 Deadline (space is pm-- $20 registration includes curriculum Hill Country Conservancy, Hill Country limited) To register Download Registration and lunch. An award-winning water Land Trust, Native Prairies Association of Form. If paying by credit card the form can education program for K-12 Texas, Nature Conservancy of Texas, be emailed to [email protected]. To July 7th- POW! (Planning of Wetlands)- Pedernales Electric Cooperative, pay by check or money order, fill out the Lake Waco Wetlands- 9 am to 3 pm- $50 Pedernales Soil and Water Conservation top portion of the form and return it with includes materials and curriculum guide. District, Pedernales Wildlife Management a check or money order made payable to: How to build small habitat wetlands and Cooperative, Texas Agricultural Land Trust Austin Nature and Science Center Attn: incorporate them into student activities. Texas AgriLife Extension Service Blanco Wildlife Austin Program 301 Nature K-12 County, Texas Land Conservancy, Texas Center Drive, Austin, Texas 78746 Aug 12th- Active Strategies for Land Trust Council, Texas Master Phone: 512-327-8181 x29 Fax: 512-306-8470 Environmental Education- 10 am to 3 pm- Naturalists, Texas Parks and Wildlife Questions: Contact Cameron Park Zoo- $10 includes Department Private Lands Program, [email protected], 512-327-8181 x 29. programming and materials. Focus on USDA Natural Resources Conservation actively engaging reluctant or hard-to- Service, Blanco County, Wimberley Valley New Direct Link to TMN items at reach learners. K-12 Watershed Association AgriLife Bookstore Aug 13th- Leopold Education Project- 9 For information, please contact: The Texas AgriLife Bookstore now has a am to 3:30 pm- Lake Waco Wetlands- $50 Bobby Humphrey, LCRA conservation direct link to all of our Texas Master includes teachers guide and classroom coordinator Naturalist supplies available for purchase materials, journals and lunch. Uses a classic 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 7155; on-line. The bookstore has a whole environmental literary work to reach [email protected] wardrobe of TMN shirts, polar fleece students with a conservation message. jackets, patches, hats, on line --as well as 6-12th grade TWA hosting Volunteer Training TMN curricula and other books like Aldo Aug 14th- Climate Change: Facing the Workshop Leopold's Sand County Almanac. Future- 10 am to 3:30 pm- Mayborn Texas Wildlife Association members, Be sure to check out our bargain item of Museum Complex- $10 includes prospective volunteers, and community the TMN 10th Anniversary T-shirt. It programming, materials and lunch. Engage partners who enjoy teaching are invited to makes for a good TMN volunteer work students in understanding climate change a Conservation Legacy volunteer training shirt at an even better price. from multiple perspectives. 6-10th grade workshop on May 21 in New Braunfels. No more hunting for TMN items! focus, others welcome. The 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. workshop at the T Bar Yeahhhh!! M Conference Center and Resort will Find what you need at: Conservation Easement Workshop feature the history of TWA, why TWA https://agrilifebookstore.org/ Sponsored by the Lower Colorado River needs volunteers, why volunteer for TWA, publications_browse.cfm Authority Friday, May 14, 2010. how to promote membership and regional Registration begins at 12:30 p.m.; teams, programs overview, and the
CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 22 Scat and Frass
importance of communication and teamwork. TMN Program receives Environmental Attendees will receive a volunteer toolbox. Workshop details and registration information are Awareness Award available at http://texas-wildlife.org/ On Saturday, April 24th, Michelle Haggerty and Sonny Arnold For more information, contact Koy Coffer @ represented the Texas Master Naturalist program, and our agency 830-792-3070, or [email protected] sponsors of Texas Parks & Wildlife and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, as the program accepted the Environmental Awareness Award in Science under the Stars the nonprofit Education Category from the Texas League of Women Wednesday, May 12, 2010 - Show and tell/open screen Voters during the League's Biennial Convention in San Marcos, Texas. night. All lectures in this series are free, open to the Several of the convention awards luncheon attendees were Texas Master public, and held at 7:30pm outdoors at Brackenridge Naturalists as well--Thanks and congrats to you too! Field Laboratory, 2907 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, Penny Miller, a Master Naturalist in the Rolling Plains Chapter Texas 78703 (map)In the case of inclement weather, nominated the Texas Master Naturalist program for this award. Penny is lectures will be held indoors. Contact us by email also a member of the Texas League of Women Voters and she was able to [email protected] for more info. personalize the nomination form with Statewide program stats and specific examples of volunteer service projects and impacts of the Austin's first "Nature Crawl" Rolling Plains Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist Program. Mark Saturday, May 15, 2010 Howell, of the Inland Fisheries Division is the TPWD Advisor for the Be a part of the public launch ofNature Rocks Austin. chapter there locally and has been a great resource and source of support Families will make 3 stops at "nature" locations in for the local chapter since its inception. Fred Hall, recently new to his town before gathering at REI for a midday position as the Wichita County Ag & Natural Resources Agent for the celebration of all things family and nature! Texas AgriLife Extension Service, is supporting the chapter as well. Thanks Gentlemen! The Nature Crawl will feature stops at Austin Nature & Science Center (9 am), LCRA's Redbud Center (10 Jensie Madden, also a League member AND a Texas Master Naturalist am), and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (11 worked at writing and distributing news releases in the local area am). The Crawl will end at REI downtown at noon regarding the honor. Thanks for the publicity Jensie!! Thanks everyone where there will be indoor and outdoor activities and for your dedication and support of the Texas Master Naturalist Program. a variety of fun, food and informational exhibits, give- This award is a recognition of the hard work of each and every one of aways and free stuff! our Texas Master Naturalist Volunteers. For kiddos, there will be progressive steps at each The award criteria included and recognizes that the Texas Master location building toward an achievement prize to be Naturalist Program: presented at REI. For everyone, we will have lots of • Has made a significant difference in improving the quality of the local partners, both from within the website's environment in Texas. founding partner group (that's you!) and from the Has made a positive difference statewide. community at large, involved and participating to • really make the day fun and informational for all who • Has demonstrated a long-term involvement in environmental issues. participate. • Has demonstrated risk-taking behavior to protect the environment. Has provided information to educate the public about the Ultimate Armchair Bird watching! • environment. Do you like to view birds when you want too and Has contributed to protection of the environment for future from the comfort of your own armchair in the air • generations. conditioning? Well these sites might keep you happy! Has demonstrated coalition-building skills to maximize involvement Fancy getting up close and personal with some local • by others. Screech Owls, then join local birders at http:// balinsky.com/owlcam/index.php? • Has served as a role model for others. interval=2&camsize=480 With these awards, the League continues the 80 plus years of promoting Next is a link from Rose Ann Reeser, a webcam good government and environmental protection in Texas and the United trained on an eagle nest in Hornby Island (not sure if States. it's WA state or BC). My friend in WA alerted me Such an honor for all! that today there is a baby eaglet! Warning! This is Michelle M. Haggerty, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Master mesmerizing. http://www.hornbyeagles.com/ Naturalist Program Coordinator webcam.htm
CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 23 Field Prep: Christine Powell Announcements from around the State Master Volunteer Entomology Specialist Training September 27 - October 1, 2010 - Texas AgriLife Extension Service Bexar County Office, San Antonio, TX Get immersed in the wonderful world of insects this week, and come out feeling like a true entomologist. Meet others like you, who have a passion for bugs! The program will appeal to Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists and other extension volunteers working on insect-related projects. We will discuss the good and bad sides of insects, insect ecology, and how insects can serve as subjects in a variety of gardening and naturalist activities. Hosted by Molly Keck, Extension Program Specialist, and the Bexar County Master Gardeners. * Registration fee of $300.00 includes collecting kit with lots of goodies; lectures; Extension bulletins; 3 lunches, 1 dinner, snacks & drinks * Transportation and lodging is on your own * Course is limited to 30 applicants; deadline is July 30, 2010 Contact Molly Keck at Program Specialist- IPM Texas AgriLife Extension, 3355 Cherry Ridge Suite 212, San Antonio, TX 78230, 210-467-6575 or Aurelia Hovell at [email protected] or 210/467-6575 with any questions or to receive a registration form.
PollinatorLIVE: A Distance Register for PollinatorLIVE and the National Wildlife Federation’s Learning Adventure participate in the following web casts for schoolyard habitat program explain the This from John Warner, Heartwood your classrooms: “how-tos,” while Cindy Wrenn, a principal Chapter On May 12, 2010, join us at the National in Prince William County, Virginia, talked about how the garden at her school is While pollinators may come in small Zoo in Washington, D.C. from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET for PollinatorLIVE: The used as an outdoor classroom and science sizes, they play a large and often lab. undervalued role in the production of the Insect Zoo in Your Schoolyard. Drop in food we eat, the health of flowering at any time during this full day of web On April 13 educators learned about the plants, and the future of wildlife. A casts to learn about pollination, Nature’s Partners inquiry-based decline in the numbers and health of pollinators, participatory science projects, curriculum developed by the North pollinators over the last several years the latest about monarch butterflies, and American Pollinator Protection poses a significant threat to biodiversity, how to attract pollinators to your Campaign and how to contribute to real global food webs, and human health, schoolyard. Experts will answer your science projects, including Bee Hunt, according to scientists. students’ questions. This from John Goldenrod Challenge, and the Lost Warner, Heartwood Chapter Ladybug project. PollinatorLIVE is continuing last year’s distance learning adventure that focused In September 2010 (date TBA), join us Additional web seminars are planned for on monarch butterflies. This year’s FREE for PollinatorLIVE: Honey Bees, Native October 2010 to learn about the benefits distance learning adventure will feature Bees, and More. Bees are the champion of outdoor education and for February pollinators, citizen science projects, and pollinators and need pollen and nectar 2011 to learn about schoolyard gardens gardening. In addition, PollinatorLIVE from a variety of sources. That’s a good and good nutrition. will keep you up-to-date with the latest thing for people since one out of three Stay tuned and buzz in for more details. about monarch butterflies. For more bites of food is the result of pollinators. Questions? Contact Kristy Liercke at information and to register, go to http:// On April 13, 2011, join us at the Lady Bird [email protected] or by calling (800) pollinatorlive.pwnet.org. Johnson Wildflower Center in Texas for 609-2680. Join us for a series of live interactive web Nature’s Partners: Pollinators, Plants, and PollinatorLIVE is brought to you by the casts, web seminars, and satellite field People. Meet the pollinators and their USDA Forest Service – Conservation trips about pollinators, gardening, and plants and learn how people benefit. Education and many other sponsors and conservation. The web site features PollinatorLIVE is also offering web partners. resources that meet National Science seminars for teachers and administrators John R. Warner, CF | Urban District Education Standards for the classroom. through the National Science Teachers Forester
CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 24 Go to http://www.katyprairie.org/assets/pdf/2010KPBioblitz.pdf for more information
CAMN FIELD NOTES M A Y 2 0 1 0 P A G E 25 Officers Committees Sponsors/Partners
President: Lynne Weber Administrative Mission Statement Contact: Beck Runte Vice-President: Christine Powell Maintains database of students and alumni, To develop a corps of well-informed Past President: including names, addresses, class attendance, volunteers to provide education, outreach, Treasurer: Linda Nowlin volunteer hours earned, and advanced training and service dedicated to the beneficial completed. Administrative Secretary: management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities. Beck Runte Communications Contact: Christine Powell Recording Secretary: Webpage: Dale Rye Members of CAMN are dedicated to the Mary Ellen Quinn Field Notes: Christine Powell conservation, preservation, and restoration At-Large Board Members: Press releases: Kelly Bender of our natural resources. To that end, we encourage and support trained Master Cheryl Goveia Responsible for the Internet web page and press releases. Naturalist volunteers in Austin and Travis Jan Hanz County in providing community programs Advisory Board Members: Curriculum and projects that increase appreciation of Kelly Bender, Contact: Kris Thorne and Patricia McGee our natural environment and promote, Develops the CAMN curriculum, as well as Clark Hancock, protect, and preserve native flora and plans the lectures, activities and field trips for fauna. Melissa MacDougall each class. Advanced Training Board of Directors Contact: Joan Singh Austin Nature and Science Center Plans, coordinates, and approves advanced training opportunities. Texas Parks and Wildlife According to the CAMN By-Laws, our Programs Board of Directors consists of the Officers Contact: Sally Scott Lower Colorado River Authority and the Chair of each Committee. Plans, and coordinates,meeting programs. Field Trips Austin Sierra Club If you have concerns you wish the Contact: Joan Singh Board to consider, please contact one Plans and coordinates field trips The Nature Conservancy of Texas of the Board members via email or Food & Fun show up at a Board Meeting. Contact: Cindy Durand Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Facilitates the social aspects of CAMN including the Certification Ceremonies and Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve CAMN Board Meetings are held on the holiday celebrations. first Thursday of odd numbered months at: Volunteer Opportunities Hornsby Bend Center for 6:45 p.m. at the Academy of Oriental Contact: Julia Osgood Environmental Research Medicine at Austin, 2700 W. Anderson Develops criteria to determine whether Lane, Suite 204, Austin, TX 78757. volunteer opportunities may be counted for Bat Conservation International CAMN credit. Reviews, approves, and publicizes opportunities. The agenda for the next Board Meeting is Native Plant Society of Texas available here. Ad Hoc Education Partners: Jeri Porter, Jessica Wilson , Travis Audubon Society Simonetta Rodriguez, Lynda Blakeslee, Marilyn Got info for the Field Kircus Seeks and applies for grants to boost our Notes? outreach efforts.
Send info, photos and articles for Education and Outreach Committee publication in the Field Journal to: Contact: Peggy A. Murphy Promotes CAMN [email protected]. Deadline for Contact: Stuart Bailey Outreach CAMN submission is the 27th of each month.
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