BIG THICKET

July–September 2011 Reporter Issue #111

Neighbors Named Preserve Superintendent BONNEY GUIDEBOOK PUBLISHED On Big Thicket Day, the University Douglas Neighbors, a of North Press plans to release 21-year veteran of the The Big Thicket Guidebook: Explor- , ing the Backroads and History of has been named Super- Southeast Texas, by Lorraine Bon- intendent of the Big ney. The title is No. 6 in the “Temple Thicket National Pre- Big Thicket Series,” made possible by serve. He replaces Supt. the generosity of the T.L.L. Temple Todd Brindle, who now Foundation. (See insert) is superintendent at The book (with 800+ pages) retails Glen Canyon NRA, Ari- for $29.95 (plus tax) and will be zona. available to BTA members at a 20 For the past 5 years, Supt. Neighbors (at podium) welcomes Senator percent discount. The author will be Neighbors has been the Hutchison during her August visit to BTNP. Also present Big Thicket Day, October 8, superintendent of the pictured, at right, are Andy Jones, Texas Director, for autographs. 738,000-acre Craters The Conservation Fund, and BTA President Cathy Author Lorraine Bonney and her of the Moon National Johnston. [photo by Michael Black] husband the late Orrin Bonney co- Monument and Preserve authored guidebooks on the Grand in south-central Idaho. His NPS career includes Big Bend National Park, Cra- Tetons, Yellowstone, and Wyoming ter Lake National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park and the National mountains. They were founders of Park of . In 1989, Neighbors earned a Bachelor of Science the Lone Star Chapter, Sierra Club, degree in wildlife and fi sheries discipline from Texas A&M University. and Orrin was an early Chair of LSC. Neighbors is no stranger to Big Thicket, having served as its chief of Continued, page 3 resources management from 2000-2003. “I am eager to be heading back to the Big Thicket region of Texas and excited to work with the dedicated staff ,” Neighbors said. “I am looking forward to fi nalizing the preserve’s 20-year management plan and working with the many communities sur- BIG THICKET DAY rounding the preserve to help as the plan is implemented. October 8th SEN. HUTCHISON RECEIVES JACKSON CONSERVATION AWARD 9:30 am – 3:00 pm Senator and her aides visited Big Thicket August 11, Field Research Station accompanied by eight children. New Supt. Douglas Neighbors and Staff Saratoga, Texas welcomed the group. (see details, page 4) The visit and schedule were arranged by Andy Jones, Texas Director, The Conservation Fund. Leslie DuBey, Chief, Education and Interpretation,  arranged a brief tour for the children and made them Junior Rangers. BTA BONNEY GUIDEBOOK used the opportunity to present the R.E. Jackson Conservation Award to available for purchase Continued, page 3 Conservation Outlook

The Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline will recommend approval to the tures of the Kalamazoo spill clearly president unless there is a huge out- show a large pipeline rupture, so by Bruce R. Drury pouring of opposition. torqueing the fl anges would not have prevented the spill. A schol- The proposed Keystone XL pipeline Keystone XL, which will go from arly paper written by University of still awaits the decision by Presi- northern Alberta, through Montana, Nebraska engineering professor dent Obama concerning a permit South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, John Stansbury charges that Trans- to cross the border from Canada Oklahoma, and Texas to Port Arthur Canada very severely underplayed to the United States. Because the and , has received criti- the dangers to health and environ- project is international, the lead cism from landowners and environ- mental concerns in the “worst case” agency for the National Environ- mentalists, primarily because of its discussion in the EIS. mental Policy Act (NEPA) review perceived threat to the environ- is the Department of State, which ment. The tar sands oil that would Opponents of the Keystone pipeline will ultimately advise the president. go through the pipeline contains have suggested that the tar sand State issued a draft Environmental natural gas condensate and resid- oil could be refi ned in Canada and Impact Study in 2009, but because ual sand and heavy metals It is also marketed as end products, such as of the widespread and loud opposi- heated and under greater pressure gasoline and diesel, to the US and tion to the proposal, a supplemen- than crude oil in regular pipelines. abroad. Already under consider- tal draft EIS was promulgated in It would cross dozens of rivers and ation is an alternative pipeline that April of 2011. Even though State creeks and the extremely impor- would run from central Alberta to required some changes in the specs tant Ogallala and Carrizo-Wilcox the port of Kitimat, British Colum- of the project and TransCanada, the Aquifers. Existing tar sand pipelines bia. Actually, the Enbridge North- owner and builder of the pipeline, have experienced on average more ern Gateway plan is for two pipes— made several voluntary changes than one spill per month, and one a 36 inch line for tar sand oil going said to improve the safety of the break in southern Michigan spewed west and a 20 inch line for natural line, the criticism continues. A third 840,000 gallons of tar sand oil into gas condensate going east. Both EIS issued on August 26 followed the Kalamazoo River before it was the Canadian Energy Assessment the same line as those previous. stopped. In a letter to Jeff erson Agency and the National Energy The State Department has issued County Judge Jeff Branick, a Trans- Board are confronted by the 1972 a thousand-page report on the Canada offi cial acknowledged the informal moratorium on tanker proposed $7 billion pipeline and spills, but blamed them on above traffi c in the confi nes of Queen states that the pipeline “is not likely ground valve and fl ange prob- Charlotte Sound. Some Canadians to cause signifi cant environmen- lems that could be prevented with believe the environment is more tal problems during construction proper tightening of the bolts. Pic- important than oil and profi ts. or operation,” so it seems that State The environmental opponents of the Keystone pipeline who dem- Keystone Pipeline — State Department Hearings onstrated in front of the unfortunately had no vis- Local ible eff ect on the State Depart- Monday, September 26, 4:30 to 10 PM ment. The Obama administration Bob Bowers Civic Center, 3401 Cultural Drive, Port Arthur has promised to have a decision State on the pipeline license by the end Wednesday, September 28, noon-3:30, 4-8 PM of the year, so we have only two University of Texas opportunities to aff ect the deci- Lady Bird Johnson Auditorium, 2313 Red River Street, Austin sion. First, you can attend a State Department hearing on the pipe- Please plan to attend a hearing! line’s national interest. Our local hearing will be held from 4:30 to 10

2 July–September 2011 Big Thicket Reporter #111 Conservation Outlook

PM on Monday, Sept. 26 in the Bob National Park Service Director Jona- the years. Currently they participate Bowers Civic Center, 3401 Cultural than B. Jarvis said, “The Garden Club in restoration of Texas trailing phlox Drive, Port Arthur. The Texas state of America has supported national (Phlox nivalis ssp texensis) in Big hearing will be noon-3:30, 4-8 PM parks and the National Park Service Thicket National Preserve. on Wednesday, Sept. 28 in the Uni- since before there was a National versity of Texas Lady Bird Johnson Park Service and the formal renewal Trinity River Refuge Pro- Auditorium, 2313 Red River Street, of this partnership will serve us well posed Paving Project Austin. Second, you can send let- into the future.” Trinity River National Wildlife Ref- ters and emails to the president, The Garden Club of America goes uge is seeking funds for a project asking him to honor his promise to back to 1913 and members were that may be completed altogether protect the environment. supportive in not only creating or in two phases, depending on the The Keystone XL pipeline, as cur- national parks but in creation of the funding requested from the Federal rently proposed, has limited safety National Park Service in 1916. The Highways Administration. If funds features and thus a spill could be Club continues support in conser- are secured, they would be used devastating to the Big Thicket. vation and plant management in to pave 1.1 mile of a Refuge gravel Please speak your mind. the partnership to inventory, map, road (starting at the end of the monitor, propagate, and transplant paved CR 417), pave current gravel NPS and Garden Club of threatened or endangered plants; parking areas, add water, electricity, America Partnership pull invasive plants; and conduct sanitary facilities, and correct drain- valuable research projects. age problems along the road with The National Park Service and the new culverts. This increasingly pop- Garden Club of America recently GCA actively supported the estab- ular public use area has two public renewed a formal partnership based lishment of the Big Thicket National boat ramps, levee trail, butterfl y gar- on conservation and management Preserve in the 1970s and has con- den, and fi shing pier which attracts of native plants. tinued that involvement through over 22,000 yearly visitors.

Senator Hutchison Bonney Guidebook continued from page 1 continued from page 1 her. In presenting the Award, Pres. Lorraine spends summers in the Cathy Johnston remarked: “You Grand Tetons and winters at “Happy have worked eff ectively to provide Oaks” in Spring, Texas. funding for the 1993 Big Thicket This Big Thicket book spans research National Preserve Addition Act, add- and travel over a 25-year period. ing 10,766 acres to the Preserve. Using the WPA Writer’s Project’s You have also supported success- Texas: a Guide to the Lone Star State fully other legislation that benefi ted (lst ed. 1940) as a model, the book is the Preserve, including acquisition divided into three parts: 1- History; and funding for the site and con- 2- Towns; 3- Roadside history (in 15 struction of this Visitor Center. The tours plus side tours). Readers learn Big Thicket Association recognizes about early explorers and missions, further your willingness to work pioneers, geology, timbering, biodi- with former Rep. Charles Wilson, for- versity and recreation, plus meeting mer Rep. Jim Turner and Rep. Kevin fascinating people who infl uenced Brady for the Preserve’s benefi t.” and fashioned Big Thicket.

Big Thicket Reporter #111 July–September 2011 3 Preserve Overview Ann Roberts | BTA Administrative Asst. BIG THICKET DAY, OCTOBER 8 New Supeintendent The “Big News” for the Preserve is the appointment of Douglas Neighbors BTA President Mary Catherine John- as Superintendent, former Resource Management Chief at BTNP 2000- ston reports that the annual Big 2003. (See front page) Doug has challenges ahead — replacing three divi- Thicket Day and general member- sion heads, coping with budgets, managing the ever-present need to pro- ship business meeting will be held tect and restore resources, and completing the General Management Plan. Saturday, October 8. at the Field Research Station in Saratoga from Village Creek Cleanup 9:30-3:00. Lunch will be available for a nominal fee. Mary Kay Manning, Interpretation and Education Ranger, plans a Village Creek Cleanup on September 17 beginning at 8:30AM as part of the offi cial The program will be presented by Hardin County Cleanup Day. Volunteers will canoe and collect trash from Dr. Carl Knight and his students SH327 to Baby Galvez. Simultaneously, a Texas Parks & Wildlife team will from Eastfi eld College. Dr. Knight, collect trash from US 96 to Village Creek State Park. Contact Manning at a BTA board member, administers [email protected]. a grant from the National Science Foundation to encourage youth and especially minorities to plan science careers. The students have been active participants in the Thicket of Diversity (All Taxa Biodiversity BTA NEWS Inventory) program. Pres. Johnston reports that Cur- Election tis McGee and Friends will furnish Ballots to elect offi cers and board of directors for terms expiring are in the entertainment in the afternoon— mail. Fred Allen, Treasurer, and Elaine Allums, Secretary, have agreed to country and gospel music. The continue as well as several board members. New to the lineup are Dr. Jerry group includes seven performers Cook (Sam Houston SU), Mike Hoke (Shangri-La), and Charles Smith (Vol- who come from Woodville, Warren, unteer Extraordinaire). Dr. Pete Gunter whose services are well-known and Silsbee, Colmesneil, and Kountze. mind-boggling, will again accept election as a director. Missing from the line-up are Judy Allen, James Caccioppo, Marion Holt, and Joe Liggio. The Association is profoundly grateful for their many years of service. COME TO SARATOGA ! Funding Big Thicket BTA resources have declined considerably, and several grant requests are pending to maintain programs and projects. The generosity of member National Preserve gifts have kept the organization afl oat. The Pyramid Magnolia preservation project is also at a standstill. Field Research Station Membership Saturday, October 8 As always, BTA needs more members. The battles on issues are not over, Purchase an and we have new challenges ahead. We are still sending newsletters to 104 autographed copy of delinquent members. Of the current members, 34 percent are life mem- bers. Bonney’s Guidebook!

4 July–September 2011 Big Thicket Reporter #111 Thicket Of Diversity News Entergy Grant to The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Science Cafes Bob Boensch and students asso- Your editors missed including a BIG On Thursday, July 28th, Dr. Chad ciated with Houston Zoo col- story in the last issue. On May 10, Hargrave, Department of Biologi- lected fresh water mussels; and the Entergy Charitable Foundation awarded The Nature Conservancy of cal Sciences at Sam Houston State Robert Egan collected lichens.. University, presented Ecology of Texas $100,000 to protect important the Neches River, at the Logon Café, In May, Joe Liggio led an orchid natural areas that benefi t freshwa- Beaumont. The meeting attracted walk but results were meager ter in Texas’s Big Thicket. Later the 25-30 folks. On Thursday, Septem- because of the drought. group toured the Roy E. Larsen San- dyland Sanctuary in Silsbee. ber 1st, Bob Boensch of The Nature The Committee approved a new Conservancy presented research on Taxa Working Group for Insects Among those present were David Freshwater Mussels at Logon Café. requested by JarVon Hill of Missis- Bezanson, protection and ease- sippi State University for a 2011- ments manager for The Nature Con- Executive Council Meeting 2013 grant to collect ants, grasshop- servancy in Texas, Wendy Ledbet- With President Wendy Ledbet- pers and related insects ter, forest program manager for The ter presiding, the Thicket of Diver- Nature Conservancy in Texas, and Data Management Committee sity Executive Council met July 8 at from Entergy Texas, Inc. , Vernon report from Mona Halvorsen indi- BTNP headquarters. Pierce, director of customer service cated that nine data sets were sent and Brent Dorsey, director of corpo- The Science Committee chair to Whitney Granger to be recorded rate environmental programs. vacancy was fi lled with the appoint- in NR Info (formerly NP Species). ment of Brian Lockwood, Acting The data sets include the follow- The Big Thicket funding is part of a Chief of Resource Management. ing: Aquatic Truebugs; Odonates; larger initiative funding freshwater Lockwood reported the following Tardigrades; Mordellidae; Aquatic conservation work in , Mis- activity in June: Ectoparasites; Myxomycetes; Herpe- sissippi, Arkansas and Texas. In total, Entergy granted TNC $550,000. Paul Tinerella and Katie Winsett tofauna – Amphibians, Reptiles; and collected specimens from all Freshwater Fishes. Data for vascular Vernon Pierce noted that “Entergy units of the Preserve; plants, macrofungi and some slime was the fi rst utility to make—and molds will be sent later. fulfi ll—a commitment to scale back Steven Hatch and his crew col- the amount of greenhouse gases its lected in the Canyonlands; electricity generators emit into the atmosphere.

 A few of the 20 people that hiked and participated in “The Longest Day Hike.” The hike, held on June 25 — the Saturday following the summer solstice — was sponsored by the Golden Triangle Sierra group. See story on page 6. [photo by Bruce Walker]

Big Thicket Reporter #111 July–September 2011 5 Miscellany

Temple-Inland Rejects Bid Library Archivist in Paris Hike” — the Saturday following the summer solstice. We had 20 people Recently, Temple-Inland received In June Lamar University Library that hiked and participated. Hikers an unsolicited bid from Interna- Archivist Penny Clark traveled to chose to hike 3 miles, 6 miles, or 9 tional Paper to acquire all outstand- Paris where she viewed mushrooms miles of the trail. Approximately 10 ing common shares at a price of from the Big Thicket. The fungi hikers fi nished the 9 mile portion $30.60 per share in cash. The board are part of the collections of the between the Warren trail head and of directors unanimously rejected National Museum of Natural His- Gore Store Road. The summer heat the off er. tory in Paris which were collected was brutal, but the hikers took their by David Lewis, dried, and mailed to The “new” Temple-Inland launched time and enjoyed the shaded trail. France for study and preservation. in 2008 delivers corrugated packag- From Gore Store Road we shuttled ing and building products for home The fungi project is administered to the trail head on FM 1943 near construction, commercial markets, by Dr. Bart Buyck who has pub- Warren. We stopped for lunch at etc. The corporation is the third larg- lished scientifi c papers with David CR 4825 (Hester Bridge Road) and est producer of corrugated packag- and traveled from Paris to Newton, the Golden Triangle Sierra group ing that controls about 12 percent Texas fi ve times to meet with him off ered everyone a light lunch, cold of the North American market. and collect Big Thicket fungi. Clark drinks, and a place to relax and rest. was especially intrigued by seeing Hardin County Historical Commission David’s specimens in Paris, since At Gore Store Road, where the HCHC held a reception on June 23 David has donated over 30,000 vehicles were parked, hikers opted for the opening of a new “home” photographic slides to Lamar which not to hike the lower section of and proposed museum. Floyd Boy- document many aspects of the Big the trail with parts closed due to ett provided an update and tour of Thicket including its fungi. damage from forest fi res. Ranger the former bank building. Deanna Boensch, Fire Ecologist GT Sierra’s Longest Day Hike BTNP accompanied participants on Renee Hart is working for HCHC to the hike and discussed the role of prepare an application for a histori- by Bruce Walker, Chair fi re in the forest and described how cal marker for Saratoga’s Oil Field On June 25 the Golden Triangle the fi res impacted the park. (Jordan) Cemetery. Sierra group held “The Longest Day START Meeting The Southeast Texas Area Recre- ation and Tourism group met July 14 at the Marriott Courtyard, hosted by Ms. Beverly Brantley and staff . The group shares news on proj- ects, programs and events. The next meeting will be Thursday, October 13, at 9:30 am at the BTNP Visitor Center, located 7 miles north of Kountze on FM 420. An optional ranger-led walk on the inner loop of the Sundew Trail is scheduled after the meeting. This easy ¼-mile walk leads through magnifi cent longleaf pines and open savannah. The Hardin County Historical Commission hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 23 for the opening of a new “home” and proposed museum.

6 July–September 2011 Big Thicket Reporter #111 Big Thicket National Preserve Activities UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday September 3 September 17 Cardinal Cruise on the Neches River, 10:00 AM, $15, under 6 yrs $5 Village Creek Cleanup; Join Ranger Mary Kay Manning on the Lamar University pontoon TPWD team, US96 to VCSP. boat. For information call: 409-880-8907 Volunteers contact Mary_ [email protected]. Sunday September 11 Guided Walk on the Kirby Nature Trail, 9:00 AM. with Ranger Paula Rivers. Meet at the Kirby Nature Trail on FM 420. October 8 Big Thicket Day and BTA Wednesday September 14 General Membership Busi- Campout in the Big Thicket, 10:30 AM; Ranger Mary Kay Manning at ness Meeting, 9:30-3:00 the Willard Library in Beaumont, camping for moms and tots.

Saturday September 17 October 13 Village Creek Clean Up, 8:30 AM. Join other Hardin County citizens in START Meeting at BTNP Vis- this eff ort to beautify Hardin County. Bring or rent your own canoe itor Center, 9:30 and paddle Village Creek from FM 326 to Baby Galvez in Silsbee. Call for directions and reservations 409-951-6700. October14-16 Sunday September 18 Harvest Festival, Heritage Talk on -Coushatta Baskets, 1:00-2:00 PM; Park Ranger Elliot Village Museum Abbey will give a talk on basket making at the Visitor Center on FM (Kids Day, October 14) 420, seven miles north of Kountze.

Sunday September 25 October 21-22-23 Guided Walk on the Sundew Trail, 9:00 AM; birding with Ranger Paula Kountze Trade Days Rivers. Meet at Sundew Trail located north of Wildwood in beautiful Your editors are planning a Tyler County just south of FM 1943. “garage sale” to benefi t Big Thicket at Kountze Trade Saturday October 1 Days. We are cleaning out Cardinal Cruise on the Neches River, 10 AM, $15, under 6 yrs $5 Join attics and storage buildings Ranger Mary Kay Manning on the Lamar University pontoon boat. For — and others might want information call: 409-880-8907. to join us — also we could use volunteers for part of Sunday October 2 that weekend. Talk on Alabama-Coushatta Dance Regalia, 1:00-1:30 PM; Park Ranger Elliot Abbey will give a talk on bead work. Meet at the Visitor Center on FM 420, north of Kountze. November 19 Mushroom Walk with David Sunday October 9 Lewis. Meet 10:00 am at the Canoe Village Creek, 10:00 am-1:00 PM; Bring or rent a canoe and Field Research Station in paddle Village Creek from FM 326 to Baby Galvez in Silsbee. Call Saratoga. for reservations 409-951-6700.

Sunday October 16 Talk on Alabama-Coushatta Baskets, 1:00-2:00 PM; Park Ranger Elliot Abbey will give a talk on basket making. Meet at Visitor Center on FM 420, north of Kountze.

Big Thicket Reporter #111 July–September 2011 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 bimonthly 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 NPCA asks White House to Commit to Parks Conservation Fund www.conservationfund.org (Excerpts from story by Ashlie Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times, June 28, 2011 National Society Using data from a new study the National Park Conservation Association www.goldentriangleaudubon.org (NPCA) and the Center for Park Research said the health of natural and cul- www.houstonaudubon.org tural resources … is fading, while a “host of new and long-standing threats” National Parks Conserv. Assoc. is rising, such as declining air quality, polluted waterways and decreased www.npca.org diversity of species… NPCA called on President Obama to sign an execu- tive order that would recommit the federal government to the conserva- Native Plant Society of Texas tion of national parks using the study’s recommended policies. They are www.npsot.org also calling on Congress to provide $600 million for restoring ecosystems Nature Conservancy and habitats. www.nature.org/texas Tom Kiernan, president of the NPCA, pointed out that parks are receiving Outdoor Nature Club, Houston two-thirds of what they need. Funding parks amounts to “one-thirteenth of www.outdoornatureclub.org one percent” of the national budget. Cutting funds or not providing funds Sierra Club Golden Triangle Group is not going to impact the defi cit.” Kiernan said parks are an economic www.texas.sierraclub.org/triangle investment, with a $4 million return annually. The parks system generates Texas Conservation Alliance $13.3 billion in economic activity, according to NPCA... www.TCAtexas.org For the full text of the report, consult: Village Creek State Park wwww.tpwd.state.tx.us.park http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2011/06/national-parks-conserva- tion.html

8 July–September 2011 Big Thicket Reporter #111