Capital Area Master Naturalists 2010 FIELD NOTES Meeting No December Meeting but we will be back on January 26th, 2011 with long- time CAMN friend Mike Quinn

Regular Monthly Meetings are normally the last Wednesday of each month (except December when we do not meet) 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 From the President discussion about CAMN business on January 6th, 2011. Contact any Board There is nothing in the New Testament seasons. Individuals come and go, even Member for more details and for the to suggest that Jesus was born at this time species come and go, yet the earth abides. location of the meeting. of year, but early Christians thought it As we prepare for our own holiday fitting to appropriate the date of the celebrations, I hope that Master Roman festival of Sol Invictus (the Naturalists can remain conscious of the Volunteer and Unconquered Sun) and the Germanic Yule. link between every human community and Both festivals were dated astronomically at the natural world that surrounds it. That Advanced Training the Winter Solstice, when the Northern applies to our families as well as our larger Opportunities Hemisphere sun reaches its furthest point social and political communities. We are all Visit the CAMN website at south and days are at their shortest before interlinked, which is as much the message www.camn.org and log in to the CAMN the sun begins its journey back towards of Christmas and Hanukkah as it was of Volunteer Calendar to start fulfilling those spring. Since Christmas is also about a new the ancient feasts of Yule and Sol Invictus. beginning, this seemed the right time of volunteer hours. year for it. Hanukkah, the Jewish festival As this year comes to an end, we can all of lights, is similarly dated near the Winter take a rest and look back at our Visit the CAMN yahoo Solstice on a lunar calendar. (In the same accomplishments. More importantly, we way, the date of Easter is linked to nature— can look forward to a wonderful New Year group for On-line the first Sunday after the first full moon in which CAMN and its members networking after the Vernal Equinox.) continue their mission of service to all these natural and human communities in All these celebrations are a reminder of which we take part. Have a glorious how conscious our ancestors were of the holiday! interlocking circles of natural time: the daily round of the sun, the monthly cycle of Photo Credit: LBJWC. Ilex decidua, the moon, and the regular march of the Christine PowellPossumhaw, Possumhaw Holly, Deciduous Holly, Winterberry, Deciduous yaupon Aquifoliaceae (Holly Family) CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 1 From the Editor In This Issue We have had several recent articles recently on the From the President 1 evils of double-dipping. However, I realized this month that there is one form of double-dipping that the Master Didn’t they do well? 3 Naturalist organization not only permits, but actively encourages! Quite a few of the articles in this issue are Exciting New Project in Williamson County 4 reports on conferences, symposia, and other educational First Frost 5 events. The authors got Advanced Training hours by attending them, but then they got Volunteer hours by Field Trip — UT Resources Center 6 writing up a report on the event for the Field Notes. This is Native Bees and Their Importance as Pollinators 7 one way that CAMN can multiply the effects of its educational efforts. The authors didn’t just benefit 2010 Service Austin Event at SCG 8 personally from their course, but were able to share their learning with all of our readers. Go and do likewise! Texas Plant Conservation Conference 10 As always, thanks to everyone who sends me items Fall Plant Survey at WilCo NW Park, every month. For you newcomers, please send your Liberty Hill 12 comments and contributions to Christine Powell at [email protected]. NPSOT Symposium 2010 15 Thanks you’all. BRIT, Its Needs, and How We Can Help 17 Native Orchids — Do You Have Any? 17 Geology of South Central Texas 18 Cleaning Dates for 2011 18 Every Heath Has a Home 19 Evergreen Sumac — Rhus virens 20 Scat and Frass 21 Announcements From Around the State 25 Officers and Committee Contacts 26

From the Webmaster

As you have doubtless noticed, the issue of logging in to view the Members Area of the camn.org website, including the private calendar and the Weekly Readers, has not been entirely solved. We do have a temporary fix available, however. If you are a CAMN member and are unable to view these materials, please contact Dale Rye at [email protected]. I can provide you with a substitute password that will let you get into the Members Area.

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 2 Field Awards: Christine Powell Didn’t They Do Well?

Several of our number are regular volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and on the evening of November 4th, 2010 they were acknowledged at the LBJWC awards ceremony. Stuart Bailey, Dale Rye and Jeri Porter (pictured right) were just a few of those present.

At our November monthly meeting, we were treated to a wonderful presentation by Kevin Thuesen from Water Quality Protection Lands on a cave he found recently when he was patrolling City of Austin properties. Many of us know Kevin from our training or when we volunteer with him for the City of Austin Wildlands. It was an excellent and very fun talk and just goes to show just what you might find when you are volunteering.

At last we have our very own CAMN T-shirts and our thanks go especially to Cheryl Goveia (left with her winning design) and Sandie Mayfield (right with her winning design). Thanks also to all who helped get them organized and made, in particular Linda Nowlin and Stuart Bailey. If you would like one, we will be selling them again at our Annual Awards Meeting on Sunday, February 6th, 2011. Mark those calendars.

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 3 Field Special!: Christine Powell Exciting New Project in Williamson County We have been invited to help in an exciting new project in Williamson County—really it’s not that far from Austin and it will count for Volunteer hours and Advanced training! First, let me give you a little background. The Williamson County Conservation Foundation (WCCF) was established in December 2002 to provide for conservation of endangered species in Williamson County while helping to promote responsible development. Williamson County has for several years been one of the fastest growing counties in the country. Rapid growth necessitates a regional approach to balancing development needs with the needs for conservation. With this in mind the WCCF has established several important cave preserves. Two preserves form natural areas within Williamson County’s Southwest Regional Park. A third preserve, Twin Springs, near Lake Georgetown, provides a habitat for the Golden- cheeked Warbler and the Georgetown Salamander, as well as two endangered cave species. Two preserves in the southern part of the county provide a karst habitat. A newly acquired preserve in northern Clearly, some help is needed with the trails! Williamson County has endangered cave species and potential to become an endangered bird habitat. Wo r k D a y — Jan 8th, 2011 Leave No Trace Train-the-Trainer Class Come and celebrate the New Year in a new preserve! Thursday, December 16, 2010, 7:00 – 9:00 PM Be one of the first groups to see this new area and help Williamson County Jester Annex, finish the last quarter of mile of trails. A very special Harrell Conference Room work day has been set up just for us so lets make this a 1801 East Old Settlers Blvd, Round Rock CAMN day out! Tools will be provided and don’t Leave No Trace (LNT, www.lnt.org) Trainers will worry if you are like me and mean will but are not able receive two hours of introductory training in the to do as much as you would like as there is always things for all work skills, underlying ethics, and seven principles of levels and skills. Just come and join in the fun! Let me know if you can LNT. LNT Trainers will be “deputized” to issue come and I will let you have full details just as soon as they have been LNT passes on behalf of Williamson County finalized. Lets start the New year as we mean to go on—out in the (WilCo) and the Williamson County Conservation open having fun! Contact Christine Powell. Foundation (WCCF, http://www.wilco.org/ CountyDepartments/ConservationFund/tabid/518/ Default.aspx) for Twin Springs Preserve and other WilCo preserves not normally open to the public. In the future, those wishing to join a CAMN or NPSOT field trip to a normally-closed WilCo preserve must complete one hour of LNT training, and receive their LNT pass, prior to the field trip. Dates for NPSOT-led LNT training classes are still to be determined. Contact Kathy McCormack (VEFL21 at yahoo dot com, 512-698-9880) to register for this LNT Train- the-Trainer class (20 people maximum).

The "Sneak Peekers:" Linda Goff, Sue Wiseman, Gary Boyd, and Kathy McCormack at the newest Williamson County Preserve, Twin Springs Will You Help? Preserve.

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 4 Field Prep: by Jim and Lynne Weber First Frost

Accompanying the crunching of fallen and the rattling of seed pods drying in the breeze is the arrival of the first frost. This marks the seasonal change from our relatively warm autumn to the cooler days of a mild central Texas winter. How does frost, this sparkling layer that sometimes covers the fall landscape, form? When the temperature of the air reaches a point where the water vapor in it can condense out into water, it is called the dew point. The frost point is when the dew point falls below freezing, and rather than producing dew, it creates frost. Consisting of tiny, spike-like crystal structures called spicules that grow out from a solid surface, frost generally forms on surfaces that are colder than the surrounding air. Even the size of the crystals can vary, depending upon the amount of time they took to grow, the relative changes in temperature, and the Frostweed with ‘frost .’ (Photo by Melody Lytle) amount of water vapor available. Cold air is denser than warm air, so quite lying areas near streams, creeks, canyon bottoms, and in often lower areas become colder on calm nights due to dappled shade at woodland edges. Much of the year, frostweed differences in elevation. Known as surface temperature goes unnoticed while it grows tall and leafy, the top of each stalk inversion, this phenomenon forms ‘frost pockets’ or areas crowned by small white in the fall. With the first frost, where frost forms first, due to cold air trapped against the the water contained in each plant stem expands, causing the ground. It is here, in these areas, that you can find a rare and stems to crack. Via capillary action, more water is drawn wonderful spectacle of nature called ‘frost flowers.’ through the cracks, freezes when it hits the cold air, and forms While many can be damaged or killed by freezing long curls of ice like petals of a flower. These delicate flowers of temperatures or frost, this varies by the type of plant and tissue the frost are fleeting in nature, and can only be found in early exposed to these conditions. In our area, there is a plant called morning, as the rising temperature melts them away. frostweed (Ve r b e s i n a v i r g i n i c a ), which is commonly found in low- Other plants have interesting seed-heads and seedpods at this time of year, providing for a way of self-propagating as well as a winter source of food for wildlife. Goldenrods, gayfeathers, purple coneflower, Maximillian sunflower, inland sea oats, and a few indigenous species of clematis are prime examples. Postpone cutting them to the ground until late winter, as each lends a helping hand to hungry critters and a distinct character to the landscape. Our generally cool falls and temperate winters do not require most mammals to hibernate, but a few species of butterflies that emerge in the fall overwinter as adults. These butterflies have evolved to wait out the colder months in diapause, a physiological state of dormancy with unique triggering and releasing conditions. In the case of these butterflies, the first frost triggers their need to hide under bark or in a wood pile, venturing Question mark butterfly. (Photo: © Derek Ramsey)

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 5 Field Prep: by Jim and Lynne Weber First Frost

out only occasionally to bask in the sun on a warm winter day or take nourishment by feeding on the sap of a nearby tree. The increasing warmth in early spring releases these insects, ready to mate. The most common overwintering butterflies in our area are the question mark and the mourning cloak. Like other brushfoot butterflies in the anglewing family, the question mark looks quite different depending on whether its wings are open or closed. While the upperside of the wings are colorfully marked with oranges, browns, and pinks, the undersides are a mosaic of drab browns, and along with their jagged edges, provide the perfect camouflage by mimicking a dead . Mourning cloaks, on the other hand, have a handsome purple- black upperside with a wide yellow outer margin Mourning cloak butterfly. (Photo by Kymi) with a row of iridescent blue spots on the inner edge of the border. Mourning cloaks prefer the sap of oak , and they are known for walking down a tree trunk to the sap and feeding head downward. Send your nature-related questions to On the surface, fall may seem as if nature is shutting down [email protected] and we’ll do our best to answer for the winter, but take the time for a second look. The first them. If you enjoy reading these articles, look for our book, frost of the season is just another part of the ongoing cycle of NatureWatch Austin, to be published by Texas A&M University life and renewal for our native plants and animals. Press in 2011.

UT Plant Resources Center Saturday, January 22, 2011, Two sessions (1:00 – 2:45 PM and 3:00 – 4:45 PM) All are welcome on our first field trip of 2011 to the University of Texas Plant Resources Center ( http://www.biosci.utexas.edu/prc/) which has over one million pressed, dried, and preserved plant specimens, some over 150 years old. The Curator has offered to give us an introduction to the nature and organization of the collection, discuss its use and relevance, and show us some of its “jewels.” The format is very open to questions and discussion. Please plan on arriving by 12:45 PM for the first session or by 2:45 PM for the second session. Carpooling is strongly encouraged due to the expense of parking on campus. Reservations are required – please contact Kathy McCormack (VEFL21 at yahoo.com, (c) 698-9880) to register for this trip and provide your name, email address, phone number, and affiliation (e.g., CAMN, NPSOT, or Master Naturalist/ Gardener chapter). Please also identify which session is your first choice and which session is your second choice so that we can accommodate everyone (if you can only make one of the sessions, please indicate this, as well). Parking directions will be provided one week before the field trip. Image courtesy of http://w3.biosci.utexas.edu/prc/ specimens/img/txu-herb-00287394.JPG

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 6 Field Talk: DALE RYE Native Bees and Their Importance as Pollinators

On Veteran’s Day, 2010, 67 people—including CAMNers from as far away as South Austin—gathered at the November meeting of NPSOT– Williamson County to hear Kim Peoples Bacon give an entertaining and very informative talk on native bees. All of us are familiar with the European Honeybee, of course, and its Africanized hybrid, but there are actually around 20,000 bee species around the world, with 1000 of them found in Texas. Since our native plants co-evolved with these native bees, they often look to them as primary pollinators. Bees are generally vegetarians, looking to collect pollen, nectar, oil, and other plant materials. They pursue almost as many distinct strategies for doing this as there are species. The bees’ relatives, the wasps, are usually predators, often on bees. Generally speaking, with some exceptions, bees have hairy bodies, while wasps are smooth. Kim became interested in native bees when she realized that they are substantially under-studied. There are probably only 25 people in the United States who could legitimately be called “bee experts,” and not a lot more than that worldwide. Interest has grown recently, however, since the colony collapse disorder affecting honeybees has led to increased interest in alternative pollinators for all the crops that rely on insect pollination. It should be noted that much of the U.S. alfalfa crop is already pollinated by alkali bees and most greenhouse tomatoes by bumblebees. Honeybees are really the only species in North America that swarms. If you see a swarm of bees, don’t disturb it. Most people who have been attacked by Africanized bees have run over a hive with a mower or done something equivalently dangerous. Native bees sting rarely, and they do not

travel in large groups. Some 70% of Texas bee species are solitary, living by themselves and building breeding nests in the ground or in holes. A common pattern is for the female bee to drill a hole in the ground or in wood, line it with bee loaf (processed pollen and nectar), and lay eggs in it. The larval and pupal stages are spent underground, sustained by the bee loaf before the adults finally emerge full-grown. The male eggs were laid last, near the entrance, so they are the first out. That gives them time to stake out breeding territories before the females emerge. If you want native bees in your garden, you need to provide spaces of bare earth for them to tunnel. Ground that is covered with mulch or carpet grass will not serve. Providing bees with wood that has drilled holes can also help, but these should be replaced each year to control mite infestation. Kim certifies bee gardens, if you are interested in providing a Certified Bee Habitat. For the criteria, helpful advice, and a whole lot of additional interesting material, see Kim’s website at www.beewatchers.com. Contact her at [email protected]

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 7 Field Work: Jerry Mayfield and Sandie Mayfield 2010 Service Austin Event at SCG The Rotary Club sponsored its annual Service Austin event on November 19-21, an event that asks Austinites to give thanks for living in a great community by giving back. The event, held the weekend before Thanksgiving, uses projects submitted by various organizations to the Service Austin web site. Volunteers sign up for one that matches their interests, skills, and location. We submitted a project to build an entrance at the Slaughter Creek Greenbelt (SCG) and were lucky to have it approved as a Service Austin project. As the greenbelt is CAMN 2010’s class project, this event represented one of our final big events for the year. Building the SCG entrance at Alsatia and Currin Lane first required finding best prices and places to acquire limestone rocks, mulch, soil, and crushed granite using the monies granted to the Friends of Slaughter Creek Greenbelt by the Austin Parks Alsatia-Currin entrance prior to Service Austin event Foundation. Lucky for us, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) provided free mulch and hauled in crushed granite at a price that couldn’t be beat. Custom Stone Supply in south Austin gave us a price break for our limestone pallets and loose rock, and The Natural Gardener provided soil. On the Saturday morning scheduled for our SCG project, a Rotary Club member arrived with hot coffee, juices, breakfast tacos, and chicken biscuits, as well as plenty of T-shirts for all volunteers. It was an impressive turnout. More than 25 volunteers from the homes and community surrounding the greenbelt, as well as 4 members of the CAMN 2010 Class, joined together to build this first entrance, complete with two flowerbeds, trail signage, and improved trail. Just as work began, the Austin Parks Department pulled in with a trailer full of wheelbarrows, rakes, and shovels—ending a shortage of tools and making our work so much easier. Thirty-foot long flowerbeds made of limestone rocks stacked up quickly on either side of the entrance as two teams rapidly Volunteers starting to haul granite gravel for the trail piled rocks, and hauled in soil and mulch. Meanwhile, another team of workers began the tough job of shoveling and hauling tons of crushed granite gravel, widening the trail to seven feet along 125 yards of its length. Cynthia Mauk, another Class 2010 CAMNer, had painted the lettering on several signs the week before. Jerry and Walter Earnest tackled putting in one of the signs to identify the trail, and added an extra flowerbed around it using leftover rock. Then, adventurously, three CAMNers—Jerry, Walter and Jason Cox—tackled hauling materials into the interior of the greenbelt and installed a sign for Elm Waterhole. While the event was planned to run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., due to the bounty of tools and materials on hand, and through the number of volunteers sharing the work, by noon we had a finished entrance with flowerbeds and finessed trail. What a tribute to teamwork and the power of volunteerism. Our final project in recognition of this year’s Service Austin Flowerbeds taking shape—native plants to be added in the spring event was actually started several weekends before the event, and

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 8 Field Work: Jerry Mayfield and Sandie Mayfield 2010 Class Project Success

Jerry and Walter digging holes for sign posts Walter, Jerry and Jason done for the day finished a weekend after. Jerry, with minor help from a few others, prepared a cement base one weekend for a park bench, built its stone supports on Austin Service weekend, and added the wooden seat a weekend later. Several other benches are planned in key spots around the greenbelt. This one sits facing a “granddaddy” oak, and makes a wonderful resting spot to watch those hill country sunsets or listen to birds in the morning. This year, as the greenbelt has begun to be transformed by community volunteers and the work of CAMN Class 2010, people who have visited the greenbelt have taken notice and commented on the good work. Many have wanted to join us, some have asked how they can contribute, while others are happy to see that the greenbelt is being protected and cared for. Our hopes are that the creation of our next entrance for SCG, planned for March 2011, is as inspiring and fun—Our thanks to all First bench for the greenbelt who gave materials, gave their time and labor, and who continue to give back to Austin.

Many of the volunteers—tired but proud of our work The finished entrance—three hours after we started

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 9 Field Conference: Christine Powell Texas Plant Conservation Conference

In mid September I had the privilege to individual rare species; second, on attend the 10th Texas Plant Conservation conservation of plant species in a broader Conference at the Lady Bird Johnson context; and third, the use of volunteers as Wildflower Center as our representative. citizen scientists and educators. This year’s three-day conference was One of the most obvious things that wonderful. It could easily have been forced has resulted from the last ten years of the into two days but we would all have been conference is the publication Rare Plants of stressed. This way gave the out-of-towners Texas: A Field Guide by Jackie M. Poole, time to see the area and the commuters William R. Carr, Dana M. Price, and Jason plenty of time to miss the traffic, which R. Singhurst. That is an amazing certainly added to the relaxed feel and the achievement, and we have been a part of wonderful air of camaraderie. helping that happen—go CAMN! In this The conference started at noon on report I am not going to go into great September 15, but I went down early to depth about all the proceedings, but will help Flo Oxley with registration. It was a just point out some things I found real treat to meet the speakers and interesting in two or three of the talks. The participants on a one-to-one basis before general outline of the conference can be the event started. For me as a volunteer at found online, as can the abstracts, so if you the Wildflower Center, Master Naturalist, want to learn more please go to http:// Master Gardener, and NPSOT member, www.wildflower.org/tpcc_speakers/. Kathy Rice this was in many respects a plant family The very first paper was given by Maria reunion! After the welcome by Flo—where T. Williams, a graduate student at Sul Ross of the plant occur within a six-mile radius she thanked our chapter several times for State University in Alpine and Dr. Bonnie in the drainage of Terlingua Creek and its its support—we quickly moved into the J. Warnock, Department of Natural tributaries in Brewster County. The area presentations. There were fifteen papers Resource Management at Sul Ross, who can be described as the most extreme presented over the three days, and these specializes in Restoration Ecology and environment in Texas, a series of low can be loosely categorized into three Rangeland Hydrology. The paper was rolling hills often referred to as a groups. First were the presentations on entitled “Population “moonscape,” a term that really annoys Dr. biology, habitat Warnock, who grew up in the area on a description, ranch. delineation and The Terlingua Creek cat’s-eye are conservation of widely spaced, often dozens of feet apart, Te r l i n g u a Cr e e k on a geologic formation, the Fizzle Flat cat’s-eye (cryptantha Lentil, a series of platelets of creamy- crassipes, pictured yellow limestone containing veins of above and to the gypsum and barite. Very few plants are left).” This was a adapted to grow in such a hostile fascinating report on environment. The perennial plant blooms a federally listed primarily March - May; with (nutlets) endangered species probably maturing April-June. The in a very small area flowering stems—believed to be insect- of west Texas that, pollenated—are up to two feet tall and rise quite honestly, none from a cluster of silvery basal leaves. There of us stands a chance is a tap root up to twelve inches in length. of ever seeing. Several other rare plant species occur in However, I was the same habitat or the adjacent basaltic enthralled by this soils. There are also endangered reptiles in barely-enduring the area, including the Texas Horned Te x a s n a t i v e . All Lizard. The plant is highly noxious to TPWD © known populations cattle, due to alkaloids, so grazing has not

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 10 Field Conference: Christine Powell Texas Plant Conservation Conference

harmed it, but development has. There are Finally, one of the last papers to be the simple fact that most of our wind nearby bentonite mines, as well as the presented on plants was about a tree I had power production is in West Texas or Terlingua Ranch Resort with its home no idea could be found in Texas. Did you along the South Texas coast, while most tracts, roads, and other infrastructure; know Texas has Aspen trees? Quaking of the consumers live along or northeast there has also been greatly increased Aspen (Populus tremuloides) to be precise! of both I-10 and I-35. Transporting traffic by off-road vehicles. Although Aspens are considered one of electricity for hundreds of miles without Fortunately, Dr. Warnock is in a the most widespread trees in North unacceptable losses will require extremely unique position as she was born and raised America it is not normally associated with high voltage transmission lines placed in locally in the area, so local landowners our state. Within Texas this species occurs clear corridors up to 160 feet wide have given her access to their properties within three counties, Brewster, running halfway across the state. These and are helping to conserve this rare gem. Culberson, and Jeff Davis, and within corridors not only fragment the habitat It is believed that there are currently remote high elevations of the Chisos, for the native plant and animal around six thousand plants and it is Guadalupe, and Davis Mountains communities and disrupt migration planned to fence these where possible. respectively. While population limits routes, but also provide a perfect place for Currently research is being carried out to remain questionable for some locations, invasive species to flourish. As much as try and grow more plants but germination future research is needed to see if the 55,000 acres may be affected. and success in producing viable plants is Texas aspens represent a single fractured Bradford Wilcox from the still in the early stages. A grant has been or separate populations and their Department of Ecosystem Science and procured to continue research into the relationship to other populations. Management at Texas A&M University specific needs of this particular species. shared his research contradicting the More research is also planned to establish received wisdom that streamflows in the growing habits and needs so the species Texas Hill County have been adversely can be reintroduced into similar habitats... affected by the transition from open but this is far in the future. savannah to cedar brakes. His research There were quite a large number of suggests that flows have actually increased other native rare species discussed. Several since economic considerations have presentations were given on different brought an end to overgrazing, which was aspects of the Bracted twistflower the real culprit in the decline during the (Streptanthus Bracteatus) including first half of the twentieth century. Obviously, that has significant discussion on the colonies that we have Another fascinating presentation was here in Austin. There was a rather amusing implications for the effort to protect the by Karen Clary from the Wildlife Habitat quality and quantity of recharge for the yet very serious presentation by Jackie Assessment Program of Texas Parks and Poole on rescuing the endangered Texas Edwards and other Central Texas aquifers. Wildlife. It highlighted some of the It also changes the way that we may wish poppy-mallow (Callirhoe scabruiscula) on a tradeoffs that are involved in “green private land site in Runnels County slated to view Ashe junipers and other species in energy.” California has recently been the new woody-plant climax communities for development. The reproductive dealing with the issues involved in placing biology of the Hill Country Wild Mercury that have resulted from the end of heavy solar arrays in the sensitive environment grazing combined with fire suppression. (Argythamnia aphoroides) was by far more of the Mojave Desert, and with routing interesting than I could have ever power lines to the cities from geothermal All in all, the Plant Conservation imagined. I was fascinated to learn about plants near the Mexican border. In Texas, Conference was a wonderful educational the harvesting and regrowth plus the wind energy is our major renewable source experience. Besides all the formal mortality of peyote (Lophophora williamsii). of power. It doesn’t generate carbon presentations that I did not have space to I had known it was harvested for the emissions or dangerous waste products list, informal conversations with like- Native American Church but had not like coal or nuclear power plants, but it minded individuals provided me a wealth realized just how interesting a subject this does not come free. Wind turbines take of information. The conference is one of was and how serious just a simple slip of up considerable area, and can pose a the largest gatherings in the country of the knife can be! For more information on threat to birds. Construction of the native plant professionals and informed this subject and some very interesting towers, maintenance roads, and other enthusiasts. Future conferences will be articles on endangered cacti go to the infrastructure can also harm the native held biennially, so plan to attend in 2012. Cactus Conservation Institute, Inc., flora and fauna at ground level. However, http://www.cactusconservation.org/CCI/ an even more serious threat is posed by CCI_Home.html.

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 11 Field Work: Sue Wiseman and images by Bob Kamper Fall Plant Survey at WilCo NW Park, Liberty Hill

Sue Wiseman hosted an enthusiastic group of ten NPSOT- Aster ericoides (Heath aster), Palafoxia caosa (Palafoxia), WilCo chapter members and guests for the final plant Pluchea odorata (Marsh Fleabane), Euphorbia cyathophora survey of 2010 on Sunday, October 24th. Guests included (Wild Poinsettia) three members of the Austin Chapter and one from the In addition, the following plants were observed in bloom, Tonkawa chapter. Many of the participants were also fruiting or with fall color: CAMNers! Ilex decidua (Possomhaw), Parthenocissus heptaphya (Seven Fourteen new species were added to the ongoing plant list Leaf Virginia Creeper), Viguiera dentate (Plateau making a total of 236 so far. We are sure there are many Goldeneye), Eryngium leavenworthii (Eryngo). more but need more pairs of eyes to help us find them. Some of our new additions are:

Ilse Meier, Charles Wiseman, Sue Wiseman, Sue Anderson, Beth Blankenship, Dick Galloway, Laverne Johnston, Kathy Galloway, and Marshall Johnston at the ranch house parking area.

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 12

Installing signs on National Trails Day (photo: S. Mayfield). Field Work: Sue Wiseman and images by Bob Kamper Fall Plant Survey at WilCo NW Park, Liberty Hill

Heath aster Palafoxia

Marsh Fleabane Wild Poinsettia

Possomhaw Virginia creeper

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 13 Field Work: Sue Wiseman and images by Bob Kamper Fall Plant Survey at WilCo NW Park, Liberty Hill

Plateau Goldeneye Eryngo

Two Rio Grande Leopard Frogs were seen, one an adult in the mostly dry Johnston Creek bed, and the other a juvenile in shallow waters of the South San Gabriel River.

On our way back out of the river valley we spotted some Muhlenbergia lindheimeri (Lindheimer muhly) in full inflorescence. We stopped to harvest some of the prickly pear tuna from the plant shown below.

We will continue our surveys next year so look out for the date on the website calendar and in the Field Notes. Join us and have some fun! Rio Grande Leopard Frog

Prickly pear tuna Lindheimer muhly

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 14 Field Conference: Christine Powell NPSOT Symposium 2010

This year’s Native Plant Society of Bringing Nature Home, a must read for Native plant enthusiasts were among Te x a s (NPSOT) Symposium was anyone interested in encouraging nature the first to recognize this threat to incredible and well worth the trip up to in their own garden. It should also be everything that makes Texas look like Denton even if you didn’t belong to noted that we were all given our own Texas rather than Levittown, NY or NPSOT. There was frivolity but several copy of this wonderful book and Dr. Anytown, USA. Over the past thirty very important themes were put forward Tallamy spent a considerable amount of years, they have become increasingly for us all to work on. Rather than give you time talking to us and signing our copies aware that plants do not grow in isolation. a blow by blow account of all the lectures, of his book. Dr. Tallamy included some very workshops, field trips and meetings In his excellent presentation, Dr. interesting statistics that demonstrate the (although I have included some later on in Tallamy pointed out that since World relationship between native plants and the issue), I am going to tell you how we, War II, the acreage of land converted to native wildlife. For example, Quercus as individuals and as a group can help our residential subdivisions has greatly (oak) supports 534 butterfly and moth State and the flora and fauna thrive in the exceeded the total area of all our national species while most introduced species of future. parks. In most cases, these developments trees will only support one or two at the First, some background. As you may most. The same is true for perennials and know the Native Plant Society of Texas annuals. Solidago (goldenrod) supports 115 celebrated its 30th anniversary where it butterfly and moth species while non- all began, at Texas Women’s University in native species often do not support any! Denton. The group founded by a handful For more information go to http:// of native plant enthusiasts in 1980 has bringingnaturehome.net/native-gardening. grown to a statewide organization of Most of the talks, workshops, and about 2000 members in 33 local field trips at the Denton symposium chapters. There were not just one, but related in one way or another to this three keynote speakers at the reality. Native plants form just one anniversary symposium—Jill Nokes, element in a complex network of David Bamberger, and Doug Tallamy. It coevolved and codependent species. took three pages in the schedule to list Most plants require specific mycorrhizal all the field trips, and another three to fungi around their roots to survive, and list the workshops. That doesn’t even specific pollinators to reproduce; many consider the most important part of the have formed other beneficial relationships symposium, which is the annual with organisms that control diseases and gathering of native plant people from pests, disperse their , or provide throughout the state to build networks other essential services. The native for education and action. NPSOT was animal species have similar dependencies never just a gardening club for native —monarch butterflies cannot survive plants, and it certainly is much more now. without milkweed, for example. Native The motto for the current program is have replaced the rich diversity of native plant people know this well, but they “Saving Texas, One Landscape at a Time: habitat or traditional farmlands with the should be spreading the word to their Our Native Plants Light the Future.” impervious cover of roofs and streets, neighbors, not just applying the NPSOT members are called to be alternated with lawns planted in a knowledge to their own gardens. evangelists for the good news that there monoculture of one or two species of Fragmented bits of habitat cannot protect are things Texans (and new immigrants) imported grass and punctuated by a few the environment for the native plants we can do to promote the preservation of species of exotic (and often invasive) love without concentrated blocks of land our native ecosystems. and trees. Even in the areas still that can serve as corridors for wildlife. devoted to agriculture, the diversity of I think most of us have had the We know this, but our neighbors traditional family farms has largely been chance to hear both Jill Nokes and David don’t. I have met serious, well-educated replaced by much larger “food factories,” Bamberger speak. Both of their talks were gardeners who did not grasp the each growing a single hybridized crop. similar to those they have given in our connection between spraying pesticides The non-native species found in both area before so I won’t go into them. to control caterpillars and having no agricultural and residential settings However, Dr Doug Tallamy was worth the butterflies later in the year. I have had generally need support in the form of price of the conference alone in my conversations with specialists who say we pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, and opinion. Dr. Tallamy is the author of should not plant any more oaks because other assaults on native life. CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 15 Field Conference: Christine Powell NPSOT Symposium 2010

of Oak Wilt. I have met others who wouldn’t be saying things like that! The malls—can have native landscaping. City wondered why no birds but grackles would message for me from the NPSOT code enforcers and homeowner visit their homes surrounded by Bermuda- symposium was the necessity not just to associations can be encouraged to tolerate, grass. I have seen statements from grow a few native plants, or even just to and perhaps even encourage, native government officials and homeowner keep our own properties as close to their environments that will provide corridors associations who expected residents to native condition as we can, but also to for wildlife while conserving water and keep their St. Augustine lawns well- convince our communities to do the same. other resources. CAMN, its members and maintained through the summer and Public parklands can accommodate passive other naturalists can be a crucial element simultaneously restrict their water use. use by nature-lovers; it is not necessary to in this turnaround in public attitudes. Our The contradictions seem obvious to us, build soccer fields on every available square goal now should be to share everything we but they are not as clear to others… or they foot. Public buildings—and even shopping know with anyone who will listen.

Best bets for woody and herbaceous plants for mid-Atlantic butterflies and moths Woody Plants Herbaceous Plants Common Name Plant Genus Butterfly/moth Common Name Plant Genus Butterfly/moth species supported species supported

Oak Quercus 534 Goldenrod Solidago 115

Black cherry Prunus 456 Asters Aster 112

Willow Salix 455 Sunflower Helianthus 73

Birch Betula 413 Joe pye, Boneset Eupatorium 42

Poplar Populus 368 Morning glory Ipomoea 39

Crabapple Malus 311 Sedges Carex 36

Blueberry Vaccinium 288 Honeysuckle Lonicera 36

Maple Acer 285 Lupine Lupinus 33

Elm Ulmus 213 Violets Viola 29

Pine Pinus 203 Geraniums Geranium 23

Hickory Carya 200 Black-eyed susan Rudbeckia 17

Hawthorn Crataegus 159 Iris Iris 17

Spruce Picea 156 Evening primrose Oenothera 16

Alder Alnus 156 Milkweed Asclepias 12

Basswood Tilia 150 Verbena Verbena 11

Ash Fraxinus 150 Beardtongue Penstemon 8

Rose Rosa 139 Phlox Phlox 8

Filbert Corylus 131 Bee balm Monarda 7

Walnut Juglans 130 Veronica Veronica 6

Beech Fagus 126 Little bluestem Schizachyrium 6

Chestnut Castanea 125 Cardinal flower Lobelia 4 These figures are for mid-Atlantic butterflies and moths but the principle is the same for our area. Courtesy http://bringingnaturehome.net/native-gardening

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 16 Field education: Christine Powell BRIT, Its Needs, and How We Can Help On my way to the NPSOT symposium However, use of the incredible BRIT has requested that others consider making in Denton, I was able to stop in Ft. Worth collections has been hampered by lack of similar donations. for a special tour of the Botanical Research computerized indexing. The information This would be of particular benefit to Institute of Texas (BRIT), which calls itself on the herbarium specimens, in particular, Travis and Williamson Counties, since we lie “a global institute for the conservation and is still contained mostly in paper records, in at the confluence of several ecological preservation of botanical heritage through some cases dating back 80 years or more. regions and have a particularly rich range of education, research, scientific publications, That makes research a very tedious task. flora. As most of us are aware, there are and collections.” It was founded in 1987, BRIT has recently requested support from many species attested in adjacent counties, when it received the Southern Methodist NPSOT and others for a new project to but not explicitly in WilCo, so native plant University herbarium and botanical library. alleviate that problem: The Digital Flora of scholars and enthusiasts would benefit The subsequent acquisition of the Te x a s . A series of interns will work from A– enormously from a comprehensive database Vanderbilt University herbarium and other Z through the 250,000 specimens from that allowed identifying examples in the collections means that BRIT now has over Texas, digitizing one specimen from each wild that may not have been recorded here a million specimens and 95,000 volumes. species collected from each of the 254 before. If properly collected, those That makes it the largest collection in the counties. They will also incorporate the specimens could expand BRIT’s physical Southeast and one of the key resources for plant descriptions and other data in the and digital collections and contribute greatly botanical research in the world. The BRIT paper records into a database that will be to our educational mission. This project has Press publishes a journal and numerous accessible for online research. This certainly spurred my enthusiasm, and I hope books, including the definitive guide to the database will be indexed not only by it will receive the response that it deserves. flora of North Central Texas, and an scientific name, but also by popular name Incidentally, the grand opening of the ongoing project on the flora of East Texas and county. The work is already underway— amazing new “green architecture” BRIT (including the portions of Williamson and several NPSOT chapters have each facility in the Ft. Worth Cultural District is Travis Counties east of I-35). These guides, contributed, which went directly to the scheduled for May 21, 2011, and everyone in amounting to thousands of pages, are student doing the digitalization. Amanda Texas with an interest in native plants available both in print and online. Neill, Director of the BRIT Herbarium, should look forward to that event.

Native Orchids — Do You Have Any? Christine Powell At one of the lectures I attended, Dr. Margaret Brown Marsden of the University of Dallas made a plea for assistance. She is studying orchids in the genus Hexalectris, five of which are native to Texas (H. grandiflora, H. natida, H. revolute, H. warnockii, and two varieties of H. spicata). Like most orchids, these can only germinate with the assistance of fungi to provide carbon to the seedling. This myco-heterotrophic relationship is permanent in about 20% of orchids, including the Hexalectris. (The other 80% switch to a lifestyle in which carbon flows to the mycorrhizal fungus from the plant, which benefits from the association in other ways.) Because the Hexalectris cannot exist without the coevolved species of fungus, pollinators, and possibly other associated organisms, they are restricted to highly specific habitats—primarily the leaf mould under pinyon pines, oaks, and junipers growing on gentle slopes of gravelly clay loam eroded from Cretaceous chalk. The orchids are a bioindicator of these increasingly rare ecosystems. Hexalectris sp. cannot be raised in greenhouses, and can only be conserved by preserving these native habitats. It is therefore critical to identify places where Hexalectris orchids are growing, for two reasons. Studying the habitat may provide additional information that will be useful in saving these rare plants. Additionally, identifying and preserving critical habitat areas may allow conservation of the entire ecosystem. So, please be on the lookout for places where Hexalectris is growing, and let Margaret Brown Marsden know where you found them ([email protected]). I found this Lady Trusses (Spiranthes sp.) on one of the field trips I attended at the Briarwood Retreat Center

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 17 Field Journal: Bill Dodd Geology of South Central Texas The Texas Master Naturalist quickly move underground and into the 270 million years ago (Ma), we were on the Conference this year was held at T Bar M aquifer. western edge of the supercontinent Ranch in New Braunfels. A number of In part 2, Dr. Ward discussed Pangaea. At 145 Ma, in the late Jurassic interesting Advanced Training sessions interpreting limestone. When limestone is period, the gulf opened between what were offered covering a diverse set of exposed at the surface, it can reveal many would become North America and South topics. One of the Advanced Training types of patterns or characteristics. These America. At 115 Ma, in the early sessions I attended was Geology of South patterns or characteristics can give clues to Cretaceous period when the Glen Rose Central Texas, taught by Dr. William the environment in which that limestone limestone formed, the gulf coast was just Ward, Geologist and Professor Emeritus, formed. For example, ripple marks north of us. In the late Cretaceous when University of New Orleans. appearing in limestone may indicate a the Edwards limestone formed, the gulf In the first part of the class, Dr. Ward shallow environment where waves caused coast was farther north, with almost all of presented an introduction to limestone. the ripple patterns. The period of the Texas under water. More recently, about 20 Geology is a key component in determining ripples are likely a function of the wave to 30 Ma, the Balcones fault zone formed ecological regions and the limestone period and the water depth. Other as the weight of sediment eroded from the geology of central Texas plays a big part in interesting features that appear in continent towards the coast caused our ecology. The limestone in central Texas limestone are small conical mounds or fractures as material “slumped” down was formed during the Cretaceous period, vertical burrows created by burrowing towards the coast. The fractures follow the starting about 120 million years ago. At that creatures like shrimps and bivalves. Ouachita fold belt. time, this part of Texas was under a shallow In the final part of the class, Dr. Ward At the conclusion of the class, Dr. sea. The limestone, a sedimentary rock, is gave an overview of the geologic Ward mentioned that he is working on a mostly made of the calcium carbonate framework of south central Texas. At small booklet based on much of the skeletal structures of the marine life that about 300 million years ago, in the material from this class. It is targeted for lived in this shallow sea. Another Pennsylvanian period, a continental non-geologists, so should make a perfect sedimentary carbonate rock found in collision created the mountain belt we call resource for central Texas naturalists. He central Texas is dolomite. In dolomite, the Ouachita Mountains. The Ouachita hopes that it will be available in about a some of the calcium in calcium carbonate is Mountains still appear in west central year. Be on the lookout for that publication replaced by magnesium to form calcium Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma. In or any other classes or field trips led by Dr. magnesium carbonate. An interesting central Texas they are no longer visible, Ward. You won’t be disappointed. characteristic of carbonate rock is that it but the remnants of them are still beneath dissolves readily in fresh water. This us. The path of the Ouachita Mountains Ed Note: Dr. Ward often holds dissolution of carbonate rock leads to the through Texas makes a distinctive “S” Geology classes at the Cibolo Nature karst features so important in our shape as it seems to curve around the Center, Boerne. Go to http:// landscape. These karst features may take Edwards Plateau. This was caused by the www.cibolo.org/calendar for more the form of joints in the limestone, presence of the granite dome of the Llano information sinkholes and the many caves in the area. Uplift, which acted like a anchor as the These features allow surface water to mountain fold wrapped around it. At about

2011 SEED CLEANING PARTIES at the WILDFLOWER CENTER Saturday, March 19, 10 am – 2 pm Saturday, April 23, 10 am – 2 pm Saturday, May 21, 10 am – 2 pm Saturday, June 18, 10 am – 2 pm Saturday, July 16, 10 am – 2 pm Saturday, August 20, 10 am – 2 pm Saturday, September 17, 10 am – 2 pm Saturday, October 22, 10 am – 2 pm Saturday, November 19, 10 am – 2 pm

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 18 Field School: Stephen Brueggerhoff Every Heath Has a Home I love the culture of native fruiting plants, a desire brought about by gastronomic and botanical curiosity. Not sure which passion comes first, but in some cases the desire of the stomach has enhanced my botanical knowledge and helped me understand biological relationships. Some of the native fruiting plants in Texas are Mexican plum (Prunus Mexicana), southern dewberry (Rubus trivialis), stately pecan (Carya iinoinensis), as well as several different species of my topic, blueberry (Vaccinium sp.). Our collective love affair with members of its plant family, the Heath Family (), is one rife with the utility of these plants: beautiful bark, fabulous flowers and those gosh darn wonderful berries! Ericaceae comprises woody perennials, some trees and mostly shrubs of about 125 genera and 3,500 species globally. According to distribution maps at the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Plants Profile database (http://plants.usda.gov/), there are only 6 genera native to Texas and include our beloved Texas madrone, wild azalea and a few species of wild blueberries. Hard to identify by leaf structure alone, more accurate identification occurs through distinctive bark color and habit (exfoliating cinnamon colored bark on Texas madrone, xalapensis, and Mexican Manzanita, pungens), specific distribution and flower shape. Heath family flowers are typically campanulate (urn or bell-shaped) with four to seven fused petals and either the same number or twice the number of sepals. One of the within members of Ericaceae: some species are thought to be few genera in Ericaceae producing different looking gorgeous pollinated via sonication; sound energy agitating particles, also flowers that are a pride of southern and northern gardens is referred to as “buzz pollination”. Some species produce anthers Rhododendron sp. (wild azalea for us Texans). with dehiscent longitudinal slits, terminal pores or apical tubes Have you ever wondered how species of this plant family are where pollen is released; noted not only in Ericaceae, but also pollinated? One very interesting pollination strategy occurs in Solanaceae (Nightshade Family). In addition, our beloved blueberry (Vaccinium sp.), produce awns on the back of their anthers. Here’s the song and dance: bumblebees will grasp anthers and rapidly contract their flight muscles to shake loose pollen. While these plant species do not rely entirely on sonication for pollen transfer, a little “twist and shout” always adds to the experience. You can check out an example of this type of sonication of a member of this plant family by bumblebee online at URL: http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Nv_xncrZfCg&feature=related. In conclusion, the old saying “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” does have some truth to it. Sometimes a little crumb of knowledge leads one to broader concepts in understanding the world around us and in so doing helps us to understand ourselves. You can have your cake and eat it too (puns intended)!

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 19 Field School: Bev Hoffmann Evergreen Sumac — Rhus virens

Sally Wasokwski, who authored Native Texas Plants with her husband Andy, has said this large , which commonly grows in a sculpted round shape, is one of her favorite evergreens. However, like our native live oak, evergreen sumac is not a true evergreen; its leaves stay green through the winter (though after a frost some may be tinged with maroon), then drop as spring approaches and are replaced within a week by a shiny new crop. The new leaves may be tinged with pink when they first appear. Come July or August (in years with adequate rain), the female plants produce clusters of tiny creamy white blooms, much appreciated by bees and butterflies. The fuzzy turn orange-red in early fall, and will remain until Christmas - or until birds and small mammals finish feasting on them! Evergreen sumac grows relatively quickly in almost any well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. Expect it to attain six to twelve feet in height. It can successfully be pruned to create a shorter and

denser mat of foliage, if you so desire. Occasionally a plant will grow tall and straight, with a single trunk, rather than branch to form a hedge. In the Hill Country, evergreen sumac can be found on dry slopes, attesting to its drought tolerance — and its cold tolerance as well! These photos were taken in a natural area, not in a home landscape. Note the rocky soil, which gave birth to this hardy shrub. Evergreen sumac is moderately deer resistant, but you may need to protect it until it grows large enough to withstand periodic nibbling. The plant, native from Central Texas to northern Mexico, is now available in some nurseries; be sure to get a female plant, if you want flowers and fruit.

For more photos of evergreen sumac (or any other native plant you might be interested in), go to www.wildflower.org/plants.

LBJWC

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 20 Scat and Frass ACC Agronomy class, Spring 2011 is to navigate today's complex world of Lets Watch the Birds! As part of its Erosion and Sediment food production. The 2009 PBS two-hour Saturday, Dec 11th, 2010 7am‐11am and Control advanced technical certificate, documentary based on his book "The 4pm to dark meet at CER, Hornsby Bend Austin Community College’s (ACC’s) Botany of Desire," as well as his latest Bird Observatory Monthly Bird Survey ‐ Environmental Science and Technology book, "Food Rules: An Eater's Manual," open to all levels of birder interested in department will be offering an Agronomy have prompted a generation to consider intensive monitoring – more info (soil science) class for the Spring 2011 rules for eating to live healthier and www.hornsbybend.org. It is 4 hours of hard semester. The course will give students an happier lives. hiking and counting, but lots of fun along understanding of soils, soil formation, soil Presented in partnership with Book People the way. We meet again around 11am to types and classification, distribution of & Edible Austin Eat Local Week. Edible tally up the species. The afternoon soil types geographically, the rates of soil Austin Eat Local Week is an annual, week- involves looking around for species missed formation, collection and analysis of soils, long celebration of local food in Central that morning, and we go until sundown. and the causes and methods to address Texas and benefit for Urban Roots , a Dec 18 soil erosion. The student will learn soil youth development program that uses Saturday, Dec 18th, 2010 Austin Christmas collection and analysis techniques, as well sustainable agriculture as a means to Bird Count – all day across the Austin area as the causes of soil loss and degradation transform the lives of young people and to including Hornsby Bend. This count is and the methods to prevent soil erosion. increase access to healthy food, taking part of the National Audubon Society’s The Agronomy class will held on Mondays place Dec. 3-11. annual Christmas Bird Count. and Wednesdays from 7:05 – 9:55 PM at Location: Bass Concert Hall Coordinators of this event are Shelia the Round Rock campus. Registration for More about this event... Hargis and Laurie Foss. More info at the Spring 2011 semester runs from Texas Performing Arts http://www.austincbc.com/. October 11th (current/former students) or Admission: $42.00/$38.00/$26.00 November 8th (new students) through January 12th, and the first class will be on January 19th. Details can be found at: ACC – http://www.austincc.edu/ ACC Env Sci & Tech dept – http:// www.austincc.edu/envrnsci/ ACC Agronomy class description – http:// www3.austincc.edu/it/cms/www/catalog/ coursedetails_fox.php? year=2011&deptcode=ESTE#AGCR1494 ACC Agronomy class schedule – http:// www5.austincc.edu/schedule/index.php? op=browse&opclass=ViewSched&term=211S0 00&disciplineid=TFPHH&yr=2011&ct=CC

An Evening with Michael Pollan at the Bass Concert Hall 8-10 p.m. You are invited to spend an evening with bestselling author, journalist and food activist Michael Pollan. For the past twenty years, Pollan has written about places where the human and natural worlds intersect, challenging the way Americans think about eating. Central Texans are increasingly moving toward healthful, locally produced and sustainable food options, and Pollan has been at the front of the movement. In books such as "The Omnivore's Dilemma" and "In Defense of Food," Pollan demonstrates how difficult it

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 21 Scat and Frass Biodiversity survey at ANSC and • Map: http://maps.google.com/maps? Purple Martin Workshop Zilker Preserv q=2110+Justin+Lane,+Austin,+TX+78757 Saturday, January 22, 2011 1:00-4:00 pm We would love to have you join us for the Note that the Parish Hall is East of the Do you want to know more about Purple biodiversity survey at ANSC and Zilker church building and its parking lot is Martins, how to set up a colony, and be a Preserve on Saturday, December 4, at 8:00 accessed from Justin Lane. The parking Purple Martin landlord? Are you an existing a.m.. It looks as though it will be a beautiful lot entrance is directly across from where landlord wanting to meet other Martin sunny day with a high of 74. It will be quite Muroc St. intersects Justin Lane. This aficionados and learn tips? Have you always chilly in the morning, though, so think event is free and open to the public. Tell wanted to be a citizen scientist, gathering layers! If you plan to come, please let me your friends. Better yet, bring your useful data that can help Martin know (Melissa Macdougall friends! Hope to see you there! conservation efforts? If so, this class is for you. [email protected]). Dress How to Attract and Care for The first Purple Martins typically arrive in comfortably; long pants and sturdy shoes Bluebirds Austin at the end of January, so this class will with closed toes are strongly recommended. Three species of bluebird occur annually in give you information you can put to use For your personal use, you may wish to Texas, and Eastern Bluebirds will nest in right away. This class will focus on the life bring a water bottle, snack, hat, sunscreen, suitable habitats in central Texas if cycle of Purple Martins and how you can insect repellent, field guides, notebook and appropriate cavities or nest-boxes are participate as a Purple Martin landlord or pen, camera, and / or binoculars. As always, available. Travis Audubon will sponsor a helper. You will learn the maintenance everyone is welcome and no special Bluebird Workshop conducted by routine recommended by the Purple Martin expertise is required, although of course all nationally-known bluebird expert Pauline Conservation Association. You will also expertise is welcome! Patience, curiosity, Tom on Saturday morning January 15, 2011. learn how to record and send in nesting data and a willingness to wander are essential. Pauline is President of the Texas Bluebird that is compiled nationally. We will also We'll meet at the Entrance Trail (a c r o s s Society and has conducted popular include hands-on nest preparation and Stratford Drive from the Nature Center workshops on bluebird husbandry in many discussion at the Hornsby Bend colony. parking area under Mopac) at 8:00 a.m. This different parts of the state. She lives in Class participants are invited to participate is a CAMN-approved volunteer activity. central Texas and is widely regarded as one through mid-June as helpers and observers as Our findings are shared with the Nature of the foremost experts on and advocates the class teachers maintain and record the Center staff and visitors, as well as preserved for bluebirds in the state of Texas. Her 2011 Purple Martin season at Hornsby Bend. for posterity. workshop on January 15 will cover the Later in the Summer, we will invite class Lecture: The World of Nature in following: members to join us in educating others at the Central Texas • best practices for nestbox installation to giant Purple Martin roost at Highland Mall. Capitol Macintosh Advanced Photography attract Eastern Bluebirds Andy and Julia Balinsky have been the Group for our combined November/ • how to recognize and improve stewards of the Hornsby Bend Purple December meeting will be Steve appropriate habitat for Eastern Martin colony since 2003. They have Schwartzman speaking on “The World of Bluebirds watched over 1000 Purple Martin babies Nature in Central Texas.” • how to interpret bluebird activity fledge during that time. They have also outside of the nestbox spent many evenings watching the Martin Because Texas sits at the juncture of several • how to deter predators and alien pre-migration staging roost in the late geological and climatic regions, many competitors summer. species of wildflowers and plants grow • the process of egg-laying and incubation Tuition for the class is $15 for TA members natively here. For the past decade Steven • how to "age" nestlings Schwartzman has been exploring them and $20 for non-members. To register, • recordkeeping / recordsharing with contact Lynn Hill via email or by calling photographically, sometimes as panormas, NestWatch but more often as close-ups that reveal 512-371-1254. Registration cut-off date will be During a work shop break, Pauline will January 15, 2011. details the naked eye is likely to miss. take participants outdoors to view bluebird Although our region isn’t famous for fall habitat and to see Eastern Bluebirds color, knowing where to look can reveal a nesting in manmade nestboxes. Workshop surprising amount of that, too. Also fee is $15 for TAS members and $20 for Paleontological Society of Austin portrayed in these pictures are some of the non-members. All participants may pay an creatures that visit our native flowers and Normally 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 additional $15 to receive a one-year TBS PM at Austin Gem and Mineral Society plants, whether to draw sustenance from membership and a TBS-approved bluebird them or, more dramatically, to prey on one facility, nestbox. 6719 Burnet Lane, Austin, TX 78757 other. Attention High School Teachers: a limited (512) 458-9546 • Next Meeting: Thursday, December 2nd, number of scholarships may be available Note: Check the calendar to ensure we have 6:30-9:00 PM at Episcopal Church of the for high school students. Please contact not encountered any scheduling conflicts. Resurrection – Parish Hall Marcia Dilly (512-944-0631) for additional http://www.texaspaleo.com/psa/index.html • Address: 2008 Justin Lane details and to register for the workshop.

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 22 Scat and Frass

Erratum – Plant Identification Correction Achillea millefolium Western yarrow, Milfoil, Common yarrow, Ya r r o w. Bob Kamper This photo was misidentified in the previous issue of Field Notes as Abronia fragrans Fragrant sand verbena. Photographed near the north rim of the Grand Canyon in the Kaibab forest, it more closely resembled the blossoms of the verbena in the Zion Canyon wildflower field guide than the flat-topped blossoms of the drawing in the Grand Canyon field guide used as references. Unfortunately, it was not until after the was published that further investigation in the NPIN database revealed what the cropped photo doesn’t – the multi-lobed pinnate leaves that are almost fern-like in appearance in Yarrow, while the verbena has smooth ovate leaves. However, the presence of a couple of nearly identical photos by Norman C. Flaigg in the Wildflower Center database were sufficient to change my identification, especially since, ironically, my initial identification in the field was Yarrow, and it was only after reviewing the field guides that the misidentification was made. Lessons learned – One, always take both full plant and blossom photos, as it might be critical in making the identification. Second, consult as many information sources as possible when making a plant identification. Finally, don’t stop trying to learn new information from new sources.

Chlosyne lacinia Bordered Patch Bob Kamper

I photographed this butterfly in my yard the other day: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ robertkamper/5152143294/

The Butterflies and Moths of North America website did not have a record of it in Williamson County, http:// www.butterfliesandmoths.org/ map?dc=5761&_dcc=1&si=44 so I reported it to the Texas contact. I was able to make the identification using the Travis County reports.

What a catch!

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 23 Scat and Frass Mark Your Calendars

The Wildlife Society - Urban Wildlife Working Group and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are pleased to host the 2011 International Urban Wildlife Planning and Management Conference at the Hyatt Regency on Ladybird Lake in Austin, Texas. The theme of this Conference focuses on the challenges faced by practitioners, planners, architects, designers and researchers when attempting to anticipate the consequences for wildlife as they plan and develop the ecology of urban environments. Interact with us while we examine urban ecosystems, challenges of urban wildlife management, planning for the inclusion/ exclusion of urban wildlife, the linkages of open space, urban forestry, research needs, and New Urbanism concepts. All this and more awaits you so mark your calendars today! http://urbanwildlife2011.tpwd.state.tx.us/

Take Care of Texas This Holiday Season Many cultures celebrate holidays in December. This year, try following a few simple tips to help you reduce waste, save energy, and save water while you enjoy your holiday time with friends and family: • Take reusable cloth bags for holiday shopping. Reusable bags can also be a great way to package your gifts! • Send recycled-content or electronic greeting cards; or to add a personal touch, make your own using pieces of last year’s cards. • Use cloth napkins and reusable dishes, glasses, and silverware for your holiday party. To save both water and energy when cleaning up, make sure you wash full loads of laundry and dishes. • Compost leftover food scraps. To learn how, check out Mulching and Composting: A Take Care of Texas Guide. • Recycle your live Christmas tree or buy a potted Christmas tree and plant it after the holidays. Check with your city to see if they have a Christmas tree recycling program. • If giving electronic gifts, look for Energy Star-labeled products. Buy rechargeable batteries to accompany the electronics. • Need to replace your holiday lights? Upgrade to energy-efficient strings of light-emitting diode (LED) lights, which use 75 percent less electricity than incandescent strings. • Donate or recycle your old computer if you get a new one as a gift. Learn how at TexasRecyclesComputers.org . For more tips to do your part, visit www.takecareoftexas.org.

Is your New Year’s Resolution to reduce energy use? Then check out the Home Energy Library on the Texas Is Hot Coalition website. Texas Is Hot provides Texans with tips, tools, and information to be more energy efficient. The Home Energy Library provides thorough energy conservation information for existing homes, homes under construction, and outdoor living.

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 24 Field Prep: Christine Powell Announcements From Around the State Keep TX Wild Videos and the TX please consider developing chapter projects accomplishments in environmental Wildlife Action Plan in your area that may address some of the advocacy, environmental health, research, Here are several resource shared by Kelly objectives of the action plan and work or protection of the natural world. Bender from TPWD. These videos would with your local TPWD biologist to do so. Winners will receive public recognition, be a good resource for your chapter. These A contact list of biologists by county can cash prizes, and certificates for their and other videos that may be of interest to be found on the TPWD website: http:// outstanding efforts to help protect and you are available at our TPWD YouTube www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/land/ preserve the environment. Responses Channel below. You will also be able to habitats/county/ due 2/28/11. For more info, go to: http:// sign up for our TPWD channel See the videos here: www.actionfornature.org/. 'subscription' should you like to. http://www.youtube.com/user/ Reverchon Naturalist newsletter is The Texas Wildlife Action Plan is used by TexasParksWildlife#p/c/ now available on the Texas Natural Texas Parks and Wildlife to define our 6353227E5419A80D/0/Md_eEogT9Pc Resources Conservation Service home page and can be found at this link: conservation priorities. This series of Do you know a young "Eco-Hero" videos was produced to provide greater deserving of an international Award? http://www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/bio/ insight into Texas greatest ecological reverchon.html International Young Eco-Hero Awards challenges as well as our management We would like to get interesting photos of objectives. If you don’t watch all the Action For Nature invites applications for native plants and stories within the North videos, please consider watching the first the International Young Eco-Hero Central Texas area. Submit articles of and last in the series, as well as the Awards, to recognize the individual 350-500 words. Please take the time to segment that highlights your ecological accomplishments of young people, ages 8 submit your items and share with other region. While watching these videos, to 16, for their outstanding plant geeks. Ricky Linex

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 25 Officers Committees Sponsors/Partners

President: Christine Powell Administrative Mission Statement Contact: Beck Runte Vice-President: Stuart Bailey Maintains database of students and alumni, To develop a corps of well-informed Past President: Lynne Weber including names, addresses, class attendance, volunteers to provide education, outreach, Treasurer: Jan Hanz 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: Dale Rye Recording Secretary: Webpage: Dale Rye Members of CAMN are dedicated to the Maggie Moody 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 Jerry Mayfield Responsible for the Internet web page and press releases. Naturalist volunteers in Austin and Travis Raymond Barrera County in providing community programs Advisory Board Members: Curriculum and projects that increase appreciation of Kelly Bender Contact: 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. Jeri Porter Advanced Training Contact: Bill Dodd Austin Nature and Science Center Plans, coordinates, and approves advanced Board of Directors training opportunities. Texas Parks and Wildlife According to the CAMN By-Laws, our Food & Fun Board of Directors consists of the Officers Contact: Andy Swain Lower Colorado River Authority and the Chair of each Committee. Facilitates the social aspects of CAMN including the Certification Ceremonies and holiday celebrations. Austin Sierra Club If you have concerns you wish the Board to consider, please contact one Volunteer Opportunities The Nature Conservancy of Texas of the Board members via email or Contact: Vernon Berger come to a Board Meeting (please let us Develops criteria to determine whether Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center volunteer opportunities may be counted for know you will be coming). CAMN credit. Reviews, approves, and publicizes opportunities. Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve CAMN Board Meetings are held on the first Thursday of odd numbered months at: Education and Outreach Committee Hornsby Bend Center for 6:45 p.m. at the Academy of Oriental Contact: Whitney Milberger Promotes CAMN Environmental Research Medicine at Austin, 2700 W. Anderson Contact: Outreach CAMN Lane, Suite 204, Austin, TX 78757. Check Bat Conservation International with a Board Member for more details. Native Plant Society of Texas The agenda for the next Board Meeting is available here. Travis Audubon Society Got info for the Field Notes?

Send info, photos and articles for publication in the Field Notes to: [email protected] Deadline for submission is the 27th of each month.

CAMN FIELD NOTES DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 26