Marsh Matters

The Eddie V. Gray Volume 16, Issue 1 Spring 2014 Wetlands Education and Recreation Center Nature Center and Wetlands Center Win

Baytown Nature Center Region and State TRAPS Awards In January the Wetlands Wagon Outreach Pro- Highlights: gram was honored with the Recreation and Parks Society’s (TRAPS) Lone Star Pro-  The Wetlands Cen- gramming Award at the East Region Workshop ter and Friends of in Pearland. This award recognizes innovative, BNC win regional and state awards first-time recreation programming. The Wet- lands Wagon is sponsored by TPC Group, and  Spring Break Camp has been on the road across the state of Texas  Tyke Hike Returns in 2013, providing wetlands and Texas nature  Wade Into Wetlands outreach to schools, festivals, fairs, and other Summer Science events. The Wetlands Center was proud to Camp Registration work with Texas Parks and Wildlife Depart-  2014 Nurture Nature ment in presenting the Wetlands Wagon Out- Series Schedule reach Program at the Stock Show, Livestock Show, Fort Worth Mayfest, Tracey Prothro, Superintendent of Natural Resource  NEW! Full Moon Programs and Scott Johnson, Parks and Recreation Hikes and State Fair of Texas. The Wetlands Wagon Director accept the Lone Star Programming Award for Outreach Program has also won the state level The Wetlands Wagon Outreach Program from Kelly Dietrich, East Region Director. Inside this issue: TRAPS Lone Star Programming Award, which will be awarded at the annual TRAPS State Marsh Minutes 2 Conference in Corpus Christi in February. The Friends of the Baytown Nature Center, a Thanks to... 3 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the conserva- Wish List 3 tion, restoration, and protection of the natural, cultural and historic resources in the Baytown Calendar of 3 Events Nature Center, was awarded the Conservation Advocate of the Year by the East Region of Wetlands Center 4 TRAPS. This award recognizes groups who have Happenings made significant contribution to parks and rec- More Happenings 5 reation in their community. The Friends of BNC have been a major catalyst in the development Baytown Nature 6 of programs and facilities at the Baytown Na- Center Billy Barnett, Howard and Merle Hunt , Friends of the ture Center for over eleven years. They also Baytown Nature Center and Tracey Prothro, Superin- tendent of Natural Resource Programs, accept Advo- have been awarded the Conservation Volunteer cate of the Year award for Friends of the Baytown Na- Service Award by state level TRAPS, and will ture Center from Kelly Dietrich, East Region Director. receive their award at the annual state confer- ence in February.

Page 2 Marsh Matters

Marsh Minutes Find an out-of-state trail and ex- See you outside…. plore. While visiting the trails in your community and region is convenient and fun, plan to explore in 2014! Consider a day trip to a nearby state. Bring along your camera and create a lifelong memory. Find trails using traillink.com “An early-morning walk is a blessing for the From Tracey Prothro, or texastrails.org, and upload your fa- whole day.” ~ Henry David Thoreau Superintendent of Natural Resource Programs vorite trail photo when you return.

Every year when January rolls around I Share your favorite trail with find myself trying to decide if I want to friends or family. Sharing your trail make New Year’s resolutions. Goal set- experience with friends or family is a ting is good… but when the goals are a great way to enjoy the outdoors togeth- bit too lofty and fall by the wayside later er and a wonderful way to create mem- in the year (aka February) my psyche orable experiences. Bring or rent bicy- takes a hit and I end up scolding myself cles, and take the kids or your friends to for failing to lose that 20 pounds in a your favorite trail. What’s better than month, or for reneging on my pledge to sharing your love of trails with the peo- not drink Dr. Pepper for the entire year. ple you love?! Yes, I am weak. Say goodbye to the holiday waist- Do You Back the Bay? This year I decided to change my tactics line. Utilizing your local trail to get in and set some goals that make sense for better shape is always a good idea! Con- Have you heard about the Back the my way of life and my interests. One of sult with your doctor on a plan that Bay campaign sponsored by the Gal- my favorite things to do outside is to works for you, and make the trail your veston Bay Estuary Program? What find a trail and see where it leads, look- go-to, get-fit destination in 2014! does it mean? Do our everyday lives ing for little nature treasures along the way. As a board member for Texas Give back to your community. and habits affect ? Are Trails Network, I have been introduced Looking for a great way to do communi- we unknowingly causing harm to this to many trail organizations across the ty service? Want to get more connect- beautiful body of water? To find out country. One of my favorite is Rails to ed? Join a Friends Group in your area what we can do to help Galveston Trails Conservancy, a non-profit organi- (Friends of the Eddie Gray Wetlands Bay be the best it can be for the en- zation based in Washington, D.C. Its Center and Friends of the Baytown Na- vironment, for recreation and for mission is to create a nationwide net- ture Center are two great options)! The food, check out these 10 tips on work of trails from former rail lines and pride you feel at maintaining a local trail ways to back the bay. connecting corridors to build healthier or donating time to a service organiza- http://backthebay.org/ places for healthier people. They recent- tion will last a lifetime. You can also ly posted their own New Year’s resolu- search for races or fundraisers on local Which of these harms the bay? tions for trail lovers, and I am going to trails that help raise money for cause- 1. Low amounts of fresh water shamelessly adopt them as my own. related organizations. 2. Planting Elephant Ear plants Here are just a few: 3. Filling in wetlands Baytown is home to several award- Set a new milestone and go for it. winning trails, and has a team in training 4. Using chemical herbicides on Whether it’s 2,000 miles of cycling, 500 for Galveston Bay Foundation’s 170-mile your lawn miles of running, 100 miles of walking, Bike Around the Bay event in October. 5. All of the above

or two trail visits a week, setting a mile- If you live in the Baytown area, the great Find out and take the pledge: stone will motivate you to get out on state of Texas, or in Timbuktu, there is http://backthebay.org/pledge/ the trail. If training for a race, a monthly a trail near you. Why not get outside plan can keep you on track. If you’re a and explore it, on foot, bicycle, or nature lover, plan to spot a set number horseback? You never know what of birds or other wildlife per week. You treasures you may find…. And you can can also examine tree bark and learn to reward yourself later for keeping those identify trees! resolutions! Happy 2014! Volume 16, Issue 1 Page 3

Wish List

The items on this list will assist  Aquariums with sliding  LEGO Building Blocks lids with operations or environ-  “Squiggles” (soft plastic mental education.*  Cast nets bait)  Gift certificates to:  Chest waders  Stools for Science Lab Office Depot  Dewalt VS orbital jig  Pelts, skulls, bones and Wal-Mart saw taxidermy mounts Academy  Dry cat food  Work bench

Lowe’s  Electric power washer * Please contact the Wetlands Home Depot  Fresh fruits and vege- Center at 281-420-7128 for Pet Stores tables (for animals) specific information on donating We thank you items from the Wish List. Amazon.com  Laser level for your help. Thanks to...

Beta Sigma Phi… Student Conservation Assoc… BNC=Baytown Nature Center for a $125 donation to WERC for trail work and clearing around WERC=Wetlands Center ponds at BNC Eagle Scout Candidates… for trail maintenance and tree plant- TPC Group… New Friends: ing at BNC for a $11,330 donation in support of the Wetlands Wagon Outreach

Karen & Roger McLean… Program Your name could be here! for the donation of wildlife artifacts to WERC Lucy White Turoff... for a $150 donation to WERC in See page 8 to join Rotary Club of Baytown… memory of Parker and Gene White Friends of the Wetlands for continued support of Liquid Science Program Lucy White Turoff... Center (FOWC) for a $150 donation to WERC St. John’s Catholic Church Youth See page 7 to join Group… WERC & BNC volunteers... for a shoreline cleanup of Jacinto for over 1000 hours of service in Friends of the Baytown Point at BNC 2013 Nature Center (FOBNC)

Calendar of Events

March April May 1 Registration begins for Summer Science 2 Nurture Nature Series, 10 am, 5 Nurture Nature Series, 10 am, BNC (see Camp, WERC BNC (see page 7) page 7) 1 Nurture Nature Series, 10 am, BNC (see 3 Free admission day, BNC 6 Free admission day, BNC page 7) 15 Audubon Bird Survey, 8 am, BNC 12 Full Moon Hike, sunset, BNC 2 Free admission day, BNC 17 Full Moon Hike, Sunset, BNC 17 Audubon Bird Survey, 8 am, BNC 7 Tyke Hike begins, 10 am, BNC 26 Memorial Day, WERC closed 18 Good Friday, WERC closed 10-14 Spring Break Camp 30 Tyke Hike ends @ Spring Events 15 Full Moon Hike, Sunset, BNC BNC at WERC and 20 Audubon Bird Survey, 8 am, BNC BNC Page 4 Marsh Matters

Wetlands Center Happenings News From the Education Department by Jina Faith-McAnally, Education Coordinator

Winter Camp Recap There is nothing like looking at winter through a child’s eyes. Just like snow, their eyes seem to glisten at the thought of all the possibilities. The Wetlands Center education staff was very fortu- Mission Statement: nate to experience a little bit of the excitement at Winter Camp for 1st-3rd grade students. Dur- The Eddie V. Gray Wetlands ing our three-day adventure campers visited the Houston Museum of Natural Science where Education and Recreation they became weather forecasters, the Houston Zoo where they learned all about winter animal Center is dedicated to increas- ing awareness, understanding adaptations, and Discovery Green where they were able to have a little winter fun ice skating and appreciation of wetlands, outside in the park! the environment, and cultural history through environmental Wetlands Campers and Their Travels education and environmental recreation.

The Problem Celebrations by Littering  All released balloons, including those falsely marketed as “biodegradable latex”, return to Earth as ugly litter.  Balloons kill countless Houston Museum of Natural Science Houston Zoo Discovery Green animals and cause dan- gerous power outages. We had a blast on our field trips, but our time spent at the Wetlands Center was just as excit-  Balloons are also a ing. In order to talk about unique winter weather, we had to be creative. It’s not like we are able waste of Helium, a to go outside and observe real snow and ice crystals. Instead, we made our own and then finite resource. viewed them under microscopes. While learning about ways animals protect themselves during  Balloons can travel winter we learned that shelter is very important. To demonstrate, campers were given materials thousands of miles and to construct a fort that would keep wind out. The Education staff at the Wetlands Center was pollute the most re- amazed at the creativity; one camper built a castle with a sunroom! mote & pristine places.

Eco-friendly Alternatives: Fun at the Wetlands Center  Planting trees  Flying kites  Lighting candles  Floating flowers  Blowing bubbles

Sources:

Balloons Blow, Don’t Let Them Go! Castle fort Making clouds While embracing winter was a lot of fun, the Education team is looking forward to Spring Break http://balloonsblow.org/ th th Camp with 4 -6 graders. It will be a fun filled time in the sun! www.facebook.com/#!/ BalloonsBlow Volume 16, Issue 1 Page 5

More Happenings

Coming This Spring

Searching for 4th - 6th graders! Spring Into Nature Spring Break Camp March 10-14 Join us on a nature expedition! Become a detective as you discover mysteries of Ages: Grades 4-6 wildlife. Have fun as you journey Where: Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Center through nature looking for treasure, solve the Whodunit case, go crabbing to 1724 Market Street find out what lives beneath the bay, and Baytown, TX 77520 so much more! Time: 8am—4pm Cost: $125

Registration begins February 1, 2014 Download form at www.baytown.org or pick up at the Wetlands Center

Wetlands Wagon Outreach Spring Schedule:

In addition to the continued visits by Goose Creek  San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo – 2/22-23 students to our “Wetlands Ecology”, “Making Science  Jesse H. Jones NatureFest – 3/1 Make Sense” and “Liquid Science” programs and birth-  Houston Livestock and Rodeo – 3/8-9 day party visitors, the award-winning Wetlands Wag-  Woodlands and Wildlife Festival—3/22 on will continue to travel throughout the great state  Fort Worth Mayfest – 5/2-4 of Texas bringing our exhibit to a major city near you!  Toyota Bass Classic: Lake Fork, TX – 5/10-11

Let us share our Wetlands Wagon Outreach program with you. If your school or organization is looking for an exciting, educational, fun-filled activity to bring to your children, contact the Wetlands Center for specific infor- mation. Thanks to our sponsor, TPC Group, these programs offer a wide ar- ray of activities with live animals and hands-on curriculum that will bring out the budding nature lover in every child. We are excited to offer programs that can come to your campus most days of the week. Reservations need to be made at least three weeks in advance to guarantee the Wetlands Wagon is hitched and ready to go. Page 6 Marsh Matters

Naturally Speaking by Christina Butcher, Naturalist No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. ~Proverb A Trail Grows and Grows It has been this quote that sustained me throughout this nev- Translated by Crissy Butcher er-ending winter season. Well, I felt like it was never ending! Truthfully, I do welcome the winter. I enjoy watching the I keep on growing! Eagle Scout candidates have been season change and slow down. As much as I welcome winter, working and working on making me prettier, and boy did I I shout for spring! need it! There are parts of me that have grown up, but have no fear…the helpful scouts have cleaned me up again. Spring brings warmer temperatures and new birds to watch for at the nature center. You can help by joining us every Another Eagle Scout planted some beautiful fruit trees along third Thursday as we host our monthly bird count. You do not have to be an experienced birder to participate. The the trail. I am sure the new trees will attract beautiful song- count begins at the Visitor’s Center at 8:00 am and ends birds that will LOVE the fruit. How perfect! After all, I am around 11:30. Come out and enjoy a beautiful morning look- the Myra C. Brown Birding Trail. I can’t wait to hear them ing at and appreciating nature; we would love to have you! sing!

A BIG THANK YOU goes to: Another group, the Student Conservation Association, has The Student Conservation Association for clearing around bog helped out by removing some of the deadfall on the trail. areas on the Chickadee Trail, and trail maintenance on the Deadfall is a tangled mass of fallen trees and branches that Myra C. Brown and Chickadee Trails. sure makes it tough to walk through! Thank you SCA for David Hanson for sharing his owl calling expertise at the January Nurture Nature Night Prowl and for assistance obtaining ma- removing that. terials and making seed balls for the Goldenbloom Pond pro- ject. His help at the Baytown Nature Center is invaluable! When I was born I never thought about how much work it would take to make me so pretty. So much work has been Great Horned Owls can be done and more is scheduled! I wonder what’s next…Please extremely aggressive when de- stay tuned to see what amazing things are happening. fending the nest and may con- tinue to attack until an intruder is killed or driven off. Normally, two to four eggs are laid and Hanson Nature Photography incubated by the female for 26- SCOUT CORNER

35 days. Young start roaming Thanks to: from the nest onto nearby Daisy Troop 7000 for participating in a shore clean-up as a branches at six to seven weeks, service project for the Between Earth and Sky Journey. A nesting Great Horned Owl when they are called Scouts visited the Baytown Nature Center and learned seen during January’s Nurture "branchers", but cannot fly well about wetlands and how important they are. The scouts then talked about participating in a service project to help Nature Series Night Prowl. until 9 to 10 weeks old. our wonderful wetlands! Junior Girls Scout Troop 8560 for reseeding the area around Audubon Bird Survey the Goldenbloom Pond. Scouts dropped seed balls with the hopes that basket flowers will germinate and grow What: Houston Audubon Bird Survey throughout the area. They also participated in an interac- When: 3rd Thursday (except December), 8 am tive hike and learned about poisonous plants and some Where: Meet at BNC Visitors Center nocturnal animals in the area.

Leaders: Jan & David Hanson Our schedule fills up fast! Be sure to schedule your spring Scout For: All experience levels welcome. You do not need workshops soon! For information on earning scout badges please to be an experienced birder. contact [email protected]. Volume 16, Issue 1 Page 7

The schedule is: Coming This Spring March April 7 - Ants 4 - Butterflies Nurture Nature Series continues on the first Saturday of the 14 - Lady Bugs 11 - Easter Animals month from 10-noon unless otherwise announced. The monthly 21 - Snakes 25 - Earth Day program is free with regular admission. All topics are family friend- 28 - Bees and Flowers ly and hands-on. Bring the family for a fun, educational morning; May then stay to picnic, hike, fish or just relax. 2 - Alligators 16 - Senses 30 - Fishing 9 - Frogs 23 - Habitats Topics for the spring are: March – Geocaching with Baytown Bert and friends! Full Moon Hike April – Angler Education Join us as we hike the Baytown Nature Cen- May – Bike Tour ter under the light of the full moon! Every And for the remainder of the year: full moon brings the chance to observe noc- June – Kayaking turnal animals and experience the center July – Reptiles after dark. August – Paddleboarding September – Kayaking Naturalist Crissy Butcher leads the monthly 90 minute hikes October – Family Campout which begin at sunset. Hikers are asked to wear comfortable November – Nurture Nature Festival clothing. Small children should not attend since hikers have a December – Birding better chance of viewing nocturnal animals in a relatively qui- et atmosphere. The first hike is Saturday, February 15. Tyke Hike, our free pre-school program begins Friday, March 7 Routes and start times vary monthly. The program is free and continues through May. Join us each Friday from 10-11 am with general admission to the nature center. If you have any for a fun, educational hour geared for young children accompanied questions please contact Crissy Butcher at 281-420-7130. by an adult.

@EVGrayWetlands (The Wetlands Center) http://pinterest.com/ baytownnaturect (Baytown Nature Center) The Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Education @BaytownNatureCt and Recreation Center (Baytown Nature Center) http:pinterest.com/ evgraywetlands The Baytown Nature Center (The Wetlands Center)

Baytown Nature Center Friends of the Baytown Nature Center 6213 Bayway Drive Membership Dues for the Year 2014: Date: ______281-424-9198 Spring Individual: $25 ____ Family: $50 ____ Sponsor: $100 ____ Hours: Open - 30 minutes before sunrise Name:______New Member: ____ Close - 30 minutes after sunset Daily except Thanksgiving & Christmas Day Address: ______or Renewal: ____

Admission: City, State, Zip:______Daily: Adults - $3; Children 12 and under - free Annual Pass: Individual - $20 Phone Number:______E-Mail: ______Family - $50 (includes 6 adults) FREE - First Sunday each month I prefer to make a tax deductible contribution to support your work: $___ Staff: Please email Friends meeting notices/minutes. Yes/No (circle) Superintendent of Natural Resource Programs:

Tracey Prothro Make checks to: Friends of the Baytown Nature Center Naturalists: Christina Butcher, John Mason P.O. Box 8177 Interns: Mike Jaschek; Holly Hollingshead Baytown, TX 77522 Gate Attendants: Francis Colley, Virginia Compton, Helen Karr, Bill Martin and Epie Tucker Your membership dues and contributions are tax deductible. 1724 Market Street THE EDDIE V. GRAY Baytown, TX 77520 WETLANDS EDUCATION Prsrt Std AND RECREATION U.S. POSTAGE CENTER PAID

1724 Market Street Permit No. 184 Baytown, TX 77520 Webster, TX Phone: 281-420-7128 Fax: 281-420-7142

BAYTOWN NATURE CENTER

6213 Bayway Drive Baytown, TX 77520 Phone: 281-424-9198 Fax: 281-420-7142

Email: [email protected]

We’re on the web! www.baytown.org Join “Friends of the Wetlands Center” Enclosed is my membership fee. Marsh Matters $10 Junior $50 Family $25 Individual $100 Friend

Marsh Matters is a quar- Name______terly publication of the Ed- Address______die V. Gray Wetlands Edu- cation and Recreation Cen- City, State & Zip______ter and the Baytown Nature Phone______Email______Center in Baytown, Texas. The goal of this newsletter My employer, ______provides matching gifts. is to educate local residents I have enclosed a matching gift form. I need assistance with form. and visitors about the im- (ExxonMobil employees or retirees need to contact the Wetlands Center for further information regarding a matching gift.) portance of wetlands and to Also enclosed is an additional donation of $_____. Please sign me up as a: inform citizens of upcoming activities and events. Anoth- Supporter ($1-$99) Associate ($100-$499) Patron ($500-$999) Benefactor ($1,000+) er purpose is to remind May we list your name in our next issue of Marsh Matters? ____Yes ____No Baytown residents of their rich environmental heritage. I am interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities. The town is flanked by six Membership dues and donations are tax-deductible. Make checks payable to “Friends of the Wetlands Center” bays, and is within easy and mail to: The Wetlands Center, 1724 Market St. Baytown, TX 77520 reach of many more. It is Ariel Arizmendi Animal Care also home to several bayous Terry Cecil Exhibits Specialist and creeks. The Wetlands Carla Eppler Education Intern Center and Nature Center Wetlands Mariela Rivera Education Intern aim to encourage citizens to Center Jina Faith-McAnally Education Specialist get out and learn more Staff Amina Klair Administrative Assistant about the world at their Tracey Prothro Superintendent of Natural Resource Programs Berenice Rodriguez Education Intern doorstep. Mary Alice Trumble Outreach/Volunteer Specialist/Marsh Matters Editor

Marsh Matters printing – Minuteman Press-Bay Area 281-488-4100 Paper by