December 2012 - Texas Master Naturalist

4th ANNUAL STATE OF THE PRAIRIE CONFERENCE (AT)
NEWS
Dec 6-9 in Kingsville, TX, Kleberg Wildlife Center with Outings
Coastal Prairie Partnership and Native Prairie Association of Texas
are proud to co-host the 4th Annual State of the Prairie Conference
to be held in Kingsville, TX from December 6-9 at both the Caesar
Kleberg Wildlife Center and Texas A&M Kingsville, proceeded
with and followed by field trips to prairie remnants all over greater
Corpus/Kingsville area. Each year, this event attracts the sharpest
minds in prairie conservation from Texas, Louisiana, and the Midwest to spark lively conversations and provide practical, real-world
solutions to restore, conserve, and educate about local prairies for
multiple uses.
We’ll have presentations and field experiences that focus on the
economics of prairies and prairie restoration, cattle production, restoration after oil/gas drilling and landowner rights, biodiversity,
prairie wetlands and more. So if you are a rancher, conservationist,
landscape architect, educator, naturalist, or just curious about building prairies, this event is for you!
How Much : $125 for indoor presentations on December 7 and 8
(student rate available), includes lunch and dinner. $30 for Field
Experience on December 6 or 9. Single day rates available.
Registration: Full details and registration available at
www.prairiepartner.org.
Events
Volunteer Opportunities
Education & Training
Alamo Area Chapter
www.txmn.org/alamo
Volume 16, No. 12
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
December 2012
By Liz Robbins
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
to all you wonderful dedicated
AAMN members. May these holidays find you outdoors, enjoying
nature and spending time with family
and friends.
Hope you SAVED the DATE for the
annual AAMN Potluck Holiday
Party at the Auld House at the San
Antonio Botanical Garden, Tuesday,
Dec. 11, from 6-8. All members and
their guests are invited to attend and bring a favorite dish for sharing.
To RSVP or assist with set-up or clean-up, contact Alicia Hoover at auntalicia@aol.com.
HTTP://WWW/TXMN.ORG/ALAMO/
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS 31
Class 31 was one of our larger fall
classes with 35 students. Thirty-three
members of the class completed the
course and 10 graduated with certification. That is the highest number of
students in a class graduating with
certification. In addition, class member James Griffin was awarded the
2012 Mexican Free-tailed Bat pin for
completing the extra hours by the
graduation deadline.
Thank you class 31.
Keep up the great work!
Alamo Area Master Naturalist
P.O. Box 160543
San Antonio, TX 78280
Return Service Requested
REMINDERS FOR MEMBERS:
 Please turn in your hours for 2012 by end of December.
 Travel time for 2013 advanced training will not be counted.
 Mail in your $12 annual dues before the deadline of January 1, 2013.
For questions, information or forms, contact your Membership Committee member or Membership Committee Chair, Nancy Thoss.
Thank you Alamo Area Master Naturalists for your continued support in the past, the present, and in the future! Here's wishing you and your families a joyous and
Happy New Year!
Editor’s Note: Event formatting has been abbreviated in most cases with (AT) replacing
“Approved for Advanced Training” and (VSH) replacing “Approved for Volunteer Service
Hours.” Many event notices have been shortened, but include a link (blue & underlined, often
the title) to the AAMN website Flyers Page where one can get more detailed information.
AAMN Christmas/
Holiday Fiesta
Tue, December 11, 6pm – 8pm
Auld House, San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Pl,
San Antonio, Tx (map)
Make plans for the annual
AAMN Christmas/Holiday Fiesta. Bring a favorite holiday
side, salad, bread, or dessert,
and a spirit beverage if you care
to imbibe. We will provide the
main course, smoked and
roasted turkeys. Hospitality
would appreciate the help of
our members for set up/clean
up. Decorating starting at 4pm
and clean up from 8pm-9pm.
Please contact Alicia Hoover at
auntalicia@aol.com or 210-240
-8082.
President
Liz Robbins
srobbins@gvtc.com
830-336-2778
Vice-President
Aubrey George
ageorge13@att.net
Treasurer
Nancy Thoss
nthoss1610@yahoo.com
Secretary
Barbara Harder
bdjharder@sbcglobal.net
Immediate Past President
Anton Hajek
tonyhajek@yahoo.com
NEWS FROM THE BOARD COMMITTEES
Projects to be reviewed for approval as a Master Naturalist activity must be submitted on the
Submission for Activity Approval form before the event. Forms can be obtained by contacting
Pamela Ball, pball12@satx.rr.com, or from the AAMN website at: http://txmn.org/alamo/jointhe-alamo-chapter/activity-approval-form/
PLEASE REPORT YOUR HOURS !
ACTIVATE YOUR 2012 GOOGLE.DOCS ACCOUNT TODAY
Reporting hours is easy on Google.Docs. See directions below. If you need help, contact:
.
Last names A-H
Last Names I-M
Nancy Thoss
Howard Homan
nthoss1610@yahoo.com hhoman@satx.rr.com
Last names N-Z
Deb Balderaz
dbalderaz@satx.rr.com
‘One of a kind’ recertification pins are awarded each year to those who achieve eight hours of
advanced training and 40 hours of volunteer service. This year that pin is a Mexican Free-tailed
Bat. Milestone dragonfly pins are also awarded for 250, 500, 1000, 2500, and 5000 VSH.
Activities Information
Chair Pam Ball
pball12@satx.rr.com
Community Outreach
Chair Lissa Martinez
lissa@satx.rr.com
Historian
Peggy York
peggy.york@sbcglobal.net
Hospitality
Chair Alicia Hoover
auntalicia@aol.com
2013 Hours Reporting Changes to
Travel Time For Advanced Training
Membership
Chair Nancy Thoss
nthoss1610@yahoo.com
Beginning January 1, 2013, hours for advanced training
travel (i.e., driving to and from Advanced Training
events) will no longer count towards milestone awards.
The reason for the change is the Alamo Chapter is coming in line with the policies of our state sponsors and
those already in place in other chapters. Hours reported
for advanced training travel prior to January 1, 2013 will
continue to be counted for milestone awards. If you have
questions please contact Linda Gindler or Nancy Thoss.
Media & Technology
Chair David Reichert
Newsletter/Web
reichert@satx.rr.com
Calendar
Frank Ballard
fm4459@sbcglobal.net
Deadline Approaching for 2012 Hours
As 2012 winds down, please make sure all your hours have been entered in your Google
Docs files. We must have all 2012 hours entered by January 2, 2013! Our Annual Report
to the state is due shortly after that date, and we need time to prepare it. This includes a listing of all members' hours. Please verify all your activities have dates and accurate descriptions.
Government Canyon State Natural Area
For details, call John H. Koepke at (210) 688-9055;
Ext. 291, John.koepke@tpwd.state.tx.us or Events.
Reservations and fees may be required. (map)
Hike the Canyon, (VSH if assisting) Dec 8,
8:30am-noon
Volunteer Resource Workday (VSH), Dec 12
& 26, 9am-noon
Explore the Canyon (VSH if assisting) December 15, 8:30-noon
Programs
Chair Tom Brotherman
Electric_water_boy@yahoo.com
Education & Training
Chair Pam Ball
pball12@satx.rr.com
Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation (WRR) (AT/VSH)
(map)
WRR offers many volunteer opportunities. Volunteers wishing to
work hands-on with animals need to attend an orientation. We hold
orientations at 2 locations: one in San Antonio and one in Kendalia.
The SA orientations are on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every
month, the Kendalia orientations are on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays. Orientations begin at 10:00 am. It is requested that anyone
attending an orientation first contact the Director of Outreach, Jessica Rice jessicar@wildlife-rescue.org or by phone at 830-336-2725,
x304.
Those wishing to participate without working hands-on
with animals can help in other ways. There are periodic group opportunities as well as daily individual or small-group opportunities.
Anyone wishing to become involved should contact Jessica Rice,
2013 DUES REMINDER
Your 2013 membership dues are due by December 31, as well as the photo release form. Both forms are available on our website. If you have any questions or need the forms mailed to you, please email Nancy Thoss at nthoss1610@yahoo.com. Your
completed forms and dues check may also be brought to our holiday party at the San Antonio Botanical Garden on December 11.
2
Vol. 16, No. 12—December 2012
San Antonio Arbor Day
was celebrated in San Pedro
Springs Park on November
3, with a morning of tree-related
demonstrations, including the first
Tree-K race around the park,
where every runner wore a backpack containing a small live native tree - you had to see it to understand it. A portable saw mill was set up on site and operated to
show how urban trees can be converted into beautiful lumber. In
the course of the morning, three tree trunks, two pecan trunks and
one cypress trunk, each 8 to 10 feet long, were sawn into
planks. A professional tree worker demonstrated safe climbing
and tool handling, using the canopy of a large live oak in the park
as a classroom. Other exhibits taught about native trees and
GVST had some experimental fruit trees on display.
A central activity was the native tree adoption of 400 trees, where
several Alamo Area Master Naturalists volunteered, providing tree
information for citizens and handing out trees. Elsewhere, other
Alamo Area Master Naturalists staffed the Parks' children's nature
activities or represented other environmental organizations, or just
helped where needed. Alamo Forest Partnership thanks all the
Master Naturalists who volunteered at 2012 San Antonio Arbor
Day.
When the awards were handed out,
Alamo Area Master Naturalists
shined. Two awards were made, and
AAMN chapter members won both. Kent
Page won the 2012 Alamo Forest Partnership Project of the Year for his Acorn
Project at Carnahan Elementary
School. Kent started that project before
deciding to become a Master Naturalist,
but in 2012 our chapter has been able to
provide him welcome support and helped him strengthen the program, much to the benefit of his students. Even more wonderful,
since the plantings are done in city park land, City Forester Michael Nentwich has embraced Kent's project as valuable field science to support his own management plan for the city's forest, so
Kent's program will have annual support for years to come.
Lissa Martinez won the 2012 Alamo Forest Partnership Volunteer
of the Year. Lissa has been an Alamo Forest Partnership volunteer
since 2007, even before she became a Master Naturalist. The
TMN training taught Lissa more about the ecology of central
Texas and has motivated her even more to keep volunteering to
increase the community's understanding of our city trees. As in
Kent's case, having the support of the Alamo Area Master Naturalist volunteers at recent events has been a great addition to the efforts of the Alamo Forest Partnership. Each Master Naturalist is
ready to learn and enthusiastically shares that lesson with each
other and with the citizens who participate in tree adoptions and
Arbor Day. Lissa Martinez intends to continue to find new ways
to bring the AFP message to San Antonio.
Respectfully submitted, Lissa Martinez, AAMN liaison to AFP.
Vol. 16, No. 12—December 2012
James Kiehl River Bend Bird Census
(AT)
Tue, Dec 25, 8:00am – 10:30am, (map). Every fourth Tuesday. For more information e-mail to curione@yahoo.com.
Kreutzberg Canyon Bird Census
(AT)
Tue, Dec 18, 8:00am – 10:30am, (map) Every third Tuesday.
For more information e-mail to tmrandle@swbell.net.
Bird Census at Joshua Springs Park (AT) (map),
Thu, Dec 27, 8am – 10:30am, For more information, contact: curione@yahoo.com.
For details of CNC events,
visit their website or call (830) 2494616. Some events require registration
and have fees. (map)
CNC Winter Prairie Bird Surveys (VSH) Dec 2,6,
9:30am-1:00pm
Streamside Management (AT), Dec 8, 9am—3pm,
Rufus Stephens & Bruce Cole, $35 includes lunch
CNC Volunterer Workday (VSH) Dec 8, 9am-noon,
2012 Rain To Drain Public Field Trip (AT)
Fri, December 7, 8:30am – 5:00pm
Meeting location will be provided after registration (map)
If you're interested in learning more about where your drinking water comes from and where it goes “after the flush”, consider joining SAWS Education Team for the Rain to Drain
Community Field Trip. The full day training begins with a
discussion of the Edwards Aquifer, followed by a field trip to
Stone Oak Park where participants view Bear Cave and Cub
Cave, which are two groundwater recharge features. Next,
participants learn about the workings of the San Antonio water system and take a field trip to the SAWS Maltsberger
Pump Station to view the five million gallon storage tank,
water pumps and related activities. The concluding activity is
a discussion of the physical, biological and chemical treatment of Wastewater with a field trip to the SAWS Dos Rios
Water Recycling Center. At this site, participants observe
sewage entering the plant and fresh effluent leaving the plant
as it enters the confluence of the Medina and San Antonio
Rivers. These field trips are only available for ages 18 years
and older. To register, please contact Greg Wukasch at gwukasch@saws.org
Headwaters Sanctuary
Volunteer Workdays
(VSH) Saturday, December 8
& 15, 8:30 –11:30am
Come learn about and help preserve the Sanctuary that contains the famous Blue Hole, the source of the San Antonio
River. We need volunteers to remove invasive species,
which helps return the Sanctuary to a more native state.
Headwaters Sanctuary (GPS: N29.4698, W98.4708) is just
north of University of Incarnate Word athletic fields (map).
To get on our e-mail list please send a note to Howard S.
Homan at howard.homan@gmail.com.
7
MONTHLY MEETING
Visit the web for more information on all programs, or contact
Sasha Kodet, Education Director at sasha.kodet@sanantonio.gov
or 210.207-3270 ● Fax: 210.207-3274 ● www.sabot.org, (map)
Some programs have fees and size limits.
Rain Barrel Workshop (AT)
December 8, 9am – 12pm
Rainwater harvesting is an innovative approach to capturing free
water. You can save money by collecting and storing rainwater
and using it to irrigate your trees, shrubs and flower beds, or to
provide water to pets, birds, or other wildlife. Join County Extension Agent Bryan Davis and Master Gardeners Lou Kellogg and
Mary Fernandez to learn about rainwater collection for the home
and landscape and make your own rain barrel to take home. Limit
30. Please RSVP by Wednesday, December 5, 2012. Fee: $55.
Beginning Bird Walks, (AT). Sat, Dec 15, 9am-10:30am,
Enjoy birds in native habitats and bask in the relaxing atmosphere
found in the Garden during a morning bird walk led by one of our
experienced guides. Meet at the Carriage House.
WaterSaver Walk, (AT) Fri, Dec 7 & Sat Dec 15, 10am –
12pm, Sponsored by the San Antonio Water System. Get answers
to your landscaping questions and receive a FREE copy of the San
Antonio Water System's Landscape Care Guide.
.
Volunteer Orientation, (AT) Dec 7, 9 am
Photos by Liz
Robbins
6
Texas Invaders - Balcones Satellite – December 2012 – January 2013
Balcones Satellite volunteers continue their trek down the Leon
Creek Greenway and have now crossed the halfway point somewhere between Bandera and Grissom Roads. The majority of the plants have been chinaberry – large thickets of chinaberry. Each week,
more and more
have been removed
by a group of eight
to ten volunteers,
many of them
AAMN members.
Earlier in November, we returned to
the section of
Helotes Creek that
is part of the Frank
Madla Natural Area to remove arundo (giant cane) regrowth
and other invasives (elephant ear, Chinese tallow, chinaberry,
ligustrum). We were greatly encouraged that last year’s efforts
had shown so much success as demonstrated by the giant
DEAD arundo root that was in the creek bed.
Our December and January schedule will be modified by the
holidays, but to
take advantage of
our many full
time
working
members we are
planning
two
ses s io n s
t he
week
between
Christmas
and
New Years and
one the week of
New Years.
We invite you to
join us any week.
No prior experience or invasive
plant recognition
is required. Just
bring gloves and
plenty of water. We have a supply of loppers and saws but
welcome anyone who brings their own.
If you want to join us, sign up for our weekly email that details
our exact location and directions. Contact Lonnie at lonnieshockley@satx.rr.com to be put on the mailing list.
Detailed information on local and regional invasive plants and
pests are available on the Texas Invasives website:
www.texasinvasives.org. Chinese tallow has recently been
recommended to be added to the official state noxious weed
list.
December/January schedule: 8:00 – 10:00 am Leon Creek
Greenway – south of Bandera Road (VHS)
Tuesdays December 4, 11, and 17; January 8, 15, 22, 29
Thursdays December 27, January 3
Vol. 16, No. 12—December 2012
The December meeting will be the annual
AAMN Potluck Holiday Party at the Auld
House at the San Antonio Botanical Garden,
Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 6-8pm.
Canyon Lake Gorge Invasive Removal & Control Project (VSH) Mon,
Dec 3 & Tues, Dec 18 9:00am – 12:00am if temperature above 45 degrees. (map) Volunteers
are needed for the Canyon Lake Gorge invasive
removal and control project. These workdays
will feature physical work (cutting and spraying)
with often slippery footing. Sturdy boots are a
must! But don’t fret about your skill sets or
physical strength; we’ll split the tasks to accommodate individuals’ abilities. Help protect the
Gorge environment! ***Meet at the Gorge Preservation Society (GPS) shed behind the COE
Lake Managers office, 601 COE Rd at Overlook
Park. If able to join us (or have questions), email
to: canyongorge@canyongorge.org or call 830964-5424 for details. Winter Weather Work Policy & Attire - if temperatures are below 45 degrees workdays will be cancelled. Please remember to dress in layers. Questions regarding
weather-related workdays or running late please
call Mark Henderson at 512-217-4667.
Westcave Preserve Tours (map)
(AT) Saturdays, usually 10am, 12pm, 2pm,
Riverwalk Garden Workday
(VSH)
Fri, December 14, 9am – 1pm
Corner of Aubrey and Old Guilbeau (north
of Durango, the west side of the San Antonio River) on the Riverwalk (map)
Weather permitting, volunteers are needed
to cut, trim, and plant at the San Antonio
Riverwalk Garden. Bring cutting tools
such as shears, rakes, and clippers and also
gloves and water for this workday. It
would be great to see some new faces at
this garden, our own Master Naturalist
project at the corner of Aubrey and Old
Guilbeau (north of Durango, the west side
of the San Antonio River) on the Riverwalk. Contact Evelyn Penrod (830)4382290 or epenrod@gvtc.com. Sponsored by
Alamo Area Master Naturalist Class 2.
The Hot Tub made donations to TPWD employees fund for both recent fires. Make a donation of
money, time, or in-kind this month. Count your
blessings and give thanks. As Jud
Ashmore said, “Hug somebody; it will make you
feel good”!
Vol. 16, No. 12—December 2012
Class 27
David Reichert
reichert@satx.rr.com
& Evelyn Penrod
epenrod@gvtc.com
Class 28
Joe Novy
novyja@gmail.com
Class 30
Randy Baker
Randy.baker@satx.rr.com
Alba De Leon
adeleon.tx@gmail.com
Merry Christmas and Happy new Year! I am old
fashioned and not politically correct. I also don't
believe in celebrating Christmas before Thanksgiving.
Those who argue against big government, need to
stand down. This is a time when we help our own.
FEMA readiness isn't cheap to maintain but what
else should move in all those trailers? So we don't
rebuild Coney Island or those who did not buy
hurricane insurance.
Class 26
Dwight Henderson
210-496-5934
dwight10@hotmail.com
Class 29
Tom Brotherman, electric_water_boy@yahoo.com
& Damon Bartlett
texaswildlife47@yahoo.com
Hot Tub Natualist, Anton Hajek
A friend of mine is on week two of rewiring his
mom's house from Sandy. He runs an electric
cord from a neighbor who has electricity for his
tools and a small heater at night. Daily some
group delivers a hot meal. Mom can't get electricity turned on until the salted wiring is changed
out. I do wonder where he gets supplies. Change
out the sheet rock in the basement. And she is
Lucky!
Class 25 & State Rep.
Ron Tullius
210-739-2566
rvtullius@sbcglobal.net
Class 31
Camille Gong
camille_bach@yahoo.com
Robert Ambriz
robert_ambriz@hotmail.com
THANK YOU
Jessica Leslie
A member of AAMN Class#20, Jessica Leslie served on the board this past
year as Programs Committee Chair. With the help of the Programs Committee
members, Jessica was instrumental in scheduling the speakers at the AAMN
monthly meetings. We thank you Jessica for spearheading this committee and
for providing some new and interesting speakers for the meetings.
In addition to chairing the Programs Committee, Jessica also coordinated a
wonderful gathering of members from the Mid-Coast MN chapter and the
AAMN. The outcome of this gathering was an invitation to a weekend trip to
Rockport. Jessica hopes to continue this tradition of meeting with other chapters and visiting their respective locations. I know those members that have
been on these outings to places like Hummer House and Bamberger Ranch also
agree!
We also wish to thank Jessica for her assistance with the student graduation
field trips. Twice a year, Jessica shares the duties of guiding the students
through the Texas Native Trails at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.
The photo above shows Jessica, with husband Roy, both enjoying the festivities at the 2010 AAMN May party at Eisenhower Park. Photo provided by
Lissa Martinez.
Thank you Jessica for your continued and selfless dedication to the AAMN.
3
P.E.C.A.N. Day:
People Educating
Communities
About Nature
(AT)
Friedrich Fall Color Walk (AT)
Sat, December 1, 10am – 12pm
Friedrich Wilderness Park, (map)
Have you ever noticed the alternating layers of vegetation
color here in the fall? As we walk and see what fall has
brought to the canyon, we will solve the mystery of why
you can look at the ‘balcones’ of the hills and see a red and
green layer cake of color. And that’s not the only sign of
winter’s approach – see how many more you can find! Reservations are suggested; walks occasionally change. Call:
210-372-9124 or email peggy.spring@sanantonio.gov Participants are limited to 15 per hike. Meet near the restrooms.
A donation of $2 per person, max $6/family is suggested.
Because of some extreme terrains, Natural Areas parks have
elements that will be challenging or limiting for accessibility, physical strength and endurance. When you have questions about visiting a Natural Area or participating in a
Natural Areas program, please call 210-372-9124.
THANK YOU
Linda Gindler
We wish to thank Linda
Gindler for serving as
AAMN Board Vice President from 2010-2012. Last
year, among her many
duties and responsibilities,
Linda teamed up with
Nancy Thoss, and both
were instrumental in developing a much simpler
method of reporting hours
by adding the drop down
features
on
the
Google.docs hours reporting spreadsheets. These
added features created a more consistent and standardized
method of gathering information for the annual chapter reports required by the state. In addition, Linda has also spent
time working with TMN state coordinators exploring the
possibilities of a statewide hours reporting system.
Linda's plans for the future are to do a lot more traveling and
see the world. However, as "Assistente Numero Uno" to
John Prentice, we hope that she will also continue to help
collect fish for John's ichthyology presentation for our future
training classes!
Thank you Linda for your willingness to serve on the AAMN
board, for taking on the countless duties of vice-president,
and for your continued service to this chapter and the TMN
state organization. We will miss you. Enjoy your travels
and stay in touch!
The photo shows Linda at the 2011 board retreat, going after
just one more tiny portion of a cinnamon roll. Photo provided by Linda Mitchell.
4
Sat, December 1, 9am –
11am
Helton Nature Park, 15662 FM 775 (located 1.2 miles southwest of US 181), Floresville, Tx (map)
The San Antonio River Authority (SARA) will be hosting a
guided hike through Helton Nature Park along the San Antonio River in Floresville, TX. This guided nature walk will
teach participants how to measure characteristics of trees
(height, width, etc.), how to identify some common Texas
trees in the park, how to use a Garmin GPS to navigate, and
how to plant a large tree. Most importantly of all, the participants will see a pecan harvest demonstration and get to
gather pecans and take them home! This event will feature a
rotation of activities, allowing participants to explore the
park, learn about trees, and have a great time. Please join
SARA after this Thanksgiving Holiday, stretching our legs
and learning about nature! If you have any questions about
P.E.C.A.N Day please contact Josef Kaul at jkaul@saratx.org or at 210-302-3286.
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center
AWARDS
SUMMARY
by Nancy Thoss
Congratulations to our Class 31 members who have
already earned their initial Dragonfly certification pin:
Cheri Avigne
Rocio Bomberg
Rochelle DeLozier
Ed Elbel
John Geoff Leech
Timothy Roan
Raquel Barba-Garza
Lisa Brown
Jochelle Demmer
James Griffin
Anita Ragland
Patricia West
Congratulations to James Griffin, Class 31, who has
also earned the 2012 Recertification Pin!
Initial Dragonfly
Bonnie Carson - 30
Alba DeLeon - 30
Mary Hibberd - 30
Alicia Hoover - 30
2012 Recertification Pin - Mexican Free-tailed Bat
Anton Hajek - 1
Sarah Key - 30
Arless Lenz - 21
Bruce Martin - 26
Nalga Mebane - 21
Paul Mebane - 21
Lynn Richards - 27
Terry Walworth - 30
Kermit Wegner - 26
250 Hours Dragonfly
Richard Adams - 27
2500 Hours Dragonfly
Liz Robbins - 17
(map)
T H A N K Y O U Nancy Brown
Flying Wild Educator Training (AT)
Sat, December 1, 8:30am – 3:30pm MLAC is offering a Flying WILD Educator Training. Facilitators Susan Campbell and
Mandy Corso will be leading the training. Program fee is $20
for the public, $15 for MLAC Docents. During this training,
educators will learn how to conduct WILD lessons and participate in hands-on activities from the activity guide, which
teaches basic biology, identification, ecology, and bird conservation and service learning activities. Flying WILD provides
interdisciplinary activities and environmental education for
educators to help students excel academically with a program
that engages students in real inquiry while meeting national
science standards. To register, please send your name, email
address, phone number and fee to: Mitchell Lake Audubon
Center Attn: Mandy Corso 10750 Pleasanton Road San Antonio, TX 78221 For questions please contact Mandy Corso at
mcorso@audubon.org or 210-628-1639. To learn more about
Flying WILD please visit http://www.flyingwild.org/.
Bird Count/Survey (VSH), Dec 22, 8am-noon Bird
count/Survey is conducted every fourth Saturday. Be sure to
wear appropriate clothing, including a hat, long pants, closedtoe shoes. Wear sunscreen and bring water! We can even lend
you binoculars if you need them. For more information, email
us at mlac@audubon.org or call (210)628-1639.
Vol. 16, No. 12—December 2012
Nancy became hospitality
chair back in fall of 2007 soon
after completing her MN Class
#21 training. For the past five
years, Nancy has been instrumental in coordinating and
planning the snack time for
our new students, the special
dinners at our general meetings and the annual May and December membership parties. As a Master Gardener, Nancy also keeps busy at the
Children's Garden at the San Antonio Botanical Garden
and especially loves to volunteer at Friedrich Park with
Peggy Spring and fellow Master Naturalists. In her "spare
time," Nancy volunteers at the children's shelter, giving
much love and hugs to children in need. If you run into
Nancy on the trails, it may be at Government Canyon or
Big Bend, where she often enjoys hiking with her husband
Ted.
The picture is of Nancy at the 2010 AAMN May party at
Eisenhower Park pavilion. Photo provided by Lissa Martinez.
Nancy, we will miss you and your beautiful sweet smile.
Thank you again for all those years as AAMN Hospitality
Chair!
We will always be indebted to you for your commitment to
the chapter and its members.
Vol. 16, No. 12—December 2012
See Web for details.
Growing Up Wild! - Less is More
(VSH) Fri, Dec 7, 10:00am – 11:30am,
(map) Volunteers needed. Outdoor Nature Activities for pre-school
age children (3-7 year olds) Call 210-207-3106 for more information.
Weed Wednesdays, 8:30-10:30am, Meet at Outdoor Classroom.
Dinosaur George, Sat Dec 1, 9:00am-11:00am George Blasing
Webinars
2012 Wildlife for Lunch Webinar Series, (AT) https://
texas-wildlife.webex.com to log on to the live webinars. For more
information contact: Courtney Brittain, Texas Wildlife Association,
(210) 826-2904 ext. 122, www.texas-wildlife.org or cbrittain@texas
-wildlife.org Dec 20, noon-1:00pm, Forestry Management for Wildlife, Chris Comer
Path to Healthier, Happier, Smarter Kids (AT)
Thu, December 6, 4:00pm – 5:15pm, Anywhere you have an internet connection . TXPW Sponsored Do you want to create a garden
or outdoor classroom for learning, but not sure how to get started?
Please join the Texas Children in Nature, REAL School Gardens,
and National Wildlife Federation's Schoolyard Habitats® program
for this free webinar, This webinar, presented by educators, administrators and resource professionals from across the state will focus on
the key elements of successfully connecting children to nature while
improving their educational experience. Topics will include the research supporting outdoor education, the importance of a team approach, outdoor classroom possibilities, instruction, professional
development considerations and the components for long term success. Webinar is both online & on the phone. The website URL and
the phone number for joining the webinar will be sent to registrants
via a confirmation email in advance of the webinar. RSVP today!
http://online.nwf.org/site/Calendar?id=106521&view=Detail
Feral Hog Community of Practice Webinar Series
(AT) Tue, December 18, 12pm – 1pm, Anywhere you have internet
access and a computer, September 18, 2012: The History and Biology of Feral Hogs in the United States. John J. Mayer, Ph.D. - Manager, Environmental Sciences, Savannah River National Laboratory,
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions LLC. October 23, 2012: Control
Techniques and Managing Feral Hog Populations. Billy
Higginbotham, Ph.D. - Wildlife and Fisheries Extension Specialist,
Texas AgriLife Extension Service November 20, 2012: Feral Hog
Disease Issues. Joseph Corn, Ph.D. - Southeastern Cooperative
Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University
of Georgia December 18, 2012: Current and Future Feral Hog Research. Tyler Campbell, Ph.D. – Feral Swine Project Leader, USDA
APHIS, National Wildlife Research Center, Florida Field Station
Attending the webinar is as easy as going to https://
connect.extension.iastate.edu/feralhog. On the day of the webinar
you can interact with experts and view the entire webinar from anywhere with internet access. For Questions Please Contact: Jared
Timmons @ jbtimmons@ag.tamu.edu or 254-458-4886
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