CAMN Field Journal Feb 09

O CM
TO
ON
BE
TR
H L2 Y
0 0N8 ENWESW
LE
S LT ETTE TR E R
FIELD
JOURNAL
Capital Area Master Naturalists
9
0
0
2
y
r
Februa
Meeting
February 25th, 6:30 p.m.
Austin Nature and Science Center
CAMN friend Marsha May from
Texas Parks and Wildlife will be speaking on
Amphibians.
CAMN Board Meeting
March 5th, 2009
Join the Board Of Directors for a
spirited discussion about CAMN
business. Contact any Board
Member for details. All Master Naturalists are
welcome to attend.
Volunteer and Advanced
Training Opportunities
Visit the CAMN website
and log in to the CAMN Volunteer
Calendar to start fulfilling those volunteer
hours. The Environment Needs YOU!
2008 Class Certification
Come watch the 2008 class get all
giddy and CERTIFIED on February
15th (1 p m. at Wild Basin). Details
at the CAMN website later this
month.
What a wonderful project and I
think it would be the perfect project
for CAMN. This would be a great
way to help a fast disappearing
species and get many of us together
on a regular basis. It is something
that can be pursued alone too. We
could put our findings together and
include it at the next State Meeting
in October. As you can see from the
map, we are in one of the last
reported areas. See page 2 for more
details. LETS GET INVOLVED!
CAMN FIELD JOURNAL February 2009
PAGE 1
Ma ster Na tu ra lis t As Cit izen S cien tis ts
The spot-tailed earless lizard—a vanishing species
Th e Na tu re C on s erva n cy of Tex a s (n a t u re.org/t exa s )
Nature Conservancy of Texas seeks public's help tracking
spot-tailed earless lizard — a vanishing species
S
AN ANTONIO—January 28,
2009—Scientists at The Nature
Conservancy of Texas and several
universities are looking throughout the
state for the increasingly rare spottailed earless lizard, scientific name
Holbrookia lacerata, to find evidence of
how many of these lizards still remain
in the wild. They’re hoping
herpetologists, amateur naturalists, and
others who enjoy spending time
outdoors will also keep an eye out for
the lizard.
to reside widely in Texas within a
rough circle outlined by Pecos, San
Angelo, Austin, Corpus Christi and
Laredo, the lizard today is very rarely
seen.
“On surveys that we have conducted
for The Nature Conservancy within
the range of the species, we have
never seen it,” Duran said.
Scientists and partners seek
volunteers to join the search for a
Texas native lizard disappearing
#om much of its former habitat
He noted that Ralph Axtell, a
professor at Southern Illinois
University-Edwardsville who is
considered the leading expert on the
spot-tailed earless lizard, believes it
may now be gone from many of the
places where it used to reside.
Mike Duran, a vertebrate zoologist
with The Nature Conservancy of
Texas, said that while the spot-tailed
earless lizard is not officially listed as
threatened or endangered, there has
been concern among scientists for the
status of the reptile for some time, and
its demise could underscore important
environmental changes. Once thought
“When you have a species
disappearing from its historic range,
it’s indicative of something going on
with the environment,” Duran said.
“In this case, we’re guessing that it’s
pesticide use. If pesticide use is so
devastating that it’s wiping out an
entire species, that’s something we
need to take a closer look at.”
Lets make its CAMNs business to find some of these wonderful
lizards this summer. Image © Wayne Van Devender, Ph.D
CAMN FIELD JOURNAL February 2009
Do you have land that looks like this? Have
you seen any spot-tailed earless lizard lately?
Would you like to look for them? Contact
Christine Powe& if you are interested in
searching for this rare species. Image courtesy
of the Nature Conservancy of Texas.
He points to another species that was
almost driven into extinction by the
use of pesticides – the bald eagle. “We
saw a tremendous decline in bald
eagles,” he said. “They almost became
extinct. But studies revealed that the
reason for the decline with bald eagles,
which may be the case with the spottailed earless lizard, was pesticides. We
were able to do something about that,
and bald eagles are no longer endangered.
Raising awareness of the species is a
key step toward conserving it.”
Now, Duran is working to determine
where in Texas the spot-tailed earless
lizard still remains, along with a team
of herpetologists that includes Axtell,
Toby Hibbitts at Texas A&M
University, Travis LaDuc at the
University of Texas-Austin, Kelly
McCoy at Angelo State University, and
PAGE 2
The spot-tailed earless lizard—a vanishing species—continued
Michael Forstner at Texas State
University – with help from a cadre of
volunteers. They plan to survey 207
sites within the lizard’s historic range.
The spot-tailed earless lizard is about 6
inches long and is covered with spots
on its back and tail. It is so named
because, unlike similar lizards, it also
has spots underneath its tail. It is called
“earless” because it has no external ear
openings. Except in the northernmost
part of its range in Texas, where close
relatives of the spot-tailed earless lizard
are found, there are few similar lizards
likely to be confused with it.
The lizard is most active, Duran said,
from March to June, and that’s when
his team plans an intensive effort to
search for it. The scientists are seeking
volunteers willing to go to specific
locations to search for the lizard, and
would be happy to hear from anyone
who thinks they have seen one either
alive or dead. Photos are encouraged
when possible.
Habitat for the lizard within its historic
range is believed to be areas that are
sparsely vegetated with some bare
ground. It is found on a variety of soil
types, though never on pure sand. Its
environs include upland savannas,
plowed fields in places that originally
were grasslands, thinly vegetated
mesquite shrublands, semi-xeric
mesquite and prickly pear brushlands,
and coastal prairie.
Anyone who believes he or she has seen
a spot-tailed earless lizard is asked to
contact Mike Duran at (361) 249-1712,
(361) 882-3584, ext. 105, or
[email protected]; or Ralph Axtell at
[email protected]. More information on
the lizard is available online at
nature.org/texas, including a form for
lizard-spotters that may be
downloaded, a map of historic
locations, photos, video and a poster.
Duran also makes the point that he
would be happy to hear from those who
specifically went looking for the lizard
in one of its historic habitats and did
not see it.
As the scientists search for the lizard in
places where it previously has been
found, they also will collect data on the
current condition of the habitat and
create a predictive habitat model. Even
if they don’t find the lizard, they hope
to be able to make an educated guess
about whether it’s still likely to be
found at a particular site.
“It all starts with gaining more
knowledge, the basic building blocks of
science,” Duran said. “Right now, we
just don’t know where the spot-tailed
earless lizard is and where it has
probably been extirpated. That’s what
we have to start with.”
The project is being funded through a
grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department’s Texas Horned Lizard
License Plate Fund.
The Nature Conservancy is a
leading conservation organization
working around the world to
protect ecologica&y important lands
and waters for nature and people. To
date, the Conservancy and its more
than one mi&ion members have
been responsible for the protection of
more than 18 mi&ion acres in the
United States and have helped
preserve more than 117 mi&ion acres
in Latin America, the Caribbean,
Asia and the Pacific. Visit The
Nature Conservancy on the Web at
nature.org. In the Lone Star State,
The Nature Conservancy of Texas
owns more than 30 nature preserves
and conservation projects and assists
private landowners to conserve
their land through more than 100
voluntary land-preservation
agreements. The Nature
Conservancy of Texas protects some
250,000 acres of wild lands and,
with partners, has conserved
750,000 acres for wildlife habitat
across the state. Visit The Nature
Conservancy of Texas on the Web at
nature.org/texas.
To see a video of the Spot-tailed Earless Lizard visit the Nature Conservancy
website at http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/texas/
features/art27236.html Image courtesy © Wayne Van Devender, Ph.D
CAMN FIELD JOURNAL February 2009
PAGE 3
Remarkable Plants of Texas
Uncommon Accounts of Our Common Natives
By Matt Warnock Turner
Anyone who lives in the Austin area who is serious about native plants has
probably met Matt Turner. He has delivered lectures at all the usual venues
(Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, Native Plant Society, Lady Bird
Johnson Wildflower Center, etc.) and has a real gift for conveying information.
Like many of us, he noticed a real gap in the literature about Texas native
plants. There are any number of field guides for identifying Texas wildflowers,
trees, shrubs, grasses, and other plants. However, all of these focus almost
exclusively on answering the question “What?” Very few even attempt to
answer “Why?” Specifically, why should we care that this is an example of one
plant rather than another? Does it have any real use besides contributing a
page to our field guides?
Published January 2008
$29.95
Hardcover
ISBN 978-0-292-71851-7
7 x 9 ⅞ inches
320 pages
102 color photos
1 map
Th e Corrie H errin g
H ook S erie s
“No single existing publication includes
the kind of information featured in this
book.” —A. Michael Powell, Professor
of Biology Emeritus and Director of
the Herbarium, Sul Rosa State
University
CAMN FIELD JOURNAL The answer is often fascinating. The native plants of Texas have been used for
a wide range of purposes since people first settled the territory millennia ago.
Plants have been used by people for food, shelter, medicine, and economic
subsistence. But Turner takes it further and includes how plants have appeared
in the historical record and Texas folklore, as well as how plants nourish
wildlife, and even plants that have unusual ecological or biological
characteristics. This book discusses 22 trees, 13 shrubs, and 30 other plants, all
relatively well-known Texas natives. The species range from the lowly
hackberry (which turns out to be one of the plants used first by human beings
in Texas) to the versatile prickly pear. Some uses seem obvious, like the use of
native grapes for food. Some are less obvious, like the use of rootstocks
descended from Texas wild grapes to grow almost all French and German wine
grapes. How many of us who are familiar with the huisache as a spiny native of
South Texas realize that it is grown in Europe to provide extrait de cassie, one of
the most valuable components in costly perfumes?
The bois d’arc or Osage orange is probably native to only a small area in the
Red River valley, due to the contraction of its range after the disappearance of
the Ice Age megafauna that ate and spread its fruit. However, bois d’arc is now
found in much of North America, spread first by Native Americans who valued
its wood for bows. It was later distributed by whites who used it in tens of
thousands of miles of hedges before the invention of barbed wire, which was
patterned after its thorns. The largest Osage orange tree living today was
grown from a cutting sent to Thomas Jefferson by Meriwether Lewis and
planted by Patrick Henry at his home. The wood is so hard that it has
sometimes been used in place of rebar to reinforce concrete.
Every page of this book (and there are 336 pages) has at least a handful of truly
“remarkable” facts like these. For each plant, an introductory note gives an
explanation of the scientific name, alternative popular names, and a brief
description of the plant. There are many color illustrations and an unusually
full apparatus including a glossary, bibliography, and detailed index. To be
honest, I am torn between placing the book on my coffee table because it is so
attractive or in my bathroom because it is so great for casual reading! I heartily
recommend it to anyone who has even a passing interest in Texas plants.
February 2009
PAGE 4
F ield trip
Not So Lonesome Doves
Jim & Lyn n e Weber
O
ften used as a symbol of
peace, the dove, or paloma in
Spanish, represents a family of
birds that feeds chiefly on grain, other
seeds, and fruit. Abundant and
widespread, the larger species of these
birds are usually called pigeons, while
the doves are generally a bit smaller. In
central Texas, the most common doves
are the White-winged, Mourning, and
Inca, with the Eurasian Collared-Dove
not far behind.
The heavy-bodied white-winged dove
has large white wing patches which
show only as narrow bands of white on
the folded wings of perching birds. Its
shorter, rounded tail has broad white
corners, the skin around its eye is a
bright blue, its iris is red, and there is a
black streak on its cheek. There are
several variations of its loud, lowpitched cooing calls, the most frequent
being interpreted as “who cooks for
you?” White-wings breed several times
during the April to September nesting
season. They nest singly or in colonies,
building crude stick structures to hold
the two pale buff eggs that hatch after
only two weeks of incubation.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s
accounts from settlers in Texas showed
that there were several million whitewinged doves in the Rio Grande Valley.
However, with the mass destruction of
their native scrub forest nesting
habitat to make way for agriculture,
the populations fell to several hundred
thousand. The white-wing adapted by
switching its nesting preference to
citrus and other leafy trees, and the
numbers have been rebounding ever
since. As agriculture in the southwest
continues to provide year-round food
and watering sources, it allows for
ongoing expansion of this dove’s range
and enables more and more whitewings to overwinter rather than
migrate seasonally.
While the white-winged dove is native
to parts of Texas, the mourning dove is
the only native Texas bird that has
been documented to occur in all of the
CAMN FIELD JOURNAL state’s 254 counties. The trim-bodied
mourning dove has a small, rounded
head, slender neck, a blue ring around
each eye, and wings that whistle in
flight. Its tail is long and pointed, with
white outer edges, and the adults have
black spots on the upper wings. It has
a low, mournful call (oowoo-woo-woowoo) and like other doves, it is able to
suck up water in its bill without raising
its head to drink.
In Texas, the mourning dove can breed
virtually year-round, with peak season
being March through September.
During nest-building, the female stays
at the nest while the male collects
sticks. He will stand on her back to
give her the nest material, which she
takes and weaves into the nest. After
the female lays two eggs, the male
usually incubates them from midmorning to late afternoon, and the
female the rest of the day and night.
A small tropical dove of arid areas, the
inca dove has a light brown body with
dark brown edging on its feathers that
give it a scalloped appearance. Its long
tail has a square tip with white outer
edges, and the rufous in its wings is
visible during flight. The call of the
inca dove is often translated as “no
hope.” The inca dove engages in an
odd behavior called pyramid roosting.
Pairs or groups of these doves may
huddle together in the sunshine, with
some sitting on the backs of others.
The pyramid may be up to three layers
high and include up to as many as
twelve birds!
When talking about doves in Texas,
mention must be made of the nonnative Eurasian collared-dove.
Introduced into the Bahamas in the
mid-1970s from Europe (originally
India), this dove has spread rapidly
across much of North America. As its
range expansion is still an evolving
story, the extent of its final range and
the impact it will have on other bird
species remains to be seen. This large
dove can be identified by its sandy gray
body, long square tail with a broad
February 2009
white edge underneath, and a black
half-collar on the back of the neck. Its
song is a three note “koo-koo-kook” and
it makes a growling call in flight.
Although doves are a quintessential
part of nature in Texas, as anyone who
feeds wild birds knows, if you don’t do
your part to discourage them from
your feeders, they’ll eat you out of
house and home!
From top to bottom: White-winged dove,
Mourning dove, Inca dove and the
Eurasian-co&ared dove.
PAGE 5
A Ma ster Na t u ra l is t ten ds
Adventures of a Naturalist in an Urban Area
Jeri P orter
S
even acres on the edges of West
Lake Hills; buildings occupy
some 40% of the property,
there’s a large parking lot and
woods. I have been involved in
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran
Church for over 30 years and have
watched the property transform.
Not much attention has been paid
to the grounds themselves, in
compliance with the mindset of the
city itself, which has a long history
of suppressing grandiose
development. Some years ago,
congregational landscape architect
members offered to design and
install a memorial garden, proposing
all native plants. The garden itself
has areas of hardscape, including a
water fountain which is turned on
only for special occasions, and a wall
commemorating the lives of
members after their death.
Following installation, no plan was
in place for maintenance and at the
end of a year, the weeds were on the
way to winning. I felt it would be a
better use of our resources to seek
volunteers than to pay a
maintenance service and enlisted
the help of a few church members.
We arranged one workday to replace
plants that had not survived the
summer, repositioned and
programmed a sprinkler system to
meet the needs of what was
required, and added huge amounts
of mulch. One gentleman who is
retired, but had experience with
gardening while he was younger,
offered to volunteer on a regular
basis so we began our battle with
the weed seeds. Once each week we
would work on removing whatever
came up with each rain and were
able to control the seeds as they
reappeared. By the end of the
summer we had the problem under
CAMN FIELD JOURNAL The native plant memorial garden at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church,
West Lake Hills, Austin.
control. We are now experiencing
lower rainfall but the weed problem
is in check and the garden is
beautiful and healthy.
We have been able to use this area
to demonstrate the beauty and need
for the native plants. We keep
separate records of the water usage
in the garden through a metering
system established for the area so
we are able to validate our claim of
water reduction using natives.
During this past year we have been
offered help from several of the
youth working toward their Eagle
Scout designations and have cleaned
out two parking lot islands, installed
more native plants and trees in
those areas, added a picnic area and
birdbaths, and are in the process of
removing a number of invasive
plants. During the past year we
applied for and were awarded a
February 2009
NWF certification for a commercial
area. We have also planned and
improved the entry from Bee Cave
Road with a large native plant bed,
for which we have contracted with a
native plant maintenance service to
improve the property view from the
street where literally thousands of
vehicles pass each day.
This has been a long, slow process
but so rewarding. My naturalist
journey started with native plants
and has expanded to include so
many other aspects of the natural
world but my passion is still the
plants. Thanks to all of you who
have helped me learn—especially
Flo Oxley as my first teacher, with
her enthusiasm which has sparked
an interest in so many of us!
PAGE 6
Ma ster n a tu ra list s m eet
Flo Oxley on Global Warming
A
s is usual with any Flo Oxley
(from the Lady Bird Johnson
Wildflower Center)
presentation we were treated to a full
and interesting evening learning the
finer details of Global Climate Change
on January 28 at the Capital Area
Master Naturalists monthly meeting.
She emphasized that this scientific
concept should be distinguished from
the politically-loaded term “Global
Warming.” Climate itself should be
distinguished from weather, the shortterm variations in temperature and
precipitation. Climate changes occur
over relatively long periods of time,
not days or weeks. Climate was
changing long before men and women
came on the scene. For example, the
ice ages came and went without human
assistance.
The major driving force in weather,
climate, and climate change is the
balance of energy coming in from the
sun and being radiated back into space.
Normally, about 70% of solar energy is
absorbed while 30% is reflected.
However, this is a global average. The
amount of energy in any single location
varies over a daily cycle as the earth
rotates on its axis. Since the axis is
inclined, each hemisphere tilts towards
and away from the sun as the earth
revolves around it in the annual cycle.
When a hemisphere is tilted towards
the sun during daylight in summer, the
sun is high at noon. When the
hemisphere is tilted away in winter, the
sun is lower in the sky and days are
shorter.
More energy is absorbed by continents
than by seas, but seas absorb more
than snow or ice. Since there is
currently more land and less ice in the
Northern Hemisphere, the earth
absorbs more energy when it is
summer in the north than is absorbed
in a southern summer. That factor has
changed over the ages due to
continental drift. Since the earth’s
orbit isn’t perfectly circular, there is
also a variation in incoming energy
depending on how far the planet is
from the sun. The amount of energy
retained is also affected by the level of
greenhouse gases such as carbon
dioxide and methane, which can vary
naturally as well as due to human
activity. When the levels are high, heat
energy cannot escape back out into
space and temperatures rise. Events
such as large volcanic eruptions or
meteor strikes can create particulate
clouds that reflect extra sunlight and
cause lower temperatures.
There are several cycles, known as the
Milankovitch cycles, that contribute to
global climate change. Cycle 1 recurs
roughly every 100,000 years as the
earth’s orbit varies from more circular
(with roughly equal sun intensities in
both hemispheres year round) to more
elliptical (leading to short hot summers
and long cold winters in the
hemisphere that faces the sun when
the earth is closest and milder seasons
in the other hemisphere). Cycle 2
recurs every 41,000 years as the axial
tilt varies from a maximum of 24.5˚ to
a minimum of 21.5˚, with greater tilt
leading to more extreme seasons. Cycle
3 recurs every 21–30,000 years as the
northern hemisphere sometimes tilts
towards the sun when the earth is
closest and sometimes when it is
farther away. In some periods, all these
cycles act cumulatively, while at others
times they counteract one another.
Climate change is thus a completely
natural phenomenon.
By all indications, the earth’s
temperature was already on an upward
trend when the Industrial Revolution
began contributing higher levels of
carbon dioxide and other greenhouse
gasses. This has accelerated the
warming. The Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change has calculated that
temperatures could continue rising for
another 1000 years. An increase of
from 3–5˚ C. (5–9˚ F.), as could occur in
the United States over the next
century, would cause increased
droughts and flooding as well as
reduced snowpack in key watersheds.
The increased carbon dioxide level
might promote plant growth, but not
without water. With barrier islands
submerged by rising sea levels, the
impact of tropical storms could greatly
increase. The southeastern forests may
be replaced by savannah and grassland,
while many of the predominant species
in the northeast disappear south of
Canada. The earlier springs will throw
the life cycles of some plant species
and their pollinators out of
synchronization, with potentially
severe consequences for both species.
We already seem to be in the midst of
a mass extinction on the scale of the
Cretaceous/Tertiary and Permian/
Triassic events. Humans will not be
immune; the insects that carry tropical
diseases will be moving further north
as well.
As Flo said, there is nothing that
human beings can do to stop global
climate change. However, there are
things that they might do to slow the
rate to levels that the biosphere might
be able to handle. Whether those
things wi& be done is a political
question that goes well beyond the
scientific questions concerned.
Phenology \fi-’näl- -jē\ n: a branch of science dealing with the relations between climate and periodic biological phenomena.
CAMN FIELD JOURNAL February 2009
PAGE 7
Ma ster Na tu ra lis t s a s C itizen S cien tist s
Capital Area Invaders at Work
Da le R ye
A
group of Capital Invaders,
Master Naturalists, Native
Plant Society members, and
fellow travelers met on Sunday,
February 8, for the first botanical
survey of the Gault Archeological
Site. The Site, which sits astride the
Williamson-Bell County line north of
Florence, is one of the most
significant study areas in North
America. Due to its abundant plant,
animal, and mineral resources, people
have intermittently occupied it
almost since humans first arrived in
this region.
Our survey had two purposes. First,
knowing what native species are on
the site now will assist in efforts to
recontruct the way it looked in
earlier times. Second, identifying the
invasive species will assist in restoring
the area to its ancient condition.
Preserving the Gault Site should be a
C AMN a n d WCN P S OT work togeth er
CAMN and WCNPSOT members worked together to survey the native
plants at the Gault site. Capital Area Invaders also surveyed the area.
very high priority for those concerned
with New World history and
prehistory. That makes the seasonal
survey an important project for all the
participants. The good news this time
was that the site was relatively clear of
invasives visible during winter.
Chinese Tallow, Ligustrum sps., and Tree-of-Heaven makes top 5 list
Dr. Jim Miller of the U.S. Forest Service has recently announced what
he thinks are the top 5 invasive plants of Southern forests.
"Cogongrass, tallowtree (pictured to the left), and Japanese climbing
fern are among the fastest moving and most destructive nonnative
plant species facing many southern landowners this year," said Dr.
Miller. "Rounding out the top five invasive species that I'm very
concerned about would be tree-of-heaven and nonnative privets."
These species are already some of our most reported invasive plants
in Texas, so keep an eye out for them in your area, and be sure to
record your observations.
North Texas Urban Wildlife Conference
presented by
North Texas Master Naturalist Chapter, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
A conference that includes experts from across the state who will discuss ways to successfully manage wildlife issues.
Special Guest Speaker, Dr. Stan Gehrt, is an associate professor of environmental and natural resources at Ohio State
University and author of Urban ecology of coyotes in the Chicago metropolitan area. For more information, just click on the title to
be transfered to the North Texas Master Naturalists website.
CAMN FIELD JOURNAL February 2009
PAGE 8
F ield Notes S h orts
Clippings
Wow!
I was working from
home a few weeks
ago and thought I
heard a kitten
meowing
outside. After
about 30 minutes
of searching, I
finally tracked
down the source
of the meow. (see
attached picture).
A Grea t P la ce
to V isit
McKinney Falls State Park in
Travis County, in south Austin,
is a 744.4-acre park and a
fantastic forgotten treasure.
This poor frog
sounded just like
a kitten. When the snake saw me he
took off into the bushes with the frog still lodged in its mouth. I
though you might enjoy seeing the picture.
Mike Masters
Master Naturalist in Training
Seed cleaning parties start in March and the first one is scheduled
for Saturday, March 14, 10 am - 2 pm with the usual pizza and gossip!
So, pass the word...
But you can make this place
better as you visit. There are a
mountain of opportunities here
for people like us who love to
volunteer. Contact Shane B. G.
Mooneyham at 512-243-1643.
A Grea t P la ce
to Volu n teer
CAMNer’s could make this BIGGER!
Please join with 1600 volunteers working at over 40 park improvement projects at the 7th annual Austin Parks Foundation’s
It’s My Park Day presented by Wheatsville Food Co-op. Saturday, March 7th 2009 is the day and most projects take place
from 9 am to 1 pm.
In 2008 we had over 1550 volunteers working at 43 park improvement projects, generating over $60,000 worth of work and
materials in a single day. You can view a list of all of the projects and sign up for any one of them at www.austinparks.org
Among the activities are tree planting (in conjunction with the parks department and Treefolks), invasive species removal,
rock work, trail work, trash pick-up and many other projects. All volunteers get a great looking T-shirt, snacks and drinks
and our deepest gratitude.
If you have any questions that aren’t addressed by our website, you can contact us at [email protected] or call 512.477.1566
Thanks and we hope to see you out at It’s My Park Day on March 7th.
Charlie McCabe
Austin Parks Foundation
CAMN FIELD JOURNAL February 2009
PAGE 9
C AMN A dmin is tra tion
CAMN has two new Committee Members
t our last board meeting it was
Joan Singh has leapt into CAMN committee work in a big
suggested that perhaps we
way. Not content with just starting as the Committee
needed a dedicated Field Trips
Chair for AdvancedDiane
Training,
she volunteered immediately
Shaktman
Chair/Committee so that more events
when we decided [email protected]
set up a Field Trips committee. Now
could be organized on a regular basis.
that is dedication to512-295-3660
the cause! An Austin resident for
We have recently had two wonderful
thirty-four years, she
been employed
by the City of
331has
Creekside
Drive
excursions, one arranged by Jeri Porter
Buda, TX 78610
Austin Parks and Recreation
for the last twenty-three
to the Narrows and another arranged
years. John says she became interested in the Master
by Kathy McCormack to the Gault
Naturalist class after taking the Habitat Stewards class in
archaeological site. Both events were
the fall of 2006. “My yard started on the two year plan,
very well attended and enjoyed by all. I wasand
born
in Brooklyn
but moved
Austin in project,
1966. At some
point while
when
I decided
it was to
a lifelong
I became
more
A
Joan Sin
joan.singh
512-627-0
1215 Milfo
Austin, TX
Austin Resident for 34 years; employ
Recreation, 22 years. I became intere
doing undergraduate work at UT, I decided to go to medical school and
more
in native
restoration.
CAMN opportunity
is the
way Steward
We are hoping to hold a variety of fieldwas and
class after taking
the Habitat
accepted
at interested
the UT Medical
School plant
in San Antonio.
WhenThe
I graduated
started
on the
year
plan, and when
I was a what
single Imother
of a 10-year-old,
and 8-year-old,
and a I6-plan
to expand
have learned
about habitat
restoration.
greater
use2 of
this
trip and if you have any suggestions or in 1976
project, I became more and more inte
year-old. I completed a psychiatry residency in 1979. I retired in 2005 and
in myI still
jobtake
to restore
more parks and greenbelts. “ Joan enjoys volunteering
just know of somewhere so special thatalthough
The CAMN opportunity is the way t
temporary assignments at clinics and hospitals, I spend
partnerships
and working
with
public, “it’s
the best part
my life!’
she says.I plan greater use
restoration.
time as possible
looking at
and the
photographing
wildflowers
and ofhabitat
you want to share it with your fellow as much
CAMNers then contact either Joan or taking part in any related volunteer activities. I am a docent at the Lady parks and greenbelts. I enjoy volunte
with the public; it’s the best part of m
Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and a hiking guide for the City of Austin
Patricia with your ideas.
Wildland Conservation Program.
Remember that, although CAMN is
synonymous
with volunteering, we are
Christine McCulloch
[email protected]
allowed
some fun! These “outings” are
512 415-5968
not
just a hike in the park, they are
educational
and should include some
500 Parkview Drive
Pflugerville,
TX
78660
form of lecture
or instruction and of
course they will count as Advanced
Training.
Patricia McGee also quickly jumped to the call for duty on
Patricia
the newMcGee
Field Trips committee, so she is co-chair with
[email protected]
Joan.
Interested
in nature since she was a child, Patricia
512-263-9089
Brooke
Barbara
says Smitherman
she began to understand the interrelationship
brooke.va
[email protected]
603
N. Cuernavaca
Drive, social
#1005 development and the natural
between
population,
512-306-06
512-557-6859
Austin, TX 78733
environment. A very busy professor of instructional
1781 Spyg
technology
at UTSA, Patricia likes to volunteer for the
2608-A
Garrettson Drive
Austin, TX
Austin,
TX 78748
BCP
and Brightleaf.
Agronomy, an MS in Agriculture with a minor in applied
I have been interested in nature since childhood when I began to understand
Stephen F. Austin State University, and an MEd in Agricultural
the interrelationship between population, societal development, and the
m Texas State University. I have been married to Chris Hilton
natural environment. I volunteer for the BCP and Brightleaf when I am not
Born in Ft. Worth, Texas, grew up in
I ambusy
interested
in all living
things andtechnology
their relationship
to one another.
w with no children, but two cats. I have lived in Pflugerville
as a professor
of instructional
at UTSA.
Southwestern University and The Un
I realize that as the dominant species, we have a responsibility to make
nd in the Austin area virtually all of my life. I am currently
History, minored in Biology and Span
choices that have the least harmful impact on other species and our
the Non-Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory and have been
preschool as a teacher’s assistant and
environment. I feel that by studying the native plants and animals in our
ears. I have been knitting for just over a year.
Many of us have walked the area, signage
at the preserve.
The Austin
the
Austin
Nature
Center
Animal
Shelter.
Hopeand
to become mor
we will become
more knowledgeable
about their office
needs at
and
what
throughin
participation
we can
do toFoundation
preserve them.
My background
so am parks
lookingandfield
trails of Zilker Preserve, leaving
Parks
offers
grants to is in plants,
oversee
preserves
Austin. in this cla
to learning native species. As a new Austinite, I am so thankful that
behind the sights and sounds of the forward
volunteer
groups working to improve
The grant proposal was
there are people who are willing to share their time and knowledge with us
city for a bit of wilderness right in the and am
their
neighborhood
parks.
That’s
submitted
in September 2008 and we
so excited about being a part of this group.
Zilker Preserve wins Austin Parks Foundation grant!
Ju lia Ozgood
heart of Austin. The 60 acres were
designated as a preserve in 1935. I’m
not sure when some of the signs were
Kathryn
Grace
Myers it might have
erected but
I’m thinking
[email protected]
been not long after that date. Many of
512-320-8867
them are crumbling and no longer
serveWooldridge
their intended
2431
Drive purpose. In some
Austin,
places TX
you78703
find yourself in a spot where
trails converge and the lack of signage
stops you in your path, wondering
which way to go.
native and have
up2008
with an
appreciation
for Austin’s
grownIn
the
folks at Zilker
I am a senior
at St. Stephen’s
School
where
I have had
Preserve
askedHigh
CAMN
for
assistance
o go on several archaeological digs in West Texas as well as
in applying for a grant to improve the
ail reserve. I am an avid drawer, and I am looking forward
ature journaling. I am pleased to be starting the program
ause the Texas Master Naturalist program offers so many
CAMN
FIELD
JOURNALthat
provides so
to learn and
give back
to the environment
us. I look forward to meeting new people who are dedicated
where CAMN came in. As a volunteer,
received notification that we were one
non-profit group, with an existing
of the grant recipients in November
relationship with the Austin Nature
2008. The grant will allow the
Center – right next toWynn
Zilker Myers
Preserve
purchase of some much needed
– we were the perfect [email protected]
fit.
directional signs at the preserve. In the
512-431-5639
Our former president, Sue
future, we’re hoping to apply for other
Wiseman, made a plea2431
for Wooldridge
someone to
Drive grants for more directional signs and
Austin,
TX 78703
head the committee for
the grant
some interpretive signs at the
proposal and I answered the call. I had
preserve. The new signs aren’t up yet,
some help from Melissa McDougal
but it won’t be too long before you can
and Gloria Blagg, both of CAMN.
walk the preserve and see the results
Most
theatwork
to walks
thethey
hard
work
Who
canof
look
natureamounted
and not be utterly
amazed byof
what
see:
the of the grant
details
of the
a moth
wing and
are meetings
stunning, the patterns
in rocks have a
through
preserve
committee.
mathematical beauty. I want to be part of the movement to keep wildlife at
with City of Austin employees who
peace for as long as possible.
February 2009
PAGE 10
Advanced Training Opportunities:
S ome n ew pla ces t o l ook
J
ust a few of the many places to look for advanced training opportunities. Remember to check out local clubs and
associations like the NPSOT. These groups have monthly meetings, usually with a speaker. Check local newspaper
listings for upcoming events and if you are not sure if it will count just contact one of the Board members for advice.
The Go Native U classes usually involve a fee but most associations and clubs are free or accept donations.
Go Native U
An excellent program is the Go Native U education series designed to teach adults about the sustainable use and conservation
of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes. It is a great way to get advanced training while you learn about the benefits of
native plants in a fun and interactive environment. Most classes are held at the Wildflower Center's beautiful campus in south
Austin. I have included a brief outline of most of the classes below but please go to http://www.wildflower.org/gonativeu/ for more
information and sign-up details.
Certificate in Native Plant Gardening—This is a series of six classes that you can take just one or two or all. They are not
necessarily all pertinent to the Master Naturalist idiom but are very worthwhile and extremely good. They would be super for
anyone who is a Habitat Steward or who wants to help people return to a natural form of gardening.
Certificate in Sustainable Landscapes — This is a new set of classes this semester and involves a series of five evening
lectures. These sound as if they are more pertinent to the MN and, if attended, consider their content before using as Advanced
Training.
In the Introduction (Class 1), you will learn how landscape practices on a small scale at your home or office can help make
positive change in the environment and support local and global sustainability efforts. The class will cover broad, long-term
sustainability goals for small sites and will review strategies and resources you can take home and begin using immediately.
Techniques for homeowners to make use of Water (Class 2) on-site and imitate natural water cycling. These include filtering water
through raingardens, bioswales, and pervious paving; capturing and re-using water on your site through rainwater harvesting; and
collecting air conditioner condensate and "graywater" from indoor sources. These methods are beneficial on both small and large
sites. They help retain rainwater and prevent runoff, and reduce your use of clean drinking water for landscape irrigation. The
important role Soil (Class 3) plays in a sustainable landscape. Topics will include creating a healthy rooting environment for plants
and re-use of yard waste as compost/soil amendments to improve soil health. These methods reduce the need for resources such
as fertilizers and irrigation and help prevent landscape trimmings from entering the municipal waste stream. In Plants (Class 4) we
will discuss techniques to maximize the benefits of vegetation to small-scale sites. Discussions will include strategic plant
selection to reduce home energy costs, the role of vegetation in removing pollutants and reducing flooding, and opportunities to
reap the physical, mental, and social benefits of nature. Materials (Class 5) are a necessary component of almost every
landscape project and should be considered when thinking about sustainability. Proper selection and use of materials can help
reduce landfill volumes and greenhouse gas emissions and help minimize the urban heat island effect. In this session will discuss
the important components of materials selection and opportunities to reduce consumables, reuse and recycle and minimize waste.
(For a certificate of merit in sustainable landscapes, participants must complete the entire sequence of five classes). SPECIAL TOPICS
Gardeners and Global Warming—This was a pilot class that will be repeated often to educate gardeners about the impacts of
global warming, and how they can take actions in their gardens, homes, and communities to limit those impacts. It is based on the
National Wildlife Federation's Gardener's Guide to Global Warming, and will provide relevant information for gardeners in the this
region. Course is free but registration restricted to those with Resident Status.
The Botany of Food Plants—Learn about how the plant world is organized by learning about the plant taxonomy and morphology
of food and medicinal plants. We will explore the origins, history, wild ancestry, domestication, and lore of the major groups of food
plants. You will meet the local native Texas cousins of these plants and develop an appreciation for grocery store botany.
Botanical Adventures with Austin's Native Plants—Learn the science and lore about the native plants of Central Texas in a
series of field trips around Austin. You will learn how to recognize and identify wildflowers and other native plants and learn which
plants are edible or useful. In the initial classroom meeting, held at the LBJWC, you will get a basic botanical background, including
CAMN FIELD JOURNAL February 2009
PAGE 11
how to know what characters to use in plant identification. Then, we'll head out to the field to various parts of Austin, and apply our
knowledge. Hiking/walking shoes and outdoor clothing recommended. Expect light to moderate walking with occasional uneven
levels. Cate Bergman has a Master's degree in plant biology from UT, has studied botany in Texas and North Carolina for 10 years,
and has led numerous groups on native and edible plant walks.
Other classes can be found at several local nurseries:
The Natural Gardener (http://www.naturalgardeneraustin.com/weekly/index.html) for instance, has classes on Saturday mornings
at 10:00 a.m. unless otherwise specified. These classes often include things like hummingbirds, native plants and butterflies and
can be useful. Many other garden centers also give seminars which can be useful to MN. If you think they are appropriate then
approach the Advanced Training Committee to authorize its use to apply to your hours. Points to remember: Classes are subject to
change. Please call first to confirm. Classes are often held outdoors so please dress for the weather. Seating is usually limited –
so bring your own chair!
The Austin American Statesman publishes a list of seminars and events once in the spring and again in the Fall. Check
out their Saturday gardening calendar (also available online).
CER Lunchtime Lectures — February to April 2009
This series of lectures often include guest speakers and cover a very wide variety of subjects. Although not currently on the
Advanced Training list, if you do attend one and feel it is something that should be counted just contact the Advanced Training
Committee — we are here to help. This series actually looks like it needs to be added to the list as they appear to be very relevant
to our subject.
NEW FOR 2009 – Lunchtime Lectures move to 1st MONDAY of the month. Each talk begins AT NOON Waller Center [Room 105,
625 East 10th Street – between I-35 and Red River]. Free and Open to the Public – bring a lunch and learn!
To begin 2009, join us for three talks on climate change by AWU environmental engineer, David Greene, is an environmental
engineer with the Austin Water Utility, where he works on energy and resource issues. He manages the Utility’s Greenhouse Gas
emissions inventory and helps highlight sustainability factors during the planning and implementation of projects utility-wide. David
has a Masters degree in Environmental Science & Policy from Clark University and Bachelors degrees in Civil Engineering and
Geology from Rice University. He is a registered Professional Engineer in California, where he previously worked as an
environmental consultant and supported international water & sanitation project implementation…
While Austin Energy hosts the team implementing Austin’s ambitious Climate Protection Plan, the Austin Water Utility is one of their
largest customers, using as much electricity as all other city departments combined to treat & pump water. We begin 2009 with
three presentations about climate change and the role of the Austin Water Utility in climate protection in Austin.
Monday February 2: Climate Disruption: Potential change and the role of water utilities
President Obama’s new Science advisor John Holdren argues that the terms “Global warming” and “climate change” may be too
timid for what we may see over the next few decades. We’ll watch a 20-minute video of Holdren as he lays out the state of the
science of the drivers and potential impacts. We’ll then review the water-energy connection and hear how water utilities in general
are responding to these challenges.
Monday March 2: Measuring our Impact: Inventory, Footprint, and Strategies Picking up where February left off, we will focus on climate-related activities at Austin Water – first reviewing Austin Water’s
inventory of greenhouse gas emissions, then looking at the strategies that have emerged for reducing emissions.
Monday April 6: The Carbon Utility: Techniques for Managing Carbon
Sludge treatment processes, watershed land management and bioenergy production all present opportunities for water and
wastewater utilities to not simply reduce carbon emissions through more efficient water pumping and treatment, but to offset fossil
fuel use, enhance biomass growth and actually sequester atmospheric carbon. We will explore Austin Water Utility’s activities on
each of these fronts.
There are just a few of some of the current classes available that may not always be listed on the calendar. The calendar
is not a be and end all list of volunteer and advance training opportunities. Many MN do things that are never listed. It is
up to you to find your way and what works for you. If you find something and get it approved share it with your fellow MN
via the CAMN Field Notes.
CAMN FIELD JOURNAL February 2009
PAGE 12
A Ma ster Na t u ra l is t in Th e Ma king
CAMN Training from one Students Perspective
E xcerpts from t h e Bl og by Ch eryl Goveia
ell, the new class is among
us! They had their
orientation back in
November and now it is all systems go
as they travel around the area enjoying
all those wonderful lectures, hands-on
opportunities and more. Don’t you
wish you could do it all again? We
could, if we wanted, sit in on the
classes; many of them have probably
changed since you did the course and
you can count them as Advanced
Hours. Alternatively, you can read the
following excerpts from Cheryl
Goveia’s blog, CONSCIOUS
GARDENING.
W
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22,
2008
Capital Area Master Naturalist ‘09
Class
When you sign up for a class like this
you’re not sure what you’re going to
get. For instance, I took a yoga training
last year that was longer, more
expensive and I can already tell I’m
going to get way more out of this
program simply because the
instructors are top notch, we are on
location, a different one each time,
there is a bus field trip and each
meeting involves some sort of
activity...science lab or art class
scenario. The more variation in the
schedule, presentations and
instructors...the more exciting, I think.
The first meeting was about getting to
know each other and each of the
teachers who will be presenting on
their given Saturday. They seemed
excited to make their presentation the
best and a healthy competition ensued
about which class would be our
favorite. Oh, since the class meets on
Saturday’s the group varies from a 14
year old home-schooler to seniors,
CAMN FIELD JOURNAL with a lot of people and a few couples
in between.
After the gathering and getting to
know each other we received our
materials and shared a delicious lunch
together followed by a choice of hikes.
I took the nature hike around Zilker so
I could chit-chat and take pictures!
It was amazing to me that the Nature
Center is right in the heart of Austin
and being an employee of the Green
Garden, that I’d not wandered over to
the science center and explored the
area more thoroughly. My intention is
to drag my family back to the place
where each class meets on the
following weekend and recreate the
hikes with them as a way to commit
what I’ve learned to memory and share
new places and experiences with them.
I will also be making a post about each
class because as I have a desire to share
all things wonderful with my fellow
man and I’ve already had so much
enthusiasm just talking with my
friends and fellow blogging gardeners
about...the next step.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2009
CAMN at Wild Basin
I forgot my camera Saturday morning,
and it’s just as well. The gauge outside
the visitors center didn’t quite reach 45
degrees when we headed out for our
guided hike and meditation. The wind
was gusting and our assignment was to
try and find a spot to sit and work
through a simple 3-part exercise aimed
at fostering focus and helping us to
melt into the scene. It was too late in
the day to see much activity and my
focus ended up being: trying NOT to
jitter my teeth so loud as to scare away
wildlife! Needless to say, I didn’t see a
thing (wildlife that is) but was able to
take in the beautiful scenery and
wonder what it must have been like
hundreds of years ago when fire was
February 2009
allowed to wipe the earth clean of
scrub, and the beautiful prairie was
free to flourish. I’ve lived in Austin for
12 years now and had never made it out
there, though had read about the star
parties and somehow had managed to
miss them month in and out. Well, I’ll
be at the next new moon party when
they start up because now I can
imagine the magic.
I popped onto the Wild Basin website
to read about the history and, based on
the desire to preserve more green
space by 7 wild women in tennis shoes
(I love that part of the story) I’ve
decided that this is the place for me to
do my volunteer work. CAMN is an
organization that is highly involved in
ecological preservation and education.
I’m currently working my way through
their certification program and loving
every minute. So far, we’ve just had our
orientation, and Saturday was our first
class. Being a kinetic learning junkie,
meaning...I’ve had my share of formal
education: butt to chair, and I prefer
hands on, well designed learning
situations...I’m impressed with the
conscious layout of this program. In
fact, I’m going to go as far as to say
that every program I’ve ever taken
could learn a thing or two from the
objective of class #1.
This is why:
The first speaker was a reluctant artist,
a true wildlife lover, and nature
observer with a soft voice and
concentrated desire. I didn’t ask to use
his name so we’ll just call him Mr.
Green Heron Enthusiast. He joined
the second class of CAMN back in ‘98
because he was a fly fisherman who
wanted to learn more about
insects...but was open to wonder and
ended up being an award wining nature
journalist, with no formal training.
Well, this tickled me pink because I
left teaching in the public schools (art)
because of philosophical differences,
PAGE 13
especially that I believe that all
children and adults can learn to draw
and should! This was the premise of
Mr. Green Heron Enthusiast, and he
was a success story to prove it! My
point about this man, the program,
and the placement of his lecture/lesson
is that shouldn’t every program...start
with an art lesson and thorough
example of how to keep a meaningful
journal? I can only imagine how much
more information I’d have embodied if
every class I took allowed time to
thoughtfully draw/write about my
experience of the subject
matter ...heavens, the Master Gardener
Class would put out a far superior
graduate if we had drawn the plants we
were learning about, made illustrations
of the soil properties, and graphed
changes.
After his introduction and show and
tell he led us through a few practice
drawing exercises (below left) and kept
encouraging everyone to “just do it”
and enforced that daily practice would
lead to mastery. It can’t be spelled out
any clearer than that. Keeping a
journal is not about creating fine art,
it’s about developing a personal
relationship with the subject matter, in
this case, you and the natural world.
He has been journaling for over ten
years and has organically discovered his
innate talent and desire. Not everyone
will turn out an award-winning artist,
but who cares?
The beauty of his experience is that he
takes an hour lunch daily, from his not
so glamorous engineering job...walks
down to a tributary of Lady Bird Lake
and sits with his journal and a few
drawing supplies and documents his
experience noting the date, weather
conditions and whatever sights, sounds
and smells that present themselves to
him. Through this patient meditation
he has discovered patterns and cycles
and he seemed just as enthusiastic
about the discovery of questions as his
ability to wrap his mind around
discovered answers.
Then, we practiced what he’d learned
from his life. After our frozen
experiment he encouraged us to begin
now and to be open to wonder.
The afternoon speaker was just as
engaging (Shane B. G. Mooneyham,
below right), a past forestry major and
current Ranger and Guide at another
State Park. He introduced the
philosophy of nature interpretation as
adopted by the NWF and National/
State Parks...which is:
through understanding comes
appreciation and through appreciation,
preservation. This process should lead
to stewardship! So, the job of the guide
is to interpret the natural situation
aiming to reveal the meanings of the
relationships through the use
of...original objects, firsthand
CAP
CAMN FIELD JOURNAL February 2009
experience and illustrative media,
rather than simply to communicate
factual information...this is a
paraphrase of Freeman Tilden’s
definition. It’s hard in this day and age
of extreme politics to steer clear of
“Interpreganda” especially when it
comes to working with children/young
adults who are clearly addicted to
modern technology/media...a lot of
presentations also border on
“Interpretainment”...using the soul of
the message merely as a punch line.
His presentation was nothing short of
delightful and we had lots of activities
illustrating the importance of
interpretation as a means of engaging
the innocent visitor with purposeful
information and creating portals for
learning , exploring, understanding,
and caring.
In line with my experience I’ll stop
there hoping that I’ve given you just
enough information to whet your
appetite and stir the imagination. I
encourage you all to take your kids out
to Wild Basin for a morning or
afternoon of fun!
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2009
CAMN at Commons Ford Ranch
I had to go over my notes from class
this weekend because there were so
many speakers and the information
CAP
PAGE 14
was so varied I needed to come to a
clear understanding about how it all
tied together...because, it always does.
We met out at Commons Ford Ranch
(below), a city park that was acquired
in 1983. It’s a 215 acre lakeside property
boasting two short hiking trails:
Waterfall Trail that is a fairly easy,
unpaved 1.25 mile stroll and the slightly
shorter Pecan Trail loop.
It was cold inside so someone lit a fire
and we sat; 35 of us in a relatively small
room gasping for air while trying to
focus on the wonderful speakers. First
up was Bill Carr, enthusiastic botanist
with the Nature Conservancy of Texas
who recently co-authored the field
guide “Rare Plants of Texas” available
at the Lady Bird Wildflower Center.
According to recent surveys there are
about 225 species or candidates for
listing, as endangered, imperiled or
declining plants in need of help. He
came equipped with slides of a few
that are located right here in Austin for
us to try and find. I’m most excited to
learn about rare plants that are edible
and medicinal and was tickled to find
that I have one in my own yard! I can’t
wait for it to berry-out!
Next up we had MN Wallace Stapp ‘05
speak on his passion: The History of
Master Naturalists in Texas. He has
collected some 300 books on the
subject and shared with us who he
believed to be the most important and
entertaining to read.
Kevin “Fish-head” Hutchinson, owner
of Hill Country Flyfishers, got us
outside to breath some fresh air and
took us down for our first hike and talk
along the tributary of Lake Austin to
explain what a lifetime of being on the
river has taught him about riparian life.
Kevin, stands 6’4” and is probably the
most conscious fisherman I’ve ever
met. Before you go wondering about
the validity of my statement...I grew
up on the Kenai River in Alaska and
fished with my brothers and worked
the canneries every summer from the
time I was 15 until I went away my
second year of college. He pointed out
with clear understanding habitats that
the naked eye might view as
trash...broken trees and brush that may
look unsightly but help slow things
down in a flood and provide a safe
haven for fish to bury their eggs and
for invertebrates to hang out.
After lunch we heard Daniel Dietz
speak briefly about the Balcones
Canyonlands Preserve. He is the
Environmental Conservation
C h eryl Gove ia
CAMN FIELD JOURNAL February 2009
Information Specialist and he covered
the history of the Preserve as well as
volunteer opportunities...which are
many!
We then had the option of taking one
of 3 separate hikes, which really
annoyed me because I wanted to do
them all and was forced to make a
decision! I wanted to take the Texas
Trees in Winter walk led by a certified
forester with Austin Parks and Rec but
ended up being swayed over to the
Hills Hike because I was tired of
sitting and needed to get some blood
flowing...I’m happy to say that I
enjoyed my walk with Patricia McGee,
who has lived in the neighborhood for
8 years and was very knowledgeable.
Mostly a cedar forest, there was also
Red Oak, Persimmon, Black
Escarpment Cherry...which I have
never seen with cherries. She told us of
a place farther than we were going that
had a few stellar Texas Madrones.
We got to a lovely space that Patricia
said she had never seen dry in her 8
years of hiking this trail. It was today,
save a sweaty area under a rock
sporting a few Maiden Fern fronds.
The Waterfall Trail led just to a murky
puddle. Upstream, the water was only
about 6 inches deep, but with some
pretty sticky mud.
When we got back we had one speaker
left, Krista McDermid of Zara
Environmental LLC who spoke about
the sensitive cave ecosystems around
the world, and especially here in
central Texas. Each speaker told the
story of our biodiversity dwindling in
the fragile ecosystems of Texas down
to the littlest flower, fish, insect or
critter and what we can do to be part
of securing their safety in a slowly
disappearing wildscape. Another great
class! I’m ready to go and hope you’ll
consider volunteering too, you don’t
have to be a Master Naturalist to count
bugs or find plants just step lightly and
have a good time!
PAGE 15
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2009
CAMN Bus Trip
Last Saturday we spent the day with
geologist, humorist and teacher
extraordinaire (if I could bottle this
guy’s enthusiasm I’d become an addict
quick) Carter Kairns, PhD (right). The
day began at UT, where we all parked
and piled onto a lovely luxury bus for a
trip around our fair city.
When I first moved to Austin, I would
take every visitor to Mt. Bonnell, and
my energetic kiddos if I needed to run
them up and down the mountain to
slow the sheer giddiness of little girls.
I hadn’t been in about 7 years and was
a little in shock by the development
and radical wealth. It’s amazing that
another world lies just east of I35.
I can’t tell you how many different
maps of Texas we saw...from every age
as far back as the story goes and has
been interpreted by geologists. This
was the beginning of what made this
day seem unreal...Austin the former
location of 11-12 ancient volcanoes...I
had no idea!
We didn’t get out of the bus at the
road cut near the Pennybacker Bridge
on Loop 360, but pulled up right next
to a geological map of the ages: a
yellow strip at the bottom, being the
oldest layer, is the Glen Rose
Formation, going up from there is the
Bull Creek Member, the Bee Cave
Member, Cedar Park Member, and on
top the Edwards Formation...all
representing time passing as the
shallow ocean rose and fell.
We had a pit stop at Barton Springs
and out came the maps to explain the
magic of the Edwards Aquifer...we will
be spending more time here on a
future visit.
Next stop was Travis High
School ...what? I had no idea that it
was on the edge of a preserve. How
many times had I driven this road and
CAMN FIELD JOURNAL missed this sign? The gate was
locked. That didn’t faze our
leader, who strolled up the
road, found an exposed area
and began the lesson in the
street. We finally hit the
teachable moment that clearly
explained it all...exposed layers
of weathered limestone,
indicating time when the clear
shallow ocean was home to
healthy algae, which remain as
the calcium carbonate white
layers, spaced between some 5
or 6 clear red volcanic layers!
It’s all coming alive now!
The next stop was in the
middle of an empty
field...what’s going on here?
Meet Jon Brandt, soil expert
with USDA-NRCWS Texas
Soil Survey explaining...what is
soil? The product of old
rocks...naturally...but why such an ugly
field? Well, this field is an example of
vertisol...the most amazing breathable
soil that is rich and self mulching, as it
has the ability to expand and shrink
slowly turning itself over...a builder’s
nightmare, a gardener’s dream. There
are 12 types of soil in the world,
vertisol comprises only 13 million
acres...6 million of it in
Texas...beautiful living soil!
Here we split into two groups for our
exercise, which I had seen done several
times now over the past few years of
garden classes...where you take a
handful of soil, add a squirt of water
and work it into a ball, then you pinch
a ribbon between your fingers, seeing
how long it can get before it splits off
and breaks... it’s a pretty accurate
account of the soil make-up… sandy,
loam, clay or silt.
We didn’t even get off the bus at the
most obvious remains of the largest
volcano in the Austin area, Pilots
Knob...this was as close as we could get
February 2009
CAP
because it’s now privately owned.
Apparently, this 79 million year old
bump in the ground, give or take a
million years on either side...is solid
black basalt...just like the ocean floor.
The story of Austin beneath us is
amazing. As I’m driving around town
I’m drawn to the simple rise and fall of
the landscape, and feel blessed to have
a yard full of rich black gumbo...a pain
in the butt sometimes, but what a
marvelous story to tell!
I have to give a shout out to Carter
and suggest that anyone living in the
San Antonio area check out his class at
UTSA, I’m sure it’s hard as hell but
man, you will learn! He’s a master
teacher...and not because of his
education necessarily...he’s that
captivating. Way to go CAMN
curriculum planners...we gotta keep
him, and Jon both!
For the complete blog with wonderful
images visit Cheryl on the web at
http://
consciousgardening.blogspot.com/
2008_11_01_archive.html
PAGE 16
Capital Area Master
Naturalists
s
Officer
Officers
President: Barbara Coutant
Vice-President: Lynne Weber
Former President: Sue Wiseman
Treasurer: Linda Nowlin
Administrative Secretary: Beck Runte
Recording Secretary: Jim Weber
At-Large Board Members: Rose Ann
Reeser, Stuart Bailey
Advisory Board Members: Kelly
Bender, Clark Hancock, Jackie
McFadden, Melissa MacDougall
Board of Directors
According to the CAMN By-Laws, our
Board of Directors consists of the
Officers and the Chair of each
Committee.
If you have concerns you wish the
Board to consider, please contact
one of the Board members via
email.
CAMN Board Meetings are held on
the first Thursday of odd numbered
months at: 6:45 p.m. at ProEd, 8700
Shoal Creek Blvd., Austin, TX.
The agenda for the next Board
Meeting is available here.
GOT INFO FOR THE NEWSLETTER?
Send us information and photos
about projects you volunteer for,
advanced training opportunities you
attended, and notice of awards
CAMN members receive. We try to
get the newsletter out on the 1st of
the month so the deadline for
submitting material is the 27th of the
month before publication.
Send materials to Kim Bacon
([email protected]) or Christine
Powell at ([email protected])
CAMN FIELD JOURNAL es
e
t
t
i
m
om
C
Administrative
Contact: [email protected]
Maintains database of students and
alumni, including names, addresses, class
attendance, volunteer hours earned, and
advanced training completed.
Communications
Web page: Christine Powell
Newsletter: Kim Bacon
Press releases: Kelly Bender
Responsible for the Internet web page
and press releases.
Curriculum
Contact: Theresa Pella
Develops the CAMN curriculum, as
well as plans the lectures, activities and
field trips for each class.
Advanced Training
Contact: Joan Singh
Plans, coordinates, and approves
advanced training opportunities.
ers
n
t
r
a
P
/
nsors
Spo
Mission Statement
To develop a corps of well-informed
volunteers to provide education,
outreach, and service dedicated to the
beneficial management of natural
resources and natural areas within
their communities.
Members of CAMN are dedicated to
the conservation, preservation, and
restoration of our natural resources. To
that end, we encourage and support
trained Master Naturalist volunteers in
Austin and Travis County in providing
community programs and projects that
increase appreciation of our natural
environment and promote, protect,
and preserve native flora and fauna.
Austin Nature and Science Center
Food & Fun
Contact: Jason Lamza
Facilitates the social aspects of CAMN
including the Certification Ceremonies
and holiday celebrations.
Texas Parks and Wildlife
Volunteer Opportunities Committee
Contact Person: Julia Osgood
Develops criteria for volunteer
opportunities for CAMN credit.
Reviews, approves, and publicizes
opportunities.
Austin Sierra Club
Ad Hoc
Education Partners: Jeri Porter, Jessica
Wilson
Seeks and applies for grants to boost
our outreach efforts.
Texas Cooperative Extension
Lower Colorado River Authority
The Nature Conservancy of Texas
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower
Center
Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve
Hornsby Bend Center for
Environmental Research
NatureSmart Family
Contact Persons: Simonetta Rodriguez
Bat Conservation International
Outreach Committee
Contact Person: Stuart Bailey
Native Plant Society of Texas
Field Trips Committee
Contact Persons: Joan Singh, Patricia
McGee
February 2009
Travis Audubon Society
PAGE 17