Right here at home - in the Hill Country!

September, 2005

HAYS MASTER NATURALISTS

President Randy Moss

Vice President Tom Watson

Secretary Nancy Turner

Treasurer Winifred Simon

Training Committee

Joe Piazza

Records Committee

Judy Telford

State Advisory Board

Walt Krudop

Editor Richard Barnett Richb6986@aol.com

Webmaster Dave Schwarz

Extension Agent Bryan Davis

Advanced Training

Statewide Annual Meeting & Advanced Training

October 21 to 23 at MO Ranch in Hunt, Texas.

Tentative Agenda

Friday, October 21, 2005

Lunch on your own

Tentative State Committee Meeting 10:30-12:30

12:30 Ann. Mtg. Volunteers orientation for Friday volunteers (MO Ranch Registration Lobby)

1:00 Arrival & Check-in begins (MO Ranch Registration Lobby)

1:00 Set up of chapter displays, scrapbooks, photo and art contest entries, Master Naturalist Store open

1:30-5:00 Advanced Training Session 1: Intro to Geo-Spatial Technologies

2:00 - 4:30 Other Concurrent Advanced Training Sessions

Session 2: Marketing & Identity for Master Naturalist Chapters

Session 3: Dealing with Difficult Situations & Customer Service in the Volunteer World

Session 4: Intro to Sounds of the Night (continues after supper)

Session 5: Overview of Developing a Chapter Non-profit Organization

4:30-5:00 Set up for social, chapter displays, photo, art and scrapbook contest entries

5:00 Social -with Chapter displays, annual slide show, photo, art, displays and scrapbook contests voting open

6:00-7:00 SUPPER

7:30- ? Continuation of Sounds of the Night-on-site field trip.

7:30 to 8:30 Concurrent Roundtable Discussions

RT 1: For Chapter Advisors

RT 2: Questions and Issues of New Chapters

RT 3: Organizing and Managing Training Classes

RT 4: Managing and Reconciling Chapter Treasuries

9:00 Voting ends for popular vote contests

9:00- ? Campfire sponsored by Galveston Bay Area Chapter

Saturday, October 22, 2005

7:30 - 8:30 BREAKFAST

8:00 Ann. Mtg. Volunteers orientation for Saturday volunteers (MO Ranch Registration Lobby)

8:00 - 9:00 Arrival & Check-in Desk open (MO Ranch Registration Lobby)

8:30 - 9:00 Load vans for off-site field trips, migrate to AT sessions

9:00 - 12:00 Concurrent Advanced Training Sessions

Session 1: Aquatic Ecosystems Crash Course (All Day)

Session 2: Los Rincones Natural Area Volunteer Service Project in Kerrville (All Day)

Session 3: Recreational Learning: Planning & Developing Interpretive Trail Projects (All Day)

Session 4: Oak Wilt ID, Biology and Control (All Day)

Session 5: Applications of GIS (All Day)

Session 6: Watershed Delineation & Management (Half Day)

Session 7: Is this a Wildscape?-Certifying Wildscape Properties (Half Day)

Session 8: Conserving Chimney Swifts: A Habitat Workshop for a Disappearing Species (Half Day)

Session 9: Because you never know…First Aid & CPR Training (Half Day, offered in AM only)

Session 10: Intro to the Texas Master Naturalist Database (Half Day, offered in PM only)

12:00 -1:00 LUNCH

1:00 - 4:00 Half Day AT Sessions repeat or start and All Day AT sessions continue

4:00 - 5:00 Arrive back from AT sessions, set up Project Fair displays, free time, Master Naturalist store open

5:00- 6:00 Project Fair (Main Auditorium)

6:00- 7:00 SUPPER

7:30-8:30 Concurrent Roundtable Discussions

RT 1: Revisiting the TMN Bylaws Template

RT 2: Recruiting and Developing Chapter Leaders

RT 3: Vol. Service Guidelines & Chapters' service approval processes

RT 4: Cultivating and Keeping Engaged Chapter Partners

9:00 Campfire sponsored by a chapter, free time, etc.

Sunday, October 23, 2005

7:00 AM Optional Birding

7:00 AM Optional Devotional/Reflection Time Sponsored by the Galveston Bay Area Chapter

7:30-8:30 President's, Past President's and Founders Breakfast

7:30 - 8:30 BREAKFAST

8:00 Ann. Mtg. Volunteers orientation for Sunday volunteers (Main Auditorium)

8:30 - 8:45 Annual Slide Show (Main Auditorium)

8:45 - 9:45 Volunteer Awards and Annual Meeting Contest Awards Presentations

10:00-12:00 Concurrent Advanced Training Sessions

Session 1: Quail Monitoring with Morning Covey Call Counts

Session 2: Tree ID with a 'KISS'

Session 3: WILD about Texas!

Session 4: Artistic Interpretation: Panel and Brochure Development

Session 5: Conducting Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Surveys

12:00 - 1:00 LUNCH

1:00 Pack up, head home

For registration forms and complete Annual Meeting information, please go to the TMN state website at http://masternaturalist.tamu.edu.

Early registration at a reduced rate is available until September 24, 2005, by fax, mail, or online. Late registration at a higher rate will be available online only from September 25 to October 5.

Texas Plant Conservation Conference

Join us at the LBJ Wildflower Centre on September 14-16 for a three-day summit on strategies for conserving Texas' rare and endangered flora. This conference provides a forum for private landowners, botanists, professionals, and academics from all regions of the state to exchange information and ideas, discuss plant conservation, and plan for the future of Texas. Speakers, including Peggy Olwell from the Bureau of Land Management, will discuss on-going rare and endangered plant research and update conference participants on the status of these projects. Conference participants will be invited to review and comment on a draft of a proposed statewide Comprehensive Plant Conservation Action Plan. More info and registration

Managing for Wildlife

in an Urban Island

Sixth Annual South Texas Farm & Range Forum

As cities encroach daily into places wildlife once lived, the need for oases for wildlife become ever greater. Just one friendly yard in a city block can be a haven for birds, butterflies, toads, lizards, and a wealth of beneficial insects. If you have a larger plot of land, small efforts can make a remarkable difference in available benefits for wildlife. An example of an urban island managed for wildlife is the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, scene of the Saturday morning session. Come visit with other landowners and conservationists to learn and share ideas and experiences in making a place for wildlife in our shrinking areas of habitat islands in an increasingly urban environment.

Thursday*s speakers are Patty Leslie Pasztor on native plant identification and their benefits; Michael Quinn and Mark Klym of Texas Parks & Wildlife on butterflies and hummingbirds; and Jim Cathey of Texas Cooperative Extension with an update on the wildlife property valuation. The program begins at 5:30 pm, on Thursday, September 15, at Palo Alto College, Room 100A, Performing Arts Center, and adjourns at 9:00 pm.
Saturday begins at 7:00 am with birding on your own at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, followed by registration and refreshments at 8:30. The program includes Calvin Finch of San Antonio Water System on water quality and conservation for our future; Iliana Penã, Director of the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, on putting ecology to work in an urban island; and Bob Lyons of Cooperative Extension on what a well-managed fire can do to
revitalize habitat. Following questions and answers, the program will adjourn at noon.

Registration for Thursday or Saturday only is $15 per person; for both days the fee is $25. Two Continuing Education Units are available for those who attend both days* programs. Please register by September 12. Mail name/address/telephone/e-mail with your check payable to TWA to Helen Holdsworth, Texas Wildlife Association, 401 Isom Road, Ste 237, San Antonio TX 78216. If registering by credit card, fax to 210-826-4933.

Springs and Things

Springs and Things: Importance of Groundwater, Riparian Areas and Wetlands in a Changing Watershed: Annual Meeting of the South Central Chapter of the Society of Wetlands Scientists

Texas State University campus, San Marcos, Texas; October 5 - 8, 2005

Thursday, October 6: One day Wetland and Riparian Plant ID class. 20 person limit. This course will focus on the identification of vascular plant species (including grasses) with an emphasis on wetlands, riparian areas, and transition areas. David E. Lemke, PhD, Professor of Biology, Texas State University.

October 5 and 6: Two day Wetland Delineation, Ordinary High Water Marks, and GPS Mapping 101. 20 person limit. Introduction to wetland and waters delineation and GPS mapping. This is geared toward students and those unfamiliar with the delineation process. This workshop is designed to tie all the pieces together for a successful delineation. A course designed to provide basic information about identification and delineation of wetlands and other waters, and using GPS equipment to delineate boundaries. Scott W. Jecker CWB, PWS and Western Data Systems.

Thursday, October 6: Chapter Meeting
7:00 PM - Kickoff Social and Dinner: A good old fashion porch sitting and cookout at the house of the South Central Chapter Past President Scott Jecker. All drinks and food included with registration. Directions and map provided. RSVP required.

Friday, October 7
8:00 - 11:00 am" Plenary Session on Texas water issues.
11:00 am - 12:00 pm: Student Paper Competition and/or Technical Paper Sessions.
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm: Lunch on your own.
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm: Student Paper Competition and/or Technical Paper Sessions.
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm: Tubing 101. The San Marcos River provides the perfect setting for a tube outing. This "class" gives participants a hands on experience on the in and outs of tubing. The weather should still be great and the take out spot will be at our social and dinner location. Expect to pay a small fee for tube rental and a shuttle.
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm: Social and Dinner at the River Pub overlooking the San Marcos River. Dinner and Non-Alcohol beverages provided with registration.
Saturday, October 8
8:00 am - 11:00 pm: Student Paper Competition and/or Technical Paper Sessions.
11:00 am - 1:00 pm: South Central Chapter Business Meeting and Lunch: Student Paper Awards. Light lunch provided.

Call for Abstracts for Technical Session
The South Central Chapter invites all wetland and water professionals to submit papers to be presented at the Fall Chapter meeting. In addition to papers that fit our Theme, we will accept papers on all aspects of wetland science. Please prepare a short abstract on your presentation and email your abstract in MSWord format to Jeff Raasch at jeff.raasch@tpwd.state.tx.us. Abstract Deadline is September 9th!

South Central Chapter Workshop & Meeting Registration
October 5-8, 2005, San Marcos, Texas

All non-members of the Society of Wetland Scientist who register for a workshop or the Chapter meeting receive an annual membership to the Society of Wetland Scientists, which includes the Society's Journal,Wetlands. All non-members who register for a workshop and would also like to attend the Chapter meeting are eligible to attend the Chapter meeting at the member price.

REGISTRATION: Contact Sonny Arnold at mr-arnold@tamu.edu.
SWS Member: $85. Non-members: $185, Student members: $35
Student non-members: $70. Guest Ticket: $30 (includes Thursday and Friday Social/Dinner).

First Statewide Conference on Invasive Plants

On November 17th and 18th, 2005, the Pulling Together Initiative will host the first statewide conference in Texas on non-native invasive plants. The conference will be held at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas.

The first two days of the conference will be a professional level meeting including plenary, concurrent sessions, posters, and panels. The Professional Meeting is designed to serve scientists, land managers, state and federal agencies, local governments, and other professionals interested in invasive plant research and policy in Texas.

The third day of the conference, November 19, is devoted to Public Awareness and educational outreach and will be open to the general public.

Texas Master Naturalists are invited to participate in this Public Awareness session. This should provide an excellent chance to learn the latest information regarding invasive species and the opportunities for organizations like ours to be involved. Members should check with Judy Telford for approval of advanced training hours for this activity.

Complete details are available at www.texasinvasives.org.

Conference Goals
Facilitate communication among the state's stakeholders who have a vested interest in non-native invasive plants;
Help develop a coordinated response to address non-native invasive plants on a statewide level;
Provide a venue for sharing information about prevention, early detection, control & management, restoration, and research; and
Raise public awareness of the problems posed by non-native invasive plants in the state of Texas.

Who Should Attend?
Land management specialists from local, state, and federal agencies, including municipal, regional, state and federal parks*
Environmental organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, Native Plant Society, Audubon, Land Conservancies, Land Trusts, etc*
Restoration consulting firms both large and small*
Military establishments *
Researchers and students from State University systems and private colleges*
Companies servicing restoration and weed removal projects including equipment manufacturers, G.P.S. providers, herbicide producers, and landscape architects

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Chapter News

A Day on the River

A hardened and heat-resistant bunch of Master Naturalists gathered for a day of socializing, eating, wading, and advanced training on the San Marcos River at Betty Watkins home in Martindale on August 27.

A week of 100-degree temperatures made the river more appealing than ever for recreation and wading. Following the potluck lunch, Tom Watson, Minnette Marr, and Randall Moss led the group on a field trip along the river channel. Randy showed us aquatic invertebrates flourishing in different niches in the river sediment. Minnette Marr explained the adaptations that enable aquatic vascular plants to flourish in fluvial settings. Tom Watson helped members identify the riparian plants that grow in shifting gravel bars and along the river banks. As a geological bonus, we found fossils of Cretaceous oysters and evidences of Indian flintknapping in limestone and chert gravel bar deposits.

Even better, Marilyn Powell shared samples of her artistic stoneware impressed with and in the shape of leaves of the root beer plant. Nancy Turner made a strawberry shortcake to top off the day's indulgences. Betty Watkins was a generous and gracious host, and we thank her for her hard work in preparing for the outing and her many contributions to the chapter.

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Hays County Bird Checklist now available

Part of our chapter's "Snapshot of Hays County" project, the Hays County Bird Checklist has been printed and is now available.

The checklist is a must for anyone interested in the birds of our area and gives expected occurrence by season, nesting status, and a list of accidental sightings. The list was compiled from previous lists for Wimberley, San Marcos, San Marcos Springs, and the banding records of the Driftwood Wildlife Association. Nicely printed on card stock for
in-the-field use, the list will sell for 50¢ or $1.00 by mail (order from: Winifred Simon, P.O. Box 398, Wimberley, TX 78676).

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Volunteer Opportunities

Wildscape Garden, San Marcos Nature Center

HCMN Project # 405

The passion vines have yielded a big crop of Gulf Fritillary butterflies, and their hungry caterpillars have cut the passion vines back severely. Mexican milkweed and blue mistflower attract a few Queen butterflies, but the Monarchs have yet to appear. If you enjoy working amidst a swirl of butterflies, this is the time of year and our garden is the place to visit in the morning. The Gulf Fritillaries slowly disperse from the passion vines during the morning as they seek nectar and mates or simply indulge in aerobatic displays.

If you have seeds, bulbs, hardy seedlings, or extra specimens of native annuals and perennials that need a home, we invite you to share them with the Wildscape Garden. Native plants that attract butterflies and hummingbirds are doubly welcome. Gayfeathers, Indian paintbrush, standing cypress, Texas verbena, plains agalinis, zexmenia, blackfoot daisy, scarlet pea, palafoxia, dalea, slender vervain, phlox, blue-eyed grass, Herbertia, celestials, rain lily, copper lily, skeleton flower, Barbara buttons, prairie larkspur, skullcap, penstemon, ageratum, mistflower, or tansy, for example, please test them in the Wildscape Garden. If they can grow Texas bluebells at the old fish hatchery, we might as well try too.

The soil is a mixture of black clay and assorted stony scrapings from road shoulders, leavened with bits of modern and Indian artifacts. Much of it sits on a layer of asphalt paving or is leavened with lumps of asphalt paving. It's not what you would choose for a rose garden, but bluebonnets don't mind and other attractive native plants may flourish too and add colour throughout the year.

A prickly poppy or two would not be out of place, but we will have to think twice about bull nettles. We have enough trees, shrubs and sage, and more than enough lantana, ruellia, and pink evening primrose. Frogfruit and straggler daisies are also doing very nicely without encouragement.

Wimberley Visitor Center Flower Beds

HCMN Project 529

The Wimberley Visitor Center provides information about Wimberley and the Hill Country to visitors. The Center occupies an attractive modern building in Hill Country-style at 14100 Ranch Road 12, Wimberley, TX 78676, in front of the new Civic Center and The Refuge, Wimberley's first bird sanctuary. Next door to the south stands the Wimberley-Winters House, the restored home of Wimberley pioneer families.

The Civic Center has gardens in front and behind that need regular watering, trimming and maintenance. HCMN Project Contact Linda Hoppes (l_hoppes@yahoo.com) plans to provide deer-resistant native plants that support beneficial wildlife. Linda also wants to install more birdhouses and butterfly houses. The grounds of the Civic Center, The Refuge, and the Wimberley-Winters House together offer several acres of habitat for birds and other wildlife. Much still needs cleanup and restoration elsewhere, but most of the dirty work lies in the past at the Civic Center grounds.

The HCMN Executive Board approved this new project on August 4, 2005.

CCC Butterfly and Hummingbird Gardens

HCMN Project 527

The Campus Christian Community at 604 N Guadalupe provides services to students, faculty, and staff at Texas State University and is the meeting site for the San Marcos Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship. The building has some landscaping in the front, but it is not well maintained. In the gaps between existing plantings, we will fill the area with plants that will attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The back area is covered with St. Augustine grass.

Proposal:

Design and construct a butterfly & hummingbird garden with a meandering path.

Plant materials will be low-maintenance, natives.

Gather as much free compost, mulch, rocks, and plants as possible.

Maintain the garden.

Improve and enlarge as time and money are available.

The executive board of Hays County Master Naturalists has approved this new project. The HCMN contacts are Anne Allen, Barbara Jacobson, and Judy Telford.

Time to get ready for TPWD EXPO!
-- an easy way to get in those service hours!

Several Master Naturalist volunteers are needed to man the Master Naturalist display and Wildscapes tent at Wildlife EXPO this year. Expo will be held October 1st and 2nd on the grounds of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department's Headquarters in Austin. Volunteers are needed to help man the Master Naturalist display and surround the Wildscape and Wildlife Diversity tents.

The actual event occurs Saturday and Sunday from 8 AM to 5 PM each day. Volunteers would answer questions about the Master Naturalist program and assist with other activities being conducted at the display. The questions most often received are easy and range from: What would I do as a Master Naturalist? What does the training involve? Where do I obtain Training? How do I find a chapter near me? You already know the answers to all the questions. What you don't know (the phone number or email to a particular chapter, for example) will be provided for you in hard copy format on-site along with Texas Master Naturalist Brochures. You will also have time to walk around and see the event for yourself.

Available Shifts are as follows:
Saturday: Morning Shift: 7:30 AM to 12:30 Noon
Afternoon Shift: 12:30 noon to 5:30 PM
Sunday: Morning Shift: 7:30 AM to 12:30 Noon:
Afternoon Shift: 12:30 noon to 5:30 PM

If you are able to volunteer, please contact Michelle Haggerty. Working 8 hours at Expo gets you a free T-shirt

Volunteers Needed for TMN Annual Meeting

Numerous opportunities to help at the Annual Meeting are available. If interested in any of the following opportunities please contact Michelle Haggerty at 979-458-2034 or by email at: mhaggerty@wfscgate.tamu.edu

ï Equipment Unload and Set-up early Friday morning.

ï Registration and Information Table: check-in attendees, hand out registration packets.

ï Room/Field Trip Host: Welcome speakers, assist them with classroom set up, introduce trainers, and assist as runner/classroom helper, present speaker with appreciation gift.

ï Tech Table: assist presenters with setting up AV equipment, troubleshoot when needed

ï Assist with Social set-up: assist chapters in setting up displays

ï Master Naturalist store: help with shirt/hat purchases

ï Photo & Art Contest: help man exhibit, help count votes

ï Door Prizes: Collect door prizes prior to meeting, assist with drawings

ï Tear Down and Load-Up

ï Field Trip Van Drivers

ï Annual Meeting 'runners'

ï Assist with slide show: help collect and scan pictures from chapters and volunteers for inclusion into our Sunday morning slide show.

ï Coordinate Training Binders: Each Chapter attending will have the opportunity to take home a binder including each session's handouts. A Coordinators for this effort is needed

All Annual Meeting volunteers will receive a special gift and recognition at the Annual Meeting. Call/Email Michelle Haggerty to sign up or to obtain more details as they become available.

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State News

Texas Monarch Watch

Status of the Population

What a difference a year makes! Last year at this time I was busy downplaying expectations for the fall migration; there were few optimistic signs. This year it's all, or nearly all, "high fives" and "thumbs up" for the migration. Conditions really look favorable for an excellent migration. Last month I predicted that the migration would result in an overwintering population in Mexico of 5-7 hectares (all monarch colonies combined). It now looks like the population could be even larger and may even exceed the long term average of 9 hectares - let's hope this is the case. ...

Read the full text of this article at http://www.MonarchWatch.org/update/2005/0830.html#1
-- by Chip Taylor, edited by Jim Lovett and Sarah Schmidt, and published by Jim Lovett in Monarch Watch Update, August 30, 2005. http://www.MonarchWatch.org.

Local News

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Resources

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© 2005 Hays County Master Naturalists