Dear Naturalists, Be careful for what you ask for! Last month I talked about scorching heat with little to no rain in site. Now, as anyone who has lived on the Gulf side of the US knows, we are in hurricane season with Gustav bearing down on the Gulf of Mexico. This will probably bring intense rain to much of the coastal areas and inland. As I write this, I am on my way to Mobile, Alabama to catch a Carnival Cruise that is "supposedly" traveling to Cozumel, Mexico the day Gustav is scheduled to be off Haiti. Timing is perfect! Be careful and prepared during this time of year for anything from hurricanes to flash flood events inland.

On the other hand, the rain we have received recently has caused everything green to grow again. I counted over 10 species of wildflowers in one small spot of my property, and wildlife is abundant. While we cannot control Mother Nature, we can still work with her by continuing our work with the Master Naturalist Chapter. The Board continues to actively recruit for individuals who would like to participate on the 2009 Board to carry us into another year. (Refer to the August newletter (PDF) for changes in the Board structure).

I hope to see you at a future Master Naturalist event and the TPWD EXPO, which is coming up on the first weekend of October.

Naturally speaking,
Dale
pres at haysmn.org