Volume XXIV, No. 5 November-December 2006

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Volume XXIV, No. 5

November-December 2006

BexarAudubonSocietyis a chapter of theNational Audubon

Society. Its primarygoals are to promotespecies and habitat

conservation and envi-ronmental education

in the community.

My Sengi Adventures in Tanzania:

New Mammal Discovery in Africa

Presented by Dr. David RibbleIt was a thrill for me this past spring to be part of an international

team that sought an undescribed species of sengi or elephant-shrewin Tanzania, known only from some blurry photographs. Sengis orelephant-shrews are a group of mammals of which there are 15known species, all found in Africa. The elephant moniker comesfrom their incredibly long noses, which resemble the trunk of an ele-phant. The shrew part of their common name is misleading becausethey have little in common with true shrews except their dietmost-ly bugs. These animals are probably better thought of as miniature

antelopes and ant-eaters; they really have no ecological equivalentsoutside Africa. The name sengi comes from Kiswahili and is probably a preferred common name, inorder to avoid confusion with true shrewsor elephants for that matter.

The sengi we eventually captured were found in an Eastern Arc Mountain Forest of Tanzania. Theseunique forests are some of the richest in all of Africa and are considered one of the Biological Hot Spotsof the world. This uniqueness is in part due to their isolation and age; scientists estimate these forestshave been around for as long as 30 million years, and they have been isolated from forests in WesternAfrica for 10 million years. Besides their biological uniqueness, these forests, if intact and not damaged,are also very important for the health and welfare of all Tanzanians. Of the many ecosystem servicesthey provide, probably none is more important than the role these forests play as water catchments.

I will present some of the delights and the hardships of our expedition and discuss the importance of

these forests for biodiversity and for the people of Tanzania.David Ribble is a Biologist from Trinity University and has worked on the ecology, evolution, and con-

servation of small mammals from Bexar County to Mexico to Africa. He is currently Chair and Professorof Biology at Trinity.

Thursday, November 9 6:30PM gathering; 6:45 announcements; 7:00 programTrinity University Cowles Life Sciences Building, Room 336 (see map, p. 2) Free; open to the public

Bexar Tracks

For the latest news & updates, see http://www.bexaraudubon.org & http://www.sa-naturecenter.org

Thursday, December 14 6:30PM Chapters Annual Meeting of Members

Annual Holiday Party Covered-Dish Supper White-Elephant Gift Exchange

Election of Officers and Board Members (see page 2 for more information)


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Bexar Tracks 2 November-December 20

WHERE & WHO

Whos What?and how to contact them

President, Tony Wood 210-492-4684 [email protected] & Webmaster, Harry Noyes 210-490-3124 [email protected]

Treasurer, Caryl Swann 210-653-2860 [email protected]

Secretary, Jill Sondeen 830-980-2377 [email protected]: Kara Ryf 503-803-2856 [email protected]

Amy L. Whitley 210-340-0114 [email protected] [email protected]/Outings,Patty [email protected]

Cowles

Cowles is just uphill from the Laurie Auditoriumand adjacent to the Library and the ChapmanGraduate Center. Handicapped parking is acrossfrom Cowles. Park by the Laurie or in lots or onstreets to the west. Call Patty for additionaldirections (824-1235) or see additional map atbexaraudubon.org/map.jpg

LaurieLibrary

C

hapman

Map to Cowles Life Sciences Building, Trinity University, west of Highway 281

Bexar Audubon Program Meeting Location, 11/

ITS THATTIME AGAIN!

Help bring in the holidaysat Bexar Audubons annualholiday party. This is alsothe time when we haveour Annual Meeting ofMembers (as required byour bylaws). And we electofficers and board mem-bers every other yearthis

is one of those years.But the business doesnt

take much time away fromthe food, friendship, andfestivities.The event will once again

be held at the KingWilliam-area home ofSusan & Bruce Hughes.

Reply to 210-532-2032 toreceive directions, or [email protected].

Please bring a covereddish to share and awrapped white-elephantgift to exchangemaybeover and over again!

NOMINATIONS SOLICITEDFOR FOUR OFFICERS ANDONE BOARD MEMBER AT-LARGEAnyone wishing to stand as a candidate for office and contributeto the activities and management of Bexar Audubon, or who wises to nominate someone for office (with their written consent,please), should contact Amy Whitley, chairman of the NominatingCommittee, at 210-340-0114 or by e-mail [email protected]

POSITIONS TO BE ELECTED ARE:

President, Vice President, Secretary, & Treasurer (2-year terms)One member at-large (4-year term)

REMEMBER:The election will take place on Thursday, December 14.


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The seasons are changing. Ireally enjoy our two seasons herein south Texas. You all knowwhat they are. . .Summer andFall-Spring. Fall-Spring is start-ing to beckon here in south Texas,and tonight its expected to dropinto the 40s. For naturalists andconservationists this change ofthe seasons reminds us of thecontinuous cycle of our existence.Even the trees in south Texas,without a real winter, get a newring each year.

Bexar Audubon Society hasalways been a leader in the con-

servation movement in southTexas, taking a broad approachon environmental concerns andengaging many local and regionalissues. Over the last several yearsour members have been active innumerous civic and leadershipcouncils in San Antonio. We havecontributed to the formation andpreservation of several parks andpreserves (including Mitchell

Lake Audubon Center, Deep andPunkin Caves, and the fruits ofPropositions 3 and 1). But BAS isreaching the end of another cycle,too. In December there will besome changes to our BAS Boardand leadership.

The board has been talkingrecently about some inevitablechanges to our role in the com-munity. While BAS has been thetie that binds for many environ-mental organizations in SanAntonio, our more active mem-bers often play multiple roles andare involved with other groups,often with more highly focusedmissions. What we need most isfor each of you, our occasionaland less active members, to put alittle more into your involvementwith Bexar Audubon over this

next cycle, this next seasonal ringon the tree.Attend a few more meetings

and San Antonio EnvironmentalNetwork forums. Participate inthe local governmental process

and support conservation stew-ardship through your participa-tion. Pick any mediumair,water, land, urban forests, orenergy conservationand con-centrate on it a bit more.

I know some of you cannot getout as much as you would likedue to work, kids, age, weatheror health. If you truly cannotpitch in, we understand. But ifyou are looking for company, andwant to see Bexar Audubon con-tinue to play a key role, we coulduse your participation on specificconservation causes, and just tokeep the organization running.Come to a meeting; find somefriends and a worthwhile cause.

Like many of you, Bexar Tracksis the one newsletter that I reallylook forward to getting each

month. . .but it is an expensiveand time consuming endeavor.Sure I like the flashy AudubonMagazine, but for keeping upwith the local scene, there is noth-ing else like Bexar Tracks.

If you are looking for a goodcause, the BAS organization (andespecially Bexar Tracks) needsyour financial support. Takea minute to send a check

payable to Bexar AudubonSociety and note its forBexar Tracks. (See the backcover, page 6, for a conve-nient form.) We want tofund this valuable newslet-ter for the next two years. Itcosts about $ 4000 each year.

Happy Holidays! And if youare looking at a cut tree this sea-son, let it be a reminder to you to

send that check to keep BexarTracks coming. And give a cakll tovolunteer your time and talents.

H. A. Tony Wood

Editors Note: This is the last issue

I will be editing. Its been fun, again,but its time for someone else to stepup. Ive been editor off and on since1991! Thats when I responded to anotice in Bexar Tracks that a neweditor was needed.

So, if you want to keep receivingBexar Tracks directly, we need a vol-unteeror severalto gather thecontents, do the layout, and managethe mailing (coaching available).Without new volunteersand addi-tional fundingyou may not seeBexar Tracks in January.Maybe someone is knowledgeable

and energetic enough to set up a list-servor another alternativetomake it practical to move to an elec-tronic version.

Remember, though, if you dont getyour Bexar Tracks in the mail, look

on our websites (see the front coverfor the URLs) to keep up with BASand conservation news in the area.

Susan Hughes

November-December 2006 3 Bexar Tracks

Insights from the Wood: One More Ring on the Tree


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NEWS & INFORMATION

Organic Lawn Care 101Fall is the best time to start tran-sitioning your lawn to organic.The key to a healthy lawn ishealthy soil and good mowing,watering and fertilizing prac-

tices. Healthy soil contains highorganic content and is teemingwith biological life. Healthy soilsupports the development ofhealthy grass that is naturally

resistant to weeds and pests. Inhealthy, fertile and well main-tained lawn, diseases and pestproblems are rare.

For more information on start

ing and maintaining your organic or natural lawn, and to findlocal resources in your area seethe National Coalition forPesticide-Free Lawns website awww.pesticidefreelawns.org

Better yet, convert your turf-grass-dominated yard to awildlife friendly, low-water-using landscape. See TexasWildscapes Informationhttp://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwildwild/wildscapes/certification/tx_wildscapes/#application

For information: 800-GREENTXFor information: 800-GREENTXor [email protected] [email protected] support AudubonHelp support AudubonFoundation of Texas, NationalFoundation of Texas, NationalAudubon Society, and BexarAudubon Society, and BexarAudubon, your local chapter.Audubon, your local chapter.

Second Saturday Report

Despite the hot dry weather oflate, many orb weaver spidershave survived and were out on

Second Saturday night(September 9, 2006) celebratingthe first significant rain we hadfor some time. Nineteen youthand adults guided by Dr. CaryGuffey enjoyed watching sever-al of the spiders busily weavingtheir webs. In addition to view-ing caged spiders and scorpionsup close, participants were treat-ed to a black light demo of how

scorpions glow in the dark.(Co-sponsored by BAS & City ofSan Antonio Natural Areas.Thanks to Peggy Spring.)

Facts and figures:Active Outdoor Recreationcontributes $730 BILLIONannually to the U.S. economy.Want to learn more?See http://www.outdoorindustryfoundation.org/resources.recreation.html


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cAlso seewww.sa-naturecenter.org/conservation/conservation.html

lMitchell Lake Audubon Center10750 Pleasanton Rd. (on the left, 0.7miles south of Loop 410 at exit 46,Moursund Blvd.) Sat. & Sun. 8AM-4PM,weekdays by appt. Regularly scheduledguided birding tours: 8AM on 2nd Tueand 3rd Sun with Helen Rejzek andGeorgina Schwartz, 4th Sat with ErnieRoney; also every Tue afternoon. Call(210)628-1639 or visitwww.tx.audubon.org/mitchell.htm

pSecond Saturdays SA Audubon

Societys Beginners Birdwalk, 8AM.Visitors welcome. Binoculars to lend.Meet at Judson Nature Trail next toAlamo Heights Swimming Pool onViesca St. From 5900 blk of Broadway,turn west on Ogden to Greely St.; turnleft one block, then right again to park-ing lot on the left. (210)342-2073.

D

September 2 Crownridge Canyon.1st Sat. Interpretive Walk, SA NaturalAreas. Confirmed reservations required:(210)698-1057.

nNovember 4 Friedrich Wilderness

Park. 9-11am. 1st Sat. Interp. Walk, SANatural Areas. Confirmed reservationsare required: (210)698-1057.

IThrough-November 19 Great OldBroads for Wilderness 2nd annual Wildfor Wilderness online auction fundraiser.Visit www.greatoldbroads.org

mDecember 2 Crownridge CanyonNatural Area. 9-11am. 1st Sat. Interp.

Walk, SA Natural Areas. Confirmedreservations required: (210)698-1057.

BDecember 9 Mitchell Lake AudubonCenter Free Family Program, 6-8pm.Winter Night Wildlife Walk: What hap-pens in nature when we sleep? Anevening program explores the world ofnight sounds and creatures. Bring yourflashlight! Please reply to (210)628-1639. (Address at left.)

FDecember 17 Christmas Bird Count!Bob Doe is compiler and all territoriesare assigned in advance. Bob Doesnumber is (830)438-8399, or just cometo the December meeting of the San

Antonio Audubon Society at 7pm onThursday, December 7, at the RubleCenter, 419 E. Magnolia.

eJanuary 6 Walker Ranch HistoricalPark. 9-11am. 1st Sat. Interp. Walk, SANatural Areas. Confirmed reservationsare required: (210)698-1057.

RFebruary 18-22 El Cielo BiosphereReserve Nature Festivals. All inclusive

birding/butterfly watching trips depart-ing from the Texas Valley. The northern-most cloudforest in the AmericanContinent; 397 species of birds, e.g.,Solitary Eagle and Ornate Hawk-Eagle.Local guides. Call 011-52-81-83785926, [email protected] or visitwww.elcielofestival.com

h

MORE EVENTS

November-December 2006 5 Bexar Tracks

What Is the State of San Antonios Environment andWhat Strategies Might Be Pursued to Improve It?On Saturday, August 5, Bexar Audubon convened almost two dozen of South Texass most energeticand knowledgeable environmental and conservation activists, representing most of the leading non-profit organizations in those fields, gathered at the San Antonio River Authority to explore these ques-tions. While no joint findings or strategies were adopted, each organization had a chance to put its

views on record. Additional insights were offered by two outstanding guest speakers, Trinity Universityurban studies professor Char Miller and youth environmentalist Chance Ruder.

To read the formal statements of the group representatives and the speeches by Miller and Ruder

and see a list of attendees visit: http://www.bexaraudubon.org/2006report.html.In some cases, depending on the individual manner of presentation, these texts may not reflect theexact words. Also, in order to provide the highest-quality analysis (as opposed to the strictest possiblehistorical account of the meeting, which seems less important to us than the analysis), we have per-mitted speakers to tweak the wording of their statements.

We hope youll find this report of interest. It will provide you insights about whos doing what in SanAntonio and the surrounding area, as well as perceived needs and ideas for achieving them.Please help keep BAS bringing services like this to our community with your direct support.(Editors note: Thanks to Harry Noyes for organizing this event and to SARA for hosting.)


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Non-profitOrganization

U.S. Postage PaSan Antonio, TX

Permit #590

Bexar Audubon Society, Inc.P.O. Box 6084San Antonio, TX 78209-0084


Bexar Tracks is the officialnewsletter of the Bexar AudubonSociety, a Chapter of the NationalAudubon Society. The Chaptersprimary goals are to promotespecies and habitat conservationand environmental education inthe community.

Introductory memberships toNational Audubon Society (NAS),including a subscription toAudubon magazine, are $20. Thisincludes membership in BexarAudubon, as well, and a subscrip-tion to Bexar Tracks.

Please submit your new or giftmembership through BexarAudubon, so your entire first-

years dues will benefit your localchapter: Bexar Audubon.

Separate 100% deductibledonations to Bexar AudubonSociety are seriously needed tosupport Bexar Audubons ser-vices to our community.

Name:

Mailing address:

City/State: ZIP CODE:________________

AC/Phone:

E-mail: Check here to opt out of other mailings______

MEMBERSHIP & SUPPORTList your holiday gift recipients on

another sheet, please a great gift that directlyhelps Bexar Audubon. How? National Audubon returns

100% of first year dues to the chapter if you join or give agift by making your check payable to Bexar Audubon Society and

mailing it to PO Box 6084, San Antonio, TX 78209.

___ $20 individual/family membership: $_______

____ $15 seniors/full-time students: $________

Your additional tax-deductible support for BAS $_______

Theeconomyisawhollyownedsubsidiaryoftheen

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Documents

Volume XXIV, No. 5 November-December 2006