Volume XXVI, No. 5 March-April 2009

8/14/2019 Volume XXVI, No. 5 March-April 2009

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Thursday, November 13, 2008, 6:00 PM

Spring Field Trips for BAS Members and Friends in March and April

Bexar Audubon Societyis a chapter of the NationalAudubon Society. Its primarygoals are to promote speciesand habitat conservation andenvironmental education in thecommunity.

Field Trips: Bear Springs & Warbler Woods

MARCHBear Springs BlossomNature Preserve

Saturday, March 28

9 AM1 PM

Join us on a visit to this125 acre preserve north-

west of San Antonio nearthe town of Pipe Creek.Owners Peter and Mari-anne Bonenberger willgive us an overview of theland and their conservationphilosophy. We will thenhit the trails to enjoy na-tureobserving birds, but-terflies, wildflowers, andmore. We'll keep an eye(and ear) out for theGolden-cheeked Warbler

and expect to see thebeautiful Texas Madrone

tree. Wear good walkingshoes, and bring a hat,water, binoculars if youwish, and a picnic lunch toeat after the tour. Call/email to reserve a spotand get carpool details:210.824.1235 or pasztor@

ix.netcom.com.

APRIL

Warbler Woods

Saturday, April 18, 9 AM

Warbler Woods is aprivate nature/bird sanctu-ary off I-35 between SanAntonio and New Braun-fels. Owners Susan andDon Schaezler, membersof Bexar Audubon, are

excited to welcome us totheir woodland home/

Bexar TracksVolume XXVI, No. 5March-April 2009For the latest news and updates, see www.bexaraudubon.org and www.sa-naturecenter.org. Inside this issue:

Presidents Column 2

Vegetated RoofExtension

Basura Bash

3

Mitchell LakeGovernment Canyon

4

Community Events 5-6

Global Warming &Birds

8

preserve. Experience thespring migration in theirbackyard sanctuary, plustake a hike with Don invaried habitats. Those whodon't wish to walk may sitwith Susan in the shadeand enjoy watching numer-

ous species. There areseveral feeders, water fea-tures and plenty of chairs!Possible sightings in-clude Blue-winged War-blers, Golden-winged War-blers, Ovenbird, KentuckyWarbler and more. Thebutterflies should be nu-merous and the weathernice, although they hopefor rain! You will also get achance to see an 1840

multi-family cistern andpossibly other artifacts

April 2009: "Songbirds in Spring Migration"Thursday, April 9, 2009, 6:30 PM, Trinity University

Our regular March BexarAudubon meeting falls duringTrinity Universitys springbreak; there will be no accessto our usual meeting venue,so Marchs meeting has beencancelled. Join us in April for:

"Songbirds inSpring Migration"Thursday, April 9

Join us for anentertaining andenlightening talkby naturalist and

birder, Martin Reid. Mr.

Reid will discuss springmigrants, including war-blers, vireos, tanagers,b u n t i n g s , t h r u s h e sand some of the threatsand challenges thesesongbirds face migratingbetween the tropics andNorth America. Texas ison the Central Flyway andextremely important. Of

the 338 bird species thatare listed as Nearctic-Neotropical migrants inNorth America (north ofMexico), 333 of them have

been recorded in Texas.This means that of the 615bird species documentedin Texas, over half of themare Neararctic-Neotropicalmigrants.

Martin Reid, originallyfrom Great Britain, haslived in Texas for 18 years.He has been a birder for

over 20 years. Mr. Reid isa Photographer, Naturalistand Bird Guide, having ledtrips to Chile, Belize, CostaRica and Ecuador. He was

President of the Fort WorthAudubon Society during1996/1997. Mr. Reid isserving his second stint onthe Texas Bird RecordsCommittee. He also has astrong interest and exper-tise in butterflies and drag-onflies and regularly con-ducts surveys and tours.

Location map, page 7

while hiking. Bring yourlunch and make it a leisurelyexperience. Get more infor-mation at www.warblerwoods.com. Call or emailPatty Pasztor for reserva-tions and directions,

210.824.1235 or [email protected].

Black and White Warbler


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Page 2 Bexar TracksMarch-April 2009

My president's columnthis month is not upbeat.

Developments around theworld and especially the

American public's loss ofconcern about climatechange are discouraging.But as luck would have it, afew days after writing that,Ialong with Tony Woodand Bill Hurley of ourboardattended a mostuplifting San Antonio Envi-ronmental Network lunch-eon. It is too early for de-tails. Let us just say that

we heard a heartening re-port about Mayor Hardber-ger's Mission Verde plan,and that plans are beinglaid for environmentalgroups to work togetherand with the city and busi-ness to support its suc-cess. This is just the kindof win-win collaborationBexar Audubon has beenseeking. Follow the publicmedia and we'll hope tohave more details for you

in the next Bexar Tracks.

If you arent scared, you just dont get it.Presidents Column

ration, there will still behard times, as in any war,

that will stretch us to thelimit. We are tough and itwould take more than thepredicted climate catastro-phe to eliminate all breed-ing pairs of humans: whatis at risk is civilization.

Read that again. Hessaying a few humans willsurvive this century...andthat is the good news!Wed better get those hel-mets back on.

Obamas heart is in theright place, but it is clearthat he and his team dontreally have a clue aboutthe disaster that is headedour way. If he did, his inau-gural address would haveconsisted of the following:

People of the world, Ipledge to you that 100 per-cent of my time and effortswill be devoted to stopping

the environmental destruc-tion that experts warn willlikely destroy human civili-zation and kill 90 percentof us by 2100 or 2150. Ifwe do not launch the mostfast-moving total effort inhuman history against cli-mate change and relatedthreats immediately, if wedo not sacrifice as wehave never sacrificed be-fore, there will be noUnited States by then and90 percent of you will nothave any living descen-dants. Im going tosqueeze more from thiscountry than we everdreamed of giving, but weWILL win this war. Alllesser issuesterrorism,the economy, foreign rela-tionswill be delegated toVice President Biden, be-

the world. Its going to kickour butts like no one has

ever been kicked before.The Fall of the RomanEmpire will look like Dis-neyland compared to theimpending and (thanks toour apathy) increasinglyprobable global enviro-cataclysm.

Ever since Ive beeninvolved in the environ-m e n t a l / c o n s e r v a t i o nmovement, colleagueshave been warning me:

dont tell people thetruth...its too discourag-ing....they cant handle itand they will ignore us ifwe alarm them.

Well, they were right,of course. The problem is,they were never able totell me how to get the pub-lic to leave the burningtheater with a namby-pamby message likeMaybe we should have aprogram on fire preventionsome time. Maybe itstime to just yell, Fire!

I was tickled as anyonethat Obama won, but my

joy has been underminedby a book by world-renowned climate expertJames Lovelock titled TheRevenge of Gaia.

One short quote:Battle will soon be joined

and what we now face isfar more deadly than anyblitzkrieg. By changing theenvironment, we haveunknowingly declared waron Gaia (by which Love-lock means the Earth andits self-correcting bio-sphere)....The prospectsare grim and even if weact successfully in amelio-

After a great victory,tighten your helmet strap.Unidentified officer, vari-ously attributed to theGerman, Japanese orIsraeli Army.

Now that BarackObama is in office, theAmerican people seem to

feel that the environ-mental threat will simplyevaporate. Recent pollsshow that the public con-siders the economy ahigher priority than cli-mate change.

Well, the Earth has gota real shock in store forthe American people and

- Harry Noyes -

cause all of them com-bined cannot kill as many

Americans as environ-mental collapse can.Thank you. Id like tospeak longer, but there iswork to do.

For the publics part, ifwe do not demand thisattitude, if we do not voteagainst any politician atany level who fails to makethe environment his toppriority, then we deservethe mass destruction,

chaos and ghastly deathsthat are rushing towardsus. We may have 5 yearsor 20 to make a difference,but what we do not have isone more second to waste.

As for think globally,act locally, thats just ashovel full of used cattlefeed. This is a global is-sue, and the US is theglobe for all practical eco-environmental purposes.There wont be any localleft for us to live in if wedont work as hard on hun-ger in Africa and defores-tation in Borneo as we doon the aquifer in San Anto-nio.

For starters, tell that toyour Congressmen.

(NOTE: Let me stressthat this column is my per-sonal opinion. It has not

been approved by the BASdirectors and does not rep-resent the official positionof the chapter. BAS mem-bers with other views arewelcome to submit guestcommentaries in response.But first I recommend thatyou read some of Love-locks books or the refer-ences he cites.)

Local News BetterThan Global


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Vegetated Roof Contest Deadline Extension

ness space (rooftop breakareas, snackbars and bou-tiques); even tourism(think about the famous

"Hanging Gardens ofBabylon").

Some cities have alreadyadvanced this concept along way. Chicago hasover a million square feetof vegetated rooftops.

To encourage local build-ing owners, architects andbuilders to step up theirvegetated roof game to thenext level, Bexar Audubon

is offering a first prize of$2,000 for the buildingowner or renter who fi-nances construction and$500 for the primary crea-tor (designer or construc-tor) of the best vegetatedroof. Second prize will be$1,000 and $250.

Any new or existing build-ingpublic, industrial,commercial or residen-tialin the Bexar Audubon

area (Bexar, Comal, Gua-dalupe, Kendall, Bandera,Wilson, Atascosa and Me-dina Counties) is eligible.

There is no minimumsize, but roofs must besubstantially vegetated,i.e., enough to make asignificant difference inenergy waste, heat-islandeffect and/or human orwildlife use. A panel of

judges chosen by Bexar

Audubon will do an on-siteinspection, plus follow-upvisits as needed, in July-August 2009. Judging willbe based on a holistic im-pression of a roofs effec-tiveness, attractivenessand creativity. Judgesdecisions are final.


Applications acceptedfrom June 30-July 31,2009; forms at www.bexaraudubon.org by April 30,

2009. There is no fee, butphotos and a brief narra-tive are requested. Win-ners will be announced bySept. 30, 2009. Presenta-tions will be scheduled bymutual agreement.

Details at http://www. bex-araudubon.org/prize.html.Questions? E-mail [email protected].

Basura BashAnnual San Antonio

River CleanupBasura Bash is an all-

volunteer creek-way trashpickup event that will beheld this year on Saturday,March 7, lasting only 4hours (9 AM to 1 PM).There are a lot of seg-ments of the San AntonioRiver and its tributariesbeing cleaned up. Thisyear the Salado Creekstream segment and wild-life corridor betweenVoelker and Walker RanchParks has been added,and BAS member TonyWood will be the tributarycoordinator. He reallyneeds our help! If you oryour family would like tohelp, please see details onthe event at www.basurabash.org/event_2009. You

can sign up, downloadindividual or organizationalwaivers, and even registerfor FREE T-shirts &lunch. On Mar. 7th meet atthe Walker Ranch satelliteparking lot on Rhapsody(just behind Panchitos onWest Ave). Contact TonyWood at 210.366.7046 [email protected].

Bexar Audubon Societyis extending the deadlinefor submitting vegetatedroofs to compete for our

"Best Vegetated Roofs"cash incentive prizes.The original deadlinewas April 18, 2009, whichwould have been exactlyo n e y e a r a f t e r the announcement of theprizes at the MetropolitanPartnership for Energyworkshop on energy-saving roofs. However, asthe year has progressedand other vegetated-roof

events have beenheld, April 18 now seemsmore confusing than sig-nificant. Also, an exten-sion will allow more"grow-in" time for plantsused on vegetated roofs.The new submissiondeadline is June 30,2009. (Projects must stillhave been executedsince the April 18, 2008,announcement.)

A vegetated-roof is justwhat the name implies, aroof covered largely orentirely with plants. Suchrooftops are one of themost promising trends inurban conservation, forresidential, commercialand public buildings.

Buildings with suchroofs incur lower heating/cooling costs. We all canbenefit from the resulting

reduced demand for en-ergy, reduced heat-islandeffect on urban weather,cleaner air, and ex-panded habitat for birdsand beneficial insects.

Additional potentialbenefits for business in-clude increased customertraffic; more usable busi-

Congratulations!

Dr. David Ribble, TrinityUniversity professor andchair of biology, receivedthe 2008 Dr. & Mrs. Z. T.

Scott Faculty Fellowship inrecognition of his outstand-ing abilities as teacher andadviser. The honor includes a$6,000 cash award as wellas $4,000 to be used forprofessional developmentand research. (Dr. Ribble isthe sponsor for BexarAudubon Societys meetingplace at Trinity University.)Congratulations, Dr. Ribble!

Last year the ScenicLoopBoerne Stage Alli-ance submitted an applica-tion to Preservation Texas(www.preservationtexas.org)to have the Corridor fromBandera to the BalconesCreek at the Old SpanishTrail Park included in theTexas Most EndangeredList. The Scenic LoopBoerne Stage Corridor inBexar County has beenawarded this historic preser-

vation distinction. This is thefirst time an award has beengiven to an entire trail/roadway, rather than to asingle building or site. Thisaward is the first step tobring recognition to our his-torical roadway and environ-mentally fragile adjacentareas from further develop-ment and big box destruc-tion. Congratulations to theScenic LoopBoerne StageAlliance!

BasuraBashMarch7th


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Whats Happening at Mitchell Lake? Mitchell LakeAudubon Center

10750 Pleasanton Rd.

San Antonio TX 78221

210.628.1639

www.mitchelllakeaudubon.org

MLAC: Connecting Peo-ple with Nature

Explore a place where na-ture is continually renewingitself. Where birds, insects,and wild plants surprise youwith a new spectaclearound every corner. Aplace where families,school groups and individu-als can reflect and learn

about the natural world, justminutes from downtownSan Antonio.

All events on Saturdaysunless otherwise listed. Formore information or toRSVP for Mitchell Lakeevents, [email protected]

MarchMarch 7, 9-11 AMKids Birding 101

A class for children tolearn more about this funactivity. They will learn howto use binoculars and howto identify the birds theysee. They'll also get achance to explore the habi-

tat at Mitchell Lake. Space is limited. Free admission, RSVP

required.

March 21, 1-3 PMToadily Amazing Am-phibians

Learn about the fascinat-ing world of amphibiansand how being a WaterSaver can help your localfrogs and toads. Space is limited. Free admission, RSVP

required.

March 28, 9-11 AMBeginning Birding:Birds and Habitat

This class is for all ages. Inpreparation for our annualBirdathon we are offering aclass with Audubon TexasDirector of Conservation Dr.Andrew Kasner. Learn moreabout birding, bird identifica-tion and how to get the mostenjoyment out of this interest-ing pursuit. Recommendations on

field guides and informa-tion on how to use yourbinoculars will be offered.

Free admission, RSVPrequired.

been named GovernmentCanyon in deed recordsand it is a part of the richhistory of native nomadictribes, Spanish Conquista-

dors, ranchers and set-tlers of Texas.

Today at the SNA thereis a Visitor's Center spe-cially constructed withenvironment-friendly de-signs, including a rain-water harvesting system.The Recharge Store giftshop, information ki-osks, picnic areas, pavil-ion, and exhibit ar-eas are located at or

near the Visitor's Center.Government Canyon

State Natural Area is ahighly sensitive ecosys-tem that needs your helpto remain pristine. Be-cause of this, the SNA is aLeave No Trace partner.

Schedule: Day use only.No camping or overnight

Government CanyonState Natural Area is an8,624 acre area in BexarCounty, within the city limitsof northwest San Antonio.

The State Natural Area waspurchased by Texas Parksand Wildlife Department in1993 in cooperation with Ed-wards Aquifer Authority(formerly Edwards Under-ground Water District), SanAntonio Water System, theTrust for Public Land and thefederal government Landand Water ConservationFund. The State NaturalArea (SNA) opened to thepublic on October 15, 2005.

The "Joe Johnston" Roadwas created throughthe canyon as a supply routefrom San Antonio to Banderaby the military stationed atFt. Sam Houston in the1850s and at that time wasunofficially known as "theGovernment's Canyon". Thearea of this route has since

use is allowed. Open Fri-dayMonday and closedTuesdayThursday. The frontgate is open from 8 AM6 PM. Access to all Back-

country trails is closed at4 PM, access to all Front-country trails is closed at5 PM. The Protected Hab-itat Area trails are openannua l l y S ep tember through February. All othertrails are open all year. Allpets and domesticated ani-mals are restricted to theFrontcountry trails. Contact

the natural area for moreinformation prior to arri-val at site as trails maybe closed due to inclem-ent weather or poor trail

conditions.To get more informa-

tion, call 210.688.9055 orvisit the Friend of Gov-ernment Canyon website at www.FriendsofGC.org.

- Bill Hurley

Upcoming GC events,page 5.

Government Canyon State Natural Area


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Community Events Art and ConservationParade of Artists eventFriday-Sunday, April 17-19Art and Conservation artists havebeen creating from nature and wildlifeon Texas Hill Country property for the

last year. This juried show will displayall their work and feature the winningpiece! Dont miss a special opportu-nity to see nature through the eye ofan artist and purchase your favorite.

Spring Wildflower WalkFriday, April 24, 9-NoonLocation: Wards Wildflower Garden,northern Bexar County. Meet at CNCparking lot, carpool to field trip site.Members $15/person; non-members$20/person. Pre-registration required,

830.249.4616. The Wards nativeplant gardens are located in far north-ern Bexar County. This site is a per-fect place to see a wide diversity ofspring wildflowers.

Boerne BirdersCNCBirding by EarApril 25, 7-9 AM FREENote the earlier than usual start time!Information, 830.230.5551 or 210.710.3981. When breeding and nest-ing, birds vocalize and can be found

and identified easily if you know theirsongs. This is a great opportunity tolearn to use your ears! Join a friendlygroup; beginners and experiencedwelcome.

Friends of Government Canyonsponsored Event:Government Canyon State NaturalArea Explore the Canyon!March 21 and May 16, 8:30 AMInterested in the flora, fauna, naturaland cultural history of Government

Canyon? Open to all ages; groupsize limited to the first 10 people.Dress appropriately and wear sturdyhiking shoes; bring water and asnack. Meet at the Visitors Center bythe rainwater harvesting tower. Nopets please. For more information orreservations, call 210.688.9055, ext.292. Read the Government Canyonarticle on page 4.

Cedar Biology and ManagementWorkshopMarch 7, 8:30 AM-12:30 PMMeet at CNC parking lot, carpool todemonstration site. CNC members$15/person; non-members $20/person.P r e - r e g i s t r a t i o n r e q u i r e d ;830.249.4616. Cedar workshop pre-sents methods, equipment andchoices for cedar clearing recom-mended by TX Forest Service, Natu-ral Resource Conservation Service

and TX Parks and Wildlife. On aranch in western Comal County, wehave cleared three demonstrationareas for range improvement, forestecology and wildlife conservation.Workshop includes a cedar clearingequipment demo. See cedar man-agement and healing of the land inprogress. Wear sturdy shoes; walkingon uneven ground but not strenuous.

Rainwater Harvest WorkshopMarch 14, 9 AM-NoonCNC auditorium and visit to Kightinstallation; CNC members $20/person: non-members $30/person.P r e - r e g i s t r a t i o n r e q u i r e d ,830.249.4616.John Kight, engineer and rainwatercatchment owner. gives the latesttechnological information and themost practical advice. The Kighthome with no well or outside watersource is in a traditional develop-ment. Their system comfortably sup-plies delicious water for all householdand landscape needs.

Boerne BirdersBoerne LakeMarch 21, 8-10 AM FREEMeet in the parking area near thedam. Continue our regular census ofBoerne LakeMarch is a goodmonth for migrants. Beginners & ex-perienced birders welcome to ourmonthly outings. Bring binoculars anda favor i te b i rds book. Ca l l830.230.5551 or 210.710.3981.

Natural Landscape Design Work-shopMarch 21, 9 AM-1 PMCNC auditorium and park. CNCmembers $15/person; non-members$20/person. Limited to 30. Pre-r e g i s t r a t i o n r e q u i r e d . C a l l830.249.4616.Judit Green, TPWD urban biologist,will focus on using native andadapted plants in her 3-hour land-scape design program. Design, in-stallation, and maintenance tips, plus

ideas about plants to incorporate inyour design, especially with "deer inthe garden" challenges. Tour CNC'snew and established native land-scape to see some of these plants inthe ground. Go home with a list ofdrought-tolerant plants that are at-tractive to humans, butterflies andbirds. A great start for a new designin your garden.

Habitat For BirdsManaging for Game Birds & SongBirdsMarch 28, 9 AM-NoonCNC auditorium and park. CNCmembers $15/person; non-members$20/person. Limited to 30; preregis-tration required, 830.249.4616.Rufus Stephens, Texas Parks andWildlife biologist, will begin with a talkon how different habitat types providefood, cover and space for specificbirds. Program also will include pres-entation and use of new KendallCounty Bird Checklist for easy recordkeeping. We will also spend time out-

side examining native plants impor-tant to wildlife.

Mostly Native Plant SaleSaturday, April 4Kendall County Fairgrounds


CIBOLO NATURE CENTER

All listings are on Saturdays

unless otherwise indicated

For more information , call 210.564.6400 or visit www.cibolo.org/calendar.


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MEDINA RIVER NATURAL AREA(MRNA)

15890 Highway 16 SouthSan Antonio TX 78264

MRNA located approx. 4 milessouth of Loop 410 on State Highway16 South

Reservations are requested for allMRNA events. For more informationor to RSVP for any event in theMRNA call 210.624.2575.

March 14, 2008, 9-11 AM

Native American Dancing and Sing-ing, presented by Boy Scout Troop10 Apache Del Rio Intertribal Organi-

zation; flint knapping with Sam Viera,Native American kid friendly activi-ties. Suggested donation $3/person,$5/family.

Help Beautify Your Natural Area!Join us on the Last SaturdayofEachMonth, 8 AM-12 noon. Call for detailsand to sign up: 210.624.2575.

March 7BASURA BASH!!

March 28 VIVA Voluntarios! Appre-

ciation Day

SECOND SATURDAY PROGRAM atMRNAApril 11, 2009, 9-11 AMMonarch Madness, the MysteriousLife Cycle of the Monarch ButterflyJoin Monika Maeckle and her love forthe Monarch butterfly. Learn aboutgrowing milkweed, raising caterpil-

lars, hatchingchrysa l i ses ,and taggingMonarch but-terflies as theymake theirway to Mexico.

$3/ person suggested donation or $5/family.

For more information on listings be-low, visit www.sanaturalareas.org or

www. bexaraudubon.org.

First Saturday HikeCrownridge CanyonNatural AreaNatural History Interpretive Walk7222 Luskey Blvd.March 7, 911 AMIt may be warm, cool, or cold; itmay be raining! We can alwayshope, and well hike anyway!Crownridge Canyon is a greatplace for a nature walkcome get

some fresh air. Reservations are sug-gested; hikes occasionally change.Call 210.564.6400 or 210.372.9124.Participants limited to 15/hike. Meetnear the restrooms. Suggested $2/person donation. Not for groups;please call to schedule a separatehike.

Voelcker Park Open HouseSaturday, March 7, 9AM-NoonVoelcker Park, 12000 NW Military Hwy.Join the SA Parks & Recreation De-partment and the Voelcker Park Con-servancy for Native Blooming Plantswith San Antonio Botanical GardensPaul Cox; presentations at 9 & 10 AM.Kid friendly nature crafts available.Call Voelcker Park info at 210.207.8480, www.voelckerpark.com.

Spring Skiespresented by theSan Antonio Astronomical Asso-ciation

EISENHOWER PARKMarch 14, 810 PMCome and see whats visible in theearly spring sky. This program willgive folks an opportunity to use sev-eral elaborate telescopes. (Showgoes on, even with cloudstheyhave some great videos and will stillhave some scopes set up.) Reserva-tions recommended; 210.564.6400.Donation $3/person, $5/family.

Eisenhower ParkNatural History Interpretive Walk

April 4, 911 AMWere always thinking about water,especially in times of drought. Eisen-

hower Park is located in therecharge zone for the Ed-wards Aquifer. Come enjoy awalk, some fresh air and learnwhat the land is like where ourwater enters the aquifer! Res-ervations suggested; hikesoccasionally change. 210.564.6400, 210.372.9124, or

[email protected]. Par-

ticipanats limited to 15 per hike; $2/person donation suggested. Meetnear the restrooms. Not for groups;please call to schedule a separatehike.

Eisenhower Park, Harris (Mass) Pa-vilion, 19399 NW Military Hwy. TakeFM 1535/Military Hwy/Shavano Parkexit off Loop 1604 on the citys north-west side. Go north on FM 1535/Military Hwy about 2 miles. Park en-trance is on the left, just before Camp

Bullis. The Pavilion is the gated oneto the right. Gates open 6 PM.

Second Saturday

Beginners Walks

Join San Antonio Audubon Societyon the second Saturday of the month(March 14 & April 11); start at 8 AM,meet at the Judson Nature Trails nextto the Alamo Heights swimming poolon Viesca Street. For more informa-tion, call 210.342.2073.

Newbies Welcome

Community Events More Great Stuff, Folks, Check It Out!

SAN ANTONIO NATURAL AREAS


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Conservation Conversation


Nine Forest and ClimateChange Facts

Destruction of forests equals global

warming. The math is really that sim-ple. But too often, this urgent fact gets

ignored. Help the folks at Conservation

International (www.conservation.org)

spread the word.

4 - hours in which the world losesacres of tropical forest equivalent in

size to the island of Manhattan

20 - percent of all global CO2 emis-sions caused by deforestation

2 trillion - amount in dollars that

burning and clearing forests costs theglobal economy every year as valuedthrough lost fresh water, food and tim-ber and carbon reduction

70 - number of species of South andCentral American frogs that have goneextinct, likely due to climate change

95 - percent of living coral AustraliasGreat Barrier Reef may lose by 2050due to climate change

25 - percent of all land animals andplants at risk of extinction due to cli-

mate change25 - percent of all emissions reduc-

tions called for by 2050 that could beachieved by conserving and restoringtropical forests

143 million - acres of forest Conser-vation International has helped con-serve over the last three years

40 - number of cars, trucks andSUVs yearly emissions offset by con-serving just one acre of threatenedtropical forest

You can help by spreading the wordtoday and showing your friends andfamily why protecting even just oneacre of forest is so important..

From Glenn Prickett, Senior VicePresident, Conservation InternationalExecutive Director, The Center for En-vironmental Leadership in Business.Spread the word!

Bexar Audubon Society ContactsPresident/Webmaster: Harry Noyes210.490.3124, [email protected] President: Tony Wood210.867.2363; [email protected]: Caryl Swann210.653.2860; [email protected]: Anita Anderson210.533.8726; [email protected]: Amy L. Whitley210.340.0114; [email protected]: Kathy Ikerd [email protected]: VACANCYPrograms/Outings: Patty Pasztor210.824.1235; [email protected]

Editor: Michele Wood210.492.4684, [email protected]

Cowles is just uphill from Laurie Auditorium &between Library and Chapman Graduate Center.Park by Laurie or in lots or on streets to the west.

Handicapped parking across from Cowles. Enterfrom Oakmont or Rosewood. Call Patty for addi-tional directions, 210.824.1235. or see additional

map at bexaraudubon.org/map.jpg.

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

It's Official!

LEED PLATINUM Designation for Headquarters AnnouncedOn January 6, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Newswire shared

the news nationwide that Audubon has once again raised the bar for sustain-able office design by achieving the top LEED Platinum certification.

Per the CSR Newsletter: "The bid for the greenest green building title has

taken another step forward in New York City, an epicenter of 'competition,' asthe National Audubon Society's new headquarters earned LEED (Leadership inEnergy and Environmental Design) Platinum designation, the highest of fourlevels of certification. In fact, the Audubon space scored the highest point totalof any commercial interior in the world evaluated by the US Green BuildingCouncil (USGBC), the LEED certifier."

According to MSNBC, "The Audubon home office not only fulfills the organiza-tion's mission 'to conserve and restore natural ecosystems...' it creates astandard of excellence in green construction others will strive to emulate."

Reprinted fromAudubon NewswireVolume 7, Number 1


8/10


Audubon Issues Report onGlobal Warming and Birds

Culled fromAudubon Newswire (Vol. 7,Number 2) and Audubon Texas web

(www.audubontexas.org.).

New analyses by Audubon scien-tists from 40 years of Christmas BirdCount data revealed 177 bird speciesthat winter in the continental U.S.have experienced significant north-ward shifts in their latitudinal center ofpopulation over the last 40 years.Among the big movers are PurpleFinch, Pine Siskin, and BorealChickadee that have shifted northinto the Canadian Boreal, theirranges moving an estimated 433,288, and 279 miles respectively since

1966. Below is a sample of birds cov-ered in the Texas Report. View thecomplete report and see how you canhelp at www.audubontexas.org.

Two species that have been sub-stantially effected in Texas are theAmerican Goldfinch and White Ibis.The American Gold-finch, a woodlandand feeder bird, hasmoved 219 milesnorth. Its populationin Texas has de-

creased 41% in 40years, but it has in-creased nationallyby 81% in areasnorth of Texas. Asthese birds movenorth, they may beat increased riskfrom unusually cold winters or harshstorms. The White Ibis, a colony-nesting wading bird, has had its cen-ter of population moved 100 milesnorth in the last 40 years. It has in-creased in Texas, but is a species ofconservation concern due to habitatloss for nesting (undisturbed islandswith trees and shrubs) and foraging(freshwater and brackish marsh).Audubon Texas Coastal Programmanages the largest nesting coloniesof this species along the Texas coasttogether with our conservation part-ners, and these efforts will be in-creasingly important for conservation

of this species and others that neston Audubon islands.

The northward and inland move-ment of North American birds pro-vides new and powerful evidence thatglobal warming is having a serious

impact on natural systems in theUSA. Dramatic policy changes andincentives for alternative energy areneeded to combat such ecologicaldisruption. New research from Audu-bon California reinforces the nationalfindings, predicting that about 80 ofthat state's native bird species willexperience significant climate-drivenreductions in their geographic rangeover coming decades.

Audubon urges citizens to take ac-tion by signing a petition demandingaggressive federal policy action atwww.birdsandclimate.org. In Texas,heres how you can help our birdsand habitat in this shifting climate:Support conservation initiatives that

protect and restore essential birdhabitat. Audubon Texas Coastal Pro-

gram manages themajority of waterbirdnesting islands on theTexas Coast, includ-ing critically importantsites such as Green

Island and SundownIsland, Globally Im-portant Bird Areas forcolony-nesting wad-ing birds. North DeerIsland, owned andmanaged in partner-ship with Houston

Audubon and nominated as a Glob-ally Important Bird Area for WhiteIbis, is the largest breeding colony forWhite Ibis in Texas.

For more information contact Dr. An-

drew Kasner, Audubon Texas Director ofBird Conservation, 10750 PleasantonRoad, San Antonio TX 78221, 830.480.2770, [email protected].

Leon Springs Farmers Market RainBarrel Workshop. Saturday, Mar. 7,2-4 PM; information at 210.587.7037or [email protected].

Three Summaries from

Texas Parks & Wildlifes Top TenConservation Stories of 2008

Final State Park in World BirdingCenter series opens. Resaca de laPalma State Park, the second new

state park TPWD opened in the Val-ley this decade, and the largest ofnine sites that comprise the WorldBirding Center in the lower RioGrande Valley, officially opened De-cember 6. The 1,200-acre park, likeother units in the World Birding Cen-ter, shows off the regions spectacu-lar diversity of bird, butterfly anddragonfly species. Resaca de laPalma was made possible in part byincreased funding provided by theTexas Legislature in 2007.

Biologists to Manage Deer Ac-cording to Biological Communi-ties. TPWD wildlife biologists thisyear proposed a number of deerhunting regulation changes that re-flect a broader move away from man-aging deer according to politicalboundaries such as county lines. In-stead, biologists have identified 33unique resource management unitsacross the state, part of a continuingeffort to base Texas wildlife conser-vation on the best available science.

Lands within each RMU have similarsoils, vegetation types and land usepractices. Scoping of the potentialregulation changes is underway now.

Wetlands Restoration Com-pleted. Brown pelicans, reddishegrets and white-faced ibises re-ceived a reprieve when a coalition ofconservation organizations and localbusinesses finished restoring 1.7miles of North Deer Island shorelinethis year. The island, in GalvestonBay, is the most productive bird nest-

ing island on the Texas Gulf Coast,with up to 30,000 pairs of nestingbirds resident each year. Partnersbarged in 24,100 tons of rock from aquarry in Missouriusing the Missis-sippi River and the Intracoastal Water-way as a routeto create 6,450 feet ofstone breakwater and armored shore-line. Planning, engineering, and con-struction costs for the 8-year endeavortotaled over $3.2 million dollars.


9/10

Warbler WatchGreater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA)

seeks your advice and assistance with acollaborative golden-cheeked warbler (GCWA)program. To help implement the proposedWarbler Watch program for the Texas HillCountry, GEAA recently established a

partnership with Texas A&M University (TAMU)researchers. The goal of this collaborativeprogram is to develop and implement a long-term and sustainable monitoring program,which will determine trends in distribution,abundance, habitat use, and breeding successof the GCWA across its breeding range. GEAAwould help recruit volunteers and landowners,and distribute related educational materials to abroad public, while TAMU would manage thedatabase, train volunteers, coordinate landaccess, and publish research results.

Please contact Tom Hayes at the GEAA for

more information. Help is particularly needed inidentifying properties available for TAMU toestablish additional monitoring sites. A sig-nificant field effort is planned for this nestingseason (starts mid March), so the sooner weconnect the better.

From Tom D. Hayes, Ph.D., Science Director([email protected])Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliancewww.aquiferalliance.org; 512.477.2320


Earth Share of Texas raises money for environmental and conserva-tion organizations through workplace giving. If your employer partici-pates in such programs, please ask them to add Earth Share to yourgiving options. By designating the Audubon Foundation of Texas(AFT), Bexar Audubon Society can benefit. BAS receives credit forour support and receives funding annually form AFT. For more infor-mation, call, email or log on: 800.GREENTX, [email protected], or www.earthshare-texas.org.

PhenologyClimate Watching You Can Do at Home

Many of you have heard me talk about the recurrent cycles ofnature. Whether its global climate change, a daily sunrise, thephases of the moon, the tides, the spring bluebonnets in Texas, or

the swallows returning to Capistrano, nature offers us a wondroushuman perspective of these recurrent cycles. This field of scienceis called phenology and, with the blessings of the digital age, track-ing natures cycles is becoming much easier. Since we are all ob-servers, you might want to start recording when you see the firstbluebonnet, golden-cheeked warbler, frog, or baby deer eachyear. The National Phenology Network says: "Phenology is thestudy of periodic plant and animal life cycle events and how theseare influenced by seasonal and interannual variations in climate.TNPNs examples include the timing of leafing and flowering, agri-cultural crop stages, insect emergence, and animal migrations. Allof these events are sensitive measures of climatic variation andchange, are relatively simple to record and understand, and are

vital to both the scientific and public interest. You can sign up tobe an observer for your own areas of interest by contacting TheNational Phenology Network (www.usanpn.org).

- Tony Wood

Do you know your water footprint?Check out www.waterfootprint.org

The End of Cheap WaterFrom GLOBAL WATCH NEWS WATCH

The annual report of the Pacific Institute inOakland, Alameda County, California concludedthat global population growth, changing diets,

and ever-greater demands for water could bebringing an end to the era of inexpensive water.A key element in tackling the crisis, said waterexperts, is to increase public understanding ofthe individual water cost of everyday items, alsocalled "virtual water." The figures come fromcalculating the amount of water used at eachstage of a production process: for example, 1glass of orange juice actually requires 850 litersof water to produce and 1 kg of microchips re-quires 16,000 liters. Experts also warned thatthe lack of water was likely to cause more socio-political conflicts, especially in West Africa, Ne-pal, Bangladesh and India, and Peru.

- summary by Louise Shaler

visit www.sahra.arizona.edu


10/10

Membership and Support for Your Environmental Voice in Our Community

Bexar Audubon welcomes new members to join Audubon through the chapter. This brings 100 percent of the first yearsdues directly back to support local work. The same applies to gift memberships placed through the chapter. Your additionaltax deductible donation is greatly appreciated. Bexar Audubon receives only a few thousand dollars each year from Na-tional Audubon Society as dues share. The rest we must raise ourselves. Your help is needed, and your donations will beput to good use right here in South Central Texas to provide environmental news and education to the community, includ-ing the newsletter, programs, San Antonio Environmental Network Issues Forum, Second Saturday programs, and otheractivities you may or may not hear about.Individual introductory memberships are $20; seniors and students join for $15. Please provide the following informationfor each personal subscription or gift:

Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Mailing Address with Zip Code: _______________________________________________________________________

Phone w/Area Code: _________________________________ e-mail ________________________________________

Do you wish to opt out of other mailings by Audubon or those with whom it shares lists? ____ yes ____ noMake checks payable to Bexar Audubon Society and mail to the address above.Enclosed: $__________ for subscription(s) $_________ additional donation

NOTE: If you change address or cancel membership, you do NOT need to contact Bexar Audubon but MUST contact National Audubon (and wewill automatically get that change when we download labels). Save time and energy by mailing your change of address information to National Audu-

bon Society Membership Data Center, PO Box 52529, Boulder CO 80322-2529; phoning 800.274.4201; or e-mailing [email protected].

For the latest information on environ-mental events and happenings through-out the San Antonio community andsurround ing a rea s , check ou twww.bexaraudubon.org andwww.sa-naturecenter.org.

Non-ProfitOrganization

US Postage PaidSan Antonio TXPermit #1527

Bexar Tracks is the official newsletter of the Bexar

Audubon Society, a Chapter of the National Audu-bon Society. The Chapters primary goals are topromote species and habitat conservation andenvironmental education in the community.Your membership includes National Audubon andBexar Audubon and subscriptions to both AudubonandBexar Tracks.

www.bexaraudubon.org

Bexar Audubon SocietyPO Box 6084San Antonio TX 78209-0084

Bexar Tracks March-April 2009

Documents

Volume XXVI, No. 5 March-April 2009