Volume XXVI, No. 6 May-August 2009

8/14/2019 Volume XXVI, No. 6 May-August 2009

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In grateful memory of two South Texas activists, Margaret Bamberger and Fay Sinkin

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

TRIBUTE: Margaret and Fay

South Central Texas losttwo strong voices for theenvironment when FaySinkin died on March 4 andMargaret Bamberger diedMarch 6. Both of these re-markable, crusading women

believed that education wasthe key to understanding,appreciating, and ultimatelyprotecting the earth, andthey dedicated their lives toteaching, explaining, andpersuading to help achievetheir goals. Bexar Audubonextends sympathy to theirfamilies and to all whoselives and minds theytouched and enriched.

Margaret Bamberger

In the early 1990s Marga-ret met and married J. DavidBamberger, who had longbeen a member and sup-porter of Bexar Audubon.Together Margaret and J.David realized his dream tocreate the BambergerRanch Preserve in BlancoCounty. A great part ofbuilding this legacy was herdevelopment of an exten-sive educational programthat will continue to draw

school students, universityresearchers, and ordinarycitizens who want to learnmore about being goodstewards of the land. Mar-garet received numerousawards for conservation atstate and national levels,and her talents as an illus-trator have helped tell thestories and instill apprecia-

tion for the land, the plants,and the creatures she sogreatly valued.

One such effort is Waterfrom Stone: The Story ofSelah, Bamberger Ranch

Preserve by Jeffrey Greene,which Margaret illustrated.Selah is a biblical termmeaning to pause and re-flect. Now is a good time topause and reflect on thecontributions Margaret Bam-berger has made to our re-gion for its future. For moreabout Margaret and Selah,v i s i t www.bamberger ranch.org and read the blogshe started in 2007.

Fay SinkinAn enormous debt of

gratitude is owed to BillSinkin, who met, married,and transplanted Fay to SanAntonio 66 years ago. Com-ing from New York City, Faysuffered some shock uponher arrival in Texas in 1942,but she quickly saw theneeds of many people hereand set about a lifetime ofwork to improve publichealth and protect San An-

tonios natural resources.Her dedication to educatinglocal residents about theimportance of San Antoniossole source of drinking wa-ter led her to be known asthe mother of Aquifer Pro-tection.

The number of firsts Fayachieved in her life is re-

Bexar TracksBexar TracksBexar TracksBexar TracksVolume XXVI, No. 6

May-August 2009

For the latest news and updates, see www.bexaraudubon.org andwww.sa-naturecenter.org.Inside this issue:

Presidents Column 2

Mission Verde

Mitchell Lake

Community Events

TX Master Naturalist

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markable. For an account,see http://www.my sananto-nio.com/news/local_news/Activist_Faye_Sinkin_90_dies.html.

While we may decry the

lack of attention given toaquifer protection in our cityand region, I fear to imaginewhat it would be like hadFay Sinkin not tirelesslychampioned its cause overthe past decades. In 2003,Bexar Audubon presentedFay with an award for out-standing community servicefor her unceasing dedica-tion to protecting the Ed-wards Aquifer and to edu-cating the citizens of the

region to value this preciousresource and to be goodstewards.

To honor the memory ofFay and Margaret, let usredouble our efforts to pro-vide opportunities to teachthe importance and thevalue of being good stew-ards of our natural re-sources and to set goodexamples in our everydayliveslike you, Margaret

and Fay. Susan K. Hughes

Join us at Mitchell LakeAudubon Center for our MayBAS program. Well thentake a summer break andresume our meetings and

programs in September.

May 14th BexarAudubon Program

What's Happening atMitchell Lake

Audubon Center?

Our May program kicks offwith a short meeting at 6:45followed at 7 PM with anupdate on happenings atMitchell Lake Audubon Cen-ter. If you have not been outrecently, you are in for a sur-

p r i s e ! S p e a k e rs a reSusan Albert, Center Direc-tor, and Michelle Santiste-ban, Education Manager.Susan and Michelle will dis-cuss MLACs latest improve-ments and changes as wellas the educational programsand activities, including thescience programs offered tolocal school groups. They willalso touch on the wildlife thatvisit Mitchell Lake. We arefortunate to have these two

knowledgeable and enthusi-astic people managing thisspecial 1200 acre naturalarea in San Antonio.

There will be a follow-upfield trip to MItchell LakeAudubon Center on Satur-day, May 23rd at 8 AM to seethe birds and tour the Center.$5 fee. Call 210.824.1235 [email protected] forreservations and details.


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Page 2 Bexar TracksMay-August 2009

From the Pen of the BAS President

aquifer and San Antoniotrees.

Such efforts have notceased. This spring, boardmembers Tony Wood andBill Hurley have collabo-rated with people from othergroups to organize environ-mental-community supportfor Mayor Hardbergers Mis-sion Verde plan and boardmember Anita Andersonhas set up an environment-focused debate for mayoral

candidates.

But do you see what Imean? Three people (albeitworking with friends fromother groups) are carryingthat load.

Where are the other1,600? Well, let me be hon-est. They are in BAS be-cause they live in our areaand NAS assigned them tous. We hope that all of you

enjoy Bexar Tracks andlearn something from it. Wehope you check our web-sites. But we do understandwhy many of you dont havethe emotional connection,the sense of membership inBAS that we do.That is not your fault. Youdont owe us loyalty. Weowe you loyalty and some-how we have failed to earnit. We ask you to tell us

what we are doing that weshouldnt, and what weshould be doing that wearent, to make BAS valu-able to your families.

Feel free to send a letterto BAS at PO Box 6084,SATX 78209; or contact meat [email protected] 210.490.3124 and tell

In reflecting on this prob-lem, as I often do, it recently

occurred to me that the rootof our dilemma is that BexarAudubon Society in somekey respects is differentfrom most National Audu-bon chapters. Our status asan NAS chapter is all in or-der, but our history is un-usual and it has given us aspecial character. And thatis why our chapter, with1,600 members, has only 1or 2 percent who are really

active.

Most chapters were bornas grass-roots birdinggroups. People who liked tobird met each other, be-came friends, organizedand eventually joined NASas chapters to secure rec-ognition, support and expertguidance. Some alreadyhad many active birdingmembers when they tookthis step.

Bexar Audubon wasfounded by a small group ofactivists who wanted to be-come a legitimate, nation-ally recognized non-profiteducation and advocacygroup. Birding was not theirpriority and many of thechapters hardest-workingleaders have not been avidbirders. But they were avidconservationists, and often

brilliant at it.

BAS can claim some stu-pendous accomplishmentsin its past. It launched theNatural Initiatives programwhich spawned MasterNaturalists, now one millionstrong and spreading inother states. We played akey role in defending the

Well, in the last newslet-ter, I let off a little steam

about the global environ-mental threat and the gen-eral publics refusal to takeit seriously. This time, wellget back to the local scene,where the environmentalnews has actually beenpretty good lately.

But good news in the en-vironmental sphere is kindof like more power in anairplane. The faster you go,

the more drag is created.The drag on the environ-mental airplane is that somuch good stuff is going onthat we cannot keep up withit all. I barely have time toread the daily deluge of e-mails about new projects,environmental news confer-ences, fundraisers and edu-cational programs, muchless respond to them orpass them on. We haveinvitations to participate in

educational events and justdont have anybody free toattend them. Sometimesthere are four or five eventsin a single day.

We are being as creativeas we can. We are collabo-rating with other groups.And the results are hearten-ing, though nothing cancompletely eliminate thesense of frustration from

knowing that so much morecould be done.

The process is also ex-hausting. People get burnedout. It is heartbreaking howmany topnotch people haveleft Bexar Audubons littlecore of activists over thepast decade because theywere just too tired to go on.

- Harry Noyes -

me what Im doing wrong.Tell me what you want fromus. Tell me what it wouldtake to inspire you to spenda few hours a year, staffinga table at an environmental

event, or writing a letter toyour elected representa-tives, etc.

Finally, if youd like to getmore information aboutBAS, its issues and activi-ties sooner, please provideme with your e-mail ad-dress. NAS does not pro-vide that information, andthus we are one of the fewgroups in the area that can-

not quickly inform its mem-bers about short-fuse is-sues. In any case, pleasebecome familiar with ourw e b s i t e s w w w . b e x a raudubon.org (chapter news)& www.sa-naturecenter. org(more general conservationnews and reference site)and check them once ortwice a month.

Before closing, let me

congratulate Dr. David Rib-ble, Trinity University pro-fessor and chair of biology,for receiving the 2008 Dr. &Mrs. Z. T. Scott Faculty Fel-lowship in recognition of hisoutstanding abilities asteacher and adviser. Thehonor includes a $6,000cash award as well as$4,000 for professional de-velopment and research.Ribble is an outstandingbiologist and teacher who

participated recently in anAfrican expedition that dis-covered a new species ofelephant shrew. He haslong been a friend and ex-tremely helpful supporter ofBexar Audubon. Thank youand congratulations!


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MissionVerde Conserve. Create. Grow.

#2: Create a multi-techventure capital fund in SanAntonio. It will build a re-gional fund headquartered

in San Antonio, capitalizedat $100 million and man-aged by Brooke Private Eq-uity Advisors.

#3: Create a Green JobsProgram in San Antonio bycollaborating with employ-ers and educators to matchtraining for existing andemerging green and clean

jobs with employer needs.

#4: Use the Citys eco-

nomic development strate-gies to foster developmentof a 21st Century sustain-able economy by using taxabatements, cluster devel-opment strategies, businessattraction and retention pro-grams focused on clean andgreen tech companies.

#5: Adopt a green, high-performance building codefor new residential and com-mercial construction. Move

in phases toward buildingcodes that produce zerocarbon by 2030.

#6: Build a Green RetrofitProgram for existing homesand buildings by expandingfree weatherization programcombined with a retrofit pro-gram.

#7: Create an integrated,efficient multi-modal trans-portation system for San

Antonio by pursuing andfunding light rail, high ca-pacity rail and multipletransportation options.

#8: Create new sustain-able real estate develop-ment that is mixed-use,mixed income, walkable andtransit-oriented. Utilize realestate investment funds to


advance walkable, infillneighborhoods.

#9: Create a Green One-

Stop Center to coordinatesustainability efforts and toprovide information to resi-dents and businesses. Thiswill centralize sustainabilitygroups, facilitate their ef-forts, demonstrate sustain-ability, and offer one sourceof information to residentsand businesses.

#10: To address sustain-ability and resource effi-ciency across City depart-

ments, the Office of Envi-ronmental Policy and Sus-tainability Task Force willfacilitate energy efficiency,waste reduction and vehicu-lar emission improvements.

#11: To maximize the En-ergy Efficiency of all CityFacilities, they will audit andimplement lighting, HVAC,energy and water improve-ments at city facilities.

(A more detailed descrip-tion of San Antonio s MIS-SION VERDE program isavailable at sananto-nio.govclick on MissionVerde, or input MissionVerde in the search box.)

YOU CAN HELP, TOO, bytelling your friends andneighbors about MISSIONVERDE and the great bene-fits it will have. We need topublicize this effort by the

city if we dont want the ef-fort to fade away into thevapor of history. You canfollow the efforts of SAENby calling the Express-News public editor at210.250.3264 and ask whythe newspaper isnt publiciz-ing MISSION VERDE more.Call your local TV stations(all area codes 210: KABB:

- Bill Hurley -

On April 1, 2009 the citynewsletter from the Office

of Environmental Policyhad this announcement:

SAEN Mission VerdeAnnouncement: The SanAntonio EnvironmentalNetwork (SAEN) will for-mally recognize the Mis-sion Verde plan, highlight-ing its importance for ourlocal environment andeconomy and push for itsexpansion into the entireETJ. SAEN hopes to en-sure that its benefits are

fully realized and that itcontinues into future ad-ministrations.

The SAEN group hasnever done anything formallike this in its 10 year history.Having been more of a thinktank of environmentalgroups in this region (some40 groups are represented)all participants seemedexcited about the plan forMission Verde being put in

place under the leadershipof Mayor Phil Hardberger.Some said the Mayor trulyhas green blood. We ap-plauded him loudly.

Some may wonder whatMission Verde itself is allabout. Please note thatMission Verde has 11parts.

#1: Build a 21st Centuryurban energy infrastructure

in San Antonio with dis-tributive energy by gen-erating energy from renew-able energy sources suchas solar, wind, biomassand geothermal, originatedfrom buildings and homes,stored until needed andconnected with a multi-directional grid.

366.1129; KENS: 366.5000;KLRN: 270.9000; KSAT:351.1200; WOAI: 226.4444etc.) and your radio stations

with the same question.

If you belong to a neigh-borhood or homeownersassociation or other organi-zation and would like aspeaker on MISSIONVERDE, please contactLoretta at 210.492.4620,Jerry at 210.382.2614, or Billat 210.823.1023. We willeither provide you with aspeaker or pass your re-quest on to the City of San

Antonio.

Mission Verde:Building a 21st CenturySustainable Economy

The City of San AntoniosOffice of Environmental Pol-icys web site is now officiallyopen. The site featuresclearly outlined links aboutthe hike and bike program,air quality, the Citys sustain-ability task force, SolarAmerica Cities, MissionVerde, a listing of theirnewsletters, and other help-ful environmental informa-

tion. Citizens interested inviewing this web site, visitwww.sanantonio.gov/oep .The Office of EnvironmentalPolicy is committed to devel-oping innovative, practical,and wide-ranging environ-mental programs, city poli-cies and regulations sustain-ing community-wide qualityof life and economic growth.


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Whats Happening at Mitchell Lake?

Mitchell Lake

Audubon Center10750 Pleasanton Rd.

San Antonio TX 78221

210.628.1639

www.mitchelllakeaudubon.org

Susan Albert

Center Director.

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

MAYBirding TourMay 2, 9:30-11:30 AM

Space is limited Free admission, RSVPFollowed by poetry read-ings: Words for Birds IIA Reading of Poems andProse About Nature and

the Environment

a reading of original workand the works of masters ofnature writingan openreading, coordinated by JimLaVilla-Havelin. If you areinterested in participating inthe reading, contact Susanat MLAC, 210.628.1639.

5th Annual BirdathonSaturday, May 9Its that time againourBirdathon goal for 2009 is

$10,000, and every little bithelps! (Its also a LOT offun.) Join us on May 9th forour fifth annual Birdathonas we raise pledges andfunds while we bird andexplore. Birdathon: a greatway to support MLAC; yourcan participate as a birderor sponsor. You dont needto be a birding expert!Knowledgeable individualson hand to help lead bird-ers. Call 210.628.1639 to

sign up to bird, pledge tosponsor a birder, or formore information.

Gardening for Butter-

flies WorkshopMay 16, 10 AM-12:30 PMJudit Green, Urban WildlifeBiologist with Texas Parks& Wildlife Department, will

teach participants the ba-sics of attracting butterfliesto the garden. She will dis-cuss the life cycle andneeds of a butterfly, brieflyshow some examples ofthe different common fami-lies seen in San Antonio,and discuss the types ofplants to draw them to yourgarden. She will offer upsome design & mainte-nance tips that will alsobenefit butterflies. The pro-gram will conclude with agarden walk.

Wet Workshop: Gar-dening San Antonio

with Dr. Jerry ParsonsMay 23, 10-11:30 AMHorticulturalist Jerry Par-sons will share his over 30years of expertise indrought-tolerant, San Anto-nio gardening, including hisTexas Superstars

Starry, Starry NightMay 30, 8:30 10:30 PM

Astronomy Night with theSan Antonio AstronomicalAssociation. An evening ofstar gazing!

JUNEFamily Program:

Kids Birding 101June 6, 9-11 AMA class for children to learnmore about this fun activity.Learn how to use binocu-lars and how to identify the

birds. Theyll also get achance to explore the habi-tat at Mitchell Lake.

Wet Workshop:Clean Dirt with Mal-

colm BeckJune 13, 10 AM12 NoonHealthy soil means healthyplants, healthy wetlands,

and a healthy planet. Mal-colm will discuss the impor-tance of soil conservation inwater conservation.

JULYWet Workshop:Stephen ColleyGreens Your Home!July 18, 10 AM-12 NoonArchitect Stephen Colley ofthe Build San AntonioGreen program will provideinspiring, often simple waysto live green right here inSan Antonio. The workshop

will focus on water and en-ergy issues, such as effi-ciency and multiple usage,energy conservation, andwater quality.

July 25Time TBDFamily Program:Nature Crafts with

the Southwest School

of Art & CraftConnect with your creative

side as we look to naturefor an inspiring craft work-shop.

About Mitchell Lake

http://tx.audubon.org/

Mitchell.html

Just south of downtownSan Antonio, the Mitchell

Lake Audubon Center is lo-cated on a 1200-acre naturalarea. This unique and beauti-ful bird haven consists of the600-acre Mitchell Lake, 215acres of wetlands and pondsand 385 acres of uplandhabitat. Located on thenorthern edge of the SouthTexas plains eco-region, it isnot uncommon to see Ameri-can White Pelican, NorthernPintail, American Avocet,and Green Heron. Where, in

the summertime, PaintedBuntings and Orchard Ori-oles can be heard and seenoff the porch of the beauti-fully restored 1910 home thatis now the Mitchell LakeAudubon Center. The Centeris nestled among a colorfulgarden of xeriscape plantsthat invites an assortment ofbirds, butterflies, and theoccasional lizard.

Audubon Texas has part-

nered with the San AntonioWater System (SAWS) toshowcase this wonderfulnatural area and welcomesnature enthusiast, schoolchil-dren and families.

Birding Tours

Birding tours are $5 perperson for non-members, $3for members

No reservation neces-

sary Times may vary due toseason, please call to con-firm

Tours at 8 AM on thesemonthly days: 2nd Tuesday,2nd, Sunday, 3rd Sunday, and4th Saturday.


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Community Events

Rainwater Harvest WorkshopsMay 2, June 13, July 11, August 8,9 AM-noonCNC auditorium & visit to Kight installa-tion; fee, pre-register; limited to 30.John Kight, engineer and rainwatercatchment owner, gives the latest tech-nological information and the mostpractical advice. The Kight home withno well or outside water source is in atraditional development; their systemcomfortably supplies water for all

household and landscape needs.

Wildlife Field ResearchMonday through Saturday, May 4-9

All Day Free, pre-registration required.More info, contact Suzanne Young at830.240.8240 [email protected] to learn about your environment,enjoy some fieldwork and help the Na-ture Center collect data? Become aCitizen Scientist! Adults & youth with aspecial interest in native plants or wild-life are welcome. Volunteers receivetraining and hands-on experience doing

surveys that monitor our land manage-ment practices. Join a survey team for1-3 days, researching mammals, in-sects, reptiles, birds, grasses, trees oraquatic invertebrates.

GPS Workshop for Beginners

and IntermediatesMonday, May 4, 10 AM-NoonCNC CourtyardFee; limited to 12, pre-register.Informal outdoor classwith a GPSunit in your hand. Learn how to turn it on,scroll through screens, set up for use

and practice basic navigation. Partici-pants work in pairs; GPS units provided.

Project WILD! WorkshopSaturdays, May 9 & 16, 9 AM-NoonVisitor Center Back PorchTitle 1 School Educators: FreeOther educators, fee, class limited to20; pre-register.Teachers, informal educators andyouth group leaders: Learn how to

teach young people about ecology andwildlife using fun, hands-on educationalactivities. During the 2-day, six hourtraining, participants sample activitiesand receive a curriculum and activityguide. Activities are adaptable for allgrade levels, integrated with core sub-

ject curricula and aligned to the TEKS.SBEC credits available for teachers.

Upper Cibolo Creek Workshop I:What Makes a Healthy Creek?

Tuesday, May 12, 9 AM-12:30 PMCNC AuditoriumFee; limited to 12, pre-register.Fundamentals of what makes the Ci-bolo Creek exemplary. Land forma-tions, the stream system, water cycle,riparian plant communities and habitatdiversity of Cibolo Creek; includesmaps, demonstrations, photographsand creekside activities.

Upper Cibolo Creek Workshop II:Is the Water Clean?Tuesday, May 19, 9 AM-12:30 PM

CNC AuditoriumFee; limited to 12, pre-register.Outdoor, on-the-creek workshop in-cludes water chemistry tests, aquaticmacro-invertebrate sampling, and anintroduction to what these tests can tellus about clean water for differentuses. Also will look at changes occur-ring in the Upper Cibolo Creek water-shed and consider their impact on run-off, flooding and erosion.

For more information on all Cibolo Na-ture Center listings, www.cibolo.org.

Songs & Stories Concert Series atthe CNC. For musical lineups, datesand times, visit www.cibilo.org.

Art in the Park is make & take-awayart inspired by nature. May 16 th, 10-2.

Living History Festival, May 16th, 10-8 at Herff Farm. Storytelling, vintagebaseball, music & re-enactors.


CIBOLO NATURE CENTER

All listings are on Saturdays

unless otherwise indicated

For more information visit www.cibolo.org/calendar.

Pre-registration for CNC workshops, 830.249.4616 [email protected].

MEDINA RIVER NATURAL AREA(MRNA)

15890 Highway 16 SouthSan Antonio TX 78264MRNA located approx. 4 milessouth of Loop 410 on SH 16 South

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

SECOND SATURDAYSWonderful World of Bats!May 9, 9-11 AMExplore with local expert Kim Hopkinsabout our most common Mexican Free-Tailed Bat. Where do they live? Arebats good neighbors? What do bats

eat? Join us & find out the answers andmore in this exciting outdoor program.

Stepping Out Across Texaswith a CompassJune 13, 9-11 AMLearn to follow a treasure hunt using acompass and measuring your pace.Participants will first determine theirindividual pace to measure walkingdistance. Then they will practice read-ing a compass bearing for direction.Finally, small family teams will usethese two clues (pace and bearing) to

go on a treasure hunt.

Be Safe in the Park!July 11, 2009 9-11 AMSan Antonio Park Police will conduct atrail and bicycle safety program in theoutdoor pavilion. Then ride your bike orhike on the 6 miles of Medina RiverGreenway and Medina River riparianarea trails.

Suggested donation for all events is $3/person or $5/family.

www.sanaturalareas.org

Second SaturdayBeginners Walks

Join San Antonio Audubon Societyon the second Saturday of the month;start at 8 AM, meet at the Judson Na-ture Trails next to the Alamo Heightsswimming pool on Viesca street. Formore information, call 210.342.2073.

Newbies Welcome!


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JUNECrownridge Canyon7222 LuskeyJune 6, 9-11 AMEnjoy a hike in this natural gem pre-served between highly developed ar-eas. Score one for Nature! Please bringat least two filled water bottles. It canbe really WARM!

AUGUSTEisenhower Park19399 NW Military HwyAugust 1, 9-11 AMHike with us, sweat a bit,enjoy whats going on in nature at thepark this summer. Bring at least twofilled water bottles. It will be HOT!

Become a Master Naturalist!

Master Naturalists are volunteersdedicated to the conservation, preser-vation, and restoration of our naturalresources, promoting ecological educa-tion for all ages.

Learn from leading experts in Texas.Students receive presentations on avariety of subjects: Geology, Hydrol-ogy, Birds, Archaeology, Wildlife Man-agement, Native Plants, Ecology, Mam-mals, Insects, Soils, Impact of Man,Plant Ecology, Plant Taxonomy,Aquat ic Ecosystems, Rept i les/Amphibians, Urban Systems/Forestry,Threatened/Endangered Species,Laws/Ethics and Biodiversity.

The Fall Training Program will beThursday afternoons starting Septem-ber 10th for nine consecutive weeks.There are four Saturday morning fieldtrips. Limited seating. Tuition and text-book, $125. Scholarships are available.

Application deadline is August 20th.To complete an application go to www.alamomasternaturalist.org/join.php .

SAN ANTONIO NATURAL AREAS

For more information on listings below, visit www.sanaturalareas.org orwww.bexaraudubon.org

Calling All Kids!!!!Ages 812 yearsFriedrich Wilderness Park21395 MilsaMay 9, 9 AM-12 noonThe PEAK (Promoting Environmental

Awareness in Kids) program is the re-sult of a partner-ship between theLeave No TraceCenter for Out-door Ethics and

REI (RecreationEquipment Incorporated). It is designedto educate children about the outdoorsand responsible enjoyment of ourshared public lands. Leave No TraceMaster Educators will help teach properhiking skills, how to pack for a day hike,and how to enjoy and respect wildlifeand fellow visitors. Have fun!!

Meeting SnakesPresented bySouth TX Herpetological Association

June 13, 10-11:30 AMEISENHOWER PARKEnjoy a beautiful morning in one of SanAntonios Natural Areas while learningabout non-venomous and venomoussnakes. Presented by the associationand various scaly friends, this programallows those attending to get up close &personal with several snakes as theylearn about the habits and habitats ofseveral of these interesting local reptiles.

OURFOSSIL P.A.S.T.Presented by Paleontological Associa-

tion of South TexasJuly 11, 10 AM-12 NoonEisenhower ParkClayton Nye, President of the Paleon-

tological Association ofSouth Texas, will pre-sent an introduction topaleontology and localfossils. There will bemany specimens toview and examine.

Whats Bugging You?

August 8, 10 AM-12 NoonEisenhower ParkWe all love those creeping and crawl-ing bugs. Holly Camero leads our ex-ploration into the world of the six-legged. Lots of live critters and speci-mens to observe and examine!

Wild! Weeks 2009

Ages 712 yearsWhats the Point?

June 1519 and June 22269 AM-12 Noon each day

Whats the point? Our natural world isfull of pointy things and the products wemake from natural materials are oftenpointy. Come watch a fish dissection,make your own arrow point, hike, builda wasp house, learn how tough plantfibers can become yarn and deer ant-lers can become buttons, hike, exam-ine all those plant spines and thorns,and learn Whats the point? in caring

about our environment. Cost: $75 persession (limited partial scholarshipsavailable). For more information or torequest a packet call 210.564.6402 orvisit www.sanaturalareas.org.

FIRST SATURDAY WALKSInterpretive Nature Walks

Participants limited to 15 per hike.Meet near restrooms. Suggested dona-tion $2/hike. Not for groups; please callto schedule a separate hike.

MAYFriedrich Wilderness Park21395 MilsaMay 2, 9-11 AMFor much of the country, May is springtime but here in San Antonio, it can bea lot like summer. The warmth brings alot of changescome see what is go-ing on. Do bring at least two f illed waterbottles. It can be really WARM!

SECOND SATURDAY PROGRAMS & FIRST SATURDAY WALKS

Reservations recommended forSecond Saturday Programs & First Saturday Walks; call 210.564.6202 for details, direc-tions, reservations. Email [email protected]. Suggested donation $3/individual, $5/family for programs, $2/per-

son for hikes. Unless otherwise listed, Second Saturday programs are held at Eisenhower Park, 19399 NW Military Hwy.


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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]: Bill Hurley210.823.1023, [email protected]/Outings: Patty Pasztor210.824.1235; [email protected]: Michele Wood210.492.4684, [email protected]

Mayoral Candidate Environmental Forum

On Friday, April 17th, the three major mayoralcandidates in San Antonio answered questions onthe environmental issues facing San Antonio at aforum sponsored by Bexar Audubon Society, theGreater Edwards Aquifer Alliance and the SanAntonio Environmental Network (SAEN). JulianCastro, Diane Cibrian and Trish DeBerry-Mejiaexpressed at least some support for continuingMayor Phil Hardbergers Mission Verde initiativeson energy conservation and renewable energy, butmade it clear that they consider more nuclearpower plants as necessary. All three supported

increased restrictions on impervious cover in newdevelopments over the recharge zone, and fundingdegradation studies on the aquifer which havebeen promised for years. The forum was video-taped by Greg Pasztor and will be streamed on theSan Antonio Current website and the GreaterEdwards Aquifer website. The forum was moder-ated by Elaine Wolff of the Current. SAEN is com-posed of members of a number of environmentalorganizations who have been meeting to exploreways we can work together to have an impact.

Anita J. Anderson


Earth Share of Texas raises money for environmental and conservationorganizations through workplace giving. If your employer participates insuch programs, please ask them to add Earth Share to your giving op-tions. By designating the Audubon Foundation of Texas (AFT), BexarAudubon Society can benefit. BAS receives credit for our support andreceives funding annually form AFT. For more information, call, email orlog on: 800.GREENTX, [email protected], orwww.earthshare-texas.org.

Turtles in Texas Said to Be at Risk

Turtles, lions of the region's water kingdom, once ruled the TrinityRiver. Now, plastic foam take-out boxes and grocery-store bags settleon logs along the river's Elm Fork and nestle on its muddy banks. Theculprits for the turtles' demise aren't tossed-aside soda bottles asmuch as dedicated hunters who have spent years dredging up whole

populations from the river, wildlife officials say. And some environmen-talists fear those turtles, sickly from years of pollution, are being soldto local Asian markets and shipped overseas as a toxic delicacy. Stud-ies on freshwater turtles are rare, so the river's regulars are also itsexperts. While canoeing the river 15 years ago, Charles Allen says hespotted rows of sunbathing red-eared sliders and soft-shell turtles.Now, the Trinity tour guide said he's lucky if he sees two or three in aquarter-mile. "I believe it's because of trappingsome legal, but mostillegal," he said, rowing tentatively down the patchy-green river insearch of a fading few. A 2007 Texas Parks & Wildlife Departmentregulation was supposed to stop the depletion by banning commercialturtle harvesting in public waters. But turtle enthusiasts say a loopholein the measure, which still allows collection of three species in privatewaters, leaves murky boundaries and lax enforcement. The result,

some say, puts humans and the ecosystem at risk.Reprinted from In the Flow:

The Freshwater News Bulletin from the River Systems Institute

Photographs Document BorderBarricade's Effect on Wildlife

There's just a set of raccoon tracks on the dustyroad in one of Wendy Shattil's new wildlife photo-graphs. You can't see the raccoon. But you canunderstand its determination as the tracks travel

steadily alongside one stretch of the giant, andcontroversial, border wall That is going up alongthe U.S.-Mexico border. Shattil, a Denver photog-rapher renowned for her wildlife images, followedthe little footprints for more than half a mile as theydoggedly followed the access road next to the wallin Hidalgo County, TX. A river courses on the otherside of the wall, sometimes close enough to hear.'It's hard to tell what's in the mind of a raccoon, butit could have been looking for the end of the barrierbecause it wanted to (cross over),' Shattil said.'That could explain why it walked so far next to thewall. The tracks didn't stray from the road the en-tire distance.' Shattil recently spent three weeks on

the USMexico borderlands along with 12 otherInternational League of Conservation Photogra-phers. Each photographer documented a sectionof the wall between San Diego, CA, and Browns-ville, TX. Her trip to the borderlands produced aportfolio that illustrates how the formidable wall,designed to deter illegal border crossings, is alsoblocking ancient wildlife migration paths and habi-tat on more than 100,000 acres of riverfront publicland and wildlife reserves.

Reprinted from In the Flow: The FreshwaterNews Bulletin from the River Systems Institute


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Bexar Tracks May-August 2009

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Volume XXVI, No. 6 May-August 2009