| Summary: | Bexar Tracks began with Vol. 4, no. 1 (January 1986). It continues Newsletter (Bexar Audubon Society). Tuesday, June 4, 2002-San Antonio Environmental Network BEXAR AUDUBON SOCIETY First Place, 2000 National Audubon Society newsletter contest for large chapters Pathways through the past and to the future, Ten thousand years of secrets revealed at Reservoir site now becoming natural jewel 6:30p.m. -Social Time; 7:00p.m. -Program Free and open to the public-Extra parking across Broadway at /HOP Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway (Take Hildebrand exit off 281) For VIA public transportation: take Route 9 or 14 to the Broadway/ Pershing/ Toledo intersection Each quarter Bexar Audubon hosts a meeting of the San Antonio Environmental Network. The June meeting will feature three speakers detailing San Antonio's pre-history and earliest recorded history, especially as it relates to the now abandoned Applewhite Reservoir site. The three speakers, and their topics, are: Dr. Alston V. Thoms, Department of Anthropology, Texas A & M University. Not long ago, as the twentieth century neared its end, dam-construction workers along with a diversity of Sa:n Antonio's citizens, archaeologists, historians, and other specialists found themselves in the midst of a truly world-class, but still little known, discovery at the now-abandoned Applewhite Reservoir site. Chippedstone artifacts, animal bones, and ancient campfires found buried as much as 40 feet below the surface showed that Native American people had lived there for almost 10,000 years. Historical research attested to the presence of the region's earliest international highway and river crossings that followed ancient Indian trails. Ruins and standing structures were representative of Spanish Colonial and early day Anglo- and African-American settlements, as well as later day tenant farmers. Equally remarkable, buried soils along the river proclaimed a 30,000-year record of Medina River floods and past climatic conditions. In short, a 1 ,500-acre tract of land just south of San Antonio turns out to be Texas' own microcosm of America's past. Importantly, the tract will be readily accessible to academics and to the public and can be traversed by easily negotiable tails that afford an unprecedented, outdoor opportunity for visitors, students, and researchers. Its truly unique potential is as a place to learn about past climatic conditions, land-use practices, and cultural diversity and to contemplate how that knowledge might be used to create a better, more sustainable future. Note: Dr. Thoms has been the lead researcher on this nationally known archaeological site for over ten years. He will illustrate his talk on this southside San Antonio jewel with pictures from the site. Some scientists have described the Medina River site as the most important archaeological site in Texas! Ramon Vasquez y Sanchez, Executive Director of American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions (AITSCM). This Native American group consists of descendants of the people who originally inhabited the valley of the San Antonio River, or Yanaguana, as they called it. The Coahuilitecan people were at San Pedro Springs when the first Spanish explorers reached the region. Mr. Vasquez will be describing the current programs of AIT here in San Antonio. Ray Hernandez, Cultural Preservationist-Tap Pilam and Council Member. He will describe what AITSCM has been doing at the Medina River site and his people's plans for future growth and activities on the site in partnership with the newly founded Land Heritage Institute of the Americas Foundation. Take the summer off In the spirit of carefree summer vacations, BAS will not have chapter meetings in July and August. The next issue of Bexar Tracks will alert members to the topic of the September meeting. Even on vacation, though, keep your eyes and ears open for 1 opportunities to voice your interest in environmental stewardship and protection. i BEXAR AUDUBON SOCIETY Chapter of the National Audubon Society P. 0. Box 6084, San Antonio, TX 78209 21 0-822-4503 GOALS The Chapter's primary goals are to promote species and habitat conservation and environmental education in the community. OFFICERS President Susan Hughes. (susan@wordwright.com) . 532-2332 Vice Pres. Harry Noyes . (harrynoyes@satx.rr.com). 490-3124 Treasurer Bill Barker . (barker@texas.net) . 308-5862 Secretary Bill Hurley. (billhurley@satx.rr.com) . 341-2676 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dean Bibles . ,. (dbibles@aol.com) . 698-9264 Tom Wilson . (SATXWilsons@aol.com) . 492-4799 Tony Wood . (tmcawood@aol.com) . 493-4684 COMMITTEE CHAIRS Aud. Adven. Betty Minyard . (mink@texas.net) . 344-6128 Birdathon Marge Lumpe . (birdwatcher@msn.com) . 545-1822 Conserv. Harry Noyes . (harrynoyes@satx.rr.com). 490-3124 Education . available Memb. . . . . . . . . . available Naturallnit. Tom Wilson . (SATXWilsons@aol.com) . 492-4799 Programs . . . . . . available Publicity Harry Noyes . (harrynoyes@satx.rr.com). 490-3124 SAEN Coord. Mike Mecke (mikebmecke@prodigy.net) . 344-3737 Bexar Tracks Tom Wilson . (SATXWilsons@aol.com) . 492-4799 Editors Jill Sandeen . 830-980-3277 (jsondeen@NetXPress.com) . Fax: 830-438-7393 Mailing . . . . . available TxAS Bd. Tony Wood . (tmcawood@ aol.com) . 493-4684 Bexar Tracks is your newsletter. We welcome your contributions. Please fax Jill or email Tom as above; diskettes and hard copy should be sent to Tom Wilson, 13227 Hunters Spring, San Antonio, TX 78230. l. Printed with soy ink on recycled paper. ·•I it Bexar Audubon's Web Site: http://www.BexarAudubon.org Visit San Antonio Environmental Network's Web Site: http://www.sa-naturecenter.org Suggestions and contributions are welcome. Please contact Bill Hurley at billhurley@ satx. rr.com We need the tonic of wildness . . -Henry David Thoreau June/ July 2002 BENEATH THE GAVEL Summer has arrived in South Central Texas with a vengeance this year. I know the memory fades with age, but at 55 I can't imagine that we used to live here with no air conditioning and were happy to enjoy the Gulf breezes at night sitting out on a patio or porch on the south sides of our homes. Of course, it's also true that we claim that air conditioning was invented here . perhaps there was a reason. Indeed, some of my neighbors in central San Antonio still get by without AC and, for sure, their electrical bills are less than ours. As we engage in conserving energy this summer, remember that energy production is a major consumer of water (even though San Antonio's CPS has long used recycled water at its plants). And delivering water around the city is a major consumer of electricity. Funny how these things all work together. Lately San Antonio has been embroiled in a conflict about development over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone (EARZ). There are probably no more important resource issues in the region than protection of the Edwards Aquifer. I regret that this dedication to recharge zone protection was not more conscientiously embraced over - the past thirty years. If it had been, we would not be dealing with this narrowly drawn issue today, i.e., PGA Village. We would have protected the EARZ by purchasing the land-known well even then to be critical to future water quality for our region. We would have put protection in place through land use regulations and strong water quality rules that would be firmly enforced. We would not have half a dozen golf courses and · thousands of homes, schools, fueling stations, highways, and strip malls adorning this sensitive land today. But we did not. It is interesting that the PGA Village proposal has galvanized the interest of a broad section of the community when other developments over the EARZ have not. Whatever the outcome of the PGA Village proposal, I hope the legacy. of this event will be interest in and commitment to protection of the EARZ for the long term. We must reauthorize Proposition 3 funding for EARZ protection and expand its reach outside the extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) of San Antonio-especially to the west where flow paths to San Antonio's well fields are believed to initiate. We must recognize the importance of the purchase of development rights as a suitable conservation measure and not limit ourselves to outright land purchase, so our dollars will go further without sacrificing protection. Not every parcel ofland must be made available for public access. We must articulate our goals and take the most effective routes to achieving them. We are willing to contemplate spending more than $1 billion to bring water from the Lower Colorado River to San Antonio-a project that will not see a drop of water for over a decade and that has only a fifty year life-span. Yet, we were astonished to pass Prop 3 that earmarked only $45 million for protection of our Edwards Aquifera sure thing and a source of remarkably inexpensive water that has the potential to serve us reliably in perpetuity if we do not contaminate it. I'm not arguing against supplemental sources of water for our thirsty region, but I am asking us not to be penny wise and pound foolish. First, let's be sure we protect what we already have. Whatever we do, we must not polarize San Antonio once again over water issues. If we are to be successful in our mission, we must bring together the conservation community, the social justice community, the development community, the neighborhoods, the business com.munity, public agencies, and our political leadership to work together toward a sustainable San Antonio. We must be honest with one another, work in the open, and establish trust and mutual respect-and be deserving of it. We must decide what kind of city we want to be and plot a course to arrive there. We must do it together. We must work in good faith. And we can, I am convinced. Every survey, every study, every report on what makes a city vibrant and viable for the future talks about the importance of quality of life and the sustainability of natural and human resources. Those with the money need to recognize that their future depends on investment in the common good. Those who earn the wages will benefit from a good economy and a healthy place to live with significant capital investment opportunities. These are things we all know. In five years or ten I hope we will look back and say that this time in our city was one that brought us together for long-term good . for commitment and action toward a sustainable future for San Antonio. -Susan Hughes, President 2 Bexar Tracks l CHAPTER NEWS April SAEN meeting recap South Texas rivers are being trashed ' ' By heavy, careless vehicle use· On Tuesday, April 2, at 7 p.m. in the Witte Museum auditorium, Sky Lewey, Nueces River Authority public-relations director, presented a slide talk showing how recreational drivers are damaging the beds, banks and channels of the Nueces river near Uvalde, trashing the area, and creating noise and trespass problems for landowners. The SAEN atte'ndance was small, about 20 people, probably due to the highly publicized local PGA meetings throughout town at that time. Texas rivers and streams from the Edwards Plateau of central Texas down to Corpus Christi Bay are threatened by careless off-road vehicle operators (ORVs). The area in question represents about 60% of the Edwards recharge area. Texas is experiencing the destruction of a "vast riparian treasure." May meeting recap She explained that the river here was not just rock and water but it is in fact filled with life, "an aquatic oasis in the middle of dry country." Many feel that the Nueces is the. "clearest river in Texas." But this may be short-lived if nothing is done to protect the riparian area from further devastation. With the advent of more people using easier and cheaper ORVs has come the emergence of significant damage to a once tranquil and peaceful river basin. Some weekend events host over 100 such vehicles and the river can no longer protect itself from these vehicles carving roads into the creekbeds. Sky ended her portion stating that vehicular traffic in this area must be prohibited now so that its beauty can be preserved and its life forms investigated, children can explore and learn, and the health of the recharge to the Edwards is maintained. Jeanie Dullnig from the "Stewards of the Nueces" followed Sky emphasizing that they did not intend to deny access to the river to anyone. This basin is public property with 25 access points (mostly county roads and bridges), but the 4X4 and all-terrain vehicles are a different story. She explained that in September of 2000, the Nueces River Authority had a hearing with many state agency representatives attending, yet not one wanted to take responsibility over the Texas river basins. The Texas Parks and Wildlife has started a task force to get more ideas about how to legislate responsibility. The fear is that we will do "too little, too late." -Bill Hurley Mexico's environmental opportunities Promise benefits on both sides of th·e border With 55 distinct ecoregions, Mexico puts even Texas to shame in terms of habitat diversity. Jeff Weigel, Northeast Mexico Program Manager for The Nature Conservancy, spoke to a group of members and visitors in May about this new and expanding TNC effort in association with Pronatura Noreste. You can learn more about the program at the TNC website www.nature.org. There are four principal areas targeted in Jeff's work. • the Maderas del Carmen, a range analogous to the Davis Mountains in Texas and situated across the Rio Grande-or Rio Bravo, depending on your point-of-viewfrom Big Bend National Park. It is believed that the Maderas del Carmen are the source of the black bears that have recently made their way into Big Bend. This area boasts June/ July 2002 an amazing degree of endemism of both plant and animal species. • the Laguna Madre, one of the richest nursery areas for life in the Gulf of Mexico and winter home to millions of red head ducks, among other avian species. 111.--. It's one of the only places near Texas, though still rarely, that ocelot and jaguarundi are seen any more. This program's success depends on cooperation with efforts in Texas, since the Laguna Madre extends well up the Texas border and doesn't seem to acknowledge international boundaries! The Laguna will benefit immensely if the Rio Grande once again can consistently reach the Gulf with freshwater inflows. • Cuatro Cienegas, an area of ·ponds and lakes in a bowl of mountains in the state of Chihuahua, that ranks extraord,inarily high in the number of endemic species. One of the lakes is reported to offer exceptional snorkeling in 3 i this area of unique beauty. The degree of endemism in this ecosystem is such that aquifer-fed lakes and pools adjacent to one another have related, but biologically distinct, fish and " other aquatic species. • the Janos Grasslands in extreme northern Mexico are home to a large assemblage of black-tailed prairie dogs. They were chosen as a reintroduction site for black-footed ferrets. The Janos are considered especially important as habitat for grassland birds, which are experiencing inordinate threats across North America. The habitat protection and restoration we help support in Mexico benefits us in Texas directly. Be aware ·of bi-national programs and encourage the U.S. to understand the value of investments in our shared wildlife and the habitat they require to flourish. -Susan Hughes Bexar Tracks LOCAL AND CHAPTER NEW. --- S ____. ., Historic house moves to Mitchell Lake To become new Wildlife Refuge Center Editor's note: the following report was prepared by Harry Noyes, BAS Vice President. It now seems certain the historic Leeper House will be moved from the McNay Museum to the Mitchell Lake uplands area this year- probably in late August- to serve as the "Wildlife Refuge Center" for that wildlife sanctuary and world-class birding site. The move is a collaborative effort between the San Antonio Water System and Mitchell Lake Wetlands Society, with MLWS acting as SAWS' agent for the move. SAWS will accept ownership of the house upon its arrival at Mitchell Lake and will handle bidding and contract oversight for renovation work on-site. The city still has $500,000 from a 1994 parks bond issue for amenities at Mitchell Lake. However, that money can only be used for the remodeling work, not for moving the house or doing the necessary architectural planning. MLWS has undertaken to raise money for those needs, and so far has collected cash or pledges for $50,000. The McNay not only donated the house but threw in $12,000. Certain MLWS members and civic leaders made substantial donations or offered to help. A unique BAS entry San Antonio Audubon Society voted $6,500 from its sanctuary fund for the move. A grant application has been submitted to the San Antonio Conservation Society. MainStreet Architects has offered a discount on its services. The goal is to present a complete package of plans, funding and agreements on responsibility to the SAWS board, perhaps by mid-May, so that a contract can be in place and work can begin as soon as the house arrives at Mitchell Lake, according to the SAWS project officer for , Mitchell Lake, Steve Clouse. Total cost of move and remodeling is estimated in the $150,000- $200,000 range. The refurbished Leeper House wj]] offer an office for a refuge manager when one is hired and for volunteers; a meeting/ Class room for 35-40 people; handica_ppedaccessible bathrooms; kitchen facilities; a research work room; attic space for a library; a spacious porch; and storage space. If you want to help, send checks made out to MLWS to treasurer Ruth Lofgren, 434 W. Hermine Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78212. Birdathon 2002 Perserverance pays Birdathon with the Fairchild Warblers can be officially counted as a successful venture thanks to the can-do attitude of the Warblers' sponsors, Thomas Cleaver and Carlotta Hargrove, and the willingness of the Warblers to spend a 12-hour day looking for birds. The official count began at 6:30AM Sunday, May 5, and finished at 6:30PM. Areas birded include Friedrich Park, Avenue A, Olmos Park, Mitchell Lake, Calaveras Lake, and Southside Lion's Park. The total species count is 83! The pledges are being collected and will be reported in the next newsletter. See page 8 for the address to send your pledges. Some of the more interesting birds identified are the golden-cheeked warbler, black-headed grosbeak, blackthroated green warbler, American redstart, American golden plover, common moorhen and brown pelican. The individual Fairchild Warblers who participated are: Vincent Benavides, Charles Franks, Gabino Garcia, Roberta Chase and Anthony Johnson. The team plans to attend the BAS meeting in June to give the final report. Audubon Adventures will be funded by half of the pledges collected by the FC's and all of the pledges collected by others. -Marge Lumpe ·Solar Fest to promote renewable energy To say nothing of our man's slippery entry Solar San Antonio announces SOLAR FEST, the first-ever sustainability and energy conservation event to be held in San Antonio. The family-oriented event is free and open to the public. SOLAR FEST will be held at Maverick Park Saturday, June 8'11 from 9 am to 4 pm. The park is located at Broadway and 10'11 Street, near the San Antonio Museum of Art. "SOLAR FEST is a great opportunity for people to learn about solar energy, wind power, and other renewable resources. We' II also feature sustainable building materials and practices," said Bill Sinkin, June/ July 2002 chairman of Solar San Antonio. "Children are especially interested in solar power, and we will have Junior Solar Sprint-model racers running on solar energy during the day." Certain to be a unique entry among all those on display is the 1985 Golf Volkswagen owned by BAS Board Member Tony Wood. Tony's vehicle gets from point A to point B on a diet of used (but strained) vegetable oil mixed with diesel fuel. It required a fair amount of tinkering and adjustment, but Tony says he drove 853 miles on 11 gallons of diesel and 4 4 gallons of oil. The oil, by the way, is donated by area restaurants after it has done its thing browning the french fries. Gunn Honda will be displaying several of their new, energy-efficient vehicles, along with Jordan Ford and their "Th !nk" Neighbor car. City Public Service, , the San Antonio Water System, the Alamo Area Council of Governments, the San Antonio Forest, and the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association are among the dozens of organizations sponsoring informational displays. Food and beverages will also be available. Bexar Tracks LOCAL NEWS Nation warned of exotic plant invasion BAS puts South Texas on the alert Editor's Note: BAS' own Patty Pasztor, San Antonio's resident plant expert, has provided lists of plant that have us in their sights.· · ARLINGTON, Virginia, (ENS) As spring ar;ives across the United States, the Nature Conservancy is urging Americans to check their yards and gardens for plants that can escape cultivation arid cause damage to the natural environment and the national economy. Plants such as purple loosestrife, kudzu, giant salvinia, multiflora rose and tree of heaven are often used in horticulture, landscaping and erosion control, and can be found in backyards and business lots across the country. When these plants escape from yards, they can invade and alter entire ecosystems, outcompeting native plants for light, water and nutrients. "Keeping invasive plants out of America's backyards helps the environment and the economy," said Steve McCormick, president of TheN ature Conservancy. "Taking the time to remove invasive plants and replace them with non-invasive varieties is a great example of bringing new energy to the old adage: think globally, act locally.'' Local Invaders Listed below are some non-native /exotic plants that can become problematic in the San Antonio and Central Texas area. Many of these are infesting our natural areas and are beginning to out-compete and replace the native vegetation. Please try to avoid planting these plants in your landscape! If you have these, consider removal. Trees/shrubs Common name Chinaberry Chinese tallow Ligustrum (Japanese or Wax_leaf) Loquat (not as serious as others) Nandina Photinia (Red tipped or Chinese) Privet Pyracantha Tree of Heaven Vines Japanese honeysuckle Kudzu* Scientific name Melia azedarach Sapium sebiferuni Ligustrum japonica Eriobotrya japonica Nandina domestica Photin,ia sp. Ligustrum sp. Pyracantha angustifolia Ailanthus altissima Lonicera japonica Pueraria Montana var. lobata * Kudzu is showing up in areas of N. Central Texas Grasses Bamboo Johnston grass King Ranch bluestem Giant cane Phyllostachys aurea Sorghum hafapense , Bothriochloa ischaemum var. songarica Arundo donax The native riparian habitat in the S.A. Area is being invaded primarily by Chinaberry and Ligustrum. These invade the natural ecosystems, reproduce prolifically, and "take over" the habitat of indigenous species, impeding or halting, the growth of such native plants as cedar elm, pecan, walnut, willow, rough-leaf dogwood, butt~mbush, elderberry, Turk's cap and more. All of the these native species provide important food and cover for birds, butterflies and bther wildlife. They also support native insect populations that are important food for our birds as well as other wildlife. The Missions National Historic Park is presently working seriously on a Chinaberry Eradication Program. June/ July 2002 5 First state-wide Annual meeting of Audubon Texas Audubon Texas will hold its first-ever statew.ide meeting in conjunction with the , Annual Rockport Hummer/Bird Celebration on Friday, Sept. 13, 2002 at ,the Rockport Beach Pavi1ion, Rockport, Texas. This event is open to Audubon members and chapters, birding clubs and conservation organizations, as well as other individuals interested in birds and wildlife and the conservation of their habitats. This year's event will focus on sharing . ideas and strategies on developing bird conservation programs at the community level, as well as how to get the community involved. We will have various Audubon leaders and presenters share their success stories relevant to community-based conservation as well as hold workshops for education and fun. We will also conduct a meeting of the . Audubon Texas Assembly on Saturday for our regional directors and chapter representatives to discuss key issues in conservation science, conservation education and public policy. On Sunday, the Audubon Texas Board of Directors will meet. For more information on accommodations in Rockport and the surrounding area, please contact Linda Dreeland at ldreeland@audubon.org. Wildlife abounds at Bear ·Mountain Lodge Editor's note: This vacation tip comesfrom BAS past president Mike Mecke. . Visit Bear Mountain Lodge, the Nature Conservancy's new inn outside of Silver City, in southwestern New Mexico. Birding is the big draw here . the Inn is adjacent to the 3.3 million acre Gila Wilderness Area and is close to TNC's Gila Riparian and Mimbres Preserves where there are more than 300 species recorded. · See Mearns/ Montezuma quail, jays, titmice, cuckoos, sandhill cranes, Gila woodpecker and SW willow flycatchers. Participate in workshops on birds, astronomy, bats, butterflies and archaeology. Gila Cliff Dwellings are nearby. Call 505/538-2538. Bexar Tracks ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS ' Results are in for 5th annual Great Backyard Bird ·Count The National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology have announced the results of the 5th Great Backyard Bird Count and thank every bird enthusiast across North Amedca who counted birds February 15 through 18, 2002. State-by-state results are available online at www.birdsource.org "Close to 50,000 checklists were .submitted for a total of almost 5 million individual birds counted from across the United States and Canada, with every state and province reporting in," said Frank Gill, Audubon's vice president of science ana conservation. "The total number of bird species reported currently stands at 505, a figure that is sure to grow as rare sightings continue to be confirmed and added to the GBBC database." Families, individuals, classrooms, Scout troops, and others took as little as 15 minutes a day to report on the feathered friends they saw in their backyards, schoolyards, local parks, or other locations, including right out the office ;vindow. Reports were submitted over the Internet, at www.birdsource:org/gbbc, and compiled almost immediately, for all to view in the form of .tables and animated maps. This year marked the 5th anniversary of the immensely popular event. Count results include a number of rare/unusual birds like a gyrfalcon in Massachusetts (a powerful falcon from the Arctic), a great spotted woodpecker in Alaska (a visitor from Asia) and broad-billed hummingbird in G~orgia (possibly a first for t.he state). Participants also provided a large volume of information about common winter bird species like dark-eyed juncos, black" capped chickadees, and mourning doves (include some western species). Maps showing the late winter distribution of all of these species can be seen in the "Results" section of the website. Other interesting findings include the maps for .sandhill cranes. GBBC participants once again reported cranes along the length of their eastern migration route. Sightings of these elegant birds appear within a clear band running from June/ July 2002 Florida to Michigan on the map for the species. Possibly due to the mild winter weather, · a greater number of cranes were reported along the northern end of the route than during the 2001 count. This was also true for red-winged blackbirds, which were reported in greater numbers in the Northeast and around the Great Lakes. Out west, evening grosbeaks were nearly ~bsent from California, where they had been reported in large flocks in 2001. The GBBC is a valuable tool for tracking the continent-wide wanderings of evening grosbeaks, crossbills, redpolls and other species known for their winter travels in search offood. Snowy owls, magnificent hunters found predominantly in the northern part of the continent, will also move in search of prey when necessary. Participants reported them in 70 States/ Provinces during 'the count period, including sightings from as far south as Colorado, Oklahoma and Virginia. GBBC maps for the last four y~ars show that Eurasian collared-doves are also "on the go." Since their arrival in Florida in the 1980's, Eurasian collared-doves have in~reased in n"umber in that state and have steadily expanded their range in the U.S. So much so, in fact, that they were reported in 21 states during this year's count. Scientists are keeping a sharp eye on these birds to see if their arrival has any impact on native species like the mourning dove. Through their continued participatiqn in the GBBC, citizen scientists will help keep a record,of the distribution of the Eurasian collared-dove and may help 'to shed light on the ecological ramifications of its expansion. Results from every year of the GBBC are available online. Tips for bird feeding, how to create bird-fr~endly yards, and when to get involved next year are also on the site. Visit the Great Backyard Bird Count web site at www.birdsource.org/gbbc for more information. 6 Teachers' environmental summer school ,to stress systems ecology and conservation Do you know an exemplary junior or senior high school science teacher with good interpersonal skills that would spend approximately $200 (food, lodging, tuition, and travel included) to take a 2-week, graduate-level course focused on systems ecology and conservation of our natural resources? Would that teacher enjoy spending one week each in south Texas and Montana this summer (2002)? Would that teacher enjoy working in a partnership program with a teacher from Montana? If so, then please tell them about Conservation Across Boundaries, a grantsupported course sponsored by the Welder ,Wildlife Foundation (Sinton, Texas) and the Boone & Crockett Club (Missoula, MT). Dates for the course are July 26 - August 11, 2002. Because we only recently completed fundraising for the course, we are just now sending out course announcements. Consequently, all applicants have a good chance of being accepted. The information below is regarding the 2002 course. If you know of a teacher who may be interested in this course, we would appreciate it if you would share this information with them. Please note the Application Deadline of June 1, 2002; however, they should begin the application process as soon as possible.You may receive an application packet by calling Selma Glasscock at (361) 364-2643 or selmaglass@ aol.com. You may also download the application' from http:// hometown. aol. com/w elderwf/ welderweb.html (click on Conservation Education Program). Bexar Tracks LOCAL NEWS . ~ ~- Plethora of awesome Texas birds ~ Overwhelm visiting Virginian Editor's note: This is the response of a Virginia Audubon member to his first major birding expedition in South Texas. Dear Texan Friends, Thank you to each of you for a fabulous day of birding in your fine state. Your Texan hospitality rivals the proverbial "Southern Hospitality" in every way. I had a wonderful time. I have finally caught up from the mountain of school work that greeted me when I arrived home on Wednesday. I would like to share some of the highlights of my visit. Mike Creese took me on a tour of Mitchell Lake. Dick and Joyce Pipes drove me all around their beautiful ranch. Great birds aro~md the "tanks" and along the farm roads. Seventy-one total species!!! I believe this is very respectable for the time of year and the weather conditions. But even more exciting for me . 25 life birds. 13 at Mitchell Lake and 10 at the Pipes Ranch (along with a coyote and armadillo), and 2 in downtown SA. The following is a list of life birds for me: Pyrrhuloxia (all over the ranch) Green-tailed Towhee (great surprise on the side of the road) Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (one of the first life birds at Mitchell Lake, awesome) Vermilion Flycatcher (two males fighting over territory, one female WOW) Neotropical Cormorant (on the pilings at Mitchell Lake) Verdin (Finally Dick got to see it on his ranch) Roadrunner (darted out in front of the truck and back into the brush on the ranch) * Golden-fronted woodpecker (male and female on the ranch) * Black Throated Sparrow (much too stunning to be "just another sparrow") *Audubon's Oriole (*these three species were all spotted on the ranch in the rain. Who could ask for anything more?) Lark Sparrow White-winged Dove Great-tailed Grackles (I was calling them Boat-tailed until corrected by Mike) Ladder-backed Woodpecker (on the pole as we parked at Mitchell Lake) June/ July 2002 Least Sandpiper (everywhere at Mitchell) Black-bellied whistling ducks (Mitchell Lake and the ranch. Very impressive!) Dowitcher Baird's Sandpiper (shorebirds have an uncanny ability to look like each other) Wilson's Phalaropes (four of these birds stood out among the other shorebirds.) Caracara (I was so disappointed I only got a long distance look at this bird at Mitchell Lake until I saw over 25 later in the day driving to the ranch. They were everywbere south of SA) White Pelican (The closest thing to a pterodactyl we will ever see.) Cinnamon Teal (along with blue-winged and green-winged. Very nice.) Lincoln Sparrow (Mike, they still all look the same to me. Except the Black-throated male, of course.) American Pipit (Eagle yyed Mike, spotted this one on a mud flat early in the day and I spotted one later in the day. Curious little bird) Common Ground Dove (Both at the ranch and at Mitchell) I must say that the for me the most spectacular bird of the day was the vermilion flycatcher. My favorite (which is very hard to choose) would be the roadrunner. She was just too cool. The most excitement came with the spotting of the verdinjust after Dick (who hadn't seen them on hi~ ranch, yet visitors and Joyce have) just finished saying, "this is where the verdin have been spotted." I look into a bush and say, "like that one there." Ha. That was fun. I loved stalking with Joyce through the Texas cacti, scrub, and other various man-eating bushes with thorns. When we pushed through to the first "tank" and spotted the vermilion flycatcher at the same time as the caracaras were soaring overhead and a small group of whistling ducks flew by, two western kingbirds chased each other in a large tree. I darn near reached sensory overload! The day will live in my memory for many, many years to come. Fondly, Your Virginia Birder, Michael Kelly 7 A remembrance of Ralph Dickerson Environmental activist Editor's note: Ralph Dickerson, who was active in many area environmental activities, died in January. This remembrance was prov(ded by former BAS President Tatjana Walker. It is with saddness and appreciation that we note the passing of Ralph Dickerson in Janurary. I met Ralph and his wife Gay Lynn at the silent auction to benefit the Mitchell Lake Wetlands Society last spring. Ralph was a charter member of the Society. SCUBA instructors, the Dickersons offered PADI certification classes as an auction item, which my husband Todd and I were pleased to win. During the weeks we learned how to safely and responsibly explore the underwater world, we also learned that Ralph was a conservationist in the most classic sense. He loved to identify, explore, share, and enjoy the natural world. As we discussed local projects, I learned that Ralph had been involved in many of them from inception even as he found new interests. I recall our celebration at a restaurant overlooking the Guadalupe River after our final class dive. Ralph sat at the end of the table filling out our cards, talking enthusiastically about REEF, the Reef Environmental Education Foundation, a project that, like birding projects, uses citizen scientists to census the reef environment. I consider Ralph a hero not just for his commitment the path of conservation but also for the joy he showed in walk;ing that path, and I'm glad to have known him. -Tatjana Walker Bexar Tracks Mark your calendar Events scheduled for the year Editor's note: the following are the BAS meetings and related events sc;heduled for 2002. BAS members are welcome at all events and meetings. Additional information available from any officer and/or board member. June 4-Summer SAEN Forum- See page one for information on Applewhite Park. June 13 -BAS board meeting July -no program meeting July 11 -BAS Board meeting August 9 - Deadline for Septemper - October Newsletter to Tom Wilson August - no program meeting August 3 -BAS annual work session September 3 - BAS program meeting September 20 - BAS board meeting October 1 -Fall SAEN Forum October 10 -BAS board meeting . October 13 - Deadline for November - December Newsletter to Tom Wilson November 5-BAS Program Meeting November 14-BAS Board meeting December 3 ~ BAS Annual Meeting & Holiday Party December - no BAS board meeting AUDUBON APPLAUSE Bexar Audubon Society, Inc. P. 0. Box 6084 San Antonio, TX 78209 Address Service Requested Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid San Antonio Permit #590 SECOND SATUROAY PROGRAM RECURRING EVENTS San Antonio Audubon Society's Beginners' Second Saturdays are co-sponsored by Birdwalk. Meet at the Judson Nature Trail A very great applause to the good folks _. th e Sa n An tom·o p ar k sand R ecreatw· n D epart- in Alamo Heights at 8:00AM (except in the who helped us get the word out in April: ment and BAS.'July 13,2002: Morning Hike. summer, June through August, when it is Harry Noyes, Thelma Nungesser, and Programs are held from 9 - 11 a.m·. $3 per 7:30). Visitors are welcome. Membership is not req_uired and they have a few binoculars Nancy Kent for Zoo Earth Day. Tony person or $5 per family donation requested. to lend. For info: 210_342_2o73. Wood for the Palo Alto Earth Day event. For more infromation call 698-1057. r --- . Bill Hurley for San Antonio Fiesta Earth Eisenhower Park is at 19399 N.W. Military 1 Membership Form Day event. Hwy,, about 2 miles o~side of Loop 1604. 1 National Audubon Society Many thanks to Susan Hughes and her Take t~e FM1535/ Military Hwy/Shava~o I Bexar AudubonSociety mother, Harriet Kutscher, for once again Park exit, go north on FM1535, the park wdl Membership rates are: helping get the newsletter mailed. be on the left, just before Camp Bullis. I Student/Senior $15 Basic $35 AmillionthankstoMargeLumpeand MITCHELL· LA.KE I Introductory 1-year $20 (2-year: $30) the Fairchild Warblers for doing the I Name __________ _ Birdathon. They saw 83 species of birds! ACCESS I ~ddressc__ ________ _ Please get your pledges in. Please inlcude 1 Dates will be available on the San Antonio c·1ty State _ z·ypur name, address, phone number, email 1 1p. __ ___ address, and a check for the total amount Audubon Society website at www. saaudubon. Phone: ( ) pledged, payable to Bexar Audubon org. Additional access can be arranged byl Email: ' --- Society. Send to Birdathon, c/o BAS, PO calling in advance to Georgina Schwartz at I For a new membership, mail this coupon Box 6084, San Antonio, TX 78209. 210-342-2073. I and your check-payable to "National ~E~a-rt_h_S~ha~re~o-f_T_e_x_a_s_r_e_p-re_s_e_n_t_s_t_h_e_A~u-d_u_b_o_n~ IAudubonSoci~Cha~er~ 19 "~: " . I Bexar Audubon Society fJ: Foundation of Texas and the National Audubon Society P. o. Box 6084 . earth Share in payroll deduction plans for charitable giving. For I San Antonio, TX 78209 . u r .1 tXi\<' information, call 1-800-GREENTX or email 1 w19, 1xcH <estx@earthshare-texas.org>. . ____________ . June/ July 2002 8 Bexar Tracks NOTICE is hereby given that the following proposed amendments to the ByLaws of the Bexar Audubon Society, which are required in order for the Society {Chapter] to comply with the new Chapter Policy of the National Audubon Society {Article VIII] and to improve form, will be voted upon at the june 4, 2002, meeting {SAEN Forum] at the Witte Museum, San Antonio, Texas, at 7pm. Please read the changes proposed, mark your ballot on the back of this sheet, fold, stamp, and return it to be received by june 4, 2002, or come to the meeting to cast your vote-we'd love to see you. BY-LAWS of Bexar Audubon Society, Inc. (As amended june 2001-with amendments proposed May 2002) ARTICLE I -MEMBERSHIP Section l. Any person or family interested in the purposes and objectives of this CIIAPH:R SQQ.EIY is eligible to apply for membership. Section 2. Membership in this ~SOCIETY shall be limited to those persons or families who, being members of the NATIONAL SOCIETY, shall declare their affiliation with this ~SQQ.E.IY or who shall be designated as members of this ~SOCIETY by the NATIONAL SOCIETY. Section 3. The classes of membership in this ~SOCIETY shall be the same as the membership classes maintained by the NATIONAL SOCIETY. Section 4. The membership dues shall be established by the NATIONAL SOCIETY. Section 5. All members of this ~SQQill shall enjoy all the rights and privileges accorded to the members of both this ~SOCIETY and the NATIONAL SOCIETY, except as otherwise provided hereinafter. Section 6. Membership dues in any category, except Life Membership, shall be paid at the time of application and yearly or multi-yearly, by renewal, thereafter. Life Membership dues shall be paid in full in one sum, except as may be provided otherwise in the By-Laws of the NATIONAL SOCIETY. Section 7. Should renewal of membership dues not be paid within three months after due date, a member so in default shall be dropped from the rolls. ARTICLE II- MEETINGS Section I. The Board of Directors shall schedule regular meetings of members to be held not fewer than four times in any calendar year or more frequently than once each month. It is not required that business of the ~SQQilY be transacted at such meetings; they may be program or social meetings. The Board shall determine the date(s) for the ~SQ: Q!ITY planning meeting and/or any other member or special meeting. Section 2. The Annual Meeting of the ~SOCIETY shall be held once each year at a time to be determined by the Board of Directors .An annual ~SOCIETY activities report, an annual financial report, and the proposed budget for the following year shall either be presented at this meeting or be published in the next available ~SOCIETY newsletter. Section 3. Special meetings of the ~SQQilY may be called at any time by the President, upon the request of a simple majority of the Board, or upon written request of I 0 percent of the members of the ~SOCIETY. Section 4. Notice of any ~SQQ.EIY meeting at which ~SOCIETY business is to be transacted (such notice to include time, place, and purpose) shall be given to each ~SQQ.!ITY member not less than I 0 nor more than 60 days prior to the meeting. ARTICLE Ill - .YQII.llii Section I. Each member of the ~SQQ!ITY may cast one vote on any motion that is properly brought before an authorized meeting of the ~SQQEIT. Section 2. Members may cast votes in person, by mail, by proxy, or by any other method that ensures the integrity of the vote. Section 3. Fifteen members or one-tenth of all members (whichever are fewer) shall constitute a quorum of the ~SQQill. A majority of the members of the Board (or onehalf of the Board members plus one) shall constitute a quorum of the Board. A quorum shall be required to properly transact ~SOCIETY business. Section 4. Election to office or as a Director at Large shall be by plurality of the votes cast. Section 5. Passage of any motion properly brought before the membership and amendments of the By-Laws shall require a simple majority of the votes cast. Section 6. Discontinuance of status as a CHAPTER of the NATIONAL SOCIETY, dissolution of the ~SQQTIY, and passage of constitutional amendments shall require a twothirds majority vote of the membership. ARTICLE IV - BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section I. The Board of Directors shall consist of four Officers and three Directors at Large. Election of Board members shall occur at the Annual Meeting of the ~SOCIETY.If deemed necessary, additional Officers or Directors at Large may be appointed by a majority vote of the Board. (See Article V, Section 1.) Appointed members, except those appointed to fill a vacancy in an otherwise elected position, may not comprise a majority of the Board. Section 2. Officers shall serve a term of two years. Directors at Large will serve four-year terms. Each term of office shall end as of the Annual Meeting or when an eligible successor is elected and installed. Section 3. All Board members may be reelected to the same or any other position on the Board. Section 4. The Board shall meet within one month after the Annual Meeting and at least four times per year. Meetings may be called either by the President or by a majority of the Board. All Board members must be given notice of the Board's meetings by publishing a regular schedule or other means of notification. Members of the~ may attend Board meetings, although only Board members may vote. Section 5. The Board may conduct business of emergency or time-sensitive nature via electronic mail, fax, teleconference, postal mail, or polling of members of the Board by the President or the President's designee. Such actions of the Board shall be summarized at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the board and reported in the minutes. Section 6. The position held by any Board member who misses three consecutive Board meetings may be declared vacant by a majority vote of the Board. Any Board member may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the members of the ~SQQID voting at any ~SQQilY meeting that comprises a quorum. Any vacancies shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining directors, except that if the office of the President becomes vacant, the Vice President shall become President and a majority of the Board shall elect a new Vice President. Section 7. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for carrying out the goals of this ~SOCIETY and for maintaining its status as a CHAPTER of the NATIONAL SOCIETY. In order to do so, the Board shall have the authority to accumulate, administer, and convey the property and funds of this ~SQ.Qffi and to supervise its business. ARTICLE¥-~ Section I. The Officers of the ~SQ.Qffi shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and such other Officers as may be determined by the Board of Directors. Section 2. The President shall direct and administer the affairs of the ~SOCIETY as its executive head; supervise all phases of its activities, subject to instructions by the Board; be an at large member of all Action Teams; preside at all membership and Board meetings; be empowered to speak on behalf of the ~SQ.Qffi or to designate one or more spokespersons from the membership as required; present an annual ~SOCIETY activities report to the membership; ensure that the ~SOCIETY's programs reflect the Essential Elements of a Chapter in the Chapter Policy of the NATIONAL SOCIETY; and file the annual Recertification Report as required. Section 3. The Vice President shall assist the President in carrying out his duties and, in the absence of the President, assume the duties of the President. Section 4. The Secretary shall keep a record of all proceedings of the ~SQQID and of the Board of Directors; provide notice of all special meetings; conduct all the correspondence of the ~SOCIETY, except such correspondence as, by instructions of the Board or at the discretion of the President, shall be conducted by another member of the ~SOCIETY; and preserve all correspondence of the ~SQQilY. Section 5. The Treasurer shall have the custody of the ~SQ.Qffi's funds; disburse such funds as may be ordered by the Board; report to the Board at its regular meetings or as requested; and prepare an annual report on the financial condition of the ~SQCI: ElY, along with a proposed budget for the coming year, for presentation to the members. Section 6. All checks and drafts of the ~SOCIETY may be signed by the Treasurer, the President, or another officer designated by the Board. Two signatures are required, except as otherwise authorized by the Board. ARTICLE VI- NOMINATING COMMITTEE The Board shall at least biennially appoint a committee consisting of no fewer than three members (at least one of whom must be exclusive of the Board) to canvass the membership and receive petitions or nominations for Officers and Directors at large. ARTICLE VII - OTHER COMMITTEES Section I. The President, with the approval of the Board of Directors, and in order to manage each defined area of continuing responsibility, concern, or interest for the ~SQCI: ill, shall at least biennially define a portfolio of responsibility for each member of the Board. Each Board member so assigned may himself perform the necessary duties or may recruit and oversee a Team Leader and/or an Action Team to accomplish relevant tasks. Section 2. Team Leaders, with the approval of the Board, shall assemble and manage Action Teams as required to carry out the relevant objectives of the ~SQilliY. Each Team Leader who is not a member of the Board shall serve until a successor is appointed or until otherwise determined by the Board. Section 3. The President, with the approval of the Board, may appoint ad hoc Team Leaders and/or Action Teams whose terms of service shall be determined by the nature of the assignment and who shall report to the Board through the President. Section 4. The ~SQQilY's areas of continuing interest, concern, and/or responsibility in our community include, but are not limited to, the following: ·Natural resource conservation and management, through direct action (e.g., habitat protection), advocacy, and/or education; • Environmental, natural history. ecology, and conservation education for ~SillJ.: ill members and for the community, through outings, programs, outreach activities, and coordination with educational institutions; • Membership recruitment, retention, and members' services; • Active communication with members, the media, and the community, through print, elec-tronic, and/or other media; and · • Financial and programmatic stability and growth, including fundraising, strategic planning, and responsible management, in order to achieve the ~SOCIETY's goals and provide conservation leadership in the local and regional area. ARTICLE VII I GQIIII FfH!lliT8 CHAPTER POLICY Neither this The relationship between this SOCIETY CHAPTER "sr.i!lli! the NATIONAL SOCIETY shall eBligate tke ether "iths~t rrier eeHseflt atuVer '' rittefl BMtlu:tri!stisflbe KOVerned by the Chapter Policy. ARTICLE IX- PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY In procedural matters not covered by these By-Laws, Robert's Rules of Order (revised version) shall govern. ARTICLE X- CONSTRUCTION The masculine pronoun, as used herein, shall mean the masculine or feminine wherever applicable. BALLOT To amend the By-Laws of the Bexar Audubon Society, Inc., as proposed herein. FOR AGAINST (Please mark, fold, seal, stamp, and mail.) --- Member's Return Address BEXAR AUDUBON SOCIETY, INC. POST OFFICE BOX 6084 SAN ANTONIO, TX 78209-0084 PLACE STAMP HERE
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