| Summary: | Bexar Tracks began with Vol. 4, no. 1 (January 1986). It continues Newsletter (Bexar Audubon Society). Volume XXIV, No. 3 May-July 2006 Bexar Audubon Society is a chapter of the National Audubon Society. Its primary goals are to promote species and habitat conservation and envi-ronmental education in the community. Conservation in the Philippines: A Snapshot A week isn’t long enough to develop a full picture of the more than seven thousand islands (at high tide) that comprise the Philippines. But it is enough to capture a sense of the spirit of the Filipino people. Their envi-ronmental problems are enormous, but an impressive complex of govern-mental, NGO, and individual efforts is having an impact on population, health, and the environment (PHE) in this hugely diverse community of people, plants, and other animals on land and sea. In March, our presenter, Susan Hughes, was a delegate of the National Audubon Society on a study tour that included attendance at the 2nd National Conference on PHE held in Cebu City, the Philippines. Drawing more than 300 delegates from around the globe, the conference was brack-eted by site visits to urban communities with integrated PHE programs, as well as remote island communities organizing to protect their marine resources, diversify their economic base, and improve the health of their citizens. An island paradise can be a challenging place to make a living. Susan will brief attendees on the conference and site visits, introduce the Haribon Foundation (www.haribon.org.ph), the Filipino partner of BirdLife International, and report on a field day with Haribon staff to Subic Bay, former site of the U.S. Naval base, now turned industrial park and nature preserve. View Haribon’s just-published comprehensive, scholarly, but accessible volume, Philippine Biodiversity: Principles and Practice, youth publications, a video clip of Subic Bay’s flying foxes, and more. You’ll surely put the Philippines high on your “places to visit” list and be inspired by and learn from the efforts of these kind and generous people. Thursday, May 11 • 6:30pm gathering; 6:45 announcements; 7:00 program Trinity Univ. Cowles Life Sciences Bldg. Rm. 336 (see map, p. 2) • Free; open to the public Bexar Audubon Field Trip Saturday, May 20, 9am-noon CASTROVILLE REGIONAL PARK “Butterflies & Plants” Enjoy a nature walk in this great little park on the Medina River with leaders Terry Doyle (amateur lepidopterist) and Patty Leslie Pasztor (co-author of Texas Trees: A Friendly Guide). A great diversi-ty of flora includes bald cypress, pecan, and sycamore near the river and such interesting brush species as guajilla, cenizo, and guaya-can in the uplands. The Medina Lake irrigation canal traverses a sec-tion of the park. We will walk the newly opened trails identifying butterflies, birds, and plants. Meet near the entrance park-ing lot. Bring water and a picnic lunch. Email pasztor@ix.netcom.com or call 210-824-1235 for reservations and directions. Tales from the Wood It is with great relief that I can report to the membership of Bexar Audubon Society that I have indeed returned to San Antonio after a year in a hotter, drier, and dustier place. My year in Iraq was rewarding on many levels. Our group, working with the Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE) based at Brooks City- Base, contracted the evaluation, restora-tion, and/or construction of almost 800 schools, dozens of hospitals and clinics, and many security installations including military, police, and border facilities. The environment in a desert war zone, even in the cradle of civilization between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, often made me think of south Texas. In many ways the environment of Iraq is much like Mexico. Every day I thought of the (p.2) Bexar Tracks For the latest news & updates, see http://www.bexaraudubon.org & http://www.sa-naturecenter.org Please note: no regular programs during June, July, & August 7th Annual South Texas Farm & Range Forum: Soil Stewardship Thursday, September 14; Saturday, September 16 Get the latest dirt on soil at this workshop geared toward both urban dwellers and the farming and ranching community in South Texas. Topics to be covered in the Thursday evening program at Palo Alto College include learning how to under-stand soils: their composition, nutritional value, and quality; how to keep soil on your land; how to improve what you have and assistance available to do that; soil economics; the many ways to compost; and soil’s importance to wildlife. Saturday’s half-day field trip will demonstrate these concepts and provide oppor-tunities for on-site learning and discussion. Save the dates! For registration info, contact Helen Holdsworth, 210-884-3712 or await the Aug-Sept Bexar Tracks. While the “6 inches” in this quotation may not apply to all areas of South Texas, bear in mind: “Despite his artistic pretensions, his sophistication, and many accomplishments, man owes his existence to a six-inch layer of topsoil, and the fact that it rains.” Anon. Drawing of cenizo courtesy of RanchGate, Speer & Warren, Wildflowers of Texas, 1979. May-July 2006 2 Bexar Tracks Tales from the Wood, cont’d… condition of the water and air and birds and wildlife, both here and in Iraq. I had occasional reports on the regional devel-opments of the flora and fauna from friends like Susan Schaezler of Cibolo (www.warblerwoods.com) and John McGee of Sandia. I did get homesick a lit-tle. A year is a long time to be away. On all counts, I’ll still take south Texas (or Mexico) any day…over Iraq. Conservationists and environmentalists in the US often think that our environ-ment is on the brink of disaster. It is not. If you want to see “stressed,” take a trip to Mexico City and along the way stop off at Monterrey, San Luis Potosi, and Leon. Look at the air and smell the water in those areas. Multiply that several fold and you will have a hint of what Iraq was like. The air in our country is stressed in places, but at least we have laws against the open burning of trash. The smell of burning plastic or carcasses does not assault our nostrils. Our surface waters are tested and protected and are cleaner than they have been in 50 years. Good quality drinking-water is actually piped under pressure into our homes. We should try to remember that things are really good here. The reason it is good in the US is that a generation ago folks like Rachel Carson, assisted by teachers, took up the banner of John James Audubon and his contemporaries and awakened a new generation of conservationists. Things are changing. It’s not just Austin these days. San Antonio’s environmental consciousness is starting to awaken. The interest in the environment of south Texas is improving. Citizens, voters, elected officials, church leadership, ranchers, teachers, the general public, and even some developers are giving more attention to the environment. Fuel prices are causing all of us to think about transportation conservation issues. The continuing development of wildlife and avian migratory corridors along the region’s waterways is slowly turning into the emerald necklace we have heard tout-ed for the last 10 years or so. Lest you think that I’m saying every-thing’s fine, don’t quit. The effort to pro-tect our lands, air, and water must continue with vigilance. Natural threats like bird flu have arisen. Anthropo-genic threats from population expansion, resource overuse, and things like mer-cury and endocrine disruptors in our water and food supplies should worry us all. In time, a reasonable body of scientif-ic evidence will indicate the degree of activism that is warranted. I remain con-cerned that future generations will face an oil-based recession/depression that will strain many aspects of our society. We conservationists must be the voice of reason. Our efforts must be backed up by sound science, active citizens, and sound political leadership. Our cause of a sus-tainable society must never again take a second row seat to the economic consid-erations benefiting a few. War for whatever reason (and the subse-quent rebuilding of a country) costs money…a lot of money. I am very glad I went to assist with the reconstruction of Iraq. But I am very glad to be home to enjoy the environment of this land that I love. Let’s keep the patriotism in environ-mentalism. Let’s keep the environmental-ism in patriotism. — Tony Wood & & & Come be part of Birdathon 2006 at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center Saturday, May 6, 2-5pm Free family event. Kenn Kaufman, author of Guía de Campo Kaufman a las Aves de Norteamérica, will be signing books and doing a presentation. Bring your picnic and chairs. For more info: Susan Albert, 210-628- 1639 or email salbert@audubon.org. “Bird with Kenn” deadline is 5/1. Mitchell Lake Audubon Center 10750 Pleasanton Rd.•San Antonio 78221 Sat. & Sun. 8am-4pm • weekdays by appt. Regularly scheduled guided birding tours: 2nd Tuesday, 3rd Sunday, and 4th Saturday of each month at 8am; every Tuesday afternoon. Call for departure times: 210-628-1639 CHAPTER NEWS Cowles Cowles is just uphill from the Laurie Auditorium and adjacent to the Library and the Chapman Graduate Center. Handicapped parking is across from Cowles. Park by the Laurie or in lots or on streets to the west. Call Patty for additional directions (824-1235) or see additional map at bexaraudubon.org/map.jpg Library Laurie Chapman Who’s What? President, Tony Wood — 210-492-4684 — tonywood@sbcglobal.net VP & webmaster, Harry Noyes — 210-490-3124 — harrynoyes@satx.rr.com Treasurer, Caryl Swann — 210-653-2860 — cjswann1@earthlink.net Secretary, Jill Sondeen — 830-980-2377 — jls2003@gvtc.com At-large: Dean Bibles — 210-698-9264 — dbibles@aol.com Joe Orr — 210-377-0621 — josephorr@aol.com Kara Ryf — 503-803-2856 — kararyf@hotmail.com Editor, Susan Hughes — 210-862-1150 — editor@bexaraudubon.org Outings, Patty Pasztor — 210-824-1235 — pasztor@ix.netcom.com Map to Cowles Life Sciences Building, Trinity University, west of Highway 281 Bexar Tracks 3 May-July 2006 (Additional info. available at www.sa-nature-center. org/conservation/conservation.html) Second Saturdays — SA Audubon Society’s monthly Beginners’ Birdwalk, 7:30am June-Aug; 8am all other months. Visitors welcome. Binoculars to lend. Meet at Judson Nature Trail next to Alamo Heights Swimming Pool on Viesca St. From 5900 blk of Broadway, turn west on Ogden to Greely St.; turn left one block, then right again to park-ing lot on the left. 210-342-2073. & & & May 4-6 — 8th Annual Southwest Land Trust Conf., San Antonio. Land Trust Alliance & Texas Land Trust Council. Featuring James Levitt, director, Harvard Prog. on Conservation Innovation. http://www.lta.org/training/lct_sw.htm. May 6 — BIRDATHON at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center. See info on p.6. May 6 — 9-11am Friedrich Wilderness Park. 1st Sat. Interpretive Walk, SA Natural Areas. RSVP: 210-698-1057. May 6 — 1st Trans-Texas Quail Count, see http://teamquail.tamu.edu for addi-tional information or to participate. May 6 — Wildflower Field Day. Selah Bamberger Ranch Preserve. 830-868- 2630 or www.bambergerranch.org for info on fees and registration. May 10 — Texas Environmental Excel-lence Awards, TCEQ. 512-239-3150. Congratulations to J. David & Margaret Bamberger, receiving the Environmental Excellence Award for Education. May 13 — 8-10am. Birding 101: Medina River Natural Area Second Saturday program. Bob Doe, Pres. SA Audubon Society. RSVP: 210-624-2575. May 13 — WaterFest Family Day. Alamo-dome. http://www.saws.org/education/ h2o_university/Elementary/WaterFest/. May 13 — 8am-noon. Walk & Roll Fest. Maverick Park (Broadway @ Jones Ave.) Cycling, walking, music, & education promoting better transportation choices, health, & air quality. 210-230-6911 or www.walkandrollSA.com. May 13 — Hill Country Land Steward-ship Workshop. Selah Bamberger Ranch Preserve. 830-868-2630 or www.bambergerranch.org for info. Repeats Sept. 16. May 18 — 7:45am-5pm. Overabundant white-tailed deer in Texas: Impacts on people, communities, & land. Texas State Univ., San Marcos. $50. 800-TEX-WILD or www.texas-wildlife.org. May 20 — 8am-1pm. Native Plant Society of Texas, Big Bend Chapter, trip to Elephant Mountain Wildlife Mgt. Area. Carpool from Alpine. Interpretive guides: Froylan Hernandez, resident biologist; Dr. Martin Terry, botanist at Sul Ross; & Bill McLeod, geologist & author. Great views from 6,225 feet above sea level. Reservations required. Contact m.mecke@sbcglobal.net. May 20 — 10am-evening. Kerr WMA — Birding Seminar & Field Trip. Ecosystem approach to range management & con-servation, wildlife habitat & neo-tropical migrant songbirds. Reservations required: 830-238-4483 or Evelyne.Gray@tpwd.state.tx.us. May 20 — Water Workshop: How to get water on your land without drilling a well. Selah Bamberger Ranch Preserve. 830-868-2630 or www.bamberger-ranch. org for info. Repeats Oct. 21. May 21 — 7am-noon. Seasonal Bird Count. Selah Bamberger Ranch Preserve. Contact Marsha.Reimer@tpwd.state.tx.us. May 25-28 — Joint Cullowhee & Lone Star Regional Native Plant Conf. in Nacogdoches. http://pnpc.sfasu.edu. May 27 — Native Trees & Shrubs Workshop. Selah Bamberger Ranch Preserve. 830-868-2630 or www.bambergerranch.org for info. June Saturdays — Birding 101 for Kids. Morning birding classes: bird ID, behav-ior, & habitat. Free at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center. Call 210-628-1639. June-August — Observe sea turtle hatchling releases at Padre Island National Seashore. Hatchling Hotline: 361-947-7163. Do not touch or take sea turtles or their eggs as federal and state laws protect them. If you see nest-ing turtles or hatchlings, call 1-866- TURTLE-5; mark and protect the site until assistance arrives. June 3 — Walker Ranch. 1st Saturday Interpretive Walk, SA Natural Areas. Reservations: 210-698-1057. June 10 — 10am-noon. Creepy Crawly Critters of South Texas: Gail Dugelby, Nature Preserve Officer. Medina River Natural Area Second Saturday program. June 19-23 & 26-30 — 8:30-noon. Ecology day camps for 7-12-year-olds. Information, registration, & fees: 210- 698-1057. Sponsors: SA Natural Areas & Friends of Friedrich Wilderness Park. July 1 — Crownridge Canyon. 1st Saturday Interpretive Walk, SA Natural Areas. Reservations: 210-698-1057. July 8 — Wild about Wetlands. Learn why wetlands are important, who lives there, & how to conserve water. Free at Mitchell Lake AC. Reply:210-628-1639. July 8 — 10am-noon. CSI for Animals: Learn to identify animals by their tracks, scat, & other signs: Medina River Nat-ural Area Second Saturday program presented by Judit Green, TPWD Urban Biologist. RSVP: 210-624-2575. July 21-23 — Osprey Festival. Celebrate the life of this easy-to-observe raptor. Since a pioneer pair established a nest at Heron Lake State Park in northern NM, the nesting population has grown to 15 pairs. Want to participate in any way? Call 505-588-7470 or email siscilyk.lederman@state.mn.us. July 30 — 2-4pm. Mitchell Lake Audubon Center hosts an orientation session for its next Docent Class. Calling all enthusiastic, energetic people interested in hands-on education & nature appreciation. Register at 210- 628-1639 ext.11. August 2 — Restoration & Management of Riparian Corridors, 8-hour profession-al development seminar presented by the Interagency North Texas Stream Team. Texas A&M Univ. Laredo campus. Info & registration: 956-794-1650 or lbenavides@ci.laredo.tx.us. August 5— Friedrich Wilderness Park. 1st Sat. Interpretive Walk, SA Natural Areas. Reservations: 210-698-1057. September 13-15 — Plant Conserva-tion Conf. Espino Conf. Center, Sul Ross Univ. Alpine. Registration required. September 14 & September 16 — 7th Annual South Texas Farm & Range Forum. See page 1. & & & MORE EVENTS Heron Lake State Park To Have First Annual Osprey Festival In 1990, a pioneer pair of Ospreys established a nest in the Heron Lake State Park area. Since then, the nnegs ptiairs have grown to fifteen. Each summer it is our pleasure to witneses trheturn and nesting activities of the ospreys. As a first-year event, it is our hope that you will join us and help make the Festival fun and rewarding for all. yIfou or your birding group have some-thing to contribute and would like tpoarticipate as presenters, vendors educators or volunteers, contact Heron Lake State Park. Phone 505 588-7470 or e-mail siscilyk.lederman@state.nm.us WHAT’S HAPPENED LATELY? May-July 2006 4 Bexar Tracks Outing to the Medina River Natural Area — April 8, 2006 A few birders and nature lovers gath-ered at the Medina River Natural Area for a beautiful walk along the river. The air was crisp; the sky was clear. Although the area has been open only a year, the staff has done a great job of making the headquarters area welcom-ing and entertaining. The shape of a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher has been fash-ioned in the garden outside the office building. When you visit, please note the progress of the garden as the bird form is filled in with various plantings. One of the first treats on the walk was a Summer Tanager that sang for a time while we tried to identify the call. It finally revealed itself and we got the visual I.D. In addition to the usual Bewick’s Wren, Carolina Wren, White-eyed Vireo, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, etc., we saw a Canada Warbler, although it would not sit very still for us to watch for long. The best bird for me came toward the end of our walk, though none of us could identify the bird while we were there. After check-ing the Thayer’s CD for North American birds upon returning home, I determined that the bird we heard and saw was a Warbling Vireo. Most of the group was introduced to an attractive plant, the Purple Leather-flower, which appeared often along our path. The Medina River Natural Area is the only city natural area on the south side of San Antonio, and it is a jewel for getting out with nature on easily navi-gated paths. — M. Lumpe Mow It or Grow It? Here’s What Our Panelists Said On March 9, fifteen audience members had a lot of questions answered at this San Antonio Environmental Network Public Issues Forum. Mark Peterson of the Texas Forest Service start-ed off the discussion by comparing munici-pal codes. He noted that 10 to 15 cities have identical wording in their codes restricting the maximum height for weeds and grass on residential lots to 12 inches. He found no definition of “brush” except in the San Marcos code, which stated that vegetation under 7 feet, which was not cultivated or main-tained, was “brush.” He stated that the ordinance of Ann Arbor, MI, was espe-cially good. He opined that on private property natural succession should be acceptable, as long as it does not pose a problem or danger to other people. Manuel Flores, gardening expert and broadcaster, told a tale of code enforce-ment run amok. A woman received a certified letter requiring that she remove all vegetation that exceeded the 12- inch maximum height restriction. Her vegetation consisted almost entirely of potted plants selected because they attracted butterflies and humming-birds. However, she lived in an upscale neighborhood and was the only person on her block who didn’t have a green lawn. Her water consumption was half that of her neighbors, and she didn’t need to use pesticides. San Antonio City Code Compliance Department training officer, Steven Lopez, and assistant director, Ramon Mendez, explained that they enforced the code but were not botanists. They agreed that the example that Flores gave probably should not have hap-pened and recommended that if a per-son has such an incident to be sure to contact a supervisor to try to resolve it. Mendez explained the recent “Mow it – don’t grow it” billboard campaign, funded by a year’s grant. The top five calls into the 311 phone line are for vacant lots, abandoned vehicles, front-yard parking, storage, and unkempt property. After the billboards were in place, the 311 calls plummeted; the program was considered to be an effec-tive way to inform citizens of their responsibilities. An earlier observation was that the Municipal Code and the Landscape Ordinance were not consistent. Mendez explained that the Code covers private residential proper-ties while the Landscape Ordinance pertains only to commercial property. Lopez then gave some definitions of words used in the Code. A “weed” is defined as uncultivated vegetation or a plant taller than 12-inches that is other than a tree. A plant is considered brush, rather than a tree, as long as the trunk diameter is less than 2 inches. Lopez said that a majority of a proper-ty can be wildscaped but must have compliance for sighting and safety. Judit Green, Texas Parks and Wildlife Urban Biologist, presented information on the Wildscape Program. One of the resistances to wildscaping is the expec-tation that natural landscapes are havens for rats, snakes, and mosqui-toes. However, in a legal case, City of New Berlin v. Hagar, it was proven than a meadow does not attract rats. Animals are more attracted by pet and bird food and garbage. Also, since native vegetation absorbs water more effectively than typical exotics, a wild-scape would be much more likely to reduce mosquitoes than breed them. Richard Alles, Citizens Tree Coalition, encouraged adoption of more cohe-sive, consistent, precisely worded ordi-nances. For example, differentiate between rank vegetation (invasive, unmaintained) and natural native understory. Wisconsin’s well-written codes were offered as examples. This excellent forum brought together people from opposite ends of the spec-trum, and it appeared to me that they were listening to one another as much the audience was. — Jill Sondeen Second Saturdays February 11 was a blustery, cold day for watching birds, but 9 participants braved the weather to attend “Winged Adventures” presented by Patsy and Tom Inglet. Patsy and Tom captivated the audience with tales of bird adapta-tions, several skulls and other resources to examine, lessons on using binoculars, and a discussion of responsible bird feeding. The weather kept most of the feathered friends away, but everyone got to see at least a few birds and all agreed the program was informative. March 11 found 19 adults and 14 youth learning about the bands of people that inhabited central Texas from the end of the ice age to the present. Lynn Yakubik, Legacy Program Coordinator at the Center for Archaeological Research, led the audience on a virtual tour of the lifeways of these nomadic hunter-gatherers. She exhibited numerous artifacts: arrow and dart points, stone knives, lechugilla san-dals, a rabbit stick, and preserved remains from Columbian mammoths. A highlight for many was to practice using an atlatl (pronounce it “ott-lot-tle”) — a special stick designed to pro-pel spears. The atlatl was the primary hunting implement until approximate-ly 1000 years ago, when the bow and arrow began to be used in this area. Lynn’s information about Native Americans in Central Texas and her description of an archaeological dig whetted the appetites of both young and old amateur archaeologists. — Thanks to Peggy Spring and our co-sponsor SAParks & Rec Natural Areas. & & & Great Photos from Nature National Audubon announced winners of its 2005 Photo Contest. See them at http://www.audubon.org/newswire/ Newswire_PhotoContest_05.html. & & & Texas Wildscapes info: see http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntw ild/wild/wildscapes/certification/tx _wildscapes/#application. Local Eco Alerts The cactus moth, an invasive insect with a voracious appetite for all types of Opuntia cactus, especially prickly pear, is expected to arrive in Texas in 2007. For color pho-tos of the bright orange and black-banded larva, go to Google Images and search “cactus moth.” Formosan termites from Louisiana? Check out these websites for more information on efforts under way to pre-vent spread of Formosan subterranean termites in mulch from Louisiana fol-lowing hurricanes Katrina and Rita: http://www.agctr.lsu.edu/en/environ-ment/ insects/Termites/formosan_ter-mites/ Efforts+under+way+to+prevent +spread+of+Formosan+subter-ranean+ termites+in+mulch+from+Lou isiana+follow.htm AND interesting discussion at http://www.snopes.com/ inboxer/household/termites.asp. & & & Keep Active — Stay Aware Get action alerts from National Audubon’s Public Policy department. Visit audubonaction@audubon.org. & & & Correction to last issue’s Useful Phone Numbers: 210-403-4092/4039 Texas Commission on Environmental Quality & & & For your reading pleasure: rec-ommendations of Mike Mecke: • Trees, Shrubs and Vines of the Texas Hill Country by Jan Wrede (Texas A&M Press) $23.00. Good photos and info on Hill Country & North Texas species. • White-Tailed Deer Habitat: Ecology and Management on Rangelands by Timothy Fullbright & Alfonso Ortega-S. (Texas A&M Press) $27.50. Good infor-mation on deer biology, nutrition, and habitat management. Although much concerning South Texas, info on range-land management, nutrition, habitat requirements, and harvest and popula-tion management applies anywhere. Thanks to donors to EarthShare of Texas, Audubon Texas, and the Audubon Foundation of Texas for a generous grant to support our sec-ond environmental summit meeting. & & & You Don’t Have to Guess! How do you know when your land-scape needs watering? Visit www.saws.org and follow the Seasonal Irrigation Program (SIP) advice. You can register online to receive a weekly e-mail or phone message with SIP advice per-sonalized for your grass type, sun exposure, and watering day. And remember — convert your turf-grass to a watersaver, wildlife-friendly landscape for even more benefits! SAWS still offers REBATES for water-saver landscape conversions. http://www.saws.org/conservation/h2 ome/landscape/index.shtml SAVE WATER • SAVE MONEY PROTECT OUR AQUIFERS & STREAMS ELIMINATE PESTICIDES GIVE WILDLIFE A HOME ENRICH THE BEAUTY OF YOUR GARDEN WITH BIRDS & BUTTERFLIES Bexar Tracks 5 May-July 2006 TIDBITS Kudzu has been found in Austin, Texas “Earth Share of Texas: One environment. One simple way to care for it.” Earth Share of Texas represents the Audubon Foundation of Texas and the National Audubon Society in payroll deduction plans for charitable giving. For information, call 800-GREENTX or e-mail estx@earthshare-texas.org. Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid San Antonio, TX Permit #590 Bexar Audubon Society, Inc. P.O. Box 6084 San Antonio, TX 78209-0084 May-July 2006 6 Bexar Tracks Please call or e-mail San Antonio’s Mayor and City Council right away. On May 11 Council may consider revisions that WEAKEN the Treee Preservation Ordinance. Attend the Council meeting if you can. For more information on the ordinance and proposed amendments, see http://www.treecoalition.org/amend.htm Here’s how to contact San Antonio City Council Mayor’s office: 210-207-7060 mayor@sanantonio.gov Council offices: 210-207-7040 district##@sanantonio.gov (where ## is the district: 01-10) Bexar Tracks is the official newsletter of the Bexar Audubon Society, a Chapter of the National Audubon Society. The Chapter’s primary goals are to promote species and habitat conservation and envi-ronmental education in the community. Introductory memberships to National Audubon Society (NAS), including a sub-scription to Audubon magazine, are $20. This includes membership in Bexar Audubon, as well, and a subscription to Bexar Tracks. Please submit your new or gift member-ship through Bexar Audubon, so your entire first-year’s dues will benefit your local chapter: Bexar Audubon. Separate 100% deductible donations to Bexar Audubon Society are seriously needed to support the newsletter and expenses related to our services to our community. As the dues share to chapters from National Audubon has been signifi-cantly curtailed over the past several years, your individual donations to BAS are absolutely vital today. MEMBERSHIP & SUPPORT FORM (list gifts on another sheet, please): Mail to BAS at the address above. Make your check payable to “Bexar Audubon Society” $20 individual/couple membership - $15 seniors/full-time students: $________ • Your additional support for BAS $_______ Name: Mailing address: City/State: ZIP CODE:________________ AC/Phone: E-mail: Check here to opt out of other mailings______ A few quick questions for our readers: The BAS Board seeks options to help bal-ance our operating budget for Bexar Tracks. Please help by replying to this survey by phone: 210-862-1150 (you can leave your answers on voice mail) or e-mail to editor@bexaraudubon.org. 1. Do you know that Bexar Tracks is already posted on the Bexar Audubon website: www.bexaraudubon.org? 2. Would or could you receive Bexar Tracks electronically as a .pdf file? 3. Would you find it more or less useful to you or no different? 4. If published only on the website, would you want e-mail notification when a new Bexar Tracks is posted? 5. Would you want other information and/or action alerts by e-mail? 6. Should we seek related advertising or underwriting to help support Bexar Tracks? ? ACTION ALERT • CONTACT S.A. CITY COUNCIL BEFORE MAY 11 • SAVE THE TREE PRESERVA-TION ORDINANCE • PROTECT UNDERSTORY
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