| Summary: | Bexar Tracks began with Vol. 4, no. 1 (January 1986). It continues Newsletter (Bexar Audubon Society). VOLUME IX, NO. 12 512·822·4503 DECEMBER 1991 BEXAR AUDUBON SOCIETY CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY The Chapter's primary goals are to promote species and habitat conservation and environmental education In the community. Rsident's Letter Happy Holiday Season! It is time once again for this most delightful of all holiday seasons, when we may set aside some of the struggles of our daily lives and rejoice in the wealth of our friendships and families. As you do your holiday gift shopping this year, I urge you to keep in mind with each purchase what the end result will be, and make this year an environmentally sensitive one. The Nature Company at North Star Mall will give us an opportunity to do this as well as share 5 percent of their profits on Wednesday, December 11, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Since we did not have our auction this year, every little bit of fund-raising is important to us. I will be there, and I hope to see you there also. We also have a good supply of Rainforest Nut Crunch available for your holiday giving for $5.00 per box. The candy is great, and a portion of the proceeds goes to support the preservation of rainforests. It will be available at our December 19 meeting, but, if you cannot wait until then, call Walter at 736-0355. A little more work has been done on the Audubon logo. The final version looks like this: BAS General Meeting December 19 The BAS holiday tradition continues this year with a general meeting focusing on fellowship and the future. Look forward to three major activities on Thursday, December 19 at our next general meeting, to be held at the Ruble Center at 7 pm: • election of officers for 1992- see the slate of officer candidates later in this issue; • sharing fellowship and holiday goodies - please bring a snack or dessert to share; and • sharing members' favorite slides (yes, this includes yours, if you like). If you will share a selection of your slides of wildlife, travel, or nature, please call Nathan Ratner (826-4462) in advance, so h,e can plan the "slide share" schedule. [Be sure to clearly mark your slides with your name and phone number.) Nature Company Hosts Audubon Fund Sharing December 11, 7-9 pm The Nature Company, a Berkeley-based company with the stated goal of helping people enjoy and understand the natural world, has generously offered to share their proceeds the evening of Wednesday, December 11 to It is difficult to believe that three years of serving as benefit BAS. Please be there to help them help us while your president have passed. It has been one of the most they help you complete your holiday shopping! rewarding experiences of my life, and my gratitude to the The Nature Company is a natural, "must many people who made it so is beyond measure. While I shop" stop for people like us, with approwill no longer be president, I will not be leaving the priate gifts for all ages and interests, from board at this time. My plans for the coming year will be toddler to teen, executive to weekend natuto enhance member involvement. My first contacts will ralist- everybody on your gift list. be with the new members who have filled out and Save your purchasing for December 11, returned the new member survey forms. from 7 to 9. You may even win a valuable door prize- a Thank you for the wonderful opportunity. It was a privi- pair of binoculars- and you'll help BAS, for sure. lege, and the memories and friendships will go on forever. The Nature Company is in the center of North Star Mall, Happy holidays and an especially happy new year! between the Saks and Marshall Field's wings. If you want Marge Flandermeyer to see a catalog in advance, call Susan Hughes (696-6868) n right away. See you Wednesday! m '--' Printed on recycled paper. Please recycle in the interest of the present and the future. 16(Y fi] BEXAR TRACKS, December 1991 BAs to Elect Officers, Board Members Following is the slate of candidates presented by the BAS Nominating Committee. Thanks to Doris French, Chairman; Fred Adams and Dick Pipes, members for presenting a well-qualified slate. The election will occur at the BAS Meeting, December 19 at 7 pm. Please be there to show your support for the BAS Board, to make your interests and concerns known, and to take an active role in the future of BAS. r --- BA-Lrof::-sxs-f9921fo~-DElEc:ffi5N ___ l President . O Walter Barfield (write-in) --- Vice President . 0 Marge Flandermeyer (write-in) --- Secretary . O Caryl Swann (write-in) --- Treasurer . 0 Betty Minyard (write-in) --- Board Member . 0 Thelma Nungesser (write-in) --- Board Member . 0 Rusty Guyer (write-in) --- L --- I I I I I I I I If you cannot attend the meeting, but wish to vote by mail ballot, please mark and cut out this ballot and mail it to the Election Teller, Bexar Audubon Society, PO Box 6084, San Antonio, TX 78209. Your name and address as it appears on your newsletter label must be clearly marked on the outside of your mailing envelope in order to validate your vote, but need not appear on your ballot to protect the privacy of your vote. Mail ballots must be received by December 17 in order to be counted. (Write-in candidates must be members of BAS and ballots with write-ins must b~ accompanied by a statement signed by the candidate indicating willingness to serve if elected.) In a survey of 240 corporate communicators reported in AR News, November 1991, recycled paper was used by a third of the corporations for their 1990 annual report, but 62 percent intend to use recycled paper next year. Rainforest Nut Crunch for Sale You can buy Rainforest Nut Crunch for $5 per box at the BAS general meeting December 19 and support BAS activities for the coming year. It makes a great gift or a handy holiday treat, and this is a great price, too. If you won't be able to attend the meeting, or can't wait 'til then, call Walter Barfield, at 736-0355. He'll be glad to sell you some! Page2 SAEc Addresses Edwards Water Enhancement Issues December 10 The San Antonio Environmental Coalition will present "Brush Clearing for Water Enhancement on the Edwards Plateau: A Balancing Act," an environmental issues forum.: Dr. David Diamond, community ecologist with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Natural Heritage Program, and Dr. Larry White, range scientist with the Texas A&M Research & Extension Center in Uvalde, will be the guest speakers. Brush clearing is one method proposed to protect the Edwards Aquifer and improve the quality and quantity of Edwards water. The Seco Creek watershed experimental project west of San Antonio and its implications for the future will be the topics. Bexar Audubon Society, the Texas Forest Service, and Bexar Grotto are sponsors of the December forum, which is free and open to the public. See calendar for details. Attending a Coalition meeting is a great way to catch up on all the current· activities and concerns of environmental groups in the San Antonio area. Don't miss it. Act for Wildlife in '92- June 13-18 Audubon is planning its first ever national convention in Washington, D.C, in June 1992. Entitled "Act for Wildlife in '92: Endangered Species Need You!," this convention is scheduled to enable Audubon members to ·join forces at a critical time for wildlife in the nation's capital. Not only is it an election year, but 1992 will be one of the biggest ever for environmental legislation affecting wildlife and wildlife habitat. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is up for reauthorization in 1992, and next June will be a critical time for decision making on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge legislation, Clean Water Act, and the Ancient Forest bill. At least 1,000 Auduboners are ~§§§~ expected to attend to learn about the 1: threats to wildlife and the ESA and to make their views known on environmental bills before Congress. "Act for Wildlife in '92" will include three days of workshops on issues, lobbying, and organizing skills; a day on Capitol Hill topped off with a Congressional reception; both day-long and multi-day field trips to outstanding natural areas in the Mid-Atlantic region, including the Chesapeake Bay, Canaan Valley (a unique subalpine ecosystem tucked in the mountains of West Virginia), historic Harper's Ferry, the C&O canal; and birding in littleknown, local wetland areas - not to mention the many museums, cultural, and historic sights of Washington, D.C. A brochure giving details on program, registration, lodging, and field trips will be available during January 1992. I REDUCE • REUSE • RECYCLE • REDUCE • REUSE • RECYCLE • REDUCE • REUSE I Page3 'Utunteer Opportunities Window Display for Mitchell Lake Sanctuary Project Here's an opportunity to help give the Mitchell Lake Sanctuary Project a boost and raise community awareness regarding the importance of this rich resource. Window space on Houston Street is being made available for this purpose. A wealth of information is available for use. Someone experienced in display art will make the difference in the effectiveness of this display. Please phone Marge Flandermeyer (684-2668) or Ruth Lofgren (732-5392) by December 15, if you are interested. MBO Birder's Exchange Operating under the theme, "Your old binoculars can help save birds," the Manomet Bird Observatory (MBO) Birder's Exchange makes a difference to wildlife in Latin America. According to a group of Latin American biologists at a recent MBO symposium on neotropical migrant birds, "Most 'North American' migratory birds actually spend half of their lives in the neotropics, a region experiencing high rates of deforestation and other environmen-tal pressures. Efforts to preserve these species must be international, yet a lack of binoculars and other basic research equipment is frustrating the efforts of Latin American research and conservation groups. Without proper equipment, these groups cannot identify and protect habitats crucial to resident and migrant birds and educate the public about conservation issues." In association with MBO, BAS is looking for someone to coordinate a used equipment drive to assist underequipped nature centers and biologists in Mexico and Central and South America in their efforts to preserve birdlife. Please contact Marge Flandermeyer (684-2668). National Chapter Membership Application 0 Yes, I'd like to join. Please enroll me as a member of the National Audubon Society and of my local chapter, Bexar IA1Jd\Ibcm Society. Please send Audubon magazine, Bexar Tracks, and my membership card to the address below. 0 A $20 check for my introductory membership is enclosed. 0 I think an Audubon Society membership is a great gift. d gift memberships to my friends and family at right. NAME. _____________________________ ___ ADDRESS. ____________________________ __ CITY/STATE/ZIP ___________ _ PHONE. _________________ __ Make all checks payable to the National Audubon Society. . --- Send this form and your check to: i Wl9 l Bexar Audubon Society l--~!;:~J P.O.Box 6084, San Antonio, TX 78209 BEXAR TRACKS, December 1991 fij T:e Education Report The Education Committee will not meet in December. We will meet again on Tuesday, January 7. Members and others who may be interested in this area are asked to attend. The BAS video film library is available to teachers or other groups for educational purposes. A list of our videos is available on request. The deadline has passed to order additional Audubon Adventures for elementary school classrooms. If you would like to contribute to this worthy project, please send $30 to BAS and we will earmark it to provide this program for a classroom next September. 1 Contact Betty Minyard, Education Chair, 344-6128, for information about any of these education programs. Ecology Scholarship Offered Again this year BAS will award a $500 scholarship to attend one of the NAS Ecology Camps or Workshops. The competition is open to any teachers or other education workers, such as zoo docents and scout leaders. These camps and workshops are generally held in the summer, though there are some at other times of the year. To apply for the scholarship, obtain an application form and the guidelines. Selection is based upon the essay written by each entrant. A committee of judges makes the decision regarding the winner. The deadline to apply is March 15. The winner is announced on April 1. A list of the camps and workshops, dates, places, and prices is sent along with the application form. A color brochure describes the camps and workshops in detail. To get your application materials, call Betty Minyard at 344-6128 or Thelma Nungesser at 824-8199. Gift Membership Please enroll the following and send a gift card from m My check for$ ($20 per membership), nn•.•nllto• to the National Audubon Society, is enclosed. I. NAME ____________________________ __ ADDR~S. __________________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP --- Gift occasion: Christmas, birthday, ? _________ _ Sign gift card: __________________________ _ 2.NAME ____________________________ _ ADDR~S. __________________________ __ CITY/STATE/ZIP --- Gift occasion: Christmas, birthday, ? _________ _ Sign gift card: __________________________ _ If you need more space, please write your other gift on a separate piece of paper. Thank you for your support. fij BEXAR TRACKS, December 1991 Note: You don't have to have a scholarship in order to attend one of these fine camps and workshops. Get a brochure and look them over. Whatever your occupation or avocation, an Audubon activity may be what you've been looking for. Membership Database Dynamic Many local environmental groups routinely note names of new members, addresses, and phone number changes in their newsletters. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on your perspective, BAS is so large this cannot be done. We mail approximately 1,400 copies of Bexar Tracks each month -most to our members. Each month we add 80 to 130 new members and those transferring into our chapter. This past year we have started to send letters of welcome and a questionnaire to new members. We do appreciate each of you, whether you are a recent member or have been a loyal member for many years. If there is something you'd like to see the membership committee do or if you have questions, please contact Thelma Nungesser, 824-8199. ~r-End Giving Reaps Tax Benefits Memorials, tributes, gifts, or other dona- ~Q tions to Bexar Audubon can benefit your 1991 tax results. Contact Marge - Flandermeyer (684-2668) for information on \ (r •. how your tax-deductible year-end gift can ::::\:\. -_,,., help BAS and you. ·.·.·······:::::••·•·•·• . Conservation Committee Active Richard Pipes, BAS Conservation Committee chair, reports the committee met October 31 and heard from numerous active subcommittee chairs. Page4 Open Space Planning- Linda and Ted Tippen reported that the city's Open Space Advisory Committee is being taken seriously and that the prospects for environmentally sensitive decisions looks better than ever before. They also suggested that BAS look for ways to improve its visibility and impact in the area of open space planning. Public Lands (Refuges, Forests, & Wetlands) - Richard Pipes reported that the Senate Energy Bill 1220 was being voted on the next day (11-1-91). The Senate defeated this industry sponsored, environmentally destructive piece of legislation. The entire country should take heart that the people can prevail at times over the entrenched exploiters of this nation's resources and unique environments, e.g., the Arctic Wildlife Refuge. Resource Conservation (Solid Waste & Recyclinfi) - Walter Barfield noted that the revised list of recycling centers was now available. He also reported on BAS plans for the Saturday Earth Fair at San Pedro Park. (Editor's note: The BAS booth at Earth Fair was a clear success. The updated recycling centers directory was distributed not only at the BAS booth, but at several other organizations' booths, as well. It was a real hit with the attendees. Comments included: "I've been looking for that." "I really need this." "This is the best thing here today.'') The rest of the meeting was devoted to discussions on how to encourage more of the BAS membership to become active in chapter activities. For its part, the Conservation Committee attempts to recruit additional activists through telephone contacts. The committee feels this is the highest priority concern at this point if BAS is to be a force in the local environmental movement. The next meeting of the committee will be on Thursday, December 5 at 7 pm at the Botanical Center. For more information contact Richard Pipes, BAS Conservation Committee chair, at 1-512-569-2452. Audubon Council of Texas Report Adopt-a-Park- Susan Rust reported one of the initial Doris French reports that the Audubon Council Fall concerns of the new superintendent of Friedrich Park Meeting convened in Abilene on October 25-26, 1991. would have to be apparent vandalism in the park. Betty Minyard and Doris attended the meeting as BAS Otherwise, the program is going pretty much as planned. delegates. Delegates from ten chapters attended. New The Woodland Hills project adjacent to the park was officers were announced, and David Carson was annexed by the city and the biological survey and study announced as new member of the National Audubon conducted by the developer are pending a second review Board representing the Council. by the Fish and Wildlife Service. The city was urged to ini- Two important issues receiving special attention were tiate the plan. the Endangered Species Act and the wetlands definition Mitchell Lake -The city is still reviewing contracts. process. Members were urged to pursue these problems. Endangered Species- Jim Garriot spoke on several One speaker, Patty Stowbridge-Gough, reported on the aspects of the Endangered Species Act and resulting con- African Elephant Research and Survival Ranch. In a few flicts between the environmental community and the years we will be able to visit and observe African eleresource developers. The impending revision of the Act phants on a secure preserve near Abilene, Texas. in 1992 may see the most bitter fight in the history of the The meeting was interesting and entertaining and left environmental movement. A Bexar County ESA should be our delegates wanting more. The Spring 1992 meeting will considered. be held in Dallas. In one year the average tree gives off enough oxygen to allow four people to breathe for a year. Just another reason to conserve wildlife habitat. [Thanks to Allen Peny for this "Did You Know . ?"] PageS Llanos of Venezuela Field Trip Travis Audubon is sponsoring a field trip to the Llanos of Venezuela March 5-14, 1992. Led by Bob Barth, associate professor of Zoology at UT Austin, and Jane Lyons, of NAS staff, the birding trip's destination is Hato Pinero, a private ranch and wildlife sanctuary on the plains. Guests may expect to see Scarlet Ibis, Jabiru, Maguari Stork, Black-collared Hawk, Aplomado Falcon, Horned Screamer, Hoatzin, Southern Lapwing, and many more. Approximate cost from Caracas is $1,500 ($200 deposit due January 15). Call Bob at 512-327-1173 or Jane at 512- 327-1943. Birding Safari in Belize Lytle and Alan Blankenship of Uvalde and Ingram, Texas, respectively, are leading a birding safari to Belize and Guatemala February 15-27, 1992 and are expecting some 300 species of native birds - plus many migratory ones -to be apparent. Approximate costs are $2,315 from Houston ($250 deposit due January 1). Call Lytle at 512-278-5800 or Alan at 512-367-4928. ''G reen" Is "IN" -Buyers Beware "Green" marketing is definitely a trend, but sometimes that "green" veneer is far from environmentally sound. When you purchase products for home or office or - in this holiday season - for gifts, read the labels. Be aware. Develop a critical eye and read behind the words and symbols some manufacturers add to their products. What do the words "recyclable," "ozone-friendly," and "biodegradable" (to name just a few) really mean? What happened to animals or other natural resources in order to make these products? What was the energy cost? What will become of the products later? Just think. Sometimes this approach is called "pre-cycling." It's a really good idea today or any day. Legislative Update National Wildlife Refuge System Management and Policy Act The National Wildlife Refuge System Management and Policy Act has just been introduced to make wildlife the top priority on refuges. Take time to write your senators and congressperson now urging that they co-sponsor S1862 or HR3688. An information packet is available from NAS by phoning the 24-hour Actionline, 202-547-9009. (During business hours, ask for the Actionline or extension 3456. After hours, dial 4 when the automated attendant answers.) BEXAR TRACKS, December 1991 fij Protection for Wetlands Register your objection to the changes In the EPA wetlands delineation manual by December 14. Send comments to Mr. Gregory Peck, Chief, Wetlands and Aquatic Resources Regulatory Branch, Mail Code (A-104F), U.S. E.P.A., 401 M St., SW, Washington, DC 20460. More support is needed to ensure protection for our vital wetlands. Also write President Bush to oppose efforts in the administration and Congress to limit the definitions and weaken Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, a key wetlands protection law. £ agle Survey Volunteers Needed Texas Parks & Wildlife is accepting volunteers to assist in the annual midwinter bald eagle survey scheduled for January 10-12. Volunteers are needed for Lake Livingston, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Lake o' the Pines, Wright Patman Reservoir, Lake Conroe, and other sites. Contact TPWD by December 17 by writing to the Nongame Resources Program, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744 or call1-800-792-1112, ext. 4771 , or 512- 389-4771. If writing, include day and night telephone numbers and indicate preferred site. ~at Is Your Gift This Season? The January issue is an appropriate place to share what each of us may return to the earth and to one another - whatever our species - as we begin a new year. Write, fax, or phone the editor to share your New Year's resolution, gift, or wish, and we'll share it with your fellow members in the new year. BAS needs each of you. The earth needs your thoughtful concern and your committed action. Please take a moment to consider the question - and another moment to participate. Address: PO Box 690028, San Antonio, TX 78269-0028. Phone: 512-696-6868. FAX: 512- 696-8053. Bexar Tracks The editor believes the information in this publication to be accurate as of : December 1. We welcome contributions of news, opinions, letters, and other information of interest to members. Any submission may be edited. If you have comments or contributions for Bexar Tracks, please JOHN J. AUDUBON 178:5-1151 I'INNATU> GROUSr. AUDUBON ROUGE CUIFORNIA RED WINE send them to the editor, POB """'""o oonw . v•uuuooHcw.w . """'·"" 690028, San Antonio, TX L~==O=H"i';'"~-~"ivo="'"·~·~""c"i''i;;;'"'~'":";=~ 78269-{)028. fij BEXAR TRACKS, December 1991 Calendar Dec. 7 Natural history hike. Friedrich Wilderness Park, 10 am. For more information, call821-5143. Dec. 10 Edwards Underground Water District monthly meeting, 4 pm. Call 222-2204 for location. Aquifer protection and water conservation for Edwards Aquifer. Dec. 14 Second Saturday at Friedrich Wilderness Park. Topic: Explorers' Texas- What was Texas like when the Europeans arrived? Call821-5143 for time. Dec. 14 Deadline for comments to EPA on wetlands. Jan. 4 Natural history hike. Friedrich Wilderness Park, 10 am. For more information, call821-5143. BEXAR AUDUBON SOCIETY P.O. BOX6084 SAN ANTONIO, TX 78209 Address Correction Requested OffiCERS AND BOARD Marge Flandenneyer, President . . . . . 684-2668 Betty Minyard, Vice President . . . . . 344-S128 Walter Barfield, Treasurer . . . . . . . 736-0355 Caryl Swann, Secretary . . . . . . . . 653-2860 Audrey Cooper, Board Member . . . 651-S054 Ronald "Rusty" Guyer, Board Member . . 226-S808 Susan K. Hughes, Board Member . . 696-S868 Thelma Nungesser, Board Member . . . 824-8199 Blair Richter, Board Member . 824-8251 COMMmEE CHAIRMEN Conservation, Richard Pipes . 1-512-569-2452 Education, Betty Minyard . . . 344-S128 Finance, Jerome Hansmann . . 342-5131 Membership, Thelma Nungesser . 824-8199 Newsletter Editor, Susan K. Hughes . . . . . 696-S868 Outings, Caryl Swann . . 653-2860 Programs, Nathan Ratner . . 826-4462 Publicity, Blair Richter . . 824-8251 Page6 Jan. 11 Second Saturday at Friedrich Wilderness Park, 9 am. Topic: Birds of Prey. Call821-5143. Mar. 5-7 Urbanization and the Riverine Environment: Design Approaches to Sustainable Urban Stream Corridors and Wetlands. Marriott Brookhollow, Houston. Contact Elizabeth Nelson, 713-684-4037. April3-5 Texas Wilderness Pow-Wow, Indian Mounds. ~ May 17-20 4th North American posium on and Resource Management. Contact Donald . Field, Program Chair, School of Natural Resources, 146 Agriculture Hall, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706. Papers invited. """"""""'""" Every Thursday, 1pm, San Antonio City Council meetings, City Hall. Also airs on cable. There are almost always issues of environmental concern on the agenda. Monitor and report any issue of significance to the Conservation Chairperson or individual issues chairs. San Antonio Light GreenLine offers environmental tips and event reminders 24-hours a day at 512-554- 0500, category 7220. When you write your national elected officials, send a copy to NAS headquarters, 950 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022. Let BAS know when you write on local issues. The association monitors support for issues and "reminds" officials about their constituents' opinions. NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS Permit No. 590
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