Bexar tracks : the newsletter of the Bexar Audubon Society, Vol. 10, No. 05

• Main Author: Bexar Audubon Society
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: San Antonio, Tex. : Bexar Audubon Society, 1992
• Subjects: Birds > Conservation > Texas > Periodicals.; Ornithology > Texas > Periodicals.; Nature conservation > Texas > Periodicals; Clubs and Organizations; Science and Technology; Arctic; Audrey; Austin; Bebe; Breen; Chanda; Malone; Marcos; Marian; McKelvey; Messa; Ortiz; Pacific; Plano; Ramirez; Reeves; San Fernando; Swann; The Corridor; Tippen; Turtle Island; Workman
• Online Access: http://digital.utsa.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p15125coll10/id/8151

Bexar Tracks began with Vol. 4, no. 1 (January 1986). It continues Newsletter (Bexar Audubon Society). 3Yac£s 512-822-4503 MAY 1992 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. Inside Tracks • The president's comments on the Endangered Species Act • Viva Botanical successful • Legislative action alert • New ancient forests initiative • BIRDATHON to the schools • Population Lobby Week report • Audubon Council of Texas • Thanks to our volunteers • Your efforts are needed • Migration count on May 9 • Big Bend and Gulf Coast com­ments sought • Citizens' Workshops scheduled • Environmental Coalition Meets on San Antonio's future • Summer youth ecology camp BAS Member Activities Endo,ngered Springs Ecosystems Are the Focus of Both General Meeting and Outing in Mag Bexar Audubon Society will meet on Thursday, May 21. from 7-9 pm. The meeting will be held at the Ruble Center, 419 E. Magnolia. For directions to the Center, call any board or committee member listed on the back page of this newsletter. Tom Arsuffi, aquatic ecologist and assistant professor of biology at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, will present "Endangered Springs Ecosystems," focus­ing on the Coma! Springs of New Braunfels and San Marcos Springs. Arsuffi has researched wetlands, stream ecology, salt marshes, springs, and lakes, and earned his graduate degrees from Kent State and New Mexico State. His post doc­toral work was at the University of Georgia. Join us in welcoming Tom Arsuffi . and bring a friend. Free and open to the public. May 23 Outing to San Marcos Springs Dr. Arsuffi has arranged for us to view the San Marcos Springs through the interesting perspective of the glass-bottomed boats at Aquarena Springs on Saturday, May 23. We will meet at the Jim's on Loop 410 at Perrin-Beitel between 8:00 and 8:15 am, with plans to arrive at Aquarena Springs and be prepared for our tour at 9:30am. Of course, those wishing to enjoy breakfast at Jim's before leaving should plan accordingly. The option of tubing the river after our tour is open and will be arranged if there is sufficient interest. Please call Betty Minyard, 344-6128, to (A) let her know you plan to attend the outing, and (B) whether you wish to go tubing. Participate in City's Master Planning Conservation Meets before General Meeting During May, Bexar Audubon urges you to participate in one or more of the City's Master Plan Citizen Workshops (see cal­endar). You may attend any workshop convenient to you, whether or not it is in your City Council district. While you may participate in as many workshops as you wish, each ses­sion is identical in purpose and agenda, so attending one is suf­ficient for contributing your ideas and suggestions. This is our best opportunity to contribute positively toward planning the future of our city. Let's take it and use it well. Come early to the Ruble Center and participate in or observe the Conservation Committee meeting at 6 pm Thursday, May 21. Keep in touch with a wide range of national and local issues, and find out what you can do to make a difference. The Conservation Committee wants and needs your partici­pation to monitor issues, to attend hearings and other meet­ings, to write letters, and/or to just be aware. Focus on an ongoing committee issue or bring your own hot topic, but come to where the action is- the Conservation Committee. fij BEXAR TRACKS, May 1992 Bexar Facts President's Letter "The Congress finds and declares that­( 1) Various species of fish, wildlife, and plants in the United States have been ren­dered extinct as a consequence of economic growth and development untempered by adequate concern and conservation; (2) Other species of fish, wildlife, and plants have been so depleted in numbers that they are in danger of or threatened with extinction; (3) These species of fish, wildlife, and plants are of esthetic, ecological, educa­tional, historical, recreational, and scien­tific value to the nation and its people; (4} The United States has pledged itself as a sovereign state in the international community to conserve to the extent practicable the various species of fish or wildlife and plants facing extinction . " 16 USC §153J(a), Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended The Endangered Species Act is a noble attempt to codify the obligation that we as a nation owe the natural world. The provi­sions of the Act are neither trivial nor are they capricious. and species are listed "solely on the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available . " [16USC §1533(b)(1)(A)). The Act requires consid­eration of "economic impact, and any other relevant impact" [16USC §1533(b)(2)) prior to any critical habitat designation, and directs federal agencies to "cooperate with state and local agen­cies to resolve water resource issues in concert with conservation of endangered species" [16USC §1531(c)(2)). Only when the Sierra Club brought suit in federal court requiring that the Secretary of the Interior develop a recov­ery plan for the endangered species which depend on the Edwards Aquifer for their habitat and to regulate aquifer with­drawals did the Texas Water Commission assert its authority to begin regulation of the Edwards Underground "River." On April 10, 1992, Mayor Nelson Wolff released a statement highly critical of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Endangered Species Act. He referred to USFWS as "another example of runaway Page2 A BAS Update federal agencies mandating arbitrary application of federal laws." I, for one, do not believe that USFWS arbitrarily applies federal law. Also, please contact Senator Max Baucus (D-Mt), Environmental Protection Subcommittee, Washington, DC 20510 and ask him to put the environmental del­egation from San Antonio on the commit­tee's agenda when Mayor Nelson Wolff is scheduled to testify on the Edwards Aquifer endangered species issue. For an easy-to-read primer on the ESA, get Balancing on the Brink of Extinction, Kathryn A. Kohm, ed. (Island Press:1991). Available from Susan Rust, 826'-4698. Thanks to Our Bexar Audubon Volunteers For over twenty years elected officials and other persons in authority have known endangered species inhabit the Edwards Aquifer and springs ecosystem. For all these years, because of inadequate state laws, or apathetic agencies, or vested special interests, or inadequate data, or developers' rights. or any one of a hun­dred other reasons. nothing was done to protect the Edwards and its species. No serious efforts were made to develop basin-wide water plans, or to foster con­servation, or to protect the recharge zone. Land speculators built over the recharge Thanks to Bexar Audubon Society val­zone, and tax abatements encouraged unteers for help with the booth at the them; agricultural interests insisted on Leon Valley fair in March. Betty Minyard property rights. and catfish farmers and Thelma Nungesser tended the booth. exploited them; water utilities offered Susan Hughes and Walter Barfield deceptively cheap water rates, and people helped with AV requirements. Thanks to took advantage of them; until now. Bear Audio-Visual for the loan of a pro- The Endangered Species Act, Fountain jector used for a continuous slide show of Darters, and living springs do not threaten to backyard birds. Leon Valley mayor Irene disrupt "the lives of over one million people," Baldridge sent Bexar Audubon a letter of as Mayor Wolff suggests; but unrestrained thanks for our participation. population growth, misdirected economic Viva Botanica! was a great success! development, and continuing declines in this Thanks to all our dedicated volunteers area's quality of life surely will. who hawked T-shirts. beach towels, and This region has no reason to fear the candy and encouraged folks to join in the provisions of the Endangered Species Act. activities of Bexar Audubon Society. The Federal law requires USFWS to work with event netted four new members on the state and local agencies to develop recov- spot. Viva Botanica! participants included ery plans, and guaranteed spring flows Caryl Swann. Marge Flandermeyer, also mean adequate water supplies. Sabina Thomas, Thelma Nungesser, The Endangered Species Act is the cata- Chanda Day, Susan P. Rust, Stuart and lyst which has forced this region to come to Nettie Birnbaum, Betty Minyard, Barb terms with its non-sustainable water poli- and Nick DeLuca, Karen and Mel Shupp, cies. For that reason alone, we should sup- Pat Honsberger, Ann E. Morris, Tatjana port its strengthening and reauthorization. Terauds, Susan Hughes, and Walter - Walter G. Barfield Barfield, who spearheaded the effort and NOTE: in addition to Mayor Wolff, who set up and managed the booth. recently announced his intent to testify on Thanks to Mark Oehlert of CMG&O the Endangered Species Act, local environ- Advertising Services for donating the menta/leaders Bebe Fenstermaker and design of the new BAS Whooping Crane Merry Baker Stough will be travelling to T-shirt and for arranging printing at cost. Washington to testify before Congress on Thanks to Anita Reeves and Tatjana the ESA. Stough and Fenstermaker need Terauds for the April Bexar Tracks mailing. assistance to cover their trip expenses. Walter Barfield and Thelma Nungesser Please contact Stough at 699-1608 or sold T-shirts and beach towels and dis­Fenstermakerat981- 4477ifyoucanhelp, tributed literature at a booth at the or for more information. Trinity University Earth Day celebration. I REDUCE • REUSE • RECYCLE • REDUCE • REUSE • RECYCLE • REDUCE • REUSE Page3 BIRDATHON News­Kids Get Bird Checklists BAS members are tallying their Gulf Coast bird sightings as we go to press. Look for a final count and a full report in June. Donations are still welcome. Contact Leslie Linehan, 558-6594. Meanwhile, preparations are under way by Betty Minyard and others to distribute 4,000 BIRDATHON Nature Walk bird checklists to area classrooms. All 61 Audubon Adventures classrooms will receive the lists, which describe and illus­trate 12 common urban birds, provide general information about birds, and include a bibliography appropriate for ele­mentary students. Another 65 classes will also receive the checklists. When the classes have had their nature walks, teachers will report their results to BAS and receive a congratulatory certifi­cate of participation for the class. Thanks to American Speedy Printing, Clampitt Paper Company, Kinko's, Lisat Systems, and Wordwright Associates Marketing Communications for donating production services, paper, and printing, and to Workman Publishing and Houghton Mifflin for allowing us to adapt materials from their books for the project. Anita Reeves is seeking additional spon­sors- individuals, small businesses, cor­porations- who will donate $35 or more to sponsor added Audubon Adventures classrooms for the 1992-93. If you or your company are interested, or if you know someone Reeves should contact, please phone her at 733-7849. Audubon Council of Texas Met in Plano BAS Vice President Marge Flandermeyer was appointed to the ACT nominating committee and, also, to fill the remainder of Wilma Anderson's term on the Council. ACT has a position on the Environmental Education Advisory Committee for the Texas State Textbook Committee. NAS has made reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act its top priority. Members are urged to write appropriate letters to editors, as well as to express their support to elected representatives. Letters to Texas Parks & Wi ldlife are encouraged to support the gathering of scientific data regarding the mountain lion and to encourage its protection. ACT's priority is the Lower Rio Grande Wi ldlife Corridor. Congressman Ortiz is circulating a letter soliciting support of funding for the Corridor and Boca Chi ca. Support is urged for HB.4255, a good wetland reform bill introduced by Representative Don Edward, and for S.1650 on flood insurance reform. - Marge Flandermeger Audubon Population Lobby Week & Network In an intensive week of training and lobby­ing, participants learn at least one one chill­ing fact-unless the world population growth rate is stabilized during this decade there is little hope that environmental degra­dation can be controlled and that the planet BEXAR TRACKS, May 1992 fij can be saved from a man-made mass extinc­tion event. With this sobering thought most participants re-shuffle their order of environ­mental priorities and go forth to preach to those who will listen that without population stabilization all other causes are lost. Since current trends in human popula­tion growth have no historical precedents, it is difficult to get world leaders to realize the magnitude of the impact of unchecked population growth. Time is literally run­ning out for preventive action. At current birth and death rates the world population will double in just 39 years­from 5.4 billion to 11 billion. In just 50 years the population would be 15 billion. No one believes that such a population can be sustained with the known resource base. Family planning programs can be effec­tive. In some developing countries birth rates have been measurably reduced. Concerned individuals should urge the U.S., through their elected representatives, to support international population assis­tance as a top priority and to not only restore the level of support that existed prior to withdrawal of funding during the 1980s, but to sustain and aggressively increase funding for assistance with family planning, because demand continues to grow exponentially. For more information on the world popu­lation problem and the solutions and/or mitigating programs Audubon supports, contact BAS Conservation Chairman Dick Pipes in Pleasanton (512-569-2452) or Lisanne Nelson at NAS in Washington, DC (202-547 -9009). -Dick Pipes .: _. ~ Whooping Crane T-Shirt The striking new Bexar Audubon Society 100% cotton T-shirts are black with an M.C.Escher-inspired pattern of 14 small gray cranes and 2 small full-color cranes in the background. and one large full-color crane in the foreground. r --- , BEXAR AUDUBON SOCI- 0 Please indicate quantity desired for each size@ $12.00 each: ETY appears in red The __ Extra-Large __ Extra-Extra Large $ __ _ h. t g · t t 0 Add $3.00 shipping and handling for the first shirt $ 3.00 w 1 e messa e ex plus $1.50 for each additional shirt $ reads as follows: 0 Enclosed is my check/money order for: TOTAL$·---­" The bustle of their great migrations and the passage of their mighty armies fills the mind with wonder." -Nuttall, 1811 In 1940, only 32 Whooping Cranes remained in the world. Today, 210. Recovery or extinction, it's our choice. Prices include sales tax. Pre-paid orders only. Allow-2 weeks for processing. NAME, _______________________ PHONE ______ _ SHIPPING ADDRESS --- , --- CITY/STATE/ZIP ________________ _ Make all checks or money orders payable to Bexar Audubon Society. Complete and mail this form with your check or money order to: Bexar Audubon Society, PO Box 6084, San Antonio, TX 78209. L --- ~ ~ BEXAR TRACKS, May 1992 Small Volunteer Jobs Refreshments at Meetings Having refreshments adds a lot to our pre-program fellowship time. Thanks to Betty Minyard, Marge Flandenneyer, and Susan Hughes for cookies and beverages in April. If you will bring cookies to the May meeting, call Susan at 696-6868. Phone Bank The Conservation Committee needs more volunteers for the phone bank. Please volunteer for this important activ­ity that neither consumes much time nor requires that you travel away from home. Call Dick Pipes, 1-512-569-2452, or Walter Barfield, 736-0355. Congratulations! The Express-News named Friends of Friedrich Wilderness Park the 1991 Club Project Contest sweepstakes winner. Anniversaries are being celebrated this year by Sierra Club-their centennial­and Bat Conservation International-its decennial. Thanks to both of these organi­zations for their unswerving efforts to preserve and enrich our world by foster­ing understanding, appreciation, and pro­tection of all the creatures who live here. Finance Chair Sought Bexar Audubon would benefit from a Finance Committee chair who would put together and implement a cohesive fund­raising plan for 1992-93. Will you help? Please call president Walter Barfield, 736-0355. Letters for You to Write Earth Summit George Bush should participate in and the U.S. should fill a leadership role at the UNCED meeting in Rio this June. Write and urge President Bush to attend this important meeting. (President George Bush, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500.) Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Attempts to open the refuge to destruc­tive oil drilling are far from over. If you have not done so already, write your sena­tors and representatives (and don't hesi­tate to write more than once) and urge them to be vigilant against any renewed efforts. Let them know you support energy efficiency and renewable energy. Urge them to work for permanent protec­tion of the refuge as a wildlife preserve. Ancient Forest Protection Bill (HR 4899) In a recent development the House has committed to action on Ancient Forests. The Agriculture Committee (Texan Kika De La Garza is a member) has introduced HR 4899-the Ancient Forest Protection Bill. In this milestone legislation, ancient forest preserves will be designated accord­ing to sound scientific criteria. The bill will not undercut existing law or limit cit­izen right to comment. Markups in the several committees are scheduled May 6, 7, 13, and 14, so it is important to contact your representatives now-especially if Congressman De La Garza is your elected representative-urging support for the strongest level of scientific basis for ancient forest desig­nations and protec­tion. For more information, con­tact Lisa Glanz, NAS in Washington, 202-547-9009, ext. 3231. Contact De La Garza at 202-225- 2531 or fax 202- Page4 225-2533; 1401 Longworth House Building, Washington, DC 20515. Save Wetlands through Flood Insurance Refonn (S.1650) Contact your senators urging them to support S.1650, the National Flood Insurance, Mitigation, and Erosion Management Act. introduced by Senator John Kerry (D-Ma). Senator Phil Gramm is especially important to contact because he serves on the Banking Committee, which will begin marking up the bill mid­May. While Gramm has the reputation of a fiscal conservative. he has traditionally opposed federal subsidies for private choices. As Congress seeks ways of cut­ting expenses and stretching the federal dollar, it makes little sense for taxpayers to continuously bail out people who choose to rebuild. time after time. in flood-prone areas. Tips on Writing Your Representatives When writing, ask for their position on the issue. Say you will share it with mem­bers of Bexar Audubon through our newsletter (and then send or fax their responses to the editor). If you get no response after two attempts, we will pub­! ish that in the newsletter, too. National Audubon Society Chapter Membership Application BAS Conservation Committee 0 Yes, I'd like to join. Please enroll me as a member of the National Audubon Society and of my local chapter, Bexar Audubon 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. Send gift memberships to my friends and family listed separately ($20 each). NAME. _____________________ PHONE ______ __ ADDRESS __________________________ ___ CITY/STATE/ZIP _______________________ __ Make all checks payable to the National Audubon Society. f --- Wf!'f·---~ Send this form and your check to: ! Local Chapter ! Bexar Audubon Society l_--~-~:_7~-~---j P.O.Box 6084, San Antonio, TX 78209 Chairman Vice Chairman Public Lands (Refuges, Forests, & Wetlands) Open Space Planning Recycling/Resource Conservation Aquifer Protection & Regional Water Plan Endangered Species Mitchell Lake Project Friedrich Park Richard Pipes Linda Tippen 1-512-569-2452 590-9371 Richard Pipes 1-512-569-2452 Linda & Ted Tippen 590-9371 Walter Barfield Pete Bauml Jim Garriott 736-0355 1-512-620-0640 695-9520 684-2668 223-3281 Marge Flandermeyer Bill Woller The survival of man is dependent on the survival of animal and plant life. A threat to any species of plant and anima/life is a threat to man himself. --Ghandi PageS Messages from the Senate From Phil Gramm on UNCED "The United States has vigorously par­ticipated in the preemptive meetings that established the agenda for the 'Earth Summit' and will play a major role in Brazil this June. "You may be sure that I am sensitive to the need to protect our environment. As an avid outdoorsman, I will continue to support legitimate environmental protec­tion measures." From Lloyd Bentsen on S.I696, Montana National Forest Management "On March 26, the Senate passed S.1696, and it has been referred to the House of Representatives. Please know that I will give your comments my careful consideration should this measure again come before the Senate for final passage." Environmental Issues Forum Is June 9 Panelists will examine the history, sta­tus. and future of planning in San Antonio, with an emphasis on the city's natural resource base. A preliminary summary of the Citizens' Workshops which are to be held throughout May will also be presented. The new effort-devel­oping a master plan for San Antonio­was directed by City Council in February and its success depends on active involve­ment and participation by the public. Speakers include representatives from the San Antonio Planning Department and Planning Commission and the ad hoc Master Plan Advisory Committee. The forum is underwritten by Bexar Audubon. The June 9 meeting will begin at 7 pm at the Witte Museum Auditorium, 3801 Broadway, south of Hildebrand. Call 826- 4698 for more information. Big Bend Natural Area Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is accepting input from citizens regarding this new state park adjacent to the Big Bend National Park. Call 800-352-4406 for your copy of the planning document and comment to TPWD. ATTN: Mr. Tom Palmer, Box 1058. Ft. Davis, TX 79734, 800-792-1112. Deadline is June 1, 1992. Snakes in the Grassroots An article in the March/April 1992 issue of Garbage focuses on "environmental" groups that have agendas contrary to most sound environmental objectives. Bill Breen names such groups as People for the West!, intent on defeating legisla­tion for mining reforms; Coalition for Vehicle Choice, fighting legislation boost­ing auto fuel efficiency; and the U.S. Council for Energy Awareness, the nuclear-power industry's PR arm. Look critically before you write a check. Summer WILD! Week Ecology Camp Treat your' youngsters aged 8-12 to a week or more of invigorating, interdisci­plinary activities during June and Ju ly at the Friedrich Wi lderness Park. Participants wi ll get a close look at the various ecosystems of the Ba lcones Canyonlands/Hi ll Country region of Texas through activities especially adapted from Project WILD!, Learning Tree, and OBIS. Tuition is $50 per week. Classes meet from 9 am-12 noon daily starting June 8. The final week-long camp begins July 27. To register, write Friends of Friedrich Park, PO Box 691371, San Antonio, TX 78268-1371, or call 698-1057 or 698-2864. 0 pportunitg Dictates Responsibility International trade opportunities with Mexico promise economic benefits for many parties. They spell illness, suffering, and disaster for others. An article in the March/April 1992 issue (pages 13-16) of International Wildlife, "Up Against the Wall in Mexico" by Bruce Selcraig, pro­files conditions in Texas's neighbor city, Matamoros. Here. use and manufacture of pesticides resu lt in toxic air and water. Health requires compromise that is too costly. If the U.S. wishes mutual benefit from trade with Mexico, we must ensure that we export only opportunity, not our prob­lems. If not, we can be sure the problems will revisit us some day. On the border, as in Hamelin, the piper will be paid. BEXAR TRACKS, May 1992 ~ EPA to Cut GulfGarbage The US EPA has a plan to cut garbage in the Gulf and reduce marine debris espe­cially along Texas beaches. The plan fea­tures 55 proposals. including enforcing regulations, source reduction, and public education. Public comment will be received through May. Contact Angela Farias of the Texas General Land Office, 512-463-5108, for more information. Mag 9 North American Migration Count You can help make history with the first annual North American Migration Count. This count takes place during a single 24- hour period and attempts to measure the shape of migration across the continent. Here are two important ways to help: (1)• select a county (any one you like); • spend May 9 counting birds (record all sightings of migrant species); • keep track of the hours. miles, loca­tions (on foot, car. boat, home feeder); • call Susan Rust in San Antonio (826- 4698) or Jane Lyons in Austin (512-327- 1943) to learn where to send results. (2) Help review and refine the current status list of neotropical migrants for var­ious parts of Texas. Contact Susan Rust. NOTE: For an insightful article on the plummeting number of songbirds in America, see the May 1992 issue of Scientific American-"Why American songbirds are vanishing," by John Terborgh, pages 98-104. Costoflhisneiiisletteris partiallY under.: writ(e.n by a>groerolj.S donation from. the Aip¢rR;an B¢v~r{lge CompiJ»tr· AUDUBON COLLECTION jOHN) AUDLJR()N !78~.\Y'I ~E.ELAN[• FAL<))N AUDUBON BLANC CALIFORNIA WHITE WINE PRO(.lU•::EJ:> tx. !10TT1H1 BY AUDUBOt~ CELL".R.\, BERK.I'.l.E.Y, <:A ALCOHOL 12.4'36 BY VOLUME • CONTAINS SULF'ITES fij BEXAR TRACKS, May 1992 Calendar- May 8 Mother's Day Plant Sale. San Antonio Zoo. 9 am - 7:30 pm. Call 734-7184. 8 Family Picnic. San Antonio Zoo. 5:30- 9:30 pm. Call 734-7184 for information. 9 "Wildflowers of Friedrich Wilderness Park." BAS Second Saturday at Friedrich Wilderness Park. 9 am. Call698-1057. 9 North American Migration Count Day. (See information within.) 9 Citizen Workshop, Ramirez Center, 1011 Gillette Blvd. 9:30-11:30 am. 299-7941. 9 Sierra Club service outing to clean up Brackenridge Park. Meet at the train depot behind the Witte Museum. 9:30 am -12:30 pm. Call Michal Mudd, 733- 0144 for details. 9 "Bowling for Rhinos." San Pedro Bowling Center, noon-9 pm. American Association of Zoo Keepers fund-raiser to preserve habitat in the Ngare Sergoi Sanctuary in Kenya. Call 734-7184, ext. 162 or 165 to bowl ($6 registration), sponsor a bowler, or make a donation. 11 Citizen Workshop, Palm Heights Com­munity Center, 1201 W. Malone. 7-9 pm. 12 Citizen Workshop, Cuellar Center, 5626 San Fernando. 7-9 pm. 299-7941. 12 "Paraguay: Native Peoples; Native Problems," Rick Reed of Trinity's Anthropology Dept. San Antonio Zoo, Straus Education Bldg., 7-8:30 pm. $2 (zoo members free). 734-7184, ext. 168. 14 BAS Board Meeting. 7:30pm. Call Susan Hughes, 696-6868, for location. 16 Citizen Workshop, Garza Center, 5627 Seacraft. 9:30-11:30 am. 299-7941. 17-24 Turtle Island Bioregional Congress V. Kerrville. 903-583-8252 (after May 15, 512-238-4670). 18 Citizen Workshop, San Antonio Board of Realtors, 9110 IH-10 W. 7-9 pm. 19 Citizen Workshop, Incarnate Word College Marian Hall (center of campus), 4301 Broadway. 7-9 pm. 299-7941. 19 Sierra Club. First Unitarian Church. 7pm. 19 Public hearing on the Landscape Ordinance. 21 BAS Con~eivation Committee Meeting~ Ruble Center. 6 pm. Call Dick Pipes, 512-569c2452. 21 BAS General Meeting ---!'En dan- . gered Springs E~osystems:· 'Zpm. 23 Reptile & herpetile program. Diana Sarratt Junek. Cibolo Wilderness Trail, Boerne.10 am-12. Call512-537-4141. 23 Friends of Friedrich Wilderness Park Annual Meeting and picnic supper. Entertainment by naturalist David Mckelvey. 6 pm. $15. 26 Citizen Workshop, Hamilton Center, 10700 Nacogdoches. 7-9 pm. 299-7941. 27 Texas Corporate Recycling Council Environmental Conference. 27 San Antonio Landscape Ordinance joint presentation by Planning and Zoning. 30 City Wide Citizen Workshop, Centro Meeting Room, San Antonio Convention Center, 200 E. Market. 9:30 am. 299-7941. 31 "Last Stand of the Ciants"-North America's Pacific Coast rain forests­Nature. PBS, Channel 9 (10 cable). 7 pm. June 1-12 U.N. Conference on Environment & Development. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 6 Natural history hike. Friedrich Wilderness Park. 9 am. Call698-1057. 8 Summer WILD! Week Ecology Camps begin at Friedrich Wilderness Park. See details within. 9 SAEC Issues Forum. 7pm. See within. 10 Project WILD! environmental training for educators. SA Botanical Center. 8:30 am-3:30 pm. AAT credit. Free. To regis­ter call821-5143. 11 BAS Board Meeting. 7:30 pm. 13 "Insects of the Night." Second Saturday at Friedrich Wilderness Park. 9 pm. Call 698-1057. 13-19 Act for Wildlife in '92: Endangered Species Need Youi-NAS convention in Washington, D.C. 18 BAS General • Meeting and Conservation Committee. Ruble Center 6~9 pm . Page6 19-21 Carrying Capacity Network National Issues Conference. Washington, DC. 202-879-3044 or 800-466-4866. 27 "Gardens by Moonlight." Botanical Center. 7-10 pm. Call Betty Hughes, 821-5143. 27-28 Aransas Shoreline Protection Project. Call512-991-1443. July 11 "Co Batty- Amazing Mammals of the Night." Second Saturday. Friedrich Wilderness Park. 9 pm. 698-1057. 19-24 NAS Population Lobby Week. Washing­ton, DC. Tanya Thomas, 202-54 7-9009 August 8 "Stargazing." Second Saturday. Friedrich Wilderness Park. 9 pm. 698-1057. Ongoing The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department offers nature activities too numerous to list here-archaeology to native plants, bird­ing to bats. Buy your annual Texas Conservation Passport for $25 to invest in Texas and its natural resources, and get free entrance to parks, a discount on overnight faci I i ties, and naturalist­guided tours on wildlife management areas and state parks-some not regu­larly open to the public. Also receive a quarterly calendar of activities, as well as a discount on Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine. In Texas, 1-800-937-9393. Every Thu_rsday,,1 pm,, San Antonio City Council meetmgs, C1ty Hall. Fourth Tuesdays 5-6 pm, Open Space Advisory Board meets, City Hall (call to confirm location). San Antonio Light CreenLine offers environ­mental tips & event reminders 24 hours a day at 512-554-0500, category 7220. National Audubon Society's Actionline-a weekly update. Dial202-547-9009. For status of federal bills, call Legislative Information & Bill Status, 202-225-1772. Walter Barfield Marge Flandermeyer Betty Minyard OFFICERS AND BOARD President 736-0355 684-2668 344-6128 653-2860 651-6054 226-6808 696-6868 824-8199 BEXAR AUDUBON SOCIETY P.O. BOX 6084 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POST AGE PAID Caryl Swann Audrey Cooper Ronald "Rusty" Guyer Susan K. Hughes Thelma Nungesser Vice President Treasurer Secretary Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS Conservation Richard Pipes 1-5 12-569-2452 Education Betty Minyard 344-6128 Finance Membership Thelma Nungesser 824-8199 Outings Marge Flandermeyer 653-2860 Programs Nathan Ratner 826-4462 Publicity Barb DeLuca 492-4291 Bexar Tracks Editor Susan K. Hughes 696-6868 PO Box 690028, San Antonio, TX 78269-0028•FAX [phone] The editor believes the information in this publication to be accurate as of May I. We welcome contributions of interest to members. Any sub­mission may be edited. Deadline is the day after the general meeting. {} Printed on acid-free 50 percent recycled paper ( ;?) 0 I7Q percent post-consumer waste) using soy-based ink. '6/Y SAN ANTONIO, TX 78209 Address Correction Requested SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS Permit No. 590