Bexar tracks : the newsletter of the Bexar Audubon Society, Vol. 11, No. 04
Bexar Tracks began with Vol. 4, no. 1 (January 1986). It continues Newsletter (Bexar Audubon Society). 21 0·822·4503 APRIL 1993 BEXAR AUDUBON SOCIETY CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY The Chapter's primary goals are to promote species and habitat conservation and environmental education I...
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San Antonio, Tex. : Bexar Audubon Society,
1993
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Birds--Conservation--Texas--Periodicals. Ornithology--Texas--Periodicals. Nature conservation--Texas--Periodicals Clubs and Organizations Science and Technology |
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Birds--Conservation--Texas--Periodicals. Ornithology--Texas--Periodicals. Nature conservation--Texas--Periodicals Clubs and Organizations Science and Technology Bexar Audubon Society Bexar tracks : the newsletter of the Bexar Audubon Society, Vol. 11, No. 04 |
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Birds--Conservation--Texas--Periodicals. Ornithology--Texas--Periodicals. Nature conservation--Texas--Periodicals Clubs and Organizations Science and Technology |
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Bexar Tracks began with Vol. 4, no. 1 (January 1986). It continues Newsletter (Bexar Audubon Society). 21 0·822·4503 APRIL 1993 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 • Ancient Forest Summit April 2 • Testimony on Edwards Aquifer • Bill to limit ESA introduced-- action requested • Texas legislative issues update • Big bills on the Hill • New homed toad T-shirt • Kickapoo outing report • Thanks to volunteers • Viva Botanical z's Apn·l outing -volunteers needed • REIF meeting agenda • Government Canyon update BAS Member Activities Jl Teo tropical Birds: Jewels in Our SkiesJ. W General Meeting on Thursday, AprillS Be sure to get .your taxes done early-or get that extension filed now-so you can attend the April general meeting of BAS at 7 pm at the Ruble Center, 419 E. Magnolia. The meeting is free and open to the public; refreshments will be served at 7, and the program will follow at 7:30. BAS meetings conclude by 9 pm. Our speaker will be Noreen Damude of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Non-game Program in Austin. She will speak on neotropical migratory birds-just in time to get us in the mood for the upcoming chapter BIRDATHON activities. Formerly with National Wildflower Research Center, where she worked with endangered plant and animal species, Damude holds an MS in biological science from UT Austin and has lead tours to Mexico to identify birds and plants. For more information about the program, contact Thelma Nungesser, 824-8199. Come to the Ruble -center at 6 pm and join us for our Conservation Committee Meeting. Catch up on the facts about local, state, and national issues. Presiden!'s Annual Report to Members Delivered at Annual Meeting, March 20 In 1992 Bexar Audubon Society had an income of $18,615 and expenses of $17,959. This marks a 59 percent increase in income and a 39 percent increase in expenses over 199Fs annual results and is largely attributable to increases in auction and resale activities. Publication expenses for Bexar Tracks . accounted for 40 percent of 1992's expenses and reflect increases to a sixpage publication. Susan Hughes continues to perform an outstanding job as editor and consistently produces timely articles on conservation issues and our events calendar. Susan has also been responsible for ·finding economical sources for our paper and our change to soy-based printing inks. We are continuing to look for economical suppliers for recycled paper and papers with a higher post-consumer waste content. In 1992, Bexar Audubon again sponsored 61 Audub-on Adventures classrooms, which accounted for 10 percent of our expenses. Betty Minyard continues as our education chair and administers this program. Betty also worked with Susan Hughes and Anita Reeves to produce last year's highly successful BIRDATHON Nature Walk. This program featured an illustrated list of birds common in the San Antonio area and was placed into 130 classrooms. It received excellent coverage in local newspapers. We also .awarded Mary Anne Ramirez of the San Anto_nio Independent School District a $500 scholarship to attend an Audubon summer workshop. Under the leadership of Marge Flandermeyer we were able to expand our outings programs in 1992. Our destinations ranged from Mr. David Terk's ranch [iJ Page2 in Del Rio to West Cave Preserve near Austin. Marge also coordinated our participation at the Mitchell Lake Wetlands and our efforts with the Mitchell Lake photo contest. Dick Pipes continues as Conservation Chairman and is actively monitoring conservation issues, particularly ancient forests, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Endangered Species Act reauthorization, population issues, and mountain lion legislation. Our conservation committee also monitors activities at Friedrich Wilderness Park and issues surrounding the Edwards Aquifer. We have actively supported the public acquisition of Government Canyon by the Edwards Underground Water District and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Bexar Audubon supports the Second Saturday program at Friedrich Wilderness Park and the quarterly meetings of the San Antonio Environmental Network. Board members Bill Woller and Patty Leslie organize our Second Saturday programs, and founding member Susan Rust presides over SAEN. Nathan Ratner served as our program chair in 1992 and organized a great calendar of excellent programs. Thelma Nungesser succeeded Nathan in January, after long service as our membership chair. Dan and Kristy Davis have succeeded Thelma as the membership committee. Our 1992 BIRDATHON raised $2,465 and was coordinated by Leslie Linehan. Proceeds from BIRDATHON help to support our Audubon Adventures program and the Southwest Regional Office. Leslie continues as our BIRDATHON chair and has developed some innovations for 1993 that should prove interesting. Our biggest fundraising event for 1992 was our auction held at the Gallery at Los Patios. Susan Hughes organized and coordinated this event with the San Miguel de Allende chapter of the National Audubon Society. The participation in this event was the largest of any auction to date. Proceeds were divided with San Miguel. Bexar Audubon also served as sponsor for the grant application to World Wildlife Fund to found the Bexar Land Trust. We were notified in September 199~ of our award, and we raised the required matching funds to receive the grant. Bexar Audubon is in the process of compiling the necessary information to establish this organization. Bexar Aud-ubon is continuing this high level of activity into 1993. In August Bexar Audubon will celebrate its first decade of existence, building for the future on measurable achievements by many dedicated individuals . a time for reflection, restoration, and resolve. We urge you to get involved. Come to a meeting; participate in an outing; or visit Friedrich Wilderness Park. Talk to any of our board members or committee chairs if you would like to get more active. I hope to see you soon. - Walter G. Barfield Kickapoo Remembered A group of seventeen members toured Kickapoo Cavern State Natural Area on February 27, 1993. Park superintendent David Stuart, gave a brief history of the area and explained the bird banding procedures. They use several Japanese mist nets to capture and band a wide variety of birds. Data compiled from bird banding can indicate the numbers, range, and age of a species. Although it was too windy to string the nets, we did see the way they are set up. It looks a bit like a giant hair net, strung between two badminton poles. One ongoing project for the Kickapoo staff is research on the Black-Capped Vireo. Last year there were 118 reported nesting territories and over 300 birds were fledged. During the birding tour, Park Ranger/Biologist Mark Lockwood showed us how difficult it is to find a BlackCawed Vireo nest. He pointed out one from lastyearstuckwayback in the cedar brush. Mark also pointed out a beautiful black shouldered (aka, white-tailed) kite. This was only the second one ever reported at Kickapoo. This natural area is also home to a very tiny endangered (;actus species, the Towbusch Fishhook. Thanks to Marge Flandermeyer for another exciting birding adventure. -Susan Blaker BEXAR TRACKS, AprU 1993 'De the First One IJon Your Block The new BAST-shirt will be unveiled at Viva Botanica!.Nostalgically recalling our childhood friends, the horned lizards of central Texas, the shirt states the Navajo legend of "grandfather" horned toad and explains the reasons for his demise. gives strength of heart and mind. -Navajo legend ~S Presents Testimony IJon Edwards Aquifer President Walter Barfield presented testimony to the State of Texas House Committee on Natural Resources, March 1, 1993, regarding the Edwards Aquifer. It is being included here to provide you information about the issues and to demonstrate how your organization is representing regional interests. My name is Walter Barfield, and I am president of the Bexar Audubon Society, a chapter of the National Audubon Society. Bexar Audubon Society has over 1300 members in San Antonio and surrounding areas, and our primary goals are to support species and habitat conservation and environmental education in the community. Bexar Audubon Society strongly supports legislation which provides for the comprehensive regionwide management of the Edwards Aquifer and associated watersheds and river basins. Because the Edwards Aquifer forms a natural conduit which interconnects the Nueces River Basin in the west and the Guadalupe River Basin in the east, only a regionwide authority would have sufficient scope and resources to address the issues of uninterrupted springflows, recharge zone protection, urban and rural withdrawals, estuary protection, and downstream water-users. We believe the current situation of fragmented water BEXAR TRACKS, April 1993 management, wasteful water usage, continuous threats towater·quality, inter-regional bickering and litigation, and threats to springflows is due to outdated and inadequate water laws and the absence of such a regionwide water .mthority. Bexar Audubon Society believes any legislation concerning' the management of the Edwards Aquifer must be founded upon the principle of sustainable use. This principle, as applied to the Edwards Aquifer, recognizes that the aquifer has certain physical, chemical, and ecological limits within which it must be managed. Sustainable use means that those who use the aquifer must stay within those limits so as not to harr.< others who must also depend upon the same resource, and it means actions and decisions made today must not threaten o'r degrade the aquifer as a source of pure and abundant water now or in the future." To achieve the goal of sustainable use, we believe any legislation must address the following issues:. 1. Water Quality Protection - The Edwards Aquifer is .a karst aquifer. This means it is porous limestone characterized by caves, caverrs, sinkholes, cracks, fissures, and other large openings. Such aquifers can prod~ large volumes of water from wells. THey are subject to rapid depletion in times of low rainfall and rapid replenishment during.times of heavy rainfall. Because openings into the aquifer are relatively large, they Cannot filter water, therefore, any contaminants pa.Ssing over the recharge zone may be directly transmitted into the aclti.ifer. Such contaminants can take the; form of in-stream pollution, non-point source pollution in runoff, sewer and septic system leakage, direct spills, and underground storage tank leakage, just to name a few. Existing Texas Water Commis~ion regulations fail to adequately address water quality issues associated with the Edwards Aquifer, as do county and municipaf codes. We believe a strong mandate should be given to the propos.ed regional water authority and the Texas Water Commission to dewl'op strict rules and regulations to prevent aquifer contamination, and to protect water quality and supply, to issue and monitor permits, and to enforce the rules and regulations they promulgate. Their area of responsibility should include the re.charge zone of the aquifer and any other areas within the upstream watershed or transition zone which might contribute to aquifer contamination. The rules and regulations concerning development in recharge areas should include limits on impervious cover, restrictions on closing recharge features, requirements for liability insurance and performance bonds, controls on hazardous materials routing, oversight of highway construction, restrictions on sewer and septic system construction, prohibition of underground storage tanks, and provisions for emergency spill response, among others. The regional water authority should also be mandated to acquire or otherwise protect sensitive recharge areas and subwatersheds. All policies of the proposed water authority should be directed toward maintaining the existing high quality of Edwards Aquifer water. 2. Establishing Hydrological and Ecological Baselines - Because much of the information concerning aquifer recharge and withdrawals is still uncertain, we believe the regional water authorPage3 [iJ district should include all drainage watersheds above the recharge areas, as well as the recharge zone and all areas of the Edwards Aquifer which are hydrogeologically associated with spring discharges of the southern Edwards Aquifer. The regional water authority should also be allowed to study the feasibility of water storage in the Carrizo Wilcox Aquifer as part of a regional water management plan. Bexar Audubon Society sincerely hopes that the issues surrounding the Edwards Aquifer are expeditiously resolved, so that both this region's economy and ecology are equitably protected. We urge the committee to base its decisions on sound scientific data and to consider long-term implications of actions taken today. We will be pleased to supply your committee with additional information to assist your deliberations. We hope that your committee will consider our concerns and recommendations and act favorably upon them. ity should begin immediate studies to IJ monitor all withdrawals and to establish n R888 Introduced minimum springflows in order to main- On February 16, Representatives Jack tain the biological integrity of springs and Fields of Houston and Henry Bonilla of coastal bays and estu.aries and to comply San Antonio introduced HR888 to amend with provisions of the U.S. Endangered the Endangered Species Act of 1973. This Species Act. When the baselines are in bill has been referred to the Committee on place, a rational system can be established Merchant Marine and Fisheries. It reads: to allocate water rights or permits. A Bill To amend the Endangered Species 3. Water Use Efficiency- Because south Act of 1973 . Section l.Sole Source Aquifer. central Texas is subject to periodic Section 10 of the Endangered Species droughts, Bexar Audubon Society strongly Act of 1973 (16USC1539) is amended by supports efforts to encourage water use adding at the end the following new subefficiency and prevent waste. The proposed section: regional water authority should continue (k)Sole Source Aquifer.-This Act does and extend the educational and water con- not apply to the taking or jeopardy of an ·servation efforts of the existing Edwards endangered species or threatened species Underground Water District. Urban water if the taking or jeopardy result from the rates should be revised to encourage modification of a water habitat located in water-efficient domestic use and low- or fed by a sole source aquifer designated water-use landscapes. Programs to under the Safe Drinking Water Act encourage industrial water reuse and (42USC300fet seq.). plumbing retrofits should be initiated, and Please write to oppose this bill. The ESA rural irrigation systems should employ should be strengthened, not weakened. In water-efficient irrigation technologies and cultivation methods. Water conservation San Antonio's case, for example, protect-practices should be rewarded by imple- ing spring flows has hydrologic impacts menting usage fees and reuse water on water quantity and quality that are should be exempted from such fees. Water important not only to protecting endanrights allocations should be based on effi- gered species, but also to ensuring that cient water use projections only, rather San Antonio's sole source aquifer bears than reflecting any historical wasteful water that is fit to drink, and that we do usage patterns. not destroy vital coastal resources, includ- 4. District Boundaries -In order to ing estuaries and refuges. It is sound ecoensure the comprehensive management of ' nomics, in addition to being our chance to the Edwards Aquifer, we believe the juris- preserve o.ur unique natural heritage for' dictional boundaries of the regional water our children and theirs. [iJ Page4 Good Legislative Action California Desert Protection Act. S21 creates three new national parks: Mojave, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree, preserving more than four million acres of public lands. Senator Krueger is reported to have agreed to co-sponsor. 1872 Mining Law Reform. HR322 and S257 substantially overhaul the archaic, environmentally destructive, and fiscally irresponsible principles of the 1872 law. Wetlands Reform Act of 1993. HR350 needs additional co-sponsors. This bill strengthens wetlands protection and recognizes wetlands as the lifeblood of the environment. Endangered Species Reauthorization. Gerry Studds and John Dingell intend to introduce this legislation soon. Please encourage yourrepresentativeto co-sponsor. Government Canyon Acquisition Update At a meeting of the San Antonio Water System board on March 23, there was unanimous support for SAWS to contribute 25 percent of the purchase price for Government Canyon. The Edwards Underground Water District had previously agreed to support 50 percent of the purchase, which has been negotiated by the Trust for Public Lands with the Resolution Trust Corporation. The 90-day due diligence period began March 19. Please express your appreciation to the EUWD, Mayor Wolff, and the SAWS Board. Thanks Are in Order Special thanks to BAS Member David Bamberger for hosting the BAS Annual Meeting at the Bamberger Ranch in Johnson City. Not only was there an interesting and informative program and fellowship around a grand fireplace, but also an exciting tour of the ranch-including introduction to the highly successful AAZP-associated program for the endangered Scimitar-Horned Oryx-and a good morning of bird censusing on Sunday. Thanks to all who participated in the meeting, as well. Walter Barfield and Anita Reeves helped prepare the March newsletter for mailing. Barb DeLuca brought smile-winning cookies to the special March 4 meeting. Sandra Skrei, NAS Southwest Regional Representative, and BAS member, James Garriott, appeared on Desde San Antonio on KWEX-TV, March 11. Anita Reeves and Susan Hughes sold Tshirts and distributed information at the Leon Valley Earth-Wise Living Day. Thanks to Susan Hughes, who presented a program for the Crestview Nursing Home residents on "Saving the Earth." Raves to Mark Rue of Eickhoff, Hannan, Rue designers, for the wonderful design work on our 1993 T-shirt. Volunteers Requested Viva Botanical Can you work a 2-3 hour shift at the BAS table at Viva Botanical? You get free admission and a good time, while spreading the word about BAS and the issues we support. Call Walter Barfield, 736-0355, to sign up for a time that's convenient for you on either April 3 or 4. Earth Day at Trinity BAS will have a table at the Trinity Earth Day celebration on April 22. Can you help? Call Walter, 736-0355,formoreinformation. Newsletter Distribution Would you be willing to be a full-charge newsletter mailing person? Sure, you can get others to help, but the editor needs someone who will pick up the newsletter from the printer, pick up the labels, coordinate a mailing party, do the paperwork, and get it to the post office. It requires a little bit of flexibility, in that the ready date is seldom determined more than 3-4 days in advance, though it's usually during the final week of the month. To discuss taking on this important job with about a 4-6-total hour-per-month commitment, please call Susan Hughes, 696-6868. Texas Legi!lature Update Following is a status update on some priority bills, most of which were included in the March issue. Please contact your representative or senator to express your views on these subjects. For more information on any of this, contact Dick Pipes, BEXAR TRACKS, Aprll1993 AUDUBON COLLECTION AUDUBON BLANC CAllFORNIA WHITE WINE PRODUCID & .O'ITIJ!D IY AUDVION CZ'l.LAR$, )~, CA ALCOHOL 11.4" BY VOLUM! • COm'AlNS StJI.llflm ' 1-210-569-2452, or Sandra Skrei, SW Regional Rep, 512- 327-1943.For bill status call 800-253-9693. Wildlife SB583 Barrientos. Would provide some protection for the mountain lion by putting it on the game species list. Pending in International Relations, Trade and Technology Committee 3/17. Support. Water Conservation SB375 Requires submetering of water in apartments. 3/17 referred to Natural Resources in the House. Support. Texas Parks & Wildlife HB60 Turner. Use of revenue from the cigarette tax by TPWD. (Removes the 25 percent limit on the revenue being used to operate and maintain parks.) Referred to subcommittee of Ways & Means 3/10. SB23 Moncrief. Protects certain animals and provides penalties. (This defines "restricted" wild animals including lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, cheetahs, etc. and limits possession, transport, purchase, and hunting of these animals, i.e., bans "canned" hunts in Texas. ) Referred to Natural Resources Committee. On 3/23 reported favorably as substituted. SB 179 Parker. Oppose this bill that would allow recreational hunting in Texas state parks. Now in Natural Resources. Population (Adolescent Pregnancy) SB20 Moncrief. Calls for self-development and life skills education in Texas public schools, including pregnancy BEXAR TRACKS, April 1993 prevention, AIDS/HIV prevention, and substance abuse education. Re-referred to the Education Committee. Pesticides SB30 Sims. Relating to providing for methods and procedures for the eradication of boll weevils in cotton. Passed; will become effective on August 1. [Too bad.] SB609. Prevents local governments from regulating the use of pesticides at all-including warning signs on lawns that are being treated. Many local governments have stricter pesticide regulations than the state's. Scheduled for public hearing 3/24. Please oppose Aquifers HB207 Puente. Please oppose this bill regarding appropriation of state water for recharge of certain water-bearing sands and aquifers. (This changes "unappropriated storm" and "floodwater" to "state" water and refers specifically to the Edwards underground reservoir.) Referred to Natural Resources 3/15, thence directly to a subcommittee. HB2785 Counts. Please oppose this bill relating to management of spring flow from the Edwards Aquifer. Referred to Natural Resources Committee 3/18. Whenever you write about aquifer issues, emphasize that water quality must be included in any bills. Ask if there are rules and regulations to measure quality and enforce it. Write, phone, or fax: State Senator _ _ Box 12068, Austin, TX 78711 FAX 512/463-0326;phone:512/463-01_ * *the last two digits are your Senator's district number) State Representative __ _ Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768-2910 FAX 512/463-0326 If you don't know your districts and various representatives, call978-0362. Write Governor Richards, PO Box 1242A, Austin, TX 78711 (Hotline 1-800-252- 9600) and urge her to veto SB179 if it passes. Also urge her to appoint more park champions to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission. Currently the Parks & Wildlife Commission votes have been going 7 to 1 against good park policies. If you would like more information on any of these issues, including talking points for your letters, contact Dick Pipes, BAS Conservation Chair, 210-569-2452, or Sandra Skrei, NAS Regional Rep, 512- 3427-1943. To keep up to date, call Sandra to join the legislative watch group. Ancient Forest Summit Scheduled April 2 Quick action is needed to insist on real and permanent solutions, not short-term fixes, to include forests east of the Cascades, ecosystem management, and timber-dependent community assistance and rural development. Emphasize that there must be no tampering with environmental laws. Broken laws brought where we are today in our northern forests. Write today about these important issues to President William J. Clinton, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20500. Dangeland Environ~ mental Issues Forum The history, ecology, management, and peoples of the eastern Edwards Plateau rangelands can have a major impact on understanding environmental issues and resolving problems. The REIF was established in 1992 to provide education and communication. The five priority issues for 1993 are priPageS (i] below the Botanical Garden). Key points in the agenda follow: 8:30 Registration and refreshments 8:50 Welcome-Andy Vestal, Moderator, Bexar County Extension Agent 9:10 What is REIF and who should participate- Larry D. White, Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Uvalde Session I - History of the Plateau 9:20 European Settlement: Cultural Impact and Different Perspective- T.R.Fehrenbach, Chairman, Texas Historical Commission, Austin 9:45 Natural History of the Edwards Plateau-Terry Cook, Texas Nature Conservancy, Austin 10:10 Ecology and Management of the Edwards Plateau-Fred Smeins, Department of Rangeland Ecology and Management, Texas A&M University, College Station Session 11-Goals and Realities of Managing Plateau Rangeland 11:15 Trying to Make a Living and Sustain Productivity for the FutureRobin Giles, Giles Ranch, Comfort 11:40 Environmental Goals and Management of the Plateau-Murray Walton, Texas Department of Agriculture vate property rights and preservation; accurate natural resource education and dissemination; general resource management to preserve natural biodiversity; encouraging .:I conservation through economic incentive, n orned Lizard Habits removal of penalties for non-agricultural and Horned lizards prefer to eat ants, but low impact land use;&waterqualityprotection. they will also eat many other types of Contact our representative on the steering committee, Jim Garriott, at 695-9520, for more information about this informative morning. "Remember," Jim says, "over 95 percent of Texas land is privately owned." The first two programs REIF presents invertebrates, including grasshoppers, will be dedicated to under~tanding the crickets, beetles, pill bugs, and spiders. people and the rangelands mvolved. On - Apri/17 from 8:30am-12:30pm, speakers .--N;ti~-;;J!B~-;.,-;.-A~d~b~-S~l;tY, will provide the facts, as well as the. per- Joint Membership Application spectiv~s of ~oth land-owner~ and ~n":ron- 0 $23 introductory membership for myself. mentahsts, m a program entitled History . . an d Ma nagemen t Go a 1s •tO r th e Ea s t ern 0 --Gift memberships to my those ltsted Edwards Plateau." separately ($23 each). On June 5, 1993, there will be a bus tour NAME ___________ _ of the Plateau rangelands where partici- ADDRESS __________ _ pants can see, hear, feel, and learn about CITY/STATFJZIP the ecology and about resource manage- --- ment to achieve landowner and environ- PHONE~-.--;--;;-;--;c.---.--.-. --- .;~-.-:--- Payable to:National Audubon Society. mental goals. The tour will visit t?e G~les I Send this form and your check to: I Ranch near Comfort and Fnednch : 8 A d b S . .,, 1 · · h C exar u u on oc1e • .,. Wilderness Park m nort Bexar ounty. : 8 I Wl9 1 a I The first forum will be held at the San 1 P.O.Box 60 4 I 1 Antonio Garden Center (on Funston, :1 Sa n An t om•o , TX 78209 CLoodcea7l XCChHapAte r :I L --- ~==--~ [iJ Page& · Calendar - March 30 Texas Camel Corps meeting. Speaker, BAS member Dixie Watkins talks about San Antonio's Salado Creek "green corridor." 6:30pm social; program at 7:20. Witte Museum. 820-2167. April--Audubon Month All month-Wildflower tours. DeWitt Co Wildflower Assoc. at Cuero.(512)275-5622. 1 San Antonio Audubon. James Middleton on wildlife and habitats in Argentina. Ruble Center. 7:30pm. 2 Ancient Forest Summit, Portland, OR. 2-4 Fourteenth Annual Texas POW-WOW in Angelina National Forest. (214)368-1791. 3 Audubon Council of Texas meeting. Austin. (512)327-1943. n:.~u-~L.:.~·"· San Antonio Garden Center. Contact Sue Weidenfeld, (210)995-2300, or Jim Garriott, 695-9520, for more info. See agenda within. 17 SA Audubon Field Trip to Friedrich Park. to look for Golden-Cheeked Warblers. Bam. Tom Fawcett. 494-7432. 17-18 Native Plant Symposium. Fort Stockton, TX. 18 Audubon Special-Hawaii:Paradise in Peril. 9pm CST, TBS (repeats April19, 24, 26). 20 Diseases Transmitted by North American Ticks-Should You Be Concerned? Speaker, BAS Member Ray Kutzman, at Sierra Club's monthly meeting. Unitarian Church, 807 Beryl. 22 EARTH DAY-Working with the Earth:Honoring Indigenous Peoples. Earth Day USA (603)924-7720. 23 Ethno-Botany of Common Hill Country 3-4 Wildflower show. Buchanan Dam. Plants. 8:30pm. Guadalupe River State (512)793-2303 Park Ampitheater. (210)438-2656. 4-5 Training session for working with the (Conservation Passport required.) Texas Legislature, followed by appoint- 23-25 Padre Island Beach Clean-Up. Corpus ments on Monday with legislators (for Christi. Contact Nancy Burns, 829-8171. those who can stay over). Contact Sandra 24 SA Audubon field trip to Mitchell Lake. Skrei, (512)327-1943. 8am. 656-4239. 5 Xeriscape. Marshall HS Auditorium. 7- 24-25 Special Earth Day activities for adults 9pm. $5. and children at Guadalupe River State 5-7 Environmental Trade Fair. Austin. Park and Honey Creek State Natural Area (512)463-3114. (210)438-2656. (Conservation Passport 7 This Island Earth, an hour-long Audubon required.) environmental music special. Disney 26 Role of the Ocean in Climate Change. Channel (unscrambled). Repeats 12, 13, Wallace S. Broecker. Trinity and 22. Check local schedule for times. Distinguished Scientists Lecture. 8 pm. ~:~ii11Bill 27 ~f~IJ~*~:r~:~ 10 SA Audubon Beginners' Bird Walk at Judson Nature Trails, Alamo Heights. Mag Bam. 342-2073. 1 BAS BIRDATHON k~ ~6~SA~A~u~Abdelu's.b Sopenak aern,n Ruoalla dnidn nWera.u 7erp,m fo. rEmaerlr BEXAR TRACKS, Aprll1993 chief park naturalist for Big Bend National Park speaking on Birds of Big Bend. $10.75. Reservations required to Jeff Rouse, 205 E Huisache #214, San Antonio 78212 by May 4. 8 2nd Annual North American Migration Count. Bryan Hale (512)443-2709 or Brent Ortego (512)572-9848. Contact Sue Wiedenfeld (210)995-2300 to assist in Bexar or surrounding counties. 15-16 Palmetto State Park Campout. Texas Camel Corps. $35 per person. 820-2167. 25 Texas Camel Corps. Dr. Paul Bahn on Easter Island. 6:30pm social; 7:20 program. Witte Museum. 820-2167. Latin American Audubon Council, Costa Rica. (512)327-1943. June 5 Range Environmental Issues Forum #2. Contact Sue Weidenfeld, (210)995-2300, or Jim Garriott, 695-9520, for more info. Ongoing activities Rare white alligator at the San Antonio Zoo. The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department offers nature activities too numerous to list here. Buy your annual Texas Conservation Passport for $25 and get discounts and other benefits, too. Call1(800)937-9393 for a complete listing of events. Every Thursday, 1 pm, San Antonio City Council meetings, City Hall. National Audubon Society's Actionline--a weekly update. Dial (202)547-9009 and ask for Actionline; after hours, press 4 on a touch-tone phone when the line answers. Bexar Audubon Society meets every third Thursday for its general membership meetings (7pm) and Conservation Committee meetings (6pm). BAS Board meetings are the second Thursday. OFFICERS AND BOARD Walter Barfield President Marge Flandermeyer Betty Minyard Vice President Treasurer Secretary Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member 736-0355 657-1665 344-6128 653-2860 824-1235 733-7849 696-6868 BEXAR AUDUBON SOCIE1Y P.O. BOX 6084 I U.S. POSTAGE PAID Caryl Swann Patty Leslie Anita L. Reeves Susan K. Hughes Richard Pipes Bill Woller COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS Conservation Education Finance Richard Pipes Betty Minyard 210-569-2452 696-3186 210-569-2452 344-6128 Membership Dan & Kristy Davis 210-625-6578 Outings Marge Flandermeyer 657-1665 Programs Thelma Nungesser 824-8199 Publicity Jean Ann Craig 681-0882 Armchair Activist Tatjana Terauds 696-6868 Bexar Tracks Editor Susan K. Hughes 696-6868 PO Box 690028, San Antonio, TX 78269-0028•FAX 696-8053 1be editor believes the lnfonnatfoo In this pubUcatfoo to be llCcurateas of. February 22. We .lcomerontrlbutlons of. fnt.,.t to mEmbers. Sulmlssfoos may be edfted. Deadline Is the day alter the generoj meeting. ft Printed with soy-based ink on acid-free 50 percent ~o IIITIIl \.I recycled paper~! 0 percent post-consumer waste). ~ INIC; SAN ANTONIO, TX 78209 Address Correction Requested SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS PermH No. 590 |
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Bexar tracks : the newsletter of the Bexar Audubon Society, Vol. 11, No. 04 |
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Bexar tracks : the newsletter of the Bexar Audubon Society, Vol. 11, No. 04 |
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Bexar tracks : the newsletter of the Bexar Audubon Society, Vol. 11, No. 04 |
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Bexar tracks : the newsletter of the Bexar Audubon Society, Vol. 11, No. 04 |
title_full_unstemmed |
Bexar tracks : the newsletter of the Bexar Audubon Society, Vol. 11, No. 04 |
title_sort |
bexar tracks : the newsletter of the bexar audubon society, vol. 11, no. 04 |
publisher |
San Antonio, Tex. : Bexar Audubon Society, |
publishDate |
1993 |
url |
http://digital.utsa.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p15125coll10/id/8162 |
op_coverage |
2012-07-02 |
long_lat |
ENVELOPE(-59.733,-59.733,-62.400,-62.400) ENVELOPE(-55.583,-55.583,-63.150,-63.150) ENVELOPE(-135.167,-135.167,60.788,60.788) ENVELOPE(159.833,159.833,-77.200,-77.200) ENVELOPE(-137.617,-137.617,-75.150,-75.150) ENVELOPE(-86.317,-86.317,-78.067,-78.067) ENVELOPE(167.400,167.400,-84.150,-84.150) ENVELOPE(-56.683,-56.683,-63.583,-63.583) ENVELOPE(-67.983,-67.983,-67.133,-67.133) ENVELOPE(67.150,67.150,-67.750,-67.750) ENVELOPE(-57.467,-57.467,-63.650,-63.650) ENVELOPE(-62.967,-62.967,-73.867,-73.867) ENVELOPE(-86.417,-86.417,72.535,72.535) ENVELOPE(-67.086,-67.086,-66.354,-66.354) ENVELOPE(-66.933,-66.933,-67.949,-67.949) |
geographic |
Arctic Argentina Austin Barrientos Carrizo Crestview DeWitt Giles Hale Lockwood Ramirez Reeves Rouse San Miguel Swann The Gallery Watkins Wilcox |
geographic_facet |
Arctic Argentina Austin Barrientos Carrizo Crestview DeWitt Giles Hale Lockwood Ramirez Reeves Rouse San Miguel Swann The Gallery Watkins Wilcox |
genre |
Arctic Climate change Skrei |
genre_facet |
Arctic Climate change Skrei |
op_relation |
https://utsa.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma9926776313904621&context=L&vid=01UTXSANT_INST:DEFAULT&search_scope=MyInstitution&tab=LibraryCatalog&lang=en Newsletter (Bexar Audubon Society) QL684.T4 B49 http://digital.utsa.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p15125coll10/id/8162 |
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https://lib.utsa.edu/specialcollections/reproductions/copyright |
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1766352398748483584 |
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ftutexasanantodc:oai:digital.utsa.edu:p15125coll10/8162 2023-05-15T15:21:53+02:00 Bexar tracks : the newsletter of the Bexar Audubon Society, Vol. 11, No. 04 Bexar Audubon Society 2012-07-02 1993-04 pdf Periodicals http://digital.utsa.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p15125coll10/id/8162 eng eng San Antonio, Tex. : Bexar Audubon Society, University of Texas at San Antonio https://utsa.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma9926776313904621&context=L&vid=01UTXSANT_INST:DEFAULT&search_scope=MyInstitution&tab=LibraryCatalog&lang=en Newsletter (Bexar Audubon Society) QL684.T4 B49 http://digital.utsa.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p15125coll10/id/8162 https://lib.utsa.edu/specialcollections/reproductions/copyright Birds--Conservation--Texas--Periodicals. Ornithology--Texas--Periodicals. Nature conservation--Texas--Periodicals Clubs and Organizations Science and Technology text 1993 ftutexasanantodc 2019-02-19T18:10:37Z Bexar Tracks began with Vol. 4, no. 1 (January 1986). It continues Newsletter (Bexar Audubon Society). 21 0·822·4503 APRIL 1993 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 • Ancient Forest Summit April 2 • Testimony on Edwards Aquifer • Bill to limit ESA introduced-- action requested • Texas legislative issues update • Big bills on the Hill • New homed toad T-shirt • Kickapoo outing report • Thanks to volunteers • Viva Botanical z's Apn·l outing -volunteers needed • REIF meeting agenda • Government Canyon update BAS Member Activities Jl Teo tropical Birds: Jewels in Our SkiesJ. W General Meeting on Thursday, AprillS Be sure to get .your taxes done early-or get that extension filed now-so you can attend the April general meeting of BAS at 7 pm at the Ruble Center, 419 E. Magnolia. The meeting is free and open to the public; refreshments will be served at 7, and the program will follow at 7:30. BAS meetings conclude by 9 pm. Our speaker will be Noreen Damude of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Non-game Program in Austin. She will speak on neotropical migratory birds-just in time to get us in the mood for the upcoming chapter BIRDATHON activities. Formerly with National Wildflower Research Center, where she worked with endangered plant and animal species, Damude holds an MS in biological science from UT Austin and has lead tours to Mexico to identify birds and plants. For more information about the program, contact Thelma Nungesser, 824-8199. Come to the Ruble -center at 6 pm and join us for our Conservation Committee Meeting. Catch up on the facts about local, state, and national issues. Presiden!'s Annual Report to Members Delivered at Annual Meeting, March 20 In 1992 Bexar Audubon Society had an income of $18,615 and expenses of $17,959. This marks a 59 percent increase in income and a 39 percent increase in expenses over 199Fs annual results and is largely attributable to increases in auction and resale activities. Publication expenses for Bexar Tracks . accounted for 40 percent of 1992's expenses and reflect increases to a sixpage publication. Susan Hughes continues to perform an outstanding job as editor and consistently produces timely articles on conservation issues and our events calendar. Susan has also been responsible for ·finding economical sources for our paper and our change to soy-based printing inks. We are continuing to look for economical suppliers for recycled paper and papers with a higher post-consumer waste content. In 1992, Bexar Audubon again sponsored 61 Audub-on Adventures classrooms, which accounted for 10 percent of our expenses. Betty Minyard continues as our education chair and administers this program. Betty also worked with Susan Hughes and Anita Reeves to produce last year's highly successful BIRDATHON Nature Walk. This program featured an illustrated list of birds common in the San Antonio area and was placed into 130 classrooms. It received excellent coverage in local newspapers. We also .awarded Mary Anne Ramirez of the San Anto_nio Independent School District a $500 scholarship to attend an Audubon summer workshop. Under the leadership of Marge Flandermeyer we were able to expand our outings programs in 1992. Our destinations ranged from Mr. David Terk's ranch [iJ Page2 in Del Rio to West Cave Preserve near Austin. Marge also coordinated our participation at the Mitchell Lake Wetlands and our efforts with the Mitchell Lake photo contest. Dick Pipes continues as Conservation Chairman and is actively monitoring conservation issues, particularly ancient forests, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Endangered Species Act reauthorization, population issues, and mountain lion legislation. Our conservation committee also monitors activities at Friedrich Wilderness Park and issues surrounding the Edwards Aquifer. We have actively supported the public acquisition of Government Canyon by the Edwards Underground Water District and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Bexar Audubon supports the Second Saturday program at Friedrich Wilderness Park and the quarterly meetings of the San Antonio Environmental Network. Board members Bill Woller and Patty Leslie organize our Second Saturday programs, and founding member Susan Rust presides over SAEN. Nathan Ratner served as our program chair in 1992 and organized a great calendar of excellent programs. Thelma Nungesser succeeded Nathan in January, after long service as our membership chair. Dan and Kristy Davis have succeeded Thelma as the membership committee. Our 1992 BIRDATHON raised $2,465 and was coordinated by Leslie Linehan. Proceeds from BIRDATHON help to support our Audubon Adventures program and the Southwest Regional Office. Leslie continues as our BIRDATHON chair and has developed some innovations for 1993 that should prove interesting. Our biggest fundraising event for 1992 was our auction held at the Gallery at Los Patios. Susan Hughes organized and coordinated this event with the San Miguel de Allende chapter of the National Audubon Society. The participation in this event was the largest of any auction to date. Proceeds were divided with San Miguel. Bexar Audubon also served as sponsor for the grant application to World Wildlife Fund to found the Bexar Land Trust. We were notified in September 199~ of our award, and we raised the required matching funds to receive the grant. Bexar Audubon is in the process of compiling the necessary information to establish this organization. Bexar Aud-ubon is continuing this high level of activity into 1993. In August Bexar Audubon will celebrate its first decade of existence, building for the future on measurable achievements by many dedicated individuals . a time for reflection, restoration, and resolve. We urge you to get involved. Come to a meeting; participate in an outing; or visit Friedrich Wilderness Park. Talk to any of our board members or committee chairs if you would like to get more active. I hope to see you soon. - Walter G. Barfield Kickapoo Remembered A group of seventeen members toured Kickapoo Cavern State Natural Area on February 27, 1993. Park superintendent David Stuart, gave a brief history of the area and explained the bird banding procedures. They use several Japanese mist nets to capture and band a wide variety of birds. Data compiled from bird banding can indicate the numbers, range, and age of a species. Although it was too windy to string the nets, we did see the way they are set up. It looks a bit like a giant hair net, strung between two badminton poles. One ongoing project for the Kickapoo staff is research on the Black-Capped Vireo. Last year there were 118 reported nesting territories and over 300 birds were fledged. During the birding tour, Park Ranger/Biologist Mark Lockwood showed us how difficult it is to find a BlackCawed Vireo nest. He pointed out one from lastyearstuckwayback in the cedar brush. Mark also pointed out a beautiful black shouldered (aka, white-tailed) kite. This was only the second one ever reported at Kickapoo. This natural area is also home to a very tiny endangered (;actus species, the Towbusch Fishhook. Thanks to Marge Flandermeyer for another exciting birding adventure. -Susan Blaker BEXAR TRACKS, AprU 1993 'De the First One IJon Your Block The new BAST-shirt will be unveiled at Viva Botanica!.Nostalgically recalling our childhood friends, the horned lizards of central Texas, the shirt states the Navajo legend of "grandfather" horned toad and explains the reasons for his demise. gives strength of heart and mind. -Navajo legend ~S Presents Testimony IJon Edwards Aquifer President Walter Barfield presented testimony to the State of Texas House Committee on Natural Resources, March 1, 1993, regarding the Edwards Aquifer. It is being included here to provide you information about the issues and to demonstrate how your organization is representing regional interests. My name is Walter Barfield, and I am president of the Bexar Audubon Society, a chapter of the National Audubon Society. Bexar Audubon Society has over 1300 members in San Antonio and surrounding areas, and our primary goals are to support species and habitat conservation and environmental education in the community. Bexar Audubon Society strongly supports legislation which provides for the comprehensive regionwide management of the Edwards Aquifer and associated watersheds and river basins. Because the Edwards Aquifer forms a natural conduit which interconnects the Nueces River Basin in the west and the Guadalupe River Basin in the east, only a regionwide authority would have sufficient scope and resources to address the issues of uninterrupted springflows, recharge zone protection, urban and rural withdrawals, estuary protection, and downstream water-users. We believe the current situation of fragmented water BEXAR TRACKS, April 1993 management, wasteful water usage, continuous threats towater·quality, inter-regional bickering and litigation, and threats to springflows is due to outdated and inadequate water laws and the absence of such a regionwide water .mthority. Bexar Audubon Society believes any legislation concerning' the management of the Edwards Aquifer must be founded upon the principle of sustainable use. This principle, as applied to the Edwards Aquifer, recognizes that the aquifer has certain physical, chemical, and ecological limits within which it must be managed. Sustainable use means that those who use the aquifer must stay within those limits so as not to harr.< others who must also depend upon the same resource, and it means actions and decisions made today must not threaten o'r degrade the aquifer as a source of pure and abundant water now or in the future." To achieve the goal of sustainable use, we believe any legislation must address the following issues:. 1. Water Quality Protection - The Edwards Aquifer is .a karst aquifer. This means it is porous limestone characterized by caves, caverrs, sinkholes, cracks, fissures, and other large openings. Such aquifers can prod~ large volumes of water from wells. THey are subject to rapid depletion in times of low rainfall and rapid replenishment during.times of heavy rainfall. Because openings into the aquifer are relatively large, they Cannot filter water, therefore, any contaminants pa.Ssing over the recharge zone may be directly transmitted into the aclti.ifer. Such contaminants can take the; form of in-stream pollution, non-point source pollution in runoff, sewer and septic system leakage, direct spills, and underground storage tank leakage, just to name a few. Existing Texas Water Commis~ion regulations fail to adequately address water quality issues associated with the Edwards Aquifer, as do county and municipaf codes. We believe a strong mandate should be given to the propos.ed regional water authority and the Texas Water Commission to dewl'op strict rules and regulations to prevent aquifer contamination, and to protect water quality and supply, to issue and monitor permits, and to enforce the rules and regulations they promulgate. Their area of responsibility should include the re.charge zone of the aquifer and any other areas within the upstream watershed or transition zone which might contribute to aquifer contamination. The rules and regulations concerning development in recharge areas should include limits on impervious cover, restrictions on closing recharge features, requirements for liability insurance and performance bonds, controls on hazardous materials routing, oversight of highway construction, restrictions on sewer and septic system construction, prohibition of underground storage tanks, and provisions for emergency spill response, among others. The regional water authority should also be mandated to acquire or otherwise protect sensitive recharge areas and subwatersheds. All policies of the proposed water authority should be directed toward maintaining the existing high quality of Edwards Aquifer water. 2. Establishing Hydrological and Ecological Baselines - Because much of the information concerning aquifer recharge and withdrawals is still uncertain, we believe the regional water authorPage3 [iJ district should include all drainage watersheds above the recharge areas, as well as the recharge zone and all areas of the Edwards Aquifer which are hydrogeologically associated with spring discharges of the southern Edwards Aquifer. The regional water authority should also be allowed to study the feasibility of water storage in the Carrizo Wilcox Aquifer as part of a regional water management plan. Bexar Audubon Society sincerely hopes that the issues surrounding the Edwards Aquifer are expeditiously resolved, so that both this region's economy and ecology are equitably protected. We urge the committee to base its decisions on sound scientific data and to consider long-term implications of actions taken today. We will be pleased to supply your committee with additional information to assist your deliberations. We hope that your committee will consider our concerns and recommendations and act favorably upon them. ity should begin immediate studies to IJ monitor all withdrawals and to establish n R888 Introduced minimum springflows in order to main- On February 16, Representatives Jack tain the biological integrity of springs and Fields of Houston and Henry Bonilla of coastal bays and estu.aries and to comply San Antonio introduced HR888 to amend with provisions of the U.S. Endangered the Endangered Species Act of 1973. This Species Act. When the baselines are in bill has been referred to the Committee on place, a rational system can be established Merchant Marine and Fisheries. It reads: to allocate water rights or permits. A Bill To amend the Endangered Species 3. Water Use Efficiency- Because south Act of 1973 . Section l.Sole Source Aquifer. central Texas is subject to periodic Section 10 of the Endangered Species droughts, Bexar Audubon Society strongly Act of 1973 (16USC1539) is amended by supports efforts to encourage water use adding at the end the following new subefficiency and prevent waste. The proposed section: regional water authority should continue (k)Sole Source Aquifer.-This Act does and extend the educational and water con- not apply to the taking or jeopardy of an ·servation efforts of the existing Edwards endangered species or threatened species Underground Water District. Urban water if the taking or jeopardy result from the rates should be revised to encourage modification of a water habitat located in water-efficient domestic use and low- or fed by a sole source aquifer designated water-use landscapes. Programs to under the Safe Drinking Water Act encourage industrial water reuse and (42USC300fet seq.). plumbing retrofits should be initiated, and Please write to oppose this bill. The ESA rural irrigation systems should employ should be strengthened, not weakened. In water-efficient irrigation technologies and cultivation methods. Water conservation San Antonio's case, for example, protect-practices should be rewarded by imple- ing spring flows has hydrologic impacts menting usage fees and reuse water on water quantity and quality that are should be exempted from such fees. Water important not only to protecting endanrights allocations should be based on effi- gered species, but also to ensuring that cient water use projections only, rather San Antonio's sole source aquifer bears than reflecting any historical wasteful water that is fit to drink, and that we do usage patterns. not destroy vital coastal resources, includ- 4. District Boundaries -In order to ing estuaries and refuges. It is sound ecoensure the comprehensive management of ' nomics, in addition to being our chance to the Edwards Aquifer, we believe the juris- preserve o.ur unique natural heritage for' dictional boundaries of the regional water our children and theirs. [iJ Page4 Good Legislative Action California Desert Protection Act. S21 creates three new national parks: Mojave, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree, preserving more than four million acres of public lands. Senator Krueger is reported to have agreed to co-sponsor. 1872 Mining Law Reform. HR322 and S257 substantially overhaul the archaic, environmentally destructive, and fiscally irresponsible principles of the 1872 law. Wetlands Reform Act of 1993. HR350 needs additional co-sponsors. This bill strengthens wetlands protection and recognizes wetlands as the lifeblood of the environment. Endangered Species Reauthorization. Gerry Studds and John Dingell intend to introduce this legislation soon. Please encourage yourrepresentativeto co-sponsor. Government Canyon Acquisition Update At a meeting of the San Antonio Water System board on March 23, there was unanimous support for SAWS to contribute 25 percent of the purchase price for Government Canyon. The Edwards Underground Water District had previously agreed to support 50 percent of the purchase, which has been negotiated by the Trust for Public Lands with the Resolution Trust Corporation. The 90-day due diligence period began March 19. Please express your appreciation to the EUWD, Mayor Wolff, and the SAWS Board. Thanks Are in Order Special thanks to BAS Member David Bamberger for hosting the BAS Annual Meeting at the Bamberger Ranch in Johnson City. Not only was there an interesting and informative program and fellowship around a grand fireplace, but also an exciting tour of the ranch-including introduction to the highly successful AAZP-associated program for the endangered Scimitar-Horned Oryx-and a good morning of bird censusing on Sunday. Thanks to all who participated in the meeting, as well. Walter Barfield and Anita Reeves helped prepare the March newsletter for mailing. Barb DeLuca brought smile-winning cookies to the special March 4 meeting. Sandra Skrei, NAS Southwest Regional Representative, and BAS member, James Garriott, appeared on Desde San Antonio on KWEX-TV, March 11. Anita Reeves and Susan Hughes sold Tshirts and distributed information at the Leon Valley Earth-Wise Living Day. Thanks to Susan Hughes, who presented a program for the Crestview Nursing Home residents on "Saving the Earth." Raves to Mark Rue of Eickhoff, Hannan, Rue designers, for the wonderful design work on our 1993 T-shirt. Volunteers Requested Viva Botanical Can you work a 2-3 hour shift at the BAS table at Viva Botanical? You get free admission and a good time, while spreading the word about BAS and the issues we support. Call Walter Barfield, 736-0355, to sign up for a time that's convenient for you on either April 3 or 4. Earth Day at Trinity BAS will have a table at the Trinity Earth Day celebration on April 22. Can you help? Call Walter, 736-0355,formoreinformation. Newsletter Distribution Would you be willing to be a full-charge newsletter mailing person? Sure, you can get others to help, but the editor needs someone who will pick up the newsletter from the printer, pick up the labels, coordinate a mailing party, do the paperwork, and get it to the post office. It requires a little bit of flexibility, in that the ready date is seldom determined more than 3-4 days in advance, though it's usually during the final week of the month. To discuss taking on this important job with about a 4-6-total hour-per-month commitment, please call Susan Hughes, 696-6868. Texas Legi!lature Update Following is a status update on some priority bills, most of which were included in the March issue. Please contact your representative or senator to express your views on these subjects. For more information on any of this, contact Dick Pipes, BEXAR TRACKS, Aprll1993 AUDUBON COLLECTION AUDUBON BLANC CAllFORNIA WHITE WINE PRODUCID & .O'ITIJ!D IY AUDVION CZ'l.LAR$, )~, CA ALCOHOL 11.4" BY VOLUM! • COm'AlNS StJI.llflm ' 1-210-569-2452, or Sandra Skrei, SW Regional Rep, 512- 327-1943.For bill status call 800-253-9693. Wildlife SB583 Barrientos. Would provide some protection for the mountain lion by putting it on the game species list. Pending in International Relations, Trade and Technology Committee 3/17. Support. Water Conservation SB375 Requires submetering of water in apartments. 3/17 referred to Natural Resources in the House. Support. Texas Parks & Wildlife HB60 Turner. Use of revenue from the cigarette tax by TPWD. (Removes the 25 percent limit on the revenue being used to operate and maintain parks.) Referred to subcommittee of Ways & Means 3/10. SB23 Moncrief. Protects certain animals and provides penalties. (This defines "restricted" wild animals including lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, cheetahs, etc. and limits possession, transport, purchase, and hunting of these animals, i.e., bans "canned" hunts in Texas. ) Referred to Natural Resources Committee. On 3/23 reported favorably as substituted. SB 179 Parker. Oppose this bill that would allow recreational hunting in Texas state parks. Now in Natural Resources. Population (Adolescent Pregnancy) SB20 Moncrief. Calls for self-development and life skills education in Texas public schools, including pregnancy BEXAR TRACKS, April 1993 prevention, AIDS/HIV prevention, and substance abuse education. Re-referred to the Education Committee. Pesticides SB30 Sims. Relating to providing for methods and procedures for the eradication of boll weevils in cotton. Passed; will become effective on August 1. [Too bad.] SB609. Prevents local governments from regulating the use of pesticides at all-including warning signs on lawns that are being treated. Many local governments have stricter pesticide regulations than the state's. Scheduled for public hearing 3/24. Please oppose Aquifers HB207 Puente. Please oppose this bill regarding appropriation of state water for recharge of certain water-bearing sands and aquifers. (This changes "unappropriated storm" and "floodwater" to "state" water and refers specifically to the Edwards underground reservoir.) Referred to Natural Resources 3/15, thence directly to a subcommittee. HB2785 Counts. Please oppose this bill relating to management of spring flow from the Edwards Aquifer. Referred to Natural Resources Committee 3/18. Whenever you write about aquifer issues, emphasize that water quality must be included in any bills. Ask if there are rules and regulations to measure quality and enforce it. Write, phone, or fax: State Senator _ _ Box 12068, Austin, TX 78711 FAX 512/463-0326;phone:512/463-01_ * *the last two digits are your Senator's district number) State Representative __ _ Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768-2910 FAX 512/463-0326 If you don't know your districts and various representatives, call978-0362. Write Governor Richards, PO Box 1242A, Austin, TX 78711 (Hotline 1-800-252- 9600) and urge her to veto SB179 if it passes. Also urge her to appoint more park champions to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission. Currently the Parks & Wildlife Commission votes have been going 7 to 1 against good park policies. If you would like more information on any of these issues, including talking points for your letters, contact Dick Pipes, BAS Conservation Chair, 210-569-2452, or Sandra Skrei, NAS Regional Rep, 512- 3427-1943. To keep up to date, call Sandra to join the legislative watch group. Ancient Forest Summit Scheduled April 2 Quick action is needed to insist on real and permanent solutions, not short-term fixes, to include forests east of the Cascades, ecosystem management, and timber-dependent community assistance and rural development. Emphasize that there must be no tampering with environmental laws. Broken laws brought where we are today in our northern forests. Write today about these important issues to President William J. Clinton, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20500. Dangeland Environ~ mental Issues Forum The history, ecology, management, and peoples of the eastern Edwards Plateau rangelands can have a major impact on understanding environmental issues and resolving problems. The REIF was established in 1992 to provide education and communication. The five priority issues for 1993 are priPageS (i] below the Botanical Garden). Key points in the agenda follow: 8:30 Registration and refreshments 8:50 Welcome-Andy Vestal, Moderator, Bexar County Extension Agent 9:10 What is REIF and who should participate- Larry D. White, Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Uvalde Session I - History of the Plateau 9:20 European Settlement: Cultural Impact and Different Perspective- T.R.Fehrenbach, Chairman, Texas Historical Commission, Austin 9:45 Natural History of the Edwards Plateau-Terry Cook, Texas Nature Conservancy, Austin 10:10 Ecology and Management of the Edwards Plateau-Fred Smeins, Department of Rangeland Ecology and Management, Texas A&M University, College Station Session 11-Goals and Realities of Managing Plateau Rangeland 11:15 Trying to Make a Living and Sustain Productivity for the FutureRobin Giles, Giles Ranch, Comfort 11:40 Environmental Goals and Management of the Plateau-Murray Walton, Texas Department of Agriculture vate property rights and preservation; accurate natural resource education and dissemination; general resource management to preserve natural biodiversity; encouraging .:I conservation through economic incentive, n orned Lizard Habits removal of penalties for non-agricultural and Horned lizards prefer to eat ants, but low impact land use;&waterqualityprotection. they will also eat many other types of Contact our representative on the steering committee, Jim Garriott, at 695-9520, for more information about this informative morning. "Remember," Jim says, "over 95 percent of Texas land is privately owned." The first two programs REIF presents invertebrates, including grasshoppers, will be dedicated to under~tanding the crickets, beetles, pill bugs, and spiders. people and the rangelands mvolved. On - Apri/17 from 8:30am-12:30pm, speakers .--N;ti~-;;J!B~-;.,-;.-A~d~b~-S~l;tY, will provide the facts, as well as the. per- Joint Membership Application spectiv~s of ~oth land-owner~ and ~n":ron- 0 $23 introductory membership for myself. mentahsts, m a program entitled History . . an d Ma nagemen t Go a 1s •tO r th e Ea s t ern 0 --Gift memberships to my those ltsted Edwards Plateau." separately ($23 each). On June 5, 1993, there will be a bus tour NAME ___________ _ of the Plateau rangelands where partici- ADDRESS __________ _ pants can see, hear, feel, and learn about CITY/STATFJZIP the ecology and about resource manage- --- ment to achieve landowner and environ- PHONE~-.--;--;;-;--;c.---.--.-. --- .;~-.-:--- Payable to:National Audubon Society. mental goals. The tour will visit t?e G~les I Send this form and your check to: I Ranch near Comfort and Fnednch : 8 A d b S . .,, 1 · · h C exar u u on oc1e • .,. Wilderness Park m nort Bexar ounty. : 8 I Wl9 1 a I The first forum will be held at the San 1 P.O.Box 60 4 I 1 Antonio Garden Center (on Funston, :1 Sa n An t om•o , TX 78209 CLoodcea7l XCChHapAte r :I L --- ~==--~ [iJ Page& · Calendar - March 30 Texas Camel Corps meeting. Speaker, BAS member Dixie Watkins talks about San Antonio's Salado Creek "green corridor." 6:30pm social; program at 7:20. Witte Museum. 820-2167. April--Audubon Month All month-Wildflower tours. DeWitt Co Wildflower Assoc. at Cuero.(512)275-5622. 1 San Antonio Audubon. James Middleton on wildlife and habitats in Argentina. Ruble Center. 7:30pm. 2 Ancient Forest Summit, Portland, OR. 2-4 Fourteenth Annual Texas POW-WOW in Angelina National Forest. (214)368-1791. 3 Audubon Council of Texas meeting. Austin. (512)327-1943. n:.~u-~L.:.~·"· San Antonio Garden Center. Contact Sue Weidenfeld, (210)995-2300, or Jim Garriott, 695-9520, for more info. See agenda within. 17 SA Audubon Field Trip to Friedrich Park. to look for Golden-Cheeked Warblers. Bam. Tom Fawcett. 494-7432. 17-18 Native Plant Symposium. Fort Stockton, TX. 18 Audubon Special-Hawaii:Paradise in Peril. 9pm CST, TBS (repeats April19, 24, 26). 20 Diseases Transmitted by North American Ticks-Should You Be Concerned? Speaker, BAS Member Ray Kutzman, at Sierra Club's monthly meeting. Unitarian Church, 807 Beryl. 22 EARTH DAY-Working with the Earth:Honoring Indigenous Peoples. Earth Day USA (603)924-7720. 23 Ethno-Botany of Common Hill Country 3-4 Wildflower show. Buchanan Dam. Plants. 8:30pm. Guadalupe River State (512)793-2303 Park Ampitheater. (210)438-2656. 4-5 Training session for working with the (Conservation Passport required.) Texas Legislature, followed by appoint- 23-25 Padre Island Beach Clean-Up. Corpus ments on Monday with legislators (for Christi. Contact Nancy Burns, 829-8171. those who can stay over). Contact Sandra 24 SA Audubon field trip to Mitchell Lake. Skrei, (512)327-1943. 8am. 656-4239. 5 Xeriscape. Marshall HS Auditorium. 7- 24-25 Special Earth Day activities for adults 9pm. $5. and children at Guadalupe River State 5-7 Environmental Trade Fair. Austin. Park and Honey Creek State Natural Area (512)463-3114. (210)438-2656. (Conservation Passport 7 This Island Earth, an hour-long Audubon required.) environmental music special. Disney 26 Role of the Ocean in Climate Change. Channel (unscrambled). Repeats 12, 13, Wallace S. Broecker. Trinity and 22. Check local schedule for times. Distinguished Scientists Lecture. 8 pm. ~:~ii11Bill 27 ~f~IJ~*~:r~:~ 10 SA Audubon Beginners' Bird Walk at Judson Nature Trails, Alamo Heights. Mag Bam. 342-2073. 1 BAS BIRDATHON k~ ~6~SA~A~u~Abdelu's.b Sopenak aern,n Ruoalla dnidn nWera.u 7erp,m fo. rEmaerlr BEXAR TRACKS, Aprll1993 chief park naturalist for Big Bend National Park speaking on Birds of Big Bend. $10.75. Reservations required to Jeff Rouse, 205 E Huisache #214, San Antonio 78212 by May 4. 8 2nd Annual North American Migration Count. Bryan Hale (512)443-2709 or Brent Ortego (512)572-9848. Contact Sue Wiedenfeld (210)995-2300 to assist in Bexar or surrounding counties. 15-16 Palmetto State Park Campout. Texas Camel Corps. $35 per person. 820-2167. 25 Texas Camel Corps. Dr. Paul Bahn on Easter Island. 6:30pm social; 7:20 program. Witte Museum. 820-2167. Latin American Audubon Council, Costa Rica. (512)327-1943. June 5 Range Environmental Issues Forum #2. Contact Sue Weidenfeld, (210)995-2300, or Jim Garriott, 695-9520, for more info. Ongoing activities Rare white alligator at the San Antonio Zoo. The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department offers nature activities too numerous to list here. Buy your annual Texas Conservation Passport for $25 and get discounts and other benefits, too. Call1(800)937-9393 for a complete listing of events. Every Thursday, 1 pm, San Antonio City Council meetings, City Hall. National Audubon Society's Actionline--a weekly update. Dial (202)547-9009 and ask for Actionline; after hours, press 4 on a touch-tone phone when the line answers. Bexar Audubon Society meets every third Thursday for its general membership meetings (7pm) and Conservation Committee meetings (6pm). BAS Board meetings are the second Thursday. OFFICERS AND BOARD Walter Barfield President Marge Flandermeyer Betty Minyard Vice President Treasurer Secretary Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member 736-0355 657-1665 344-6128 653-2860 824-1235 733-7849 696-6868 BEXAR AUDUBON SOCIE1Y P.O. BOX 6084 I U.S. POSTAGE PAID Caryl Swann Patty Leslie Anita L. Reeves Susan K. Hughes Richard Pipes Bill Woller COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS Conservation Education Finance Richard Pipes Betty Minyard 210-569-2452 696-3186 210-569-2452 344-6128 Membership Dan & Kristy Davis 210-625-6578 Outings Marge Flandermeyer 657-1665 Programs Thelma Nungesser 824-8199 Publicity Jean Ann Craig 681-0882 Armchair Activist Tatjana Terauds 696-6868 Bexar Tracks Editor Susan K. Hughes 696-6868 PO Box 690028, San Antonio, TX 78269-0028•FAX 696-8053 1be editor believes the lnfonnatfoo In this pubUcatfoo to be llCcurateas of. February 22. We .lcomerontrlbutlons of. fnt.,.t to mEmbers. Sulmlssfoos may be edfted. Deadline Is the day alter the generoj meeting. ft Printed with soy-based ink on acid-free 50 percent ~o IIITIIl \.I recycled paper~! 0 percent post-consumer waste). ~ INIC; SAN ANTONIO, TX 78209 Address Correction Requested SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS PermH No. 590 Text Arctic Climate change Skrei UTSA Digital Collections (The University of Texas at San Antonio) Arctic Argentina Austin Barrientos ENVELOPE(-59.733,-59.733,-62.400,-62.400) Carrizo ENVELOPE(-55.583,-55.583,-63.150,-63.150) Crestview ENVELOPE(-135.167,-135.167,60.788,60.788) DeWitt ENVELOPE(159.833,159.833,-77.200,-77.200) Giles ENVELOPE(-137.617,-137.617,-75.150,-75.150) Hale ENVELOPE(-86.317,-86.317,-78.067,-78.067) Lockwood ENVELOPE(167.400,167.400,-84.150,-84.150) Ramirez ENVELOPE(-56.683,-56.683,-63.583,-63.583) Reeves ENVELOPE(-67.983,-67.983,-67.133,-67.133) Rouse ENVELOPE(67.150,67.150,-67.750,-67.750) San Miguel ENVELOPE(-57.467,-57.467,-63.650,-63.650) Swann ENVELOPE(-62.967,-62.967,-73.867,-73.867) The Gallery ENVELOPE(-86.417,-86.417,72.535,72.535) Watkins ENVELOPE(-67.086,-67.086,-66.354,-66.354) Wilcox ENVELOPE(-66.933,-66.933,-67.949,-67.949) |