President

Anton Hajek

648-3634

tonyhajek@yahoo.com

Vice President

Holly Camero

210-490-4882

chcamero@aol.com

Secretary

Jamie Daily

jdaily8289@wildblue.net

Treasurer

Prem Nored

210-626-8982

rpsnored@satx.rr.com

Members-at-Large

Pete Cowger

petercowger@gmail.com

Class Representatives

Linda Painter Darst-Class 22

donlindadarst@msn.com

Jaime Daily-Class 22

Steve Guerrant-Class 23

Gary Trede-Class 23

John Wolcott-Class 24

Susan Hunnicutt-Class 24

Ron Tullius - Class 25

Ivan Estes - Class 25

Immediate Past President

J.W. Pieper

830-336-3241

jwp1@gvtc.com

IT’S TIME FOR THE ANNUAL STATE MEETING! Officers

News

Alamo Area Chapter Volume 13, Issue 10, October 2009

Events

Volunteer Opportunities

Education & Training

— Anton Hajek

In a few days our annual Texas Master Naturalist meeting will be held onceagain. As the oldest chapter in Texas (in fact, the oldest chapter of all!) Ihope we have the largest presence there, and that I see some new facesfrom our chapter. The advanced training is very diverse this year. Moreclasses will be held at the Mo Ranch than in the past. That is very goodnews...I've had too many bad experiences in the past with the popular off

campus outings!

Our nominating committee should be suggesting a slate of officers for upcoming electionswhich will be published for 30 days preceding elections. Members are always welcome toattend the meeting and run from the floor. These new officers will guide our chapter for thenext one or two years, so vote well.

In an effort to have a chapter road trip I offered to cook Friday night's diner to chapter mem-bers attending the Rock Art Rendevous. 8 people took me up on the offer. They will dineon sirloin 14oz steaks, potatoes and salad under the desert sky. Until our Friesenhan caveproject, Lewis Canyon, a Rock Art Foundation site, was the only archaeological projectavailable to master naturalists. At one time just four chapters had members present.

November 6 - 8, 2009John Newcombe Tennis Ranch

325 Mission Valley Road

New Braunfels, Texas 78132

Join us in the beautiful Texas Hill Country for the

2009 Annual TXSER Conference, November 6-

8, 2009, as we explore our theme - Water: “Agua es

Vida” – through presentations, speakers and field

trips in this scenic region.

This year’s conference will be held at the picturesque

John Newcombe Tennis Ranch in New Braunfels,

Texas. We will learn of the surrounding area’s resto-

ration of hydrological ecosystems through field trips

to Selah (Bamberger Ranch), Canyon Lake Gorge,

Honey Creek State Natural Area, the San Anto-

nio River , San Antonio Missions, & the San Mar-

cos River and springs. All field trips will be November

6, 2009.

We will have Texas springs specialist, Chad Norris

as our Keynote Speaker as well as other Featured

Guest Speakers .

Register:

http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.asp

x?eventid=737819

Field Trip Descriptions:

http://www.sanaturalareas.org/ser/fieldtrips.html

TXSER Homepage:

http://www.ser.org/txser/default.asp

What is The Texas Society for Ecological Resto-

ration? “The mission of Texas SER is to promote

ecological restoration as a means of sustaining the

diversity of life on Earth and re-establishing an ecol-

ogically healthy relationship between nature and cul-

ture.” For membership information, or for general

interest, please go to the TXSER homepage.

Texas Society for Ecological Restoration

2009 Annual Conference Being Held in New Braunfels

COMMITTEESNEWS FROM THE BOARDProjects to be reviewed for approval as a Master Naturalist activity must be submitted on theSubmission for Activity Approval form. Forms can be obtained by contacting me, Pamela Ball,pball12@satx.rr.com, or from the AAMN website at www.alamomasternaturalist.org.

PLEASE REPORT YOUR HOURS !!

Reporting hours is easy with the new EXCEL spreadsheet that was developed for e-mail submissions or

for mailing in your hours. It is available online at www.alamomasternaturalist.org .

2

Activities InformationPam Ball

pball12@satx.rr.com

Application ReviewHolly Camero

chcamero@aol.com

Community OutreachPam Yarnold

pyarn@sbcglobal.net

DevelopmentThea Platz696-8260

tplatz2@sbcglobal.net

Education / Training CommitteePam Ball (Chair)

pball12@satx.rr.comLiz Robbins

srobbins@gvtc.comNancy BrownAnne Gulley

Lonnie ShockleyGary Trede

Education OutreachCindy Sims

Cindy.Sims@sanantonio.gov

HistorianSusan Blaker

susan.blaker@sanantonio.gov

HospitalityNancy Brown

Membership/Hours SubmissionWilt Shaw

WShawjr888@aol.comLing Yin Liu

ling.liu@sanantonio.gov

NewsletterJoann Smith

sanantoniosmith@yahoo.comJamie Daily

jdaily8289@wildblue.net

OutingsThea Platz696-8260

tplatz2@sbcglobal.net

NominationsJ.W.Pieper

jwp1@gvtc.com

Public Relations/Media RelationsJ.W. Pieper

830-336-3241

jwp1@gvtc.com

Web SiteSam Glass

webmaster@alamomasternaturalist.org

Visit our website at

www.alamomasternaturalist.org

October General Meeting

Wednesday, October 14, 7:00 pmAAMN Board Meeting 5:15

San Antonio Botanical Garden

Edwards Aquifer Protection Program:

Using Conservation Easements to Protect Our Precious Water

Kristyl M. M. Smith, JD, Special Project Manager for COSA’s

Edwards Aquifer Protection Program, will join us to discuss how conservation

easements are being used to help protect our aquifer. Under the program, the

city has placed over 78,000 acres under protection.

Come with plenty of questions - this is a great opportunity to hear directly

from someone so deeply involved in managing this incredible resource.

Approved for Advanced Training

Where to report your hours:

Last names A-M:

Wilt Shaw

104 Dove Meadow

Boerne, TX 78006-4222

Email : WShawjr888@aol.com

Last names N-Z:

Ling Yin Liu

4946 Dare Lane

San Antonio, TX 78217

Phone: 210-207-0021

Email: ling.liu@sanantonio.gov

Rainwater Harvesting WorkshopsOctober 26 & 27, 2009

Antique Rose Emporium, 7561 E Evans RdSponsored by Texas Agrilife Extension, & Antique Rose Emporium.

The cost of the program is $5 per person. You need to RSVP by October 23 to Annette Pawelekat the Bexar County Extension Office at 3355 Cherry Ridge, Ste 212 in San Antonio.

(210) 467-6575

Rainwater Collection for In Home UseMonday, October 26 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Billy Kniffen & Bryan Davis

In times of drought capturing rainwater canhelp conserve water. This course will showhomeowners several different uses of rain-water including both potable and non-potablesystems that work in homes.

Rainwater Collection for Landscape

and Wildlife.Tuesday, October 27 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

Billy Kniffen, Bryan Davis & David Rodriguez

Rainwater harvesting is an innovative ap-proach to capturing free water. We will showhow homeowners can save money by collect-ing and storing rainwater to use to irrigatetrees, shrubs, and flower beds, or to providewater to pets, birds, or other wildlife.

Volunteer News and Announcements 3

Notice: Proposed Slate of Officers for 2010 AAMN Board:

6th Annual San Antonio ArborDay Celebrat ion

On behalf of the Alamo Forestry Partnership

We need volunteers to work at the AAMN booth on Saturday,November 7, 2009. It involves passing out AAMN brochures andpackets of wildflower seeds. It is from 9 AM to 1 PM.

It is approved for volunteer hours.

This year it will be held at Lincoln Park nearthe Claude Black Center and the AT&T Center.This year’s event is supported by the San Antonio Spurs, CPSEnergy and SA Parks and Recreation.They have lots of fun activities planned.

Thank you for supporting trees in the Alamo Area Region.

If you can help or have questions, please contact :

Pam YarnoldAAMN Community Outreachpyarn@sbcglobal.net or by phone at: 210-497-1088

Hours Awards2009 Salamander Pin

Name Class

Maureen Ballard 20

Pete Cowger 22

Carolyn Estes 24

Brent Kinard 20

Nalga Mebane 21

Susan Oualline 23

Certification and Special Awards for October

Pam Ball 18

Cheryl Hamilton 21

Jane Henry 19

Nancy Brown 21

Jamie Daily 22

Eva Fromme 21

Anne Gully 20

Kenneth Fletcher 22

Larry Loop 6

Paul Mebane 21

Susan Oualline 23

Gary Trede 23

Pam Yarnold 24

1000

500

500

250

250

250

250

250

250

250

250

250

250

Name Hours Class

Dragonfly Pin

Name Class

Carolyn Estes 24

President: Gary Trede

Vice President: Liz Robbins

Treasurer: Pete Cowger

Secretary: Jamie Daily

Member at Large: Roy Yarnold

Member at Large: John Wolcott

Member at Large: Pam Ball

Help Celebrate Texas Native Plant Week

In observance of the first annual Texas NativePlant Week, the San Antonio chapter of The NativePlant Society of Texas will hold information ses-sions at six local nurseries to increase the public'sawareness of Texas native plants as landscapeoptions.

Master Naturalists are needed to assist NativePlant Society members at each participating nurs-ery to provide information on the benefits of na-tive plants, direct visitors to where the natives aredisplayed at each nursery, distribute printed mate-rials, and answer questions about appropriatespecies and how to grow them. Vast knowledge ofnative plants is not required to help!

The Native Plant Society has requested 1 or 2 MNsat each nursery event.

For more info or to volunteer, contact John Nikola-tos at (210) 320-4767 or jnik@earthlink.net Ap-

proved for Volunteer Hours!

See the chart for locations, dates and

Rainbow Gardens

8516 Bandera Rd

San Antonio, TX 78250-2545

Saturday

Oct. 10, 2009

10am - 2pm

Rainbow Gardens

2585 Thousand Oaks

San Antonio, TX 78232

Saturday

Oct. 17, 2009

10am - 2pm

Schulz Nursery

100 W Huebinger St

Marion, TX 78124

(off I-35 north of 1604)

Saturday

Oct. 17, 2009

10am - 2pm

Antique Rose Emporium

7561 E. Evans Rd

San Antonio, TX 78266-2823

Saturday

Oct. 24, 2009

10am - 2pm

Milberger's Nursery

3920 North Loop 1604 E

San Antonio, TX 78247

Saturday

Oct. 24, 2009

10am - 2pm

Shades of Green

334 W. Sunset Rd

San Antonio, TX 78209-1790

Saturday

Nov. 14, 2009

11am – 3pm

Robber Baron CaveVolunteer Opportunity!

Saturday, October 3, 8:30 A.M.

Bring work gloves and digging toolsto help plant native plants at theRobber Baron Cave! Drinks andlunch will be provided to volun-teers.

Once the planting is completed,there will be an opportunity for vol-unteers to have a tour of the cavewith members of the Texas CaveManagement Association.

Robber Baron Cave Preserve islocated at 115 Camellia Drive inSan Antonio, on the corner of Ca-mellia and Nacogdoches about 7blocks inside Loop 410.

Limited to 20 volunteers; RSVP toCheryl Hamilton atcryhm@hotmail.comor call 210-342-9721.

Approved for Volunteer Hours

Help With the Annual HAWK WATCH in Corpus ChristiAugust 15 - November 15

The hawk watching event at Corpus Christi has been approved for MN volunteerhours. Check here: Hawk Watch Homepage to find out more about Hawk WatchInternational. As you scroll down the page you'll see another link for CorpusChristi, with dates and directions. If you have any questions, please contact LizRobbins at: srobbins@gvtc.com . You just show up between the days posted,from 8 AM - 5PM. Introduce yourself, tell them you're with AAMN and you'rethere to help. They need you to look up into the sky all the time and announcewhen you see anything flying in the sky. If you can't id the bird, don't worry! Theyneed spotters-the official counters do all the identifying. Wear comfortable clothesand dress for the weather. If you have a reclining folding chair, it can save your neckfrom getting sore. Bring along insect repellant, patience, water and snacks!

It’s that time of year again - time toselect our board for the coming year.Here is the list of proposed candi-dates, all of whom meet the require-ments and have indicated they arewilling to serve if elected.Nominations may be made from thefloor– or contact our nominationschairman (see pg.2) to nominate acandidate (even yourself).

4 Volunteer News and Information2009 Statewide Texas Master Naturalist Annual Meeting and Advanced Training

October 23-25th, 2009 at Mo Ranch

Do You Have Any Awesome Pictures of AAMN Activities? Great Moments in Volunteering?

Would You Be Willing to Share Them with the other Texas MN Chapters?

This is Donna Cole of the Blackland Prairie Chapter, I am gathering photos needed for the Slide Show at the Annual Meeting. Eachyear I request photos via a -listserv message and I usually only get them from about 10-12 chapters. I thought this time I would waituntil closer to the meeting and write each chapter directly in order to get a better response.

We’re at around 39+ chapters so ideally I would like to have 10 photos from each chapter. However, some chapters may not respondso I’m going to go ahead and take 20 photos from each chapter. If you’d like to indicate your top 10 somehow that’s fine; otherwise,I’ll choose the 10 I think are best/most fun/potentially most embarrassing.

I can take the photos in most standard formats - .jpg is the easiest and most common to work with. I don’t mind if the photos are atfull resolution (2-3 MB) because I will resize as needed, but feel free to send only 1MB or less files. This isn’t a Sundance film(although maybe it should be)...it’s just for fun! I am happy to receive either a CD or emails of the photos (email is preferred); pleasedo not ask me to pull them from your website or Flickr page or what have you.

If you want a caption on the photo please add it yourself prior to sending it *OR* please make it very clear which ones need cap-tions. I sometimes receive a list of captions without the image name/number and I’m left to sort it out on my own and then I‘m all trau-matized about getting something on there wrong.

I’m hoping to have all the sound issues worked out now that I have access to a cool little jitney that will play the PC sound through themicrophone, so if you have song ideas feel free to send those as well.

Finally, if you are sending photos please email me to say they’ve been sent so I can check for them. If I don’t respond please call meat 972-625-3366 because apparently my ISP hates me and tends to put stuff in the junk mail folder that doesn’t belong there and Iwon’t see it for a few days. If you are not sending photos please let me know so I won’t bug you or worry that I’ve missed some-thing. If you pass this email along to someone else in your chapter please make sure that someone contacts me.

I probably will not be arriving at the conference until early Saturday morning this year so I will not be able to take late submissions.Deadline to receive photos is Friday, October 16th unless prior arrangements have been made.

Thanks!

You may register NOW by navigating to:https://www.regonline.com/TMNconference2009

Attention: To avoid any mistakes or for your ease of registering you will firstwant to look at (and print out) the Conference Website information from the fourtabs shown before clicking the "register now" button.

Exemplary Project Awards take place at the Annual Meeting--Makesure your chapters submits an entry!

Project Fair: This event is planned for the annual meeting again thisyear. Each Chapter will have the opportunity to showcase an exemplaryproject of their choice at the fourth annual Project Fair. This will

provide an opportunity to share a successful project and give otherchapters ideas to take home and implement. Plan to exhibit an exampleof the service project work that your members have completed with pride!Contact Michelle Haggerty or Sonny Arnold for more information anddisplay guidelines for this year’s event at mhaggerty@ag.tamu.edu orsarnold@ag.tamu.edu There is award money at stake! This year’sawards are being underwritten by the Magnolia Charitable Trust. Thereare also some revised/updated guidelines for this years Project Faircompetition... the Project Fair download is on the TMN website or contact Sonnyor Michelle for your copy today.

Training qualifies for Advanced Training; any Field work for Volunteer Hours

Donna ColeBlackland Prairie Chapter5020 Lakeshore BlvdThe Colony, TX 75056

972-625-3366 home

214-538-4444 cell

txmasternaturalist@tx.rr.com (pleasecall to make certain yours camethrough)

Approved MN Volunteer Opportunities: Help Plant and Give Away Free Trees with COSA

Please spread the word and let me know if you would like to help.For more details, contact Michael Nentwich, City Forester, at: michael.nentwich@sanantonio.gov

Saturday, October 17 from 9 am - 11:30 am (training and planting): Planting and care training and will plant 10 trees at CollinsGardens Library (200 N. Park, 78204)

Saturday, November 7 from 9 am - 2 pm (free trees, planting, training, fun): Arbor Day 2009 at Lincoln Park (2915 E. Commerce) Saturday, December 5; setup starts at 7 am (1-gallon trees): City Manager's 5K Fun Run/Walk at Brackenridge Park

Thank you,

Michael Nentwich, City Forester, San Antonio Parks & Recreation (210) 827-3485

5Volunteer News and Information

Vi va Vo l untar io sV i va Vo l untar io sV i va Vo l untar io s !!!

Join us at Medina River to help with general natural area

maintenance....LAST TIME IN ’09 : OCTOBER 31

Second Saturday in October: Eisenhower ParkOctober 10, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm - Welcome to my Web

Come join Dr. Cary Guffey on a lively hike while learning aboutthe wonderful world of spiders and other arachnids. Bring flash-lights as it will be dark before we finish. Recommended for older

children and adults.Suggested donation of $3.00/pp - $5.00/family.

for more information or to volunteer, please call

Peggy Spring at 210/564-6402 or email atpspring@sanantonio.gov www.sanaturalareas.org

Volunteer in San Antonio Natural Areas

5th Annual FALL FESTOctober 10, 2009 9:00am-11:00am

Celebrate the fall harvest! Demonstrations of:Snakes, Dog Rescue, Birds, Tree Give-Away, Flint knapping,Fly Fishing, Geocaching, Hiking and Fishing Safety, Insects,

Arachnids, Turtles, Mammals and Solar Cooking

Reservations are requested. For more information or to RSVPcall Medina River Natural Area at (210)624-2575 Suggesteddonation for all events is $3.00/person or $5.00/family.

MEDINA RIVER NATURAL AREA

Land Stewardship Workshop for WomenWomen of the Land is a land stewardship training program designedspecifically for women landowners, land managers, and wildlifeenthusiasts. The program combines information on land managementand skill-based outdoor recreation in a venue that encourages womento ask questions, improve outdoor skills, and network with women ofsimilar interests. The Texas Wildlife Association, in partnership withTexas Parks & Wildlife and with support from the San Antonio Live-stock Exposition, will host this event.

The 2009 Basic Women of the Land will be held at Camp Allen inNavasota, October 30 through November 1. This year’s program willfocus on habitat management for a variety of wildlife species in theblackland prairie region of Texas but the information gained will beapplicable statewide. Prairie management and the restoration of nativegrasslands will be major topics with attendees having the opportunityto tour some model properties where excellent management is beingdone.

Registration is limited to 40 so get your registration in ASAP.

Texas Wildlife Association - The Texas Wildlife Association is astatewide organization that is an active advocate in the state andnational political arenas for wildlife and natural resourceconservation. Education of our young people and our growing urbanpopulations, increasingly disconnected from the land, is critical tounderstanding our natural resources and maintaining rural lifestyles.

If you or someone you know is interested in the Women of the Landprogram please visit the Texas Wildlife Association website athttp://www.texas-wildlife.org or contact Justin Dreibelbis atjdreibelbis@texas-wildlife.org or (512) 551-3004.

Dear Members,

This is a opportunity for community service, although not ap-proved for MN hours, but boy is it fun!!!

Guadalupe River State Park has had a Halloween Extravaganzafor many years and it has become an event that has grown to epicproportions, serving more than 1000 participants last year alone.

The event is a safe place for kids & their families to go to Trick orTreat. They walk the "haunted" trail loop that winds it way throughthe woods and fields. Also included is a story teller and complimen-tary refreshments. Participants walk from station to station alongthe entire trail to collect treats and enjoy the spooky atmosphere.

Where volunteers are needed: To pick out their station, bring deco-rations and make it a truly haunted trail. Man it in costume (areally fun part), giving treats to the Trick or Treaters andbring subdued lighting and candy.

Anyone is welcome to participate individuals, families or thoselooking for community service hours (school, boy scouts, girlscouts, teams etc.).

If you, your friends, any group or organization would like moreinformation, please contact:

Holly Camero

chcamero@aol.com 210 490-4882 (Home) 210 861-5004 (Cell)

LiveGreenFestOctober 10, 2009, Olmos Basin Park, 800 Olmos Drive

CPS Energy is hosting this annual event, which encourages SanAntonians to be more environmentally friendly. LiveGreenFest fea-tures product and educational exhibits, music and food, arts andcrafts displays and more. If anyone would like to man an informationalbooth for AAMN, please contact Pam Yarnold, our Community Out-reach Co-ordinator. pyarn@sbcglobal.net

Fall Wildlife FestivalSaturday, October 24, 2009, Mitchell lake Audubon Center, 10750Pleasanton Road, San Antonio, Texas.Free family-friendly festival features activities, programs, a plant saleand more! For details, visit www.tx.audubon.org/Mitchell.html.

Mitchell Lake Audubon Center Needs Volunteers to Help Main-tain the Natural Landscape: Mitchell Lake often needs the help oftrained volunteers – check their website at mitchelllakeaudubon.orgfor the latest opportunities.

Sadly, AAMN received word thatJudit Green's father passed away on

Tuesday September 8th. Judit is one of the four people responsible for

starting the Master Naturalist program. We extend to Judit and her

family our sincerest sympathy.

Hello, Friends:Our Nature of Learning education pro-gram won a local Going Green award! Ijust wanted to share with you this greatarticle that profiles our center and edu-cation program. Thank you so much foryour support over the years to help

make what we do for the San Antoniocommunity possible!Wishing you all the best,

Michelle Eckman, Education ManagerMitchell Lake Audubon Centerwww.mitchelllakeaudubon.org

Congratulations to our Friends at Mitchell Lake!

6 Approved Volunteer/Training OpportunitiesCity of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department Natural AreasOctober Stewardship Activities with Jayne Neal and Wendy Cooley

It doesn’t take much to make central Texans happy; dark skies, the unfamiliar sound of rain hitting the parched groundand sizzling rooftops, swollen rivers. It was enough to make the birds sing once again. The birds seemed to have fallensilent over the summer, almost as if was just too hot and dry to sing. There has been a surge of life once again in theNatural Areas thanks to the recent rains and the cooler temperatures. We can only hope that a new season will bringmore rain and an end to this devastating drought.

This month we will be mapping and assessing vegetative communities on Scenic Canyon. This activity involves some-times rigorous hiking through dense brush and steep terrain. No experience is needed. Be sure to bring plenty of waterand dress appropriately. We also have two exciting weekend activities (see below).

Please note we are switching to our Fall and Winter hours: 8:30 am- 12:30 pm.

If you have any questions, please contact Jayne Neal (210-372-9124, jayne.neal@sanantonio.gov) or Wendy Cooley(210-372-9124, wendy.cooley@sanantonio.gov).

Thurs, Oct. 1 8:30am-12:30pm Vegetation Community Assessment, Scenic Canyon, 19010 Scenic Loop Rd. Parkacross the street at Grey Moss Inn in designated area.

Thurs, Oct. 8 8:30am-12:30pm Vegetation Community Assessment, Scenic Canyon, 19010 Scenic Loop Rd. Parkacross the street at Grey Moss Inn in designated area.

Sat., Oct. 10 8:30am-12:30pm Rancho Diana Invasive Plant Eradication Workday with the San Antonio Invaders.Meet at Rancho Diana-White House, 9680 Menchaca Rd, Helotes, TX. We will be hiking to a locationwhere we will be removing exotic invasive plants. We will provide all equipment. Please bring workgloves if you have them. Please confirm with Wendy Cooley (210-372-9124,wendy.cooley@sanantonio.gov) or San Antonio Invader and AAMN member Cheryl Hamilton atcryhm@hotmail.com.

Thurs, Oct. 15 8:30am-12:30pm Vegetation Community Assessment, Scenic Canyon, 19010 Scenic Loop Rd. Parkacross the street at Grey Moss Inn in designated area.

Sat., Oct. 17 8:30am -12:30pm. Rancho Diana “Take back a piece of our prairie” Workday. Meet at Rancho Diana-White House, 9680 Menchaca Rd, Helotes, TX. We will be planting native wildflowers and grasses in asmall bed which was once overrun with the exotic invasive grass KR bluestem. We provide hand tools.Please bring work gloves if you have them. Please confirm with Wendy Cooley (210-372-9124,wendy.cooley@sanantonio.gov)

Thurs, Oct. 22 8:30am-12:30pm Vegetation Community Assessment, Scenic Canyon, 19010Scenic Loop Rd. Park across the street at Grey Moss Inn in designated area.

Thurs, Oct. 29 8:30am-12:30pm Vegetation Community Assessment, Scenic Canyon, 19010Scenic Loop Rd. Park across the street at Grey Moss Inn in designated area.

Saturday, October 10, 8:30 A.M.

Bring: work gloves, water and snacks

Wear: sun and insect protection, long sleeved shirts, long pants,hiking boots

Where: Rancho Diana: 9680 Menchaca Rd. Helotes, TexasDrive through the ranch entrance gate and follow the road to theWhite House

Please join members of the San Antonio Invaders to eradicateinvasive plants! Volunteers have already eradicated over 2500

invasive plants on the property.

Volunteers will hike 20 minutes each way to the invasive site. Lop-pers, hand saws, pruners and herbicide will be provided. No ex-perience with invasive plants is necessary.

For further information contact:

Park Naturalist Wendy Cooley at Wendy.Cooley@sanantonio.govor 210-372-9124.

SA Invader and AAMN Cheryl Hamilton at cryhm@hotmail.com or210-342-9721

Approved for Master Naturalist Volunteer Hours

Rancho Diana Invasive Plant Eradication Volunteer Opportunity!

7

By Sept 12th the Hot tub had received 3+ inches of rain. This was a large amount compared to last two years. But the North

west side of town received 8+ inches over the same time. The karst didn't need all that water though the aquifer level did

shoot up. Our Eastside black land prairie still lacks deep soil moisture needed for planting crops. However there was a green-

ing. Not necessarily a lawn grass, and definitely not a solid lawn, but some green clover looking plants popped up. Along the

highway road sides that had burnt, day lilies appeared and sage bloomed. No heavy mud, but the top soil was a bit spongy. Our

church prayed for more rains. As I write this, more rains have occurred. No one complains about the slick streets. It is a

delight to write about rains having written about the drought so long. The drought is NOT over. We all know too well the need

for rains even if my socks got wet today. It is a good time to go to Natural Bridge Caverns. — Tony Hajek

Hot Tub Naturalist - October

Master Naturalist Volunteers are needed for the San AntonioBotanical Garden’s Bootanica! Fall Fest on Sunday, October25. Two shifts are available: 9:30 - 1:30 and 1:30 – 4:30. Vol-unteers may work more than one shift if they wish.

Volunteers will work at the “Creepy, Crawly Cabin”in the East Texas area or the Butterfly Tent nearthe Old Fashioned Garden or with the DiscoveryWagons.

Most volunteers are needed at the Creepy, Crawly Cabin. Ac-tivities at the Cabin will include the Skins, Skulls & Tracks ta-bles, the Cool Spider Facts and spider make-n-take art activity.At least 5 volunteers per shift are needed for these activities.

There are three Discovery Wagons that can be pulled to differ-ent locations throughout the Garden. The themes are: Insect

Homes & Habitat, Insect Adaptations & Insects and People.They are simple to “man” and have instructions with them. 3Discovery Wagon volunteers are needed each shift.

The Butterfly Tent needs about 2 – 3 volunteers per shift. So, atotal of 10 – 15 volunteers will be needed each shift.

This is a fun day, with plant sales, a costumecontest, Children’s Vegetable Garden activities,a pumpkin patch, mini pumpkin painting andfood. Bring your family, work a shift and thenenjoy the day! Volunteers get free admission tothe Garden, and Volunteer Hours as well!

Contact Cindy Sims at cindy.sims@sanantonio.gov or call at207-3261. I will e-mail you information about where to report,directions, etc. when I hear from you.

Bootanica! Fall Fest at the Botanical GardensVOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR A DAY OF FUN NATURE ACTIVITEIS on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25

The 5th annual FREE Fall Wildlife Festival and Plant Sale takes place on Satur-day, October 24, 2009 from 9 am to 4 pm at the Mitchell Lake Audubon Centerin San Antonio, Texas.

“This year marks the 5th year of this great event. We invite our community tocome out to enjoy Mitchell Lake and learn more about our natural world, saidSusan Albert, Center Director. Our wonderful event has continued to grow andthis year offers more great activities and programs.”

The event includes plant sales featuring drought-tolerant and wildlife-friendlyplants, including those used in the Center’s wildscape garden for butterflies andhummingbirds. The San Antonio Water System (SAWS) will hold its AutumnBloom Giveaway, at which the first 800 people receive a complimentary, smallwater-saver plant.

This year, all activities and exhibits will be free to the public, including:

Hayrides

Guided plant and butterfly walks plus an “Animal Safari” presented byTexas Parks & Wildlife

Plant and wildlife-oriented lectures focusing on Water Saver Gardening

A raptor show featuring Last Chance Forever

Kids Corner featuring birdhouse building with Home Depot and kids activi-ties.

A plant sale featuring native and drought tolerant plants.

Relaxing hand & back massages from the Aveda Institute San Antonio

Snake and reptile exhibit

Live radio broadcast from KLUP

Over a dozen educational and activity booths focused on nature and ourcommunity

Vendors featuring products for gardening and birding

Cake to celebrate our 5th anniversary!

A raffle benefits education and conservation programs and features prizes in-cluding a garden landscaping project worth $3,500, garden bench, battery oper-ated mower, binoculars, Spurs tickets, family passes to area attractions, giftcards for local area nurseries and more. Tickets are $2 each.

As of this date, our event is made possible through generous sponsorship from:

Monarch Level: H-E-B; Live Oak Level: The Boeing Company, Pecan Level:Bromley Communications, Frost, Green Haven Industries, Bluebonnet Level:ZHI Holdings, Lantana Level: CPS, SACU.

For more information, contact MLAC: 210/628-1639,mlac@audubon.org, or mitchelllakeaudubon.org.

Rain date is October 25, 2009.

Approved for Volunteer Hours if assisting with the programs

MITCHELL LAKE AUDUBON CENTER 5th ANNUAL WILDLIFE FESTIVAL AND PLANT SALE

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2009 9AM T0 4PM

Master Naturalist

P.O. Box 690356

San Antonio, Texas 78269

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Master Naturalists are

volunteers dedicated to the

conservation,

preservation and restoration

of our natural resources,

promoting

ecological education

for all ages.The Alamo Chapter Texas Master Naturalist

Newsletter is published monthly for the members

and friends of the chapter. News and information

for the newsletter is always welcome.

Please contact

Joann Smith, Editor, by e-mail at

sanantoniosmith@yahoo.com.

Spring and Fall classes offered every year - find the application at: WWW.ALAMOMASTERNATURALIST.ORG

.

The Alamo Area Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists gratefully acknowl-edges the support of our sponsoring organizations: