Volume 15 Issue 1
Spring/Summer 2018
Kingfisher City of Edinburg Parks & Recreation Department Edinburg Scenic Wetlands & World Birding Center Programs & Events
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CENTER NEWS
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Message from the Manager Around 25 years ago, conversations began about opening a “World Birding Center” in the Rio Grande Valley. The idea was to create a “world class birding destination” in one of the birdiest places in the country. As the idea evolved and came to fruition, one site became nine - adding to the handful of places already known for great birding. Soon, other sites began to form and together the collective objective expanded from being simply “destination sites” for out of state visitors to also becoming “community sites” for the 1.5 million people living in the RGV. Today there are more than 20 dedicated nature sites offering programs, events, and opportunities for outdoor recreation, service learning, and career/skill development. Each Fall and Spring, ~ Marisa Oliva ~ thousands of school children visit our sites for environmental and science based field trips. Within their local communities, adults and families have access to a multitude of fun, family-friendly and safe outdoor activities. With hundreds of volunteer, intern and work opportunities, teens and college students are gaining real-world experience in the fields of interpretation, environmental education, natural resource sciences, botany, marketing and more. Not only are we a world-class destination for birding and nature tourism, our sites have transcended the original mission. For our residents, we have become part of the social fabric of community life. We thank you for making our site part of your life, and we look forward to continuing to serve you in 2018. ¡Bienvenidos!
Nature Notes: Playing in the Dirt Let’s face it, kids love splashing in mud puddles, rolling in the grass, digging in the sand box, and basically getting as dirty as possible. While these scenes may make most parents cringe (think of the cleanup), Studies have shown that in today’s sterile and sedentary world, playing in nature and getting a little dirty can actually be good for you on many different levels. Not only does spending time in nature encourage more activity and creativity, relieve stress and boost our immune systems, it’s also just plain fun. To encourage families to have more fun in nature, the EWBC has implemented the Year of Fun. Kick-off the Year of Fun with Spring Break Adventures. Join us for our upcoming events, such as: Fairy Festival, Kids to Parks Day, Make Some Noise, and Oh My Mud! It’s time to follow our children’s example - let’s play in the dirt and have some fun in nature.
Creature Feature: Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) Deriving its name from the long tufts of feathers atop its head, the Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) is a well-camouflaged nocturnal hunter, rarely seen in South Texas. A nimble flyer with acute hearing, it hunts over open fields or below sparsely forested canopy for prey such as mice, moles, small birds, and even snakes. During the day, it can be difficult to spot as it prefers to roost close to tree trunks or within dense vegetation. The Long-eared Owl is lankier than its more common cousin the Great-Horned Owl. Its long tufts are closer together, and lacks the large white patch beneath its chin. The owl Photo courtesy of SeEtta Moss sports a gray-brown body with pale bars and heavy streaks on its underside. Its eyes are surrounded by a large rufous facial disk. Long-eared Owls occur throughout most of the northern hemisphere, though found more frequently in the northern and western regions of North America. To our delight, this rare visitor was seen at EWBC over a two-week period in January and once again in February. We hope to see it return.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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A Birding Competition for the W hole Family! The competition will run throughout April in Edinburg. Age divisions include: Youth 8-12, Teens 13-17, Adults 18 & Up, Family/Mixed Group 5 yrs. & up.
Kick-Off Event
Saturday, April 7 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Team Registrations 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.: Kick-off Bird Walk 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.: How to Use a Field Guide
End of Competition
Tuesday, May 7, 4:30 p.m.: Final Submissions
Awards Ceremony
Wednesday, May 9, 6 - 7 p.m. To register, please call (956) 381-9922 by March 31. Fee is $12 per adult and $10 per child. Each registrant will receive a free t-shirt, snacks and other goodies.
Get ready for the Bird-a-Thon with Beginner Birder Courses (see pg. 5 for details)
The movie will be shown outdoors at the pergola. Please bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. Snacks will be available for purchase.
Celebrate a magical summer evening with our enchanted forest friends. Build fairy homes, dress up in enchanted themes for our children's costume contest, visit with woodland sprites and more. $5 fee per fairy home participant. Includes natural materials bundle. $2 for additional materials bundle.
ADULT PROGRAMS
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Bird Walks Join us for a walk around our grounds as we introduce you to the birds that make our gardens and wetlands home. Binoculars, scopes and field guides are provided. Tours are available in English or Spanish. Can't make the tour this time? Call Monica at (956) 381-9922 to schedule a tour, Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bird Walks March – May 1 Date: Every Tuesday Time: 8:30 - 10 a.m. Fee:
Regular admission, members free
Join in on the action and be a part of a global challenge to see which cities are the wildest. Join our event, events around the RGV, or record you observations on iNaturalist. For more information and to get involved in Texas, go to TPWD.TEXAS.GOV/NATURECHALLENGE.
Cooking with Native Plants
Nature Sketching and Journaling
Historically, native plants provided important sustenance for the native people of the area, as well as for the ranchers and farmers of our region. Join Enthnobotonist Benito Trevino and his wife and co-owner of Rancho Lomitas, Toni Trevino, as they show participants the wide variety of foods that can be made with native plants. RR.
Come out and spend a relaxing morning surrounded by nature and let your creative juices flow as you learn how to journal and sketch what you're seeing. What better way to document your morning than through your own artistic touch? You don't have to be a sketching expert. Everyone has their own style, and this program will help you find yours. RR.
Date: Saturday, March 24 Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m. Fee: $3 members, $5 non-members
How to Use eBird & iNaturalist iNaturalist is a citizen scientist platform where experts can help you identify what you see. eBirds is a real-time, online checklist for bird observations. Learn how to record what you see, keep track of species list, and see what others are observing by using these two programs. Learn how to use them to their full potential while contributing to science conservation. Participants will also learn about the upcoming City Nature Challenge 2018 and how to participate. RR.
Date: Saturday, March 24 & April 21 Time: 3 - 4 p.m. Fee:
Regular admission, members free
DATE: Saturday, May 5 TIME: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. FEE: $5 members, $7 non-members
Project WILD Combo Workshop Educators, learn how to teach young people about wildlife, habitat, and ecological systems through fun, hands-on, and easy to use activities. Activities are adaptable for all grade levels, aligned to the TEKS and TAKS, and teachers earn SBEC and TEEAC credit. This workshop includes sampling of activities and curriculum guide. Space is limited. RR.
DATE: Thurs - Fri, August 9 – 10 TIME: T: 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. (Lunch provided) TIME: F: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (Snacks provided) FEE: $65 (includes lunch and snacks)
TRAININGS AND SERVICE
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Saturday, March 24 2 – 3:30 p.m. Join a nation-wide survey of purple martin nests - from nest construction to fledging. Learn about purple
martins. Join the Purple Martin
Task Force.
Collect data April - July.
Task Force members must be at least 16 years old.
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Help us search for wildlife at the EWBC & record our observations in citizen science databases.
Saturday, June 16 Saturday, July 14 Saturday, Aug. 11
9 - 10:30 a.m. Regular admission, members free. All ages & skill levels welcome.
EXPLORE Your Worl^. LE@RN @\out Wil^lif_. RECORD Your O\s_rv[tions. The EWBC is seeking energetic, earth loving citizens to help with gardening projects, garden maintenance, construction projects and more. Water and tools will be provided, or volunteers may bring their own.
Volunteer Days
Saturday, March 10 & April 18 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. Want to volunteer but can’t make these dates? Contact Monica Barrera at (956) 381-9922 or mbarrera@cityofedinburg.com for more opportunities.
WORKSHOP DAY: FRIDAY, AUG. 3rd Teachers, join EWBC staff to learn about programs we can offer your students. Sample activities and earn TEEAC credit. RR. K-6 Grade Teachers: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 7-12 Grade Teachers: 2 - 5 p.m.
FAMILY DAY Saturday, Aug. 4 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Fun family activities Raffle prizes & store coupons Snacks & drinks The EWBC offers internships for college students and career explorers. If you are interested in gaining real-world experience in marketing, public outreach, wildlife / habitat conservation or environmental education, contact Monica Barrera at (956) 381-9922 or mbarrera@cityofedinburg.com
Free Entry for Educators & Their Family! (with school ID)
FAMILY PROGRAMS
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Geology Rocks Join the UTRGV Geology Club to explore how the earth is formed. View rocks and minerals up close, and hold a meteorite in your hand. RR.
Date: Saturday, March 3 Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Fee: Regular admission, members free
Beginner Birder Course Get started with birding or refresh your skills just in time for spring migration and the EWBC Bird-athon. Learn tips and tricks on bird ID, how to start a bird list, and how to use bird data collection sites like eBird. RR.
Program Dates and Themes: March 10: Beginner ID March 15: Birds of the RGV & Using Field Guides March 22: Keeping a Bird List: Data Collection Time: 3:30 - 5 p.m. (Mar 10) 4 - 5 p.m. (March 15 and 22) Fee: Regular admission, members free
M[r]h 13 - 16 Tu_, 1 - 3 p.m.
Outdoor nature play
W_^, 1 - 3 p.m.
Butterfly baiting
Thu, 2 - 3 p.m.
Photo scavenger hunt
Fri, 8 - 10 p.m.
Outdoor Movie night
Participation is free with paid admission.
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Family Outdoor Survival Hurricane flooding. Stranding by car trouble. Learn practical techniques to enable your family to survive probable emergencies. RR.
Program Dates and Themes: March 24: Communications March 31: Cutting Tools and Techniques April 7: Containers and Combustion April 14: Cover and Cordage Time: 10 - 11 a.m. Fee: Members free, $2 non-members
Bird Friendly Cascarones Want to make Easter eggs, or cascarones, without leaving behind all the mess? Make them with bird seed instead. It’s not only ecofriendly but provides food for birds as well. Join us to make eco/bird friendly cascarones to celebrate with your family, and the birds. Registration is required.
Date: Saturday, March 31 Time: 2 - 3 p.m. Fee: $2 members, $4 non-members per dozen eggs
Toddler Play Dates Help your tot discover the fun of nature. Toddler Play Dates are a great way to introduce your tot to the outdoors and to other kids through interactive play, learning, and creativity. Join us for an hour of guided activities including songs, crafts, and nature walks, followed by optional free play. For children 18 months to 4 years old. Registration is required.
Program Dates and Themes: April 21 Bees May 19 Seeds June 23 Mud July 21 Splash Party Time: 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Fee: $2 per toddler with one free guardian
FAMILY PROGRAMS
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Make Some Noise Nature creates a symphony of sounds every day. Join us to make your own musical instruments out of natural and recycled materials and then let’s make some noise at the Wetlands. RR.
Date: Saturday, March 17 Time: 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Fee: $2 members, $4 non-members
Power of Pollination Puppet Show Join us for a presentation of our “Power of Pollination” puppet show. The puppet show will be presented outdoors in our beautiful gardens. Sit amongst pollinators as you and your family learn why they are so important, then go on a guided walk to search for pollinators in the EWBC gardens.
Date: Saturday, April 28 Time: 10 - 11 a.m.
Daisies
Webelos
Earn your
Earn your
Clover & Rosie Petals
Into the Wild Badge
Saturday, June 9 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. $4 per scout
Saturday, July 7 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. $4 per scout
Pre-registration is required. Badges not included. Scouts must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or troop leader.
Have specific badge requirements you are aiming to meet? From outdoor survival skills to conservation, we are flexible in our ability to customize a variety of programs for your scouts. Call us today to schedule your individualized program.
Fee: FREE
Kids to Parks Day Join a national day of outdoor play celebrated by parks, cities, and towns nationwide. Celebrate the day by bringing your kids to EWBC for some fun, hands-on fossil excavation activities. RR.
Do you like to collect things? Have you found a cool rock or snake skin? Bring in your collected natural items and earn points to trade them for other cool nature items.
Date: Saturday, May 19
For more information about the kinds of items that can be traded, please call us at 956-381-9922.
Time: 2 - 3 p.m. Fee: $2 members, $4 non-members
HOLIDAY & STAFF CLOSINGS The EWBC will be closed for the following staff days and national holidays: March 30 May 3 - 4 May 28 July 4
Good Friday Staff Days Memorial Day Independence Day
It’s a swap shop for nature! Last Saturday of the month, June - August. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
EWBC Spring/Summer HOURS OFFICE: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Mon.-Sat.) GROUNDS: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Mon.) 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Tues.-Sat) CLOSED SUNDAYS
**South Pond Open Sunrise to Sunset**
FAMILY PROGRAMS
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Water Smarts Water plays a key role in our world, ensuring the success and survival of everything on earth, including us. Join us as we explore the impacts water has on our wildlife and ecosystem and cool off with some fun water activities, too. RR.
Upcoming Programs June 9
Plants
July 7
Animals
August 18
Humans
Time:
2 - 3:30 p.m.
Fee: $3 members, $5 non-members (6/9) Regular admission, members free (7/7 & 8/18)
Spectacular Saturdays Join us on the last Saturday of each month when we waive admission fees. Walk along the gardens and enjoy the wildlife, or rent binoculars and Children’s Play Sets free of charge with a picture I.D. Engage in Nature Play in the Children’s Garden, and enjoy indoor games and crafts. NOTE: Free entry does
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Oh My Mud! Earth means dirt, and dirt don’t hurt! Celebrate International Mud Day with us with fun mud games and activities. Let’s get muddy! RR.
Date: Saturday, June 30 Time: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Fee: Free
Creatures of the Night
Owls
Astronomy
June 7 8 - 9:30 p.m.
July 12 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Aug. 9 8:45 - 10 p.m.
These family-friendly programs include a presentation and outdoor activity. Presenters may bring live animals. Members free. $2 per non-member. For ages 6 and up. RR.
not include fee for concurring programs and activities.
Dates: 3/31, 4/28, 5/26, 6/30, 7/28, 8/25 Time: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fee:
FREE All Day
Have a nature question?
Visit with EWBC Naturalists on the last Saturday of the month, March - May, from 12 - 1 p.m. to chat about nature. Bring a picnic lunch and dine in the beautiful scenery of Mother Nature.
Junior Ranger Field Packs Designed for children ages 6 and up. Packs include binoculars, field guides, magnifying lens, aquatic net & collecting tray, nature journal & more.
Children’s Garden Play Sets Designed for children ages 5 and under. Choose from 10 different play sets, including music makers, dinosaurs, gardening, and fairies and gnomes. Rentals are free of charge with a valid ID. Limited to one activity pack per family.
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SUMMER EVENTS
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KICK‐OFF THE CHALLENGE
Explore different nature sites across the RGV with your family this summer and complete various challenges for a chance to win cool prizes. For more information or to register, please visit EWBC, call (956) 381-9922 or visit www.EdinburgWBC.org
Bring your family and a picnic basket out for a day of family fun. Join in on games such as a water balloon toss, tug of war, 3‐legged race and more. Register for the RGV Family Summer Adventure Challenge and start competing.
Admission is FREE
SUMMER SURVIVAL SERIES
Pirates
YO HO HO! PREPARE TO SET SAIL ON AN ADVENTURE AND PUT YOUR SURVIVAL SKILLS TO THE TEST.
WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS, JUNE 20—JUNE 29.
6 — 8 p.m.
6/20: SWABBIE LEVEL TRAINING: Gear, Knots, Containers and Crews. 6/22: MIDSHIPMAN LEVEL TRAINING: Foraging, Trapping, Fishing and Wilderness Cooking. 6/27: QUARTERMASTER LEVEL TRAINING: Navigation, Compass, Map-making & Defense. JUNE 29. SKULL ISLAND SURVIVAL CHALLENGE Put your skills to the test against other pirate crews. Winners take all.
RR: Reservations Required Please make reservations at least two days in advance, unless otherwise noted, by calling us at (956) 381-9922. Member price is for EWBC family members only.
SUMMER CAMPS
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This summer, get your kids moving and exploring in an EWBC Summer Nature Camp. Participants will learn about animals, plants, and our outdoor world through hands-on activities, explorations, arts & crafts and more. For more information, please call 956-381-9922.
Tots Camp: June 26-28 Parents, this camp is for you and your tot!
Spend time together learning about nature.
Naturally Creative: July 10-13 Calling the wild-of-heart and free-of-spirt! From building forts to painting with mud, this camp is all about creativity, fun, and play. Children will discover the fun of nature through interactive play and activities designed to get their brains thinking and their hands dirty.
Explore the outdoors Engage in song & dance while interacting with other tots! This camp is a great Ages: 6-9 chance for little ones to experience nature from Fee: $28 members, the very beginning! $32 non-members
Ages: 1-3 Fee: $10 members, $14 non-members Time: 9 - 10:30 a.m.
Photo Camp: July 16-20
Join professional nature photographer Ruth Hoyt for a fun five-day nature photo camp for kids!
Learn basics about cameras and photography using digital cameras focusing lighting composition making a print telling a story with photos & MORE!
ages: 9-13 fee:$150.00 time:8:30 a.m. - 3
p.m.
Don’t have a camera? We can provide one to use at camp.
Time: 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. Get wild, get messy, but most importantly, get outdoors!
Nature Challengers: July 24-27 Calling all kid warriors.
Learn to solve nature challenges through fun, competitive games with your peers. Challengers will have to : work with others to complete a series of nature challenges clear obstacles use critical thinking skills to find different ways to protect nature ages: 9-12 fee: $ 50 members, $ 54 non-members time: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
For all camps, registration deadline is one week prior to camp. Full payment is due two days prior to camp start date. Space is limited, so register your child today! Please call us at 956-381-9922 for more information or to register.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Become a member of the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands & World Birding Center. Receive great benefits as you support EWBC educational programs and habitat conservation efforts.
Benefits include:
2018-2019 Membership Patch Free entrance for up to 8 family members 10% to 20% discount on most merchandise Discounts on programs Biannual newsletter mailed to you
The Family Membership is $25 (thru July 2019)
Topics include: Insect Investigations
Whose Habitat
Wetland Explorations Reptile Mania
Soil Sense
Birding Mania
and more… Programs are offered for Pre-K - 12 grades; length & prices vary. Can’t come to us? We can come to you. Call us at (956) 381-9922 for information about our Outreach Programs or to schedule your school.
For portrait photographers, $75 yearly pass includes:
12 month access (from purchase date) Free entry for photographer and up to 15 clients No limit on number of photo shoots per year Opportunity of reserving site for an after-hours photo shoot (Tues-Sat), up to two hours after closing, at $50 an hour
A new source for outdoor happenings in the RGV
MARCH 3 Geology Rocks 10 Volunteer Day 10,15,22 Beginner Birder Courses 13-16 Spring Break Adventures 16 Outdoor Movie Night 17 Make Some Noise 24,31 Family Outdoor Survival 24 Cooking w/ Natives Demonstration 24 Purple Martin Watch Introduction 24 How to use eBird and iNaturalist 31 Cascarones
JUNE 2 7 9 9 16 20,22 23 26-28 27,29 30 30
Fairy Festival Summer Evenings: Night Creatures Daisy Scout Day Water Smart Citizen Science Day Survival Series Toddler Play Date Tots Camp Survival Series Oh My Mud! Nature Exchange
APRIL 7 7,14 18 21 21 28 28
Bird-A-Thon Kick-Off Family Outdoor Survival Volunteer Day Toddler Play Date How to Use eBird and iNaturalist Puppet Show City Nature Challenge
MAY 5 19 19 26
Nature Sketching & Journaling Toddler Play Date Kids to Parks Day RGV FSAC Kick-Off
JULY 7 7 10-13 12 14 16-20 21 24-27 28
Webelos Scout Day Water Smart Naturally Creative Camp Summer Evenings: Owls Citizen Science Day Ruth Hoyt Photography Camp Toddler Play Date Nature Challengers Camp Nature Exchange
Monthly Last Saturday: Spectacular Saturday Bird Walks every Tuesday, March - May 1st
AUGUST 3,4 Educator Days 9 Summer Evenings: Astronomy 9-10 Project/Aquatic WILD Workshop 11 Citizen Science Day 18 Water Smart 25 Nature Exchange
Spring/Summer 2018
Programs & Events
Parks & Recreation Department
www.EdinburgWBC.org
714 Raul Longoria RD PO BOX 1079 Edinburg, TX 78539
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands & World Birding Center