TEXAS
Events Volunteer Opportunities
Alamo Area Chapter
Education & Training
Volume 14, No. 9
President's Message By Liz Robbins AAMN CLASS #27: At high noon on Thursday, September 9, the newest group of Master Naturalists will be starting their classes. All current AAMN members are invited to come, share their favorite potluck dish and welcome the new students. Contact Nancy Brown at njbrown@ sbcglobal.net for details. CHAPTER OPERATING HANDBOOK: The first draft of the Chapter Operating Handbook (COH) has been completed. To see the document, please CLICK HERE. The development of this document has been an extensive process for many of our members. We thank them all for their efforts. Please take the time to look over the document. Send in any concerns, suggestions or changes to any board member listed on the right column of this page. The final copy will be in the October AAMN Newsletter for all members to read. At the November meeting the members will be asked to vote for or against the adoption of the new proposed COH. CINDY SIMS - AAMN THANKS YOU: Most of you know Cindy Sims as the volunteer coordinator at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. She has also been our education outreach chair for more than six years. Cindy was instrumental in helping the AAMN procure the SABG administration building for all our meetings and graduation ceremonies. At the end of this year, Cindy will be resigning her post as education outreach chair. If you are interested in the position, contact Cindy at cindysims@sanantonio.gov. She will work closely with you during the transition. There are also several AAMN members who have assisted her this past year and they will continue on as committee members. Thank you Cindy for all the years of service. We are very grateful. SERVICE TO THE ORGANIZATION: If you are interested in assisting with board matters, or would like to help chair one of the committees, please do not hesitate to contact any of the board members and committee chairs listed in this news-
Special location for the September 14 meeting! We are so excited about being invited to the Helotes Creek Nature Center by founder and MN, Myfe Moore. For more information and directions e-mail info@helotescreeknaturecenter. org or call 695-1711.
letter. Service to the organization is approved for volunteer service hours. APPROVED VOLUNTEER SERVICE HOURS FOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH: If you have an opportunity to visit a school, lead a group of scouts on a hike, give a nature presentation at a church, library, or ladies'/men's club, please let Pam Yarnold know of your plans. As chair of the community outreach committee, she can designate the activity as outreach and verify the approval of the service hours you spend on the activity. Pam Yarnold is also ready and willing to assist you with materials, suggestions, and information that will make your presentation a fun and easy one. For more information or if you have any questions, contact Pam at pyarn@sbcglobal. net or Nancy Phillips at anrjp1@aol.com ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2011: The positions up for election will be president, vice president, treasurer and secretary. Please contact Anton Hajek (tonyhajek@yahoo.com) by September 24, if you are interested. All interested members seeking election will be listed in the October newsletter. Elections will be held at the November meeting. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor at that time.
September 14 Meeting Program
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exas AgriLife Extension Agent Bryan Davis will make a presentation on the identification of native grasses in the field. This program is approved for advanced training hours.
September, 2010
Board Meeting September 14 5:15 p.m. Program 7:00 p.m. Helotes Creek Nature Center 14433 Old Bandera Rd. Helotes, TX
Officers President Liz Robbins srobbins@gvtc.com 830-336-2778 Vice-President Linda Gindler ljgindler@earthlink.net Treasurer Pete Cowger petercowger@gmail.com Secretary Jamie Daily jdaily8289@wildblue.net Members-at-Large Lonnie Shockley lshockley1@satx.rr.com John Wolcott jwolcott@satx.rr.com Roy Yarnold royyarnold@sbcglobal.net Immediate Past President Anton Hajek tonyhajek@yahoo.com
ď‚?Texas Master Naturalist Alamo Area Chapter Newsď‚œ
News from the Board Committees Projects to be reviewed for approval as a Master Naturalist activity must be submitted on the Submission for Activity Approval form. Forms can be obtained by contacting 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.
Where to report your hours: Last names A-M: Last names N-Z: Wilt Shaw Ling Yin Liu 104 Dove Meadow 4946 Dare Lane Boerne, TX 78006-4222 San Antonio, TX 78217 E-mail : WShawjr888@aol.com Phone: 210-207-0021 E-mail: ling.liu@sanantonio.gov ACTIVATE YOUR 2010 GOOGLE DOCS ACCOUNT TODAY! John Wolcott jwolcott@satx.rr.com and Roy Yarnold royyarnold@sbcglobal.net have not only volunteered to assist you with this effort but will also serve as the clearing-house for information regarding reported hours, hours that have vanished and those that have gone unreported. 'One of a kind' certification pins are awarded each year to those who achieve 8 hours of advanced training and 40 hours of volunteer service. This year that pin is a wood duck. Milestone dragonfly pins are also awarded for 250 hours, 500 hours, and 1,000, 2,500 and 5,000 hours of volunteer service.
Lost Your Name Tag?
Contact Pamela Ball pball12@ satx.rr.com for a replacement by September 21. $7/ea.
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY:
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o you sometimes wish you could contact another AAMN, or a staff member of SAPAR, or SARA, TPWD, Texas AgrLife, MLAC, COSA, or CNC? Then CLICK HERE and become part of a growing AAMN membership directory. Thanks to Arless Lenz for coordinating and to Judith Shockley for developing the easy application format for you. Click now and sign up!
PHOTOS PHOTOS PHOTOS
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Have any photos of AAMN volunteering? ancy Phillips is working on a project that will display all the wonderful things our members are doing out in the community. Send your photos with captions when possible, to anrjp1@aol.com
AAMN Documents Online at: AAMN Documents
Access important chapter documents including bylaws and minutes online
Monthly Meetings AAMN meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month. The next meeting is: Tuesday, September 14 @ Helotes Creek Nature Center 14433 Old Bandera Road Helotes, TX 78023-3705 Beginning in October, all AAMN BOD and general membership meetings will be back at Agrilife. Tuesday, October 12 @ Agrilife AgriLife Extension classroom 3355 Cherry Ridge, Ste. 208 San Antonio, TX 78230
Committeees Activities Information Chair Pam Ball pball12@satx.rr.com Calendar Frank Ballard fm4459@sbcglobal.net Community Outreach Chair Pam Yarnold pyarn@sbcglobal.net Education Outreach Chair Cindy Sims 210-414-7020 cindy.sims@sanantonio.gov Historian Nancy Phillips anrjp1@aol.com Hospitality Chair Nancy Brown njbrown@sbcglobal.net Hours Submission Wilt Shaw wshawjr888@aol.com Ling Yin Liu ling.liu@sanantonio.gov Membership & Pin Awards Chair John Wolcott jwolcott@satx.rr.com Media & Technology Chair Jessica Manley 210-454-8019 jessica.manley+aamn@gmail.com Public Relations Greg Harmon gregharmon@gmail.com Training & Education Chair Pam Ball pball12@satx.rr.com Website The website is maintained by members of the Media & Technology Committee webmaster@alamomasternaturalist.org
Service to the organization is always approved for volunteer service hours.
Visit our website at www.alamomasternaturalist.org
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Texas Master Naturalist Alamo Area Chapter News
Local News TMN Annual Meeting - Oct. 22-24
LODGING STILL AVAILABLE T bar M Conference Center in New Braunfels, TX. http://www.regonline.com/TMN_11th_annual_meeting Register today!! The most popular Advanced Training Sessions fill up VERY QUICKLY! Your best value for registration is the full 3-day conference registration rate at $140 now through September 19th. After that date, registration rates increase.
SAWS Rain to Drain 10 Slots Available
Saturday, October 9th, 2010 from 8:30am-5:00pm. Find out how water gets to you and where it goes "after the flush." Explore the pipes and pumps that make up the infrastructure of a modern water operation and distribution system as you follow water from rain to groundwater, to the consumer and finally down the drain to waste water treatment. The group will take a bus to see geology of area related to acquifer, water pump station, and a waste water treatment facility. This is an all day tour with a stop for lunch. E-mail Arless at arlessann@yahoo.com for more information.
Hazel Bazemore Hawk Watch
Hazel Bazemore Hawk Watch http://www.ccbirding.com/thw/hb.html Corpus Christi, Texas (Nueces County) west of Corpus Christi, Texas in Nueces County Hawk Watch held at Hazel Bazemore County Park west of Corpus Christi, and Texas inLong. Nueces County GPS Lat. 27°51'56.8" 97°38'33.8" Lat. 27°51'56.8" Long. 97°38'33.8" Fall watch GPS hours 9:00 and a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Fall watch hours 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Central time Central time from August 14 - November 15 from August 14 - November 15 Approvedmapfor volunteer service hours. of Hazel Bazemore County Park location (Farm-to-Market 624 at County Road 69) Bring binoculars and a chair or chaise lounge. photos of Hazel Bazemore Park watchbut sites dress for the The observation pavilion isCounty covered Background on A the hat, Corpus Christi Hawksnacks Watch at Hazel weather. water, andBazemore: insect repellent are Raptor enthusiasts and birders have been watching hawks in migration at Corpus Christi and recommended. western Nueces County (including Hazel Bazemore County Park) since the mid-1970's. When you arrive, introduce yourself to the official The watches were originally conducted as individually-manned watches, staffed by whomever could come, whenever they could come. Sometimes consecutive days were monitored; often it Hawk Watchers. They will provide you with instrucwas catch-as-catch-can according to availability of warm bodies. tions on searching for you In 1988, then-Texas Regional Editor Johnflying Economidy raptors. initiated the firstWhen 10-consecutive day spot counts at Hawk Hill (aka Mockingbird Hill, aka that spot on the north side of the 17th tee of atheraptor (hopefully it will not beofficially a jetliner dragonWood River County Club's golf course). John's counts put the siteor on the international map, as seasonal reports were then published in the Hawk Migration Studies journal, published the Hawk Migration of North watchers America (HMANA)will twice astand year. fly) call outby and one of Association the official Picket line stakeouts were also tried, to get a your feel for the "corridor" of hawks during the fallthe behind you and confirm observation. When migration. As more volunteers became interested and willing to stake out suspected hotspot flyover sites, observers recorded hawks during both fall and spring migrations. officials are counting, do not talk, make noises or inFall is without a doubt the premiere migration period for this area, bringing a million or more terrupt. you are lucky, you willsporadic seeoverthousands of hawks overheadIf during the fall season. Spring flights are more the area, as weather patterns enable migrating raptors to spread out much farther on their trek back north broadwings pass over the park. Experience not necto their nesting grounds. Hawk Watch International (HWI) took notice of the massive flights of hawks being reported to essary. the international birding communities via the internet and journal articles published by
Hummer House RESCHEDULED for May 14, 2011!
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articipation is limited so get your reservation in now. This trip will be open to all AAMN, their friends and families and to other members of the environmental community. E-mail Arless at arlessann@yahoo. com for more information. Three hours of advanced training for those attending.
TXSER Annual Meeting
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he TX chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration is having its annual meeting this year in the beautiful piney woods of east Texas. For more information about the meeting, please go to: http://www.txser.org; for more information.
Second Annual Hajek Dinner
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he Rock Art Rendevous is set for this October. Once again, I will reprise the Friday night steak dinner for the first 20 Master Naturalists, significant others and children. So sign up for the event at www.Rockart.org and send your RSVP to tonyhajek@yahoo.com.
Class
Representatives Class 17 Julie Fisher zoezappa@hughes.net Class 18 Prem Nored premnored@gmail.com Class 19 Cal Eichler 210- 828-0833 Class 20 Suzanne Benavides & Palani Whiting Class 21 Nancy Brown njbrown@sbcglobal.net & Wendy Thornton Class 22 Linda Painter Darst donlindadarst@msn.com & Jamie Daily jdaily8289@wildblue.net Class 23 Steve Guerrant & Gary Trede gtrede@earthlink.net Class 24 John Wolcott jwolcott@satx.rr.com & Susan Hunnicutt schunnicut@aol.com Class 25/State Representative Ron Tullius 210-739-2566 rvtullius@sbcglobal.net Class 26 Dwight Henderson 210-496-5934 dwighth10@hotmail.com
HMANA.
In the fall of 1997, the first 90-consecutive day watch using paid observers was held at the
Hazel Bazemore watch site by Hawk2010-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Watch International. HWI, joined by generous Vol. 14, No.County 9 -Park September, 3
Texas Master Naturalist Alamo Area Chapter News
City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department Natural Areas
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September Stewardship Activities
By Jayne Neal
he vegetation surveys we do are wonderful opportunities to learn how to identify many local plants, get introduced to GPS, and be trained in how to use a compass to navigate in the field. While you do have to be able and willing to hike through brush and in rocky areas, the rewards are indescribable. For instance, finding an uncommon terrestrial orchid, Hexalectris nitida, also known as the Glass Mountain coral root. Curiously enough, while most of the H. nitida orchids that grow on the Edwards Plateau are cleistogamous (selfpollinating) and infrequently have open flowers, those that grow elsewhere in TX have blooms with a “slight sheen that catches the light. Hence the species name nitida, Latin for glossy and polished” (Liggio, J. and A.O. Wild Orchids of Texas). No matter what your particular ecological or natural history interest is, our vegetation surveys are a great opportunity to learn more about local plants and animals, while helping us gather important data. Another great benefit is that we provide all the training and almost all of the equipment. You will need to bring water and a backpack to carry some of the tools we will be providing. In September, we will do our vegetation surveys at Scenic Canyon. Below is the complete schedule of activities. Vegetation Surveys, Scenic Canyon Thurs, Sept 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: 7:30 am -11:30 am. 19011 Scenic Loop Rd., Helotes, TX 78023 Approved for volunteer service hours. Please contact Wendy Leonard (Wendy.Leonard@sanantonio.gov) or Jayne Neal (Jayne.Neal @sanantonio.gov); both Wendy and Jayne can be reached at 210-372-9124.
NPSOT
2010 Tour of Yards
Certified Arborist Examination
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his 21-hour course combines classroom instruction and hands-on activities in preparation for taking the ISA Certified Arborist examination. Three years of experience is required to take the exam. For more information, visit www.isa-arbor.com. Fridays, October 1 – November 5 TIME: 12:30 – 4 pm San Antonio Botanical Garden CONTACT: Sasha Kodet, 210-207-3270, sasha.kodet@sanantonio.gov Approved for advanced training.
Invasive Plants Advanced Training Opportunity
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ecome a Citizen Scientist with the Texas Invaders and learn how to identify, eradicate, control, and manage invasive species that threaten many of our most precious native flora and fauna … Date: Saturday, September 25 Time: 8:45 am – 4:00 pm Place: Mabee Library Auditorium, University of the Incarnate Word, SAT More about the program: Training includes classroom instruction and field experience in the Headwaters Sanctuary along the San Antonio River. At the completion of the session participants will be certified as Texas Invaders Citizen Scientists. Ongoing identification and eradication opportunities are available in Bexar and surrounding counties, including at the Headwaters! To register: download the Volunteer Interest Form from http://www.texasinvasives.org/invaders/become.php and submit to nadoinvader@gmail.com. Space is limited. Registration required. For more information: contact Balcones satellite leader Lonnie Shockley at 210-695-8419 or nadoinvader@ gmail.com Training approved for AAMN advanced training hours. Activities are approved for AAMN volunteer hours.
Community Action Committee
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he CAC of the Southern Edwards Plateau-Habitat Saturday September 25, 2010 Conservation Plan has scheduled meetings through 9a.m.-1p.m. the end of the year. These meetings will provide olunteers are needed and will be assigned to an area of time for addressing the remaining discussion topics and aceach yard to answer questions and to educate attendtion items needed for preparation of the draft HCP. Mark ees about the benefits of using Texas native plants your calendars for these currently scheduled meetings: in their landscape. The Tour Map and additional details will Monday, September 13, 2010 be posted at www.npsot.org/boerne, and www.cibolo.org beMonday, October 4, 2010 ginning September 22nd. To volunteer for this approved volMonday, October 18, 2010 unteer activity contact Donna Taylor at donna@cibolo.org Monday, November 1, 2010 Next meeting: September 7 at 6:30 p.m. Monday, November 15, 2010 at the Cibolo Nature Center CAC meetings are held from 6 p.m. until 8 or 9 p.m. Dave Barrett, owner of Where Wild Things Grow at the Casa Helotes Senior Center (12070 Leslie Road, Nursery in Leon Springs. Helotes, TX 78023). Specific meeting details will be anTopic: Planning for a Sustainable Garden - plant nounced on the SEP-HCP website as they become available selection, placement and cutting back www.sephcp.com. 4------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vol. 14, No. 9 - September, 2010
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Texas Master Naturalist Alamo Area Chapter News
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AWARDS SUMMARY By John H. Wolcott
am still in the process of mailing our AAMN pins to those of you who have earned but not yet received prior pins. Here are awards earned by our chapter member this past two months. Mary Frances Anderson Kathy Krnavek Lissa Martinez Judith Rodriguez Peggy York
2 24 25 17 25
Wood Duck Wood Duck Wood Duck Wood Duck Wood Duck
Roy Leslie
24
250 hours
Jessica Manley
25
250 hours
Wendy Thornton
21
500 hours
Roy Yarnold
24
500 hours
Ron Tullius
25
1,000 hours
Question, concerns, comments or cries for help: John Wolcott, Membership. (210) 497-4365 or jwolcott@ satx.rr.com
www.sanaturalareas.org EISENHOWER PARK
19399 NW Military Hwy. Approved for volunteer service hours if assisting September 11, 2010 - 10 a.m. to noon Animal Tracking Join wildlife biologist Richard Heilbrun (Texas Parks & Wildlife Department) for an interactive workshop to explore wildlife tracks of central Texas.
FRIEDRICH WILDERNESS PARK
21395 Milsa Approved for volunteer service hours if assisting September 4, 2010 - 10 a.m. to noon Nature Walk - Friedrich Park Nature & Trees Explore this beautiful park and learn about it's ecology and trees. Reservations are recommended, as the hike will not be conducted if there are no pre-registered participants. Participants are limited to 15 per hike. For groups of 8 or more please call to schedule a separate hike. Meet at the restrooms near the parking lot in each park. Be sure to BRING WATER to drink! $2 donation.
GUADALUPE River STATE PARK/ hONEY cREEK nATURAL aREA
3350 Park Rd. 31 Approved for volunteer service hours s you may have seen we are in the process of clearing 180 acres of cedar from our park. Most of the cedar has been cleared by large equipment; now we need to remove the small cedar that is growing around the oak stands. We are working under a grant to supply the money for this project.
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Contact Greg Nash Lead Ranger Guadalupe River State Park/ Honey Creek State Natural Area 830-438-2621(Office) 830-438-4126(Fax) 210-602-7858(Cell)
MEDINA RIVER NATURAL AREA
15890 Hwy. 16 South Approved for advanced training September 11, 2010 - 9 a.m. to 11a.m. Native Plants of the South Texas Brushlands Hike with author and local botanist Patty Leslie Pasztor and learn about edible and native plant uses. Program reservations: (210) 207-3111
PHIL HARDBERGER PARK
12000 NW Military Hwy. Just for fun September 4, 2010 - 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Arachnids We will explore the interesting & fascinating world of spiders. We will walk through the park looking for spiders in various habitats. We will additionally have a kid friendly activity. Presenter: Dr. Cary Guffey of Our Lady of the Lake University. Program Reservations: 624-2575. Call (210) 564-6400 for reservations and information regarding these activities unless stated otherwise. Reservations are recommended. Walk-ins will be accepted on a limited basis. Some programs are free. Suggested donations for most programs: $3 per individual/ $5 per family.
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Texas Master Naturalist Alamo Area Chapter News
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center Docent Training Sessions Scheduled
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or those with an interest in nature and the wish to instill this appreciation in others, becoming an MLAC Volunteer Docent is a perfect way to give back to the community. Docent training is an 8-week course that will be held Saturdays. Each session lasts three hours. Training includes the history of Mitchell Lake, bird and plant identification, wildlife management, nature center procedures, and educational nature interpretation. This fall our training will begin on September 11 at 9 a.m. The cost is $35 and includes training and materials. MLAC docents assist in all aspects of center operation including working in our Visitor Center, acting as interpretative guides for tours and programs, assisting with environmental education programs for students, helping with our special events or on conservation projects on our site. For more information, or to sign up for the training program, contact the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center at: 210/628-1639, or meckman@audubon.org Mitchell Lake, designated as a wildlife refuge by the city of San Antonio in 1973, is a 1200-acre natural area consisting of a 600-acre lake and 625 acres of wetlands, ponds and uplands. Programming at the Audubon Center is specifically designed to focus on educating families, with an emphasis on outdoor science and citizenship. Audubon has partnered with the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) to showcase this wonderful natural area and welcomes not only the nature enthusiast to its gates but also connects schoolchildren and families to this natural place. The Mitchell Lake Audubon Center provides science education for local K-12 schools with a special emphasis on 4th grade. Approved for advanced training and volunteer service hours. Susan Albert Center Director Mitchell Lake Audubon Center 10750 Pleasanton Rd., San Antonio, TX 78221 210-628-1639 www.mitchelllakeaudubon.org
30 Bugs Every Gardener Should Know
Sept 14, 2-4pm @ the Extension Office 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208 or anyone working outside or with a garden, there are about 30 insects every gardener will run across at one point or another in their outdoor career. Learn the good, bad, and ugly and how to avoid, manage, and encourage them! Please RSVP to Molly at mekeck@ag.tamu.edu so we know you're coming. Approved for advanced training
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September, 2010
Cibolo Nature Center
September 7, 2010 www.cibolo.org Butterfly Identification Class/ Survey (AT and VSH) Learn to identify common butterflies of the Texas Hill Country with Tom Collins! This class will include a one hour classroom presentation and then time in the field looking at butterflies. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. / CNC Auditorium September 8, 2010 Outdoor Classroom Guide Training (AT) We need you! Please come to our spring Outdoor Classroom organization meeting and see if you would like to become a Trail Guide with this award-winning program. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. / CNC Auditorium September 11, 2010 Rainwater Harvest Workshop (AT) John Kight, engineer and rainwater catchment owner gives the latest technological information and the most practical advice. Learn about design and materials from someone who has done it himself! 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. / CNC Auditorium and visit to Kight installation Fall Grasses Workshop (AT) Bring your grasses and questions for the expert! Program includes easy walk to look at and learn about 20 fall grasses growing at the Nature Center. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. / CNC Pavillion Second Saturday Volunteer Workday (VSH) This is a major call for troops! This workday is an important event for several reasons: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. / CNC Park September 13, 2010 Texas Stream Team: Water Quality Assessment (AT) Texas Stream Team, in partnership with the City of Boerne and the Cibolo Nature Center, are hosting a water quality monitoring training session on Monday, September 13th at the Cibolo Nature Center 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. / CNC Auditorium and Park September 17, 2010 Texas Monarch Monitoring Project Training (AT) Friday AND Saturday, September 17 and 18. 9 AM - 4 PM on Friday and Saturday. 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. / CNC Auditorium and Park All CNC activities listed here are approved for volunteer service hours or advanced training where applicable.
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CNC, cont.
Texas Master Naturalist Alamo Area Chapter News
All CNC activities listed here are approved for volunteer service hours or advanced training where applicable. September 18, 2010 Texas Invasives Workshop (AT) Contact Lonnie Shockley at nadoinvader@gmail.com or 210-695-8419 (before 7 p.m.). 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. / CNC auditorium September 20, 2010 Dragonfly Identification 101 (AT) Learn to identify common dragonflies of the Texas Hill Country with dragonfly expert Martin Reid. 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. / CNC Auditorium September 21-25, 2010 WILDLIFE FIELD RESEARCH (AT AND VSH) Are you interested in mammals, insects, reptiles, birds, grasses, trees, fishes or aquatic invertebrates? Become a citizen scientist! All day / CNC Park
Plant Trees San Antonio Program
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he City Forester's Plant Tree San Antonio program, which will add 9,000 trees to city parks, needs help immediately to water hundreds of young trees as they arrive from the nurseries. Saturday, 9/11 9:00 - 11:00/8:30 if supervising Lakeside Park, 5640 Lakefront Dr. 78222 Park entrance is on Lakefront, turn south off Rigsby. Friday, 9/17 9:00 - 11:00/8:30 if supervising Cuellar Park 5626 San Fernando 78237 Park entrance is between SW 34th St. and SW 36th St. Saturday, 9/18 9:00 - 11:00/8:30 if supervising Palo Alto Park, 1625 Palo Alto 78211 Park is between Fairmeadows and Lawley St. Saturday, 9/25 9:00 - 11:00/8:30 if supervising Martin Luther King Park, 3503 ML King Drive 78220 Park entrarnce is west of Bridge over Salado creek. Saturday, 9/25 Time TBA National Public Lands Day Dignowity Hill Park 701 Nolan 78202 Park is between Burnet St. and Nolan, N. Hackberry and N. Olive St. City Forester Michael Nentwich is the contact person for questions and to arrange individually a time to volunteer. Please call him at 210-207-3108 or send him an e-mail to michael.nentwich@sanantonio.gov. Approved for volunteer service hours
River Walk Garden Workday
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Second Friday of every month - 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. olunteers are needed to cut, trim, and plant at the San Antonio Riverwalk Garden. Bring cutting tools such as shears, rakes, and clip-
Community Outreach Science Day at Live Oak City Park
Thursday, September 30, 2010 7:15-12:30: Crestview Elem. School Science Day at Live Oak City Park We need two or three volunteers to have a booth with a nature activity and hand out AAMN information. Contact: Pam Yarnold pyarn@sbcglobal.net 210-497-1088/210-383-8224 After September 12, please contact Nancy Phillips AAMN Community Outreach anrjp@hotmail.com
2010 San Antonio World Water Monitoring Day
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orld Water Monitoring student activities are scheduled at several local elementary schools. These activities involve assisting students in running water tests and helping raise the awareness of water and water quality. Staff from CH2MHill will manage the activity and help MN's to assist with smaller testing groups. If you are interested in helping at any of these events, please contact Judith Ibarra-Bianchetta at 210- 321-6257 or Judith.Ibarra-Bianchetta@ CH2M.com for information and to volunteer to help. Wear your AAMN t-shirt and/or AAMN name tag while helping at the event and you can log Community Outreach volunteer service hours for our chapter. CH2MHill welcomes any Master Naturalists who want to come help run the water tests with the student groups, to raise the awareness of water and water quality in our community. CH2MHill staff will manage the main activity, with MNs assisting within the smaller testing groups. Sept. 13, 2010 from 10 am to noon: Passmore Elementary School, 570 Pinn Rd. 78227-1234. Sept. 20, 2010 from 9 am to 11 am: DeZavala Elementary School, 2311 San Luis St. 78207-4736. Sept. 28, 2010 from 9 am to 11 am: Beacon Hill Elementary School, 1411 W. Ashby Place 782016337.
pers and also gloves and water for this workday. This is an AAMN project at the corner of Aubrey and Old Guilbeau on the Riverwalk. Lan Eng 830-980-2300 or lanbceng@gmail.com Approved for volunteer service hours
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INVASIVE PLANT ERADICATION
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aster Naturalists and members of the Balcones Invaders Satellite invite you to join in our efforts to eradicate invasive plants in the northwest area of San Antonio. Locations include Rancho Diana, Scenic Canyon and Madla Natural Area. To date, we have eradicated over 9,000 specimens. The work is satisfying and no prior experience or training is required. Join us in September 2010 on one or more of the following dates: Tuesdays, September 7, 14, 21 and 28 We meet outside the gate at Rancho Diana (end of Menchaca Road in Grey Forest) at 7:30 A.M. and conclude at 9:30 or 10:00 A.M. If you are interested in joining us, contact Lonnie or Judith Shockley at lshockley1@satx.rr.com or 210-6958419 for details. Approved for advanced training/volunteer service hours.
Master Naturalists are volunteers dedicated to the conservation, preservation and restoration of our natural resources, promoting ecological education for all ages. The Alamo Area Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists gratefully acknowledges the support of our sponsoring organizations:
WWW.ALAMOMASTERNATURALIST.ORG Alamo Area P.O. Box 690356 San Antonio, Texas 78269 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Why Discolored Teeth?
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By Chris H. Menzel - Alamo Area Master Naturalist ave you ever thought about why rodents have discolored teeth or even noticed? Like most curious things in nature it is a special adaptation that assists in survival. Common rodents include, rats, mice, squirrels, beavers, porcupines, guinea pigs, and beavers to name only a few. Forty percent of mammal species are rodents, and they are found throughout most of the world. Rodents are characterized by two continuously growing incisors in both the upper and lower jaws that must be kept at a constant length by gnawing. Incisors are the frontmost teeth in the mouth. Rodents must have razor sharp incisors to gnaw through wood, break into nuts and seeds, and for defense against predators. The incisors are composed of two different substances, the front (anterior) portion of the tooth is comprised of a high iron content enamel that creates the yellowish-orange tooth color. The iron content is much harder than the rear (posterior) portion of the tooth which is a softer material called dentine. Therefore, as the animals chew, the softer material wears away faster than the colored harder part so that the teeth are constantly sharpened as they grow. So, the next time you see a rodent give a moment of appreciation to how Mother Nature gave this creature a special tool to survive.