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is a chapter of the
National Audubon
Society. Its primary
goals are to promote
Bexar Tracks
species and habitat
conservation and envi-
ronmental education
Volume XXV, No. 3
in the community.
May-July 2007
For the latest news & updates, see http://www.bexaraudubon.org & http://www.sa-naturecenter.org
Chapman
For more information about the election,
Library Laurie see the Audubon website or contact one of
Cowles your chapter officers.
E a r t h S h a r e ? W h a t a b ou t i t ?
Earth Share of Texas raises money for environmental
and conservation organizations through workplace giv-
ing. If your employer participates in such programs,
please ask them (if they don’t already) to add Earth
Share to your giving options. When you and your co-
workers designate the Audubon Foundation of Texas
(AFT), Bexar Audubon Society can benefit. BAS
receives credit for our support of Earth Share — getting
the word out and promoting participation. Then BAS
receives funding annually from AFT. Want more info?
1-800-GREENTX or ESTX@earthshare-texas.org.
May-July 2007 3 Bexar Tracks
EVENTS & NEWS
F i r s t Sa t u r d a y H i k es M a y 3 — W a t e r f r om S t o ne : T he tonio.com or call (210)886-9991.
The first Saturday of each month, S t o r y o f Se l a h , B a m b e r g e r R a n c h B e x a r A ud ub on i s a s p on s or
San Antonio Natural Areas Program P r e s er v e o r ga n i z a t i o n f o r W i l d F e s t . W e a r e
of the San Antonio Parks and Public lecture and book signing by lo o k i n g f o r memb er s to v o l un teer
Recreation Department holds a author, Jeffrey Greene, with slides f o r t he ev ent a ny t i me bet ween
hike at one of the Natural Areas. and comments by J. David 7:30 an d 4:30 Fr i d ay o r Sa t ur da y.
Contact (210)564-6400 for the Bamberger: CENTRAL LIBRARY, No ex per ience necessar y! Pl eas e
schedule, locations, and reserva- 6:30pm, 600 Soledad. Contacts: c a l l H a r r y N o y es f o r m o r e i n f o r -
tions. $2 per person donation sug- Kaye Lenox, San Antonio Library ma ti o n: (210)490- 3124, 248-8080,
gested. Foundation, (210)225-4728 Ext 14, or e- mail harr ynoyes@ssatx .r r.com.
M a y 5 — Friedrich Wilderness Park kaye.lenox@saplf.org or public
Ju ne 2 — Crownridge Canyon information office: Elizabeth.gra- M a y 12 — El ecti o n Day
Natural Area ham@sanantonio.gov. Don’t miss out on local events —
July 7 — Walker Ranch Historic Park This new book provides a portrait vote early!
of an unusual and daring, often
Seco nd Sat ur d ay P r o gr a ms at controversial, Texas conservationist, M a y 12 — I n ter na t io na l M igr at o r y
Ei s enh o wer Pa r k and an understanding of Selah Bi r d Da y
Co-sponsored by SA Parks and itself, the evolution of its land IMBD was created in 1993 by
Recreation Natural Areas Program restoration, endangered species visionaries at the Smithsonian
and Bexar Audubon. Reservations survival program (including Texas Migratory Bird Center and the
required; details occasionally snowbell and Scimitar-horned Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology.
change. Call (210)564-6400. $3 oryx), the creation of the Now under the direction of the
each or $5 per family donation Chiroptorium (a human-made bat National Fish and Wildlife
suggested. cave), and finally, Selah’s education Foundation and U.S. Fish and
M a y 12 — B eau ti f ul Sp r i n g Nat i v e programs for inner-city kids. Wildlife Service, IMBD continues to
Pl a nt s — Janis Merritt will lead a Following the lecture J. David and focus attention on one of the most
hike to enjoy spring flora and help Margaret Bamberger and Jeffrey important and spectacular events
you get ideas for using native Greene will sign. See also May 15. in the life of a migratory bird: its
plants in your yard. 10am-noon journey between its summer and
Ju ne 9 — P E A K w or k s ho p: M a y 3 - 5 – A m er i c a n I n s t i t u t e o f winter homes. Today, it is celebrat-
Pr omot i ng Env i r on men ta l A r ch itects annual convention in ed in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and
A war enes s i n K i d s is a program San Antonio. “Growing Beyond Central America through bird festi-
from Leave No Trace to educate Green.” Speakers include former vals and bird walks, education pro-
children about the outdoors and US VP Al Gore, whose message of grams, and Bird Day! IMBD Theme
responsible enjoyment of our pub- global warming garnered him a 2007: Climate Change.
lic lands. Ages 6-12 years. nomination for the Nobel Peace Birds have long been indicators
July 14 — “ Slither s” — The South Prize, and Dr. David Suzuki. of environmental change, sounding
Texas Herpetology Association brings http://www.aiaconvention.com/aia the alarm about the impacts of
a large collection of regional snakes _splash/2007/index.html pesticides, polluted water, and the
and discusses their life histories. loss of contiguous forest. While
www.sanaturalareas.org M a y 4- 6 — W il d Fes t 2007 IMBD continues to promote the
San Antonio’s First Annual Bird & joy of birds, it will also tackle this
Sa n A n t o n i o A u d u b o n B e g i n n er s Nature Festival will include a broad challenging, yet pertinent topic.
Bi r d wal k — 8am for May, but spectrum of workshops and field The reactions of birds to weather
7:30am June through August. trips that will draw nature-oriented have been noted for hundreds of
Begins at the Judson Nature Trails tourists to our area and will help years. Farmers have used the
next to the Alamo Heights local children get involved in arrivals of migratory birds to make
Swimming Pool. Info at (210)342- nature. Held at Crossroads Mall. decisions about planting crops.
2073. Binoculars available to lend. For information see wildfestsanan- Changes in the movements of
Bexar Tracks 4 May-July 2007
EVENTS & NEWS
some species is just one indicator ships available). For more informa- curbside recycling extended its col-
of the warming of the Earth’s tion or to request a packet call: lection to types 1-7 plastics AND
atmosphere. Today, as the rate of 210-564-6400. clean paper of all sorts, in addition
warming increases, scientists are to traditionally collected newspa-
exploring how climate change will Ju n e a n d J u l y — W i t t e M u s e um per.
affect birds and how we can Summer Sci ence Spect a cul a r ! Now I have learned that Bexar
reduce our impact. Explore how things work, splash County is offering FREE home pick-
In 2007, as many as 300,000 into the cool world of water, cook up of household hazardous waste.
people will learn about climate up slime, journey back in time, dig (NOTE: this service is for suburban
change at IMBD events. into dinosaurs, and uncover the cities and unincorporated Bexar
world beneath your feet. Guest County only!) Included are batter-
M ay 15 — W a t er f r om Sto ne: Th e experts, field trips, and hands-on ies, fluorescent bulbs, lubricants,
S t o r y o f S el a h , B a m b e r g e r R a n c h activities are all part of the fun. pesticides, etc. Call 800-449-7587
P r es er v e ALAMO SIERRA CLUB. 9am–5pm. Call 210-357-1910 for to request a collection and learn
6:30pm, Witte Museum, 3801 costs, scholarship availability, reser- the details. More information can
Broadway. Contact: Thomas Dukes vations, or more information. be found on the county website:
tdukes@grandecom.net. See www.co.bexar.tx.us/How_Does_it_
description at May 3 listing. Oct ob er 13 – Fa l l W i l d l if e Fes ti v a l Work_2004.pdf
at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center The City of San Antonio still offers
M ay 19 — Sol a r Fes t at Maverick (see above). only drop-off service at their site
Park www.solarsanantonio.org. located at 7030 Culebra, open on
2007 Tr ee P l an t in g Cha l l en ges Thursdays from 10:00am until
M ay 26 — Sta r r y, St ar r y Ni gh t s at have been officially released. To 7:00pm, Fridays from 7:00am until
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center — 8- download applications go to 4:00pm, and the first Saturday of
10pm. Free evening program of sanantonio.gov/dsd/environmen- each month from 8:00am until
stargazing and astronomy educa- tal.asp (see Related Documents: 1:00pm. San Antonio residents
tion presented by the San Antonio Planting Challenge—Neighborhood should bring a recent copy of their
Astronomical Association. or Commercial). Contact Michael CPS bill showing the environmen-
Telescopes will be set up outdoors Nentwich, City Forester (210) 207- tal fee as proof of residency. No
and a slide show on astronomy 3108. commercial waste, ammunition,
and celestial exploration will be fireworks, medical waste, appli-
held in the Visitor Center. Bring Th an k y ou to B la i r Ri ch ter, who ances, brush, or other trash is
chairs and blankets to sit on! for many issues prepared Bexar accepted at the Household
Reservations required (210)628- Tracks for mailing and delivered it Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Center.
1639. mitchelllakeaudubon.org . to the post office. That task has For more information, call 311 or
10750 Pleasanton Road, San now been taken up by our new (210)207-6440.
Antonio, TX 78221. printer. Many volunteer opportuni- Wouldn’t it be great if San
ties are badly needed, but also Antonio would offer a service like
J un e 18- 22, 25- 29 — W i l d W eek s tedious, and this was one of them. the County’s? Think how much
a t F r i e dr i c h W i l de r n e s s Pa r k . Thanks again, Blair and friends hazardous waste could be kept out
Ages 7-12. Hands-on ecology day who helped so many times. of the landfill. Maybe offer a small
camps. Take a nature hike. Meet a container to be used on recycling
bug. Explore animal bones. Try W h o k n e w? pick-up day??? Contact your coun-
some ‘wild foods.’ Build a bird- I’ve always thought I kept up with cilperson with a suggestion.
house. Make a stone tool. Dig into public service offerings, but twice —editor
nature! During week 2, the same in recent months I have learned
great nature exploration with an something that surprised me. First, H an dy meas u r e — A quarter is
emphasis on art activities. $85 per as reported in the previous issue exactly 1 inch in diameter and a
session (limited partial scholar- of Bexar Tracks, San Antonio’s dollar bill is 6 inches long.
May-July 2007 5 Bexar Tracks
The Rio Laja—Watering A steady stream
of burros laden
Central M exico’s with fire wood
make the trip
People & Wildlife from mountains
The Rio Laja watershed comprises most to urban centers
of the state of Guanajuato in the every day. These
uplands of central Mexico. The Laja is a and many oth-
tributary of the Rio Lerma. Fed by sev- ers will soon be
eral streams in the mountains, many in villages and
depend upon the Laja. It provides water city streets.
for campesinos along its courseway,
most of whom have no other economi-
cally viable supply; for agriculture; and, the only Audubon chapter in Mexico. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National
often forgotten, but nonetheless depen- Susan’s personal issue was the con- Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the North
dent, for resident wildlife and migrato- nection between environmental degra- American Wetlands Foundation, and
ry birds. dation in the watershed and the steady the Mexican government.
increase in human population. The The program that developed focused
Sh a r ed M igr a t o r y Bir d s water table was dropping; forests were on building rock dams within rural
Common migrant birds in this central being harvested for fire wood for the communities, as well as pinpointing
Mexican area include Swainson’s cities and for subsistence cooking and these structures with GIS and creating
Hawk, Lesser Yellow-legs, Solitary heating, as well as for making charcoal a photo database. The local organiza-
Sandpiper, Western Sandpiper, Least for commercial operations; cows and tion Susan founded, Salvemos al Rio
Sandpiper, Baird’s Sandpiper, Wilson’s goats were consuming the mast from Laja, carried out many of these projects.
Phalarope, Olive-sided Flycatcher, the oak trees, so renewal was minimal; Other early projects had been done by
Cedar Waxwing, Yellow Warbler, and riparian areas were disturbed due landowners under the supervision of
MacGillivray’s Warbler, Wilson’s to erosion and livestock access. technical consultants and trainees.
Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Orchard The state’s agriculture was being run
Oriole, and Baltimore Oriole, all of increasingly by multinational agribusi- Sa v e t h e L a j a
which appear on San Antonio-area bird nesses, relying upon irrigation, while Save the Laja (STL) is a Texas non-
checklists. Northern Guanajuato’s campesinos engaged in dry-land agri- profit organization Susan founded,
deciduous forest — while enduring culture or used primitive irrigation. along with Susan Hughes, dedicated to
heavy pressures for human food and fostering watershed and habitat protec-
fiber — provides a resting area for Rea c hin g Ou t f o r So l u t io ns tion in the Texas-Central Mexico corri-
migrant birds before they embark on In the early 1990s Susan was a speaker dor. After its founding, STL helped
their journey across the northern at regional Audubon conferences and Salvemos and its cooperating agencies
Mexican desert. even a Bexar Audubon meeting.
Susan began to coordinate the efforts to continue the watershed work Susan
Sa n M igu el d e A l l end e of numerous Mexican organizations began. STL inherited Susan’s estate
Among those dependent upon the Rio with environmental and community upon her untimely death from cancer
Laja for day-to-day purposes are the cit- connections to promote more sustain- three years ago.
izens of San Miguel de Allende, an able practices within the watershed. In August 2006, STL invited a team of
artist colony and haven for expatriates She sought technical support from the natural resource professionals to
from many nations. Indeed, residents of U.S. Forest Service and secured grant assess the Laja watershed and these
San Antonio often know someone who funds and technical assistance from the projects: Al Medina, Research Ecologist,
has a second home in San Miguel or is U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain
a frequent visitor there. Many visitors Experiment Station, Flagstaff, AZ; Dr.
have no idea how fragile an ecosystem Gilberto Soliz Garza, Riparian Science
provides the underpinnings of this Professor, U. of Sonora, MX; Jaci
leisure destination for so many. Winter, Canadian archaeologist; Dr.
Almost 30 years ago, Susan Porter Fran Gelwick, Assistant Professor,
Smith came to San Miguel from New Fisheries, Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries
York. After studying painting and pho- Science, Texas A&M U.; and Mike
tography for several years and enjoying Mecke, Water Programs Spec., Texas
some success as an artist, Susan rein- Water Resources Institute, TAMU (for-
vigorated her interest in environmental mer president of Bexar Audubon). The
issues. She soon became president of Some use tire dams to stop erosion. team was assisted by two local Mexican
Bexar Tracks 6 May-July 2007
Structures like this,
designed for erosion
control, dot steep
hillsides, but with
free-ranging livestock,
the vegetation
intended to grow in
the captured silt and
soil has little chance
to mature, or even
take root.
Make checks payable to “Bexar Audubon Society” and mail to the address above.
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