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Next AAMN Board Meeting: This will be a Zoom meeting on November 9, 2021. President Gary Poole will sent out a link prior to the date. Immediately afterwards, join us for an AT presentation called “The Liver of the River: Freshwater Mussels and the San Antonio River Authority Mussel Program” (details listed in AT opportunities below).
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A Message From Our President, Gary Poole
Well, the year is winding down and what a year it has been. We started off in such a low place. We had to severely modify and abbreviate the training for Class 45 last year due to the pandemic, and for most of 2020 our projects and volunteer opportunities fell into shadow (tip of the hat to J. R. R. Tolkien). There was uncertainty and unrest over the COVID protocols we had to put in place to protect each other and ourselves. A lot of work just didn’t get done.
Then the vaccine broke like a beacon off the rocky shores of the disease and we all hoped that 2020 was in the rearview. Initially, it was. We got back to work under much less stringent protocols and the Training Committee began to plan for in-person training for the fall. Things were looking up. However, the cult of personality and simple ignorance put new obstacles in our path.
But because we’re Master Naturalists, and because our work needs to be done, we did it.
Many of our project sites and partner projects had fallen into disrepair by the end of last year. But y’all found the energy and the wherewithal to right the ship. And all over our region the natural world made a comeback this year. From the revitalized Butterfly Learning Center to the extraordinary Demonstration Garden, from UIW-Headwaters where the Sanctuary is the oasis of the city and new native plant gardens sprout up on campus, to the places too numerous to mention, we are back! Thank you all!
Beginning in January of next year, the chapter will have a new president. This is my next to last message in this capacity. It has been a joy serving in this role. I want to thank the chapter veterans who helped me through this year. They are the usual suspects and in no particular order: Liz, Martha, Nancy, Pam, Jeanette, Peter, Wanda.
But I would especially like to shine a light on some of the new or newish folks who have stepped into positions that they hadn’t done before and are now doing important and impactful work for the chapter. I’m looking at you Krin, Haeley, Ian, Jim, Amanda, Cheryl, Nicki. And we already have volunteers from Class 46 showing an interest in chapter administration and projects.
The Alamo Chapter is the Founding Chapter in Texas and continues to have a bright future. Thank you all for the work you do for our natural world.
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Service Awards - November 2021
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ANNUAL CERTIFICATION
An annual re-certification is awarded to a Master Naturalist who completes and submits 40 hours of volunteer service and 8 hours of advanced training by December 31 to receive the current year’s pin or milestone award. Pin designs are retired at the end of each year. The 2021 re-certification pin is the Sideoats Grama, the state grass of Texas.
Listed below are the names and class numbers for those volunteers who have achieved these goals. Congratulations to all pin recipients!
| 2021 Re-Certification - Sideoats Grama |
| David Adams |
22 |
| Stacy Fontenot |
44 |
| Eva Fromme |
21 |
| Joe Gonzales |
38 |
| Tracy Goodrich |
45 |
| Helen Haney |
43 |
| Kenley Hetzel |
44 |
| Vickie Kinder |
37 |
| Joan Miller |
13 |
| Jerry Morrisey |
41 |
| Billie Murrell |
26 |
| Edward Noack |
35 |
| Cathi Pettersen |
40 |
| Lynn Richards |
27 |
| Wilt Shaw |
13 |
| Dennis Strong |
45 |
| Claire Vollmar |
42 |
| Karen Weehler |
45 |
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| 1000 Hours Dragonfly |
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| Jim Baker |
41 |
| John Kiser |
29 |
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| 4000 Hours Dragonfly |
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| John Prentice |
23 |
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Articles/News/Updates - November 2021
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Vote For Our 2022 Officers!
It’s time to vote for our 2022 officers! If you remember, we announced the slate of officers in last month’s newsletter and “opened the floor” for other nominations. Neither Gary nor I received any nominations, so our slate is set.
President: Emily Hawthorn
Vice-President: Peter Joseph Hernandez
Treasurer: Jeanette Geiman
Secretary: Mary Spaid
Here is the link for Active Members to vote. To be an active member, you must be current in your dues payment as specified in our Chapter Bylaws, Article IV, Section C. The deadline for voting is November 8, 2021. The results will be announced to the Board at the meeting on November 9, 2021 and published on all of our social media platforms.
Once again, I want to thank these members for stepping up and accepting the nominations. I also want to thank the Nominating Committee: Liz Robbins, Cheryl Wallek, Haeley Giambalvo and Jeanette Geiman.
Martha Cray
Past President, Nominating Committee Chairman
2022 AAMN Chapter Dues
 It is time to pay your chapter dues for 2022. The annual dues are $12.00. Deadline for payment is December 31, 2021. You may pay by credit card using PayPal (our preferred method) through our secure website here. For check payments, please include a copy of the Member Record Update form with your check and mail to: AAMN-Jeanette Geiman, PO Box 380801. San Antonio, TX 78268. For questions, contact Jeanette Geiman treasurer@alamomasternaturalist.org.
A Report from the 2021 State Meeting
by Texas Master Naturalist Haeley Giambalvo, class 45
 As a member of Class 45, I was excited to attend my first in-person Texas Master Naturalist State Meeting. The event took place Oct. 21-24 in Dallas. This year was a hybrid program which allowed members to attend in-person or virtually. There were 215 in-person attendees and 480 tuning in from home! I really enjoyed the chance to gather in-person with fellow Texas Master Naturalists from across the state.
The state meeting was the perfect opportunity to explore new topics or further your knowledge in a particular area. It was hard for me to choose from the 128 different sessions offered during the meeting. I attended classes ranging from “Tree Identification” to “Tarantula Time in Texas” to “Historical Women Naturalists”. While I didn’t get the chance to partake in any field trips, there were 15 field sessions held across the Dallas/Fort Worth area including birding walks, wetland tours, and a prescribed burn demonstration.
In addition to learning new things, the meeting was a great opportunity to experience firsthand the breadth of the TMN community. I enjoyed meeting members from other chapters around the state and making new friends over meals. Some members had just received their initial certification like myself, while others had earned over 5,000 volunteer service hours. We had two of our own Alamo Area members recognized during award ceremonies at the meeting: Nancy Thoss for reaching 4,000 service hours (she joins two other members who have reached major milestones in 2021 - Linda Gindler with 4000 hours, and Patsy Inglet with 10,000 hours). Incredible! In addition, Jim Baker placed second in the bird photography contest for his photo of a Pyrrhuloxia.
Didn’t get a chance to attend this year’s meeting? Then be sure to save the date for next year! The 2022 State Meeting with be held in Houston from Oct. 20-23rd.
Pyrrhuloxia (Desert Cardinal) taken at Kerrville Schreiner Park by Jim Baker
New Addition to the Wildscape Demonstration Garden
at Phil Hardberger Park
Next time you visit our AAMN sponsored garden at PHP, look in the adjacent glass display case for a beautiful new poster highlighting plants and butterflies from the garden. Designed by Lora Reynolds, it features the wonderful photos of our own Patsy Kuentz. It's a great interpretive addition!
Share This Announcement with Everyone You Know!
Open House at the Butterfly Learning Center
Saturday, November 20, 2021
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Butterfly Learning Center
1021 Voelcker Lane
San Antonio, TX, 78248United States
Come visit the Butterfly Learning Center, a project by the Texas Master Naturalist Alamo Area Chapter, at the Phil Hardberger Park’s Voelcker Historic Homestead. Learn about the importance of pollinator gardens, the native plants within the garden, the Master Naturalist program, and how you can become involved, whether it’s planting your own garden at home or supporting the garden at the park! Enjoy a cool morning stroll to the garden to see what it’s all about!
Open to all members of AAMN!
Send us your favorite nature or volunteering photos. Winners will be chosen by TMN Vanessa Velazquez, a graduate of Class 45 and a professional photographer.
All Things Birds, by Patsy Inglet
“Words for Birds”
Part One of Three: Bare Bones Words
All specific areas of interest or study have special words that are unique or are used in a special way. Learning the lingo about birds helps us understand them better.
Here are some words that refer specifically to the skeletons of birds.
Many of the other bones have the same names as those in the human skeleton.
 (3) Furcula: Also called the wishbone, this is a forked bone located below the neck and formed by the fusion of the two clavicles (collarbones).
(6) Carina or Keel (Blue): An extension of the sternum (breastbone) that provides an anchor for a bird’s major wing muscles.
(5) Uncinate process: Extensions of the rib bones that connect the ribs and provide a more stable frame.
(27) Alula: A bird’s “thumb,” which helps it regulate lift in flight; it usually is covered by 3-5 small feathers.
(17) Pygostyle: Produced by the fusion of the last few tail vertebrae, it supports the tail feathers and muscles.
(1) Scleral Bone: Eye bones that help support the large eyes of birds but which restrict the movement of the eye in the socket.
The Post Oak: The 2002 TMN Service Pin
by Texas Master Naturalist, Ian Townsend, AAMN Class #45
 In the PBS show BBQ with Franklin, Aaron Franklin states, “Generally, with barbeque you typically use whatever’s around. Here in Central Texas I’ve got a lot of Post Oak and that’s what I like to use.” However, being a primary fuel for the perfect smelling smoke by which we get our tasty briskets is just one of many qualities that Post Oak (Quercus stellata), the inaugural Texas Master Naturalist service pin, issued in 2002, gives to us.
As a member of the beech family, Post Oak is the most common oak of over fifty different species in our state. While quite common, it is not the supreme Texas tree; that honor, of course, belongs to the Pecan Tree as our Texas State Tree. However, Post Oak does have the honor of being so common it has an entire ecoregion named after it - the Post Oak Savanna - which runs through Central Texas between the Pineywoods of East Texas and the Blackland Prairies region.
Post Oak leaves are dark green and shiny on the upper surface, and lighter green with star (stellata) shaped hairs beneath. They are four-to-six inches long, typically five-lobed, and often forming a cross shape, hence one of its alternate names - Cross Oak. Seed, or acorn, production begins when the tree is about twenty-five years old and once dropped take an entire season to mature.
A true Texas native, the Post Oak is one tough hombre. Found in dry, rocky, or sandy soil growing up to fifty feet tall and some living to be more than four centuries old, Post Oak can survive scorching summers, bitter cold fronts, and drought. The wood is heavy, hard, and strong, giving it another moniker of Iron Oak. It is primarily used for fence posts, hence the Post Oak name, and railroad ties. Its bark, irregular arching crown, and dense foliage give this long-lived tree a distinct and dignified character. To see and learn more about the Post Oak enjoy this video.
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Volunteer at Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation!
 WRR offers a variety of volunteer positions at both its San Antonio and Kendalia locations. Volunteers perform basic animal caretaking tasks such as doing laundry, sanitizing dishes, preparing diets, creating interesting enrichment items and setting up aviaries for the wild animals in our rehabilitation care. Volunteers over 18 years old can pursue training opportunities to become an animal care certified volunteer which can include, but is not limited to, hand feeding baby songbirds, opossums, squirrels and fawns. More information about our unique volunteer opportunities can be found at the following link.
To get started, please complete the volunteer application at this link and register to attend one of the upcoming Volunteer Orientations listed at the bottom of the application form. There are several interesting volunteer positions for Junior Volunteers under the age of 18, and they can volunteer with a parent present at all times.
“Texas Arbor Day at Eisenhower Park” (Public Outreach – PO)
Saturday, November 6th, 2021
10:00am - 1:30pm
Located at Eisenhower Park, 19399 NW Military Hwy, San Antonio, TX, 78257
6 Volunteers needed
POC is Nicole McLeod - nicole.mcleod@sanantonio.gov, (210) 207-8309.
Note: The event begins at 10:00am. However, volunteers should report at 9:00 am.
San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department is hosting Trails and Trees at Eisenhower Park. This free family festival includes a ribbon cutting celebrating a NEW Leon Creek Greenway Trailhead at Eisenhower Park and a Texas Arbor Day Celebration with hands-on activities and adopt a tree while supplies last. Volunteers are needed to assist in a variety of capacities including tree adoption, activity tables, and more!
To sign up as a volunteer, email nicole.mcleod@sanantonio.gov.
“Green Infrastructure Team Workday” (NPA)
Sponsored by San Antonio River Authority (SARA)
Saturday, November 6th, 2021
8:30am - 11:30am
Location of the event is Five Palms Elementary School Rain Garden - 7138 Five Palms Drive, San Antonio, Texas
10-12 Volunteers are Needed
POC is Minna Paul - mpaul@sariverauthority.org, email her to sign up for the event
In early 2017, SARA’s Green Infrastructure team completed a rain garden at Five Palms Elementary School. Now 10-12 AAMN volunteers are being asked to assist teachers in the maintenance at this rain garden.
“Picture Your World Youth Photography Program” (PO)
Saturday, November 6th,2021
9:30am - 11:30am
Also occurs at the same time on:
Wednesday, November 10th
Friday, November 12th
Tuesday, November 16th
Sponsored by Green Spaces Alliance of South Texas
POC Carra Garza - carra@greensatx.org, (210) 863-1058
This is a recurring event
1 -2 Volunteers are needed
Location of the event is Hardberger Park Urban Ecology Center, 8400 NW Military, San Antonio, Texas 78231
Website link with details
The Picture Your World (PYW) nature photography workshop is for 3rd-5th grade Title 1 elementary students from Gates Elementary. Teachers and students arrive by bus to Hardberger Park Urban Ecology Center for a hands-on nature photography experience in the park.
Master Naturalists will be teaching students about the wildlife, native plants and ecological history of Hardberger Park as they explore and photograph it. The purpose of PYW is to foster future environmental stewardship. Master Naturalists will lead the approximately 25 students on an interpretive hike of the park. This workshop will be repeated for Franklin Elementary 5th grade students on the following dates at Hardberger Park Urban Ecology Center:
Wednesday, November 10 - 9:30am to 11:30am
Friday, November 12 - 9:30am to 11:30am
Tuesday, November 16 - 9:30am to 11:30am
“Youth Education Nature Walks” (Public Outreach – PO)
Hatchett Elementary Fieldtrip
Sponsored by COSA Parks and Rec and Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy
Wednesday November 10th, 2021 and Friday November 12, 2021
8:15am - 10:30am
POC David Jimenez - david.jimenez@sanantonio.gov, (210) 2073280
Location is 13203 Blanco Rd, San Antonio, Texas 78216
2 Volunteers are needed
Volunteers will help the group navigate through Phil Hardberger Park and speak to their knowledge of various natural elements and relevant ideas like Leave No Trace, and the importance of conservation. This event may also begin at West park entrance: 8400 NW Military Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78230. Groups of school-aged children will be led through the park, guided by leaders and volunteers. The guided walk will focus on important aspects related to the group's curriculum goals, and points of interest around the park. These guided walks aim to educate children and the public on the natural world, to build value and introduce the ideas of preservation, conservation and stewardship so that the natural areas might be protected for future generations.
Texas Public Radio Planting Day (RM)
Sponsored by Texas Public Radio and San Antonio River Authority (SARA)
Saturday, November 13th
8:30am – 11:30am
Location of work is 900 Theo Street, San Antonio, Texas
POC is Minna Paul - mpaul@sariverauthority.org, email her to sign up for the event
The Mission Reach Ecosystem Restoration and Recreation Project has restored an eight-mile stretch of the San Antonio River into a quality natural riparian woodland ecosystem. In 2014, SARA gave Texas Public Radio the opportunity to adopt a 3.4-acre stretch of natural area on the southeast corner of the Theo Avenue bridge, which we call the TPaRbor.
This workday will result in expanded and improved habitat conditions and connections to the San Antonio River ecosystem in the 3.4-acre section.
“Growing Up Wild - Youth Nature Classes” (Public Outreach – PO)
Sponsored by COSA Parks and Rec and Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy
Tuesday November 16th, 2021
11/16, 11/17, 11/18 [seeking volunteers]
12/14, 12/15, 12/16 [seeking volunteers]
9:30am - 11:30am
Location: 13203 Blanco Rd, San Antonio, TX 78216
POC David Jimenez - david.jimenez@sanantonio.gov, (210) 2073280
Alternate POC Denise Gross - dgross@philhardbergerpark.org, (210) 4297472
Website link with details
2 Volunteers are needed
This is a recurring event
Growing Up Wild (GUW) is a 1.5 hour nature education class aimed at ages 3-7. Children gather in our outdoor classroom for hands-on learning, relevant crafting activity, and a guided nature walk. Each session has its own theme. For example, October's theme is Bats. November and December's themes are TBD.
Studies show that children are healthier, happier, and smarter when they play outside. GUW encourages children to play and learn outdoors within the context of our park. This builds value in the natural world and helps build a foundation for understanding, respect, and appreciation in our natural areas.
Volunteers will provide knowledge and experience for our group of children and parents during the guided walk portion of the class, as well as assist in the educational component in the classroom.
Beaver Dam Building Project (SARA-RM)
Thursday, November 18th
2 shifts: 9:00 am – 11:00am or 11am to 1:00pm
Volunteers Build out of Beaver Dams
Location: Medina River Natural Area (Meet at Demo Garden)
Join a volunteer erosion control pilot project team and support our engineers in preventing large scale erosion at the site. We will be building post-assisted log structures that mimic aquatic beaver dams in the Medina River Natural Areas on a dry creek bed off the Greenway path. There will be 2 shifts of 2 hours each. The walk to the site from MRNA parking lot is less than 1 mile. If new to the project, please watch the training video here before signing up. “SARA -Beaver Dam Project Online (AT)” Event is open to SARA River Warriors only. Contact: Minna Paul. Email: mpaul@sariverauthority.org to be scheduled on to a shift and for details. Note: the next Monthly Beaver Dam Building event is on December 16th.
“Salsa Squad Workday at Bandera Natural History Museum” (RM)
Presented by the Salsa Squad
At the Bandera Natural History Museum
Tuesday November 30th, 2021
9:00am - 2:00pm
30 Volunteers are Needed!
Location of the event is 267 Old San Antonio Road, Bandera, Texas 78003
POC is Pat McGuire - patbecmcg@yahoo.com, (320) 260-0012
Salsa Squad POC is George Ozuna - gardenarch@yahoo.com, (210) 669-9935
Volunteers will remove invasives to Texas such as chinaberry and ligustrum on the grounds of the Bandera Natural History Museum.
“Texas Waters Specialist Discussion Group” (AT and TR)
Sponsored by Texas Parks & Wildlife
Saturday, December 11th, 2021 (AT Day – 1 Hour)
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Tuesday, December 28th, 2021 (TR)
11:00am - 1:00pm
This is a ZOOM Meeting for TR
POC Cheryl Wallek - CherylJustAddWater@gmail.com, (210) 275-0331
Sponsor POC Melissa Felty - Melissa.Alderson@tpwd.texas.gov, (512) 389-8060
1 Volunteer is Needed
This is a reoccurring event
An AAMN volunteer is needed to prepare slides with topics for discussion in advance, and then facilitate the Zoom discussion group based on Texas Waters curriculum and/or past webinars. Volunteer service hours are 1 ½ to 2 hours weekly. The Volunteer must own a computer and software to develop slides and host the meeting through a chapter Zoom account. Time/ date TBD based on preference to the schedules of those Class 46 members who specifically requested this opportunity in order to qualify for specialist designation before the end of 2021.
Habitat Work (NPA)
Hosted by Mitchell Lake Audubon Center
Second Saturday of each month
POC is shanae.dana@audubon.org
We have had a tremendous amount of needed rain, but now we have a lot of overgrowth and need help maintaining it. In other words, we need some volunteers to come out and help clean up the gardens. Second Saturdays are an especially fun time to come out and do a little habitat work. To schedule please fill out the google form at this link and we will get back to you to schedule a day.
Bird Surveying (FR)
Hosted by Mitchell Lake Audubon Center
Wednesday when the MLAC is closed
POC is shanae.dana@audubon.org
Come out once a week and survey at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center. This is done during the week on a Wednesday when the center is closed. Our onside host will meet you when you arrive and provide a radio in case of emergency. This may be done alone or in pairs. Volunteers will survey the property and input the bird list into eBird.
Visitor Center Naturalists (NPA)
Hosted by Mitchell Lake Audubon Center
Shifts on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
POC is shanae.dana@audubon.org
Thank you to all our Visitor Center Naturalists! We so appreciate the work you do on the weekends…it is such a great help to the staff on duty! We now have two shifts on Friday, Saturday, and Sundays, 7 am-10 am and 10 am-1 pm.
Headwaters at Incarnate Word (RM/NPA)
Volunteer Opportunities for November 2021
Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
Morning sessions at 8:30AM -11:30 AM
POC Howard Homan - howard.homan@gmail.com
What We Do: Invasive plants removal, trail maintenance, garden installation and maintenance, and prairie restoration. Join us to help improve/restore a 75-acre habitat corridor between Hwy 281 and Broadway Street in the heart of San Antonio. Our mission is Earth care.
How to Sign Up: We work morning sessions at various locations, parking instructions change with the venue. To sign up or obtain more information contact howard.homan@gmail.com.
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Advanced Training Opportunities
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“Rain Gardens for Wildlife and Water Quality” (AT)
Sponsored by Native Plants Society of Texas – Boerne Chapter
Tuesday November 2, 2021
6:30 pm Sign-in; 6:45 Meeting
Presentation via Zoom
You must register here in advance for this meeting (after registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting)
Learn how to make the most of rain to improve your landscape for wildlife and water quality. Rain gardens are shallow depressions that help temporarily capture rainwater and allow the water to be filtered and cleaned through plants and soils. Learn the basics of site analysis, installation and some of the best local native plants to make your rain garden attractive as well as wildlife friendly.
Presenter Lee Marlowe is a restoration ecologist with over 20 years of professional experience working in the field of ecological restoration and natural resources management. She currently serves as the Sustainable Landscape Ecologist for the San Antonio River Authority and President of the San Antonio Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas.
“Riparian & Stream Ecosystems Training - Comal River Watershed” (AT)
Sponsored by the Texas Water Resources Institute, part of AgriLife Research, AgriLife Extension and the College at Texas A&M University
Tuesday November 2nd, 2021
8:00am - 4:30pm
Advanced Training Location: 360 Aquatic Circle, New Braunfels, Texas 78130
POC is Cheryl Wallek - CherylJustAddWater@gmail.com, (210) 2750331
Sponsor POC is Clare Entwistle - clare.entwistle@ag.tamu.edu, (210) 277-0292 x205
Website link with details
This workshop is co-hosted by the City of New Braunfels, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office in Comal County, Texas Riparian Association, and Texas Water Resources Institute. The training will focus on the nature and function of stream and riparian zones and the benefits and direct impacts from healthy riparian zones. This includes an introduction to riparian principles, watershed processes, basic hydrology, erosion/deposition principles, and riparian vegetation. We will also cover potential causes of degradation and possible resulting impairment(s), plus available local resources including technical assistance and tools that can be employed to prevent and/or resolve degradation.
These one-day trainings in watersheds across the state include both indoor classroom presentations and outdoor stream walks. Instructors are experts from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas A&M Natural Resource Institute, TRA, and the Texas Water Resources Institute.
At the conclusion of the training, participants will receive a certificate of completion and appropriate professional development hours/ continuing education hours.
“Urban Stream Processes & Restoration Program – San Antonio” (AT)
Sponsored by San Antonio River Authority and Texas Water Resources Institute
Friday November 5th, 2021
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
POC Cheryl Wallek - CherylJustAddWater@gmail.com, (210) 275-0331
Alternate POC Clare Entwistle - clare.entwistle@ag.tamu.edu
Cost is $50
Training is held at 8510-3 Mission Rd (San Antonio River Authority’s Mission Reach Operations Center), San Antonio, Texas 78214
Information at this website link
This workshop is co-hosted by the San Antonio River Authority, Texas A&M AgriLife, and the Texas Water Resources Institute. The training will focus on natural design processes for stream restoration projects. Materials delivered in the training will help attendees understand urban stream functions, impacts of development on urban streams, recognizing healthy versus degraded stream systems, assessing and classifying a stream using the Bank Erosion Hazard Index (BEHI), and comprehending the differences between natural and traditional restoration techniques. Instruction includes classroom-style teaching in the morning session and hands-on activities in the field at a nearby stream in the afternoon sessions.
“Bird Walk” (AT)
Sponsored by San Antonio Audubon Society
Monday November 8th, 2021
8:00am – Until Complete
Location is Castroville Regional Park, 816 Alsace, Castroville, Texas
Walk will be guided by Zachary Tonzetich
POC is Mary Beth Francis - mb_francis@yahoo.com, 210 296-8559
“The Liver of the River: Freshwater Mussels and the San Antonio River Authority Mussel Program” (AT)
Sponsored by Alamo Area Master Naturalist Chapter
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
7:0opm – 8:15pm
Join Zoom Meeting link
Meeting ID: 872 5572 5077
Passcode: 052775
Shaun Donovan, Manager of Environmental Sciences for the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) since 2012, will discuss freshwater mussels, one of the most imperiled groups of organisms in the world. Their complex life cycle and dependence on good water and substrate quality makes them particularly susceptible to both minor and major changes in freshwater systems. SARA has been conducting various forms of research on freshwater mussels since 2014. Starting with basin-wide surveys and progressing to the first of its kind reintroduction in Texas, the SARA mussel program has been on the cutting edge for nearly a decade.
“E. coli Bacteria Water Quality Citizen Scientist Training” (AT)
Sponsored by Texas Stream Team
Saturday November 13, 2021
8:00am - 11:30am
POC is Cheryl Wallek - CherylJustAddWater@gmail.com, (210) 2750331
Sponsor POC is Clare Entwistle - clare.entwistle@ag.tamu.edu, (210) 277-0292 x205
This is an Online Advanced Training
Website link for details
There is limited space available.
All Participants must register in advance at this link
Texas Stream Team's E. coli Bacteria Citizen Scientist training certifies our citizen scientists to perform tests for E. coli to determine the relative risk of swimming (contact recreation) in a water body. To limit the duration of the live virtual training, this training will require a prerequisite online 30-minute module, which must be completed before the day of the virtual live training. Note: you must be Core trained for a minimum of 6 months and at least 14 years of age to attend this training. Any minors (under the age of 18) planning on attending this training must have a parent present with them at the training.
“A Walk with John Muir into the Wild of the Headwaters” (AT)
Sponsored by Headwaters at Incarnate Word
Saturday, November 13, 2021
1:00pm – 3:00pm
Free Program - Donations Welcomed
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Event registration opens Oct 30th here
"The natural inherited wildness in our blood runs true on its glorious course as invincible and unstoppable as stars." -- John Muir
When John Muir arrived by ship off the coast of California, his great desire was to go “any place that’s wild.” Muir was a botanist, naturalist, geologist, leader in establishing the National Parks and the founder of the Sierra Club. Most of all, he was a bearer of the good tidings of the beauty and mystery of creation. This reflective walk will look at the trees, the plants, and the sacred spaces of the headwaters through the inspiring lens of the writings of John Muir who always invites us to “come and see.” Retreat leader, author, and Muir enthusiast, Sylvia Maddox, M.T.S., will conduct the walk. The program is limited to 14 participants.
“Headwaters Third Friday Birding” (AT)
Sponsored by Headwaters at Incarnate Word
Friday, November 19, 2021
8:30am - 10:30 am
Free Program - Donations Welcomed
REGISTRATION REQUIRED here
Event registration opens Oct 30th
Come take a leisurely walk through the Sanctuary with Tom and Patsy Inglet, two of our birding specialists from Bexar Audubon Society. Anyone fascinated by the sights and sounds of birds is welcome. This is a great opportunity for beginning or intermediate birders to develop and improve their identification skills. Please wear closed-toe shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and bring water. Binoculars will be available. Each walk is limited to 14 participants.
"Headwaters Third Friday Birding” (AT)
Sponsored by Headwaters at Incarnate Word
Friday, December 17, 2021
8:30am - 10:30 am
Free Program - Donations Welcomed
REGISTRATION REQUIRED here
Event registration opens November 29th
Come take a leisurely walk through the Sanctuary with Alan and Patsy Kuentz, two of our birding specialists. Anyone fascinated by the sights and sounds of birds is welcome. This is a great opportunity for beginning or intermediate birders to develop and improve their identification skills. Please wear closed-toe shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and bring water. Binoculars will be available. Each walk is limited to 14 participants.
“Walking with Thoreau” (AT)
Sponsored by Headwaters at Incarnate Word
Saturday December 4th, 2021
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Free Program - Donations Welcomed
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Registration opens on November 13th
Reservations can be made here
Though it is too simple to say that walking is writing for Thoreau, the connection - rhythm, presence, heightened awareness, physicality - are all part of both the walk and the words of Thoreau. With Thoreau’s essay “Walking” as a guide, we will walk, experience, explore, find a center and a rhythm within the walk itself that has a measure we can keep. Notation, response, some sharing, some solitude, and some conversation with the nature will structure this literary pilgrimage. The walk is limited to 14 participants.
A day or two before the walk, participants should read: 1) WALKING / Annotated Edition / by Thoreau / J.Missouri www.missouri.com / 2013; 2) THE JOURNAL 1837-1861 / Henry David Thoreau / edited by Damion Searls, preface by John R. Stilgoe/New York Review Books / 2009
Leave cell phones at home, or in your cars. Bring a small journal/notebook/sketchbook and writing implement. Presenter Jim LaVilla-Havelin is a poet, educator, and community arts activist. He is the Poetry Editor for the San Antonio Express News and the Coordinator of National Poetry Month activities in San Antonio. In the late 1960’s LaVilla-Havelin spent a night at Walden Pond.
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Quote of the Month
What can I say that I have not said before?
So I'll say it again.
The leaf has a song in it.
Stone is the face of patience.
Inside the river there is an unfinishable story
and you are somewhere in it
and it will never end until all ends.
- from "What Can I Say" by Mary Oliver
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