Lisa Audiffred: President, Class of 2021

Lisa Audiffred joined CAMN in 2021 and fell in love with the program, the people, and the volunteering.  A former teacher, she enjoys educating and engaging with others about environmental and conservation issues – but she especially likes being able to get outside and work!  A lot of her volunteer time is spent at the Vireo Preserve and JJ&T, both part of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve system.  She also participates in the weekly Fauna Survey with Val Bugh at the Wildflower Center, Education & Outreach events, and various other projects and opportunities around Austin.  Lisa served as CAMN President in 2022 and has enjoyed being able to get to know members and be a part of helping CAMN continue to grow and thrive – and is looking forward to continuing in this role in 2023!  

In her spare time Lisa enjoys traveling, playing board games, dancing Argentine Tango, and enjoying Austin’s many great restaurants!
 

Jaime Davis:  Vice President, Class of 2022

Jaime Davis is CAMN’s newest Executive Officer as she assumes the position of Vice President.  Jamie works for the University of Texas at Austin as a Deputy Compliance Officer and manages the university's compliance training program.  She started volunteering at the Wildflower Center in 2019 and later completed the docent training.  During her training she met several Master Naturalists and that piqued her interest to learn more.  Over the years she had heard of Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners, but was never quite sure what those titles meant.  One of her co-workers at UT happened to mention being a Master Naturalist...so Jaime decided to ask her about it.  The coworker encouraged her to apply to the program and so she did!  She completed her training with the Class of 2022!

Since joining CAMN the majority her hours have been at the Wildflower Center.  However, Jaime has her hands in lots of volunteer activities!  She worked with the website development team while they were ramping up for the new website and currently is assisting in coordinating the “Urban Habitat, Observation, and Interpretation” and “Mycology & Texacology” initial training classes.  She volunteers on the Maxwell Seed Plot project and participated with Education and Outreach on the Austin Steam Train event earlier this year.  Mostly, Jaime just loves learning new things and really enjoys volunteering!

Amy Simpson:  Secretary, Class of 2022

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CAMN Board Officer Position

CAMN needs a treasurer! Could that be you?

While we understand most naturalists prefer to be outside planting trees, building trails or observing the lives of flora and fauna, it does take a village to run a master naturalist chapter. 

The treasurer's duties include:

• Working with the Board and Committee members to develop an annual budget for the chapter
• Collecting and depositing dues and payments
• Paying bills and keeping an account of all income, expenses and payments
• Submitting financial reports at board meetings including a year-end financial records report
• Submitting required reports, audits and financial records

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photos by Pat Heintz
Guided Hikes on the BCP and WQPL

Winter is a great time to get out and hike. There are fewer bugs, you don't need to carry as much water, and the leafless views are stunning!

Many CAMN members have trained to lead guided hikes on the City of Austin's Balcones Canyonlands Preserves and Water Quality Protection Lands. These properties are not open to the public except by guided hike. You'll get away from the beaten path and see some beautiful country, learn about the city's conservation and restoration efforts, and enjoy the company of a group of like-minded folks.  And taking a guided hike earns advanced training hours!

Visit Austin Wildlands Conservation to learn more or sign up for a hike!
 

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• Calendar of volunteer and training opportunities.
• List of pre-approved CAMN partners and projects.  Activities hosted by a pre-approved partner do not require individual pre-approval if the activity supports the mission of the TXMN program.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Christmas Bird Counts
December 14th - January 5th

The Christmas Bird Count is the longest running community science wildlife census in the world. Administered by the National Audubon Society, the data collected by CBC participants for over a century is among the largest resources informing ornithologists and conservation biologists about how the birds of the Americas are faring over time.

Whether you are a relatively new birder or an expert, you can participate in Christmas Bird Counts and contribute important data – all you have to do is join a CBC circle near you! Participants follow specified routes through a designated 15-mile diameter circle, counting every bird they see or hear all day.

You can earn volunteer service hours for participating in any CBC held in the state of Texas. CBC in Central Texas are listed here. 
VMS category: FR, Field Research

Grassland Savanna Restoration on WQPL 
Multiple days from December 16th through January 7th
All dates from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

These volunteer events offer opportunities to collect native grass and wildflower seeds on multiple preserves from south Austin to Kyle. Sign up for WQPL workdays here. 
VMS Category:  RM, Resource Management

Ecological Restoration with The Trail Conservancy
Friday, December 16th | 9:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 17th | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Help The Trail Conservancy (FKA The Trail Foundation) restore and maintain the natural areas surrounding the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail. Activities this month will be shoreline stewardship and restoration planting on the riparian areas of the trail.  These areas provide an essential refuge for wildlife within the City, and connect riparian corridors and numerous protected areas up and downstream. The natural areas serve both resident wildlife and countless migratory birds and butterflies.

Register to participate.
VMS Category: RM, Resource Management

Baker Sanctuary Restoration Day
Saturday, December17th | 9:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m.

Help the Travis Audubon Society remove invasive species and maintain trails at this 715-acre preserve (the first in the world) set aside for the protection of the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler.  All tools are provided. Wear closed-toe shoes, dress for the weather and bring water.

Register.
VMS Category: RM, Resource Management

Maxwell Seed Production Project
Saturday, December 17th | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Join fellow CAMN members in this joint CAMN and WQPL project to develop a community-supported native plant refuge to propagate plants and harvest their seeds. These native seeds will be used to reintroduce under-represented plants to the grassland savanna of the WQPL.

Register.
VMS Category: RM, Resource Management

Invasive Species Removal at Brackenridge Field Lab
Saturday, December 17th | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

We will be removing Ligustrum and Nandina from an area where invasive removal is ongoing. We have saws, pruners and weed wrenches, we just need some hands! Meet up in the parking lot at 2907 Lake Austin Blvd a bit before 9:00 a.m. 
VMS Category: RM, Resource Maintenance, BFL

Plant Survey at Brackenridge Field Lab
Sunday, December 18th | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

We will walk about 1.5 miles on both paved and natural surfaces to observe the response to seasonal change by targeted plants. No experience required! Wear closed-toe shoes. Binoculars are helpful to observe the tree canopy.  Meet up a bit before 10:00 a.m. in the parking lot at 2907 Lake Austin Blvd.  

Bird Survey at Brackenridge Field Lab
Saturday, December 31st | 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Join the final 2022 bird survey at Brackenridge Field Lab, and end the year on a volunteer high note! Bring binoculars, water, and dress for the weather. Contact Cheryl at mcgmilquet@gmail.com or (512)636-5835 if you'd like to join.

Meet in the parking lot at 2907 Lake Austin Blvd.
VMS category FR: Brackenridge Field Lab

Cornell Lab Feederwatch
November 2022 - April 2023

FeederWatch is a November-April community science survey of birds that visit backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales in North America. All you need is an area with plantings, habitat, water, or food that attracts birds. The schedule is completely flexible. Count birds for as long as you like on days of your choosing, then enter your counts online. Your counts allow you to track what is happening to birds around your home and to contribute to a continental data-set of bird distribution and abundance.

Join to receive information and a bird ID poster.
VMS Category:  FR, Field Research


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ADVANCED TRAINING
 

Wild Neighbors Speaker's Series
Friday, December 16th | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Join the Wild Neighbors Speaker Series for a presentation, The History of Christmas Bird Count, by Tyler Miloy. Tyler is a naturalist and birder and has been a member of Travis Audubon Society, the Texas Ornithological Society, and The Nature Conservancy. Tyler has compiled the results of the Austin Christmas Bird Count for the last 6 years. He will present on the history of the Christmas Bird Count as well as some other interesting facts you may not know about the event. 

Register to receive a link to the presentation.

Plant Party: Planting a Seed
Wednesday, December 21st | 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Plant Party is a quarterly, advanced plant-training series provided by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The presentation on December 21st will consist of five short presentations from experts in the field. 

Register in advance to receive a link to the virtual presentation.

#TMNTuesdays
The second Tuesday of each month | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Earn an hour of advanced training by viewing a video, either live or recorded in 2022. Each month is a new topic relevant to the TMN Program.  For more information, visit the TXMN website.

Fluvial Processes: Streams and Hydrology
Tuesday, January 10th | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. CER
Tuesday, January 24th | 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. UT

This is the first in a year-long series of lectures by Dr. Kevin Anderson. The theme this year is The Geography of Flowing Water: Rivers and Streams, Nature and Culture. Presentations are made at the Center for Environmental Research at Hornsby Bend (2210 S. FM 973) the second Tuesday of each month from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. 

This presentation will be repeated on January 24th on UT Campus in room 2.402 of the Peter O'Donnell Building.


Fluvial Life: Ecology of Flowing Water
Tuesday February 7th | 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. UT
Tuesday February 14th| 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. CER

This is the second in a year-long series of lectures by Dr. Kevin Anderson of the Center for Environmental Research. The theme this year is The Geography of Flowing Water: Rivers and Streams, Nature and Culture. Presentations are made at the Center for Environmental Research at Hornsby Bend (2210 S. FM 973) the second Tuesday of each month from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. 

The presentations are also given monthly on the UT Campus in room 2.402 of the Peter O'Donnell Building on the first Tuesday of each month except January and July.


Field Trip to the National Weather Service Station
2090 Airport Rd, New Braunfels, TX
Sunday, February 26th | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Do you want to learn about weather forecasting and science from the inside? This trip to the San Antonio area NWS station will show how the NWS provides weather, water and climate data, forecasts, warnings, and impact-based decision support services to communities. 

The field trip earns 1.5 to 2 hours of advance training but travel time can not be counted.  The trip is free but space is limited so sign up early!


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