2016 OFFICERS - Texas Master...

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Vol. 8 No. 11 Cypress Basin Texas Master Naturalist Chapter Newsletter November 2016 2016 2016 OFFICERS Stella Barrow - President Betty Morgan - Vice President Kristi Thomas - Secretary Charles Gillis Treasurer Linda Richtsmeier Membership Chairman Pat Sawyer and Michael Mathews - Webmasters Vanessa Adams Neace - Advisor Doug Weir -Advisor Mission of the Texas Master Naturalist To develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the State of Texas. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT Monday November 14 6:30 pm Jefferson Transportation Center 305 E. Austin

Transcript of 2016 OFFICERS - Texas Master...

Page 1: 2016 OFFICERS - Texas Master Naturalisttxmn.org/cypress/files/2016/11/CBMN-Paddlefish-November-2016.pdf · Snippets from Stella November 2016 Hello Friends! The Nominating Committee

Vol. 8 No. 11 Cypress Basin Texas Master Naturalist Chapter Newsletter November 2016 2016

2016 OFFICERS Stella Barrow - President

Betty Morgan - Vice President

Kristi Thomas - Secretary

Charles Gillis – Treasurer

Linda Richtsmeier – Membership Chairman

Pat Sawyer and Michael Mathews - Webmasters

Vanessa Adams Neace - Advisor

Doug Weir -Advisor

Mission of the Texas Master Naturalist To develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the State of Texas.

MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT

Monday November 14 6:30 pm

Jefferson Transportation Center 305 E. Austin

Page 2: 2016 OFFICERS - Texas Master Naturalisttxmn.org/cypress/files/2016/11/CBMN-Paddlefish-November-2016.pdf · Snippets from Stella November 2016 Hello Friends! The Nominating Committee

Snippets

from

Stella

November 2016

Hello Friends! The Nominating Committee made up of Carl Turner, Linda Richtsmeier and Charles Gillis sent you via email the slate of officers for your consideration. If you are interested in being an officer; i.e. President, Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer, please contact one of these committee members. Election will be at the November meeting and nominations for each office will be accepted from the floor. Remember that National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant we’ve been talking about since July? WE GOT IT!! ELEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS!!! So before the end of the year we will have volunteer opportunities and 2017 will find us very busy building two new bird blinds, establishing a new walking trail (be thinking of a name) and installing the E-bird kiosk in the visitor center. EXCITING STUFF!!! Many, many thanks to everyone that contributed to the silent auction for the TMN Annual Meeting: Karen Williams, Michael Mathews, Kristi Thomas, Phyllis Wilson, Linda Richtsmeier, Jill and Pete Wright (hope I haven’t forgotten anyone). The photo contest was big and I’m still waiting to hear who the winners were. The meeting topics were varied and interesting. The 2017 conference is in Corpus Christi!! Yay! The field trips should be amazing there! And here’s a change that was decided by the CBTMN Executive Board. Effective immediately, the deadline to have your Volunteer Hours and your Advanced Training hours has been extended to December 31, 2016. We will have our “pinning” ceremony at the January meeting. So take a deep breath and keep volunteering and getting those AT hours done and loaded into VMS. It is VERY important that you have everything entered with 45 days of the event and definitely by 12/31/2016. That means the November meeting will truly be a family social event. Just a little business, but not much so that we can enjoy each other’s companionship and some good food. Bring the wife, bring the husband, bring the children, bring potential members and bring your favorite snack to share and your favorite adult beverage, if you choose. We won’t have a December meeting so this is the wind up meeting of 2016 and it has been a doozy! SB

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CYPRESS BASIN TEXAS MASTER NATURALIST MEETING OCTOBER 10, 2016

MINUTES Attending: 24 members - Kristi Thomas, Pam Andrews, David Skinner, Jill Wright, Steve and Susan Sedberry, Karen Williams, Sue Simmons, Herman Hazard, Tom Walker, Carl Miller, Linda Richtsmeier, Stella and Ted Barrow, Phyllis Wilson, Pam Watts, Kay Watson, Ellen and Floyd Anderson, Vicki and David Gilliland, Carl and Diane Turner, Becky Gullette, and Laura Speight (TWPD).

PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES - After AT presentation on TPWD Teaming with Wildlife, there was a short break and meeting resumed, with approval of minutes, motion by Linda and a second by David.

TREASURER REPORT - Charles noted that the treasurer report in the newsletter could be updated with results from Moonvie Saturday night. Donations from Friends of Refuge, $344, CLI, $400, Collins Academy, $344, individual donation, $50, donation jar, $86. Final costs and donations will be in next report. Unanimous approval of report with motion by Ted, second by Phyllis, and unanimous approval.

GENERAL ITEMS: o Old Business

▪ Red River Chapter Visit - Stella reported was a whale of a success. The members had a great time and we received glowing feedback, huge success!

▪ Moonvie - this event cost some money, but was enjoyed. Ran out of 120 hot dogs and telescopes were busy. Should monitor logbook to see if there are increases. Head count of approximately 52 cars. Most had a couple of folks in them, and several singles. 115 - 125 estimated.

▪ Citizen Scientist Training (Invasives) program – 10/29 8:00 am – register on Eventbrite – free but limited to 30 – 15 seats left - app on phone, if interested go to Eventbrite and sign up for that. Will be almost eight hours of training.

▪ Avinger Wine Festival - Pam got there in time for thunderstorm, afternoon was rained out.

▪ Updates on: Photo class; Used fishing line project; Simpson Lake project - Kristi reported on photo class, Michael has been under the weather and if that doesn’t change, will reschedule. Will send an email toward end of week. Verified will be at the refuge conference room. Fishing line project, Roger not here but getting that set up, per Stella.

o New Business

▪ Refuge projects – Grant application update checked with GE and still haven’t awarded those grants. We need to commit to bird blinds and eBird kiosk b/c numbers will go up. FOR has agreed to do funding if grant not awarded.

▪ 2017 Class update by Jill - Great progress on presenters, 3 out of 4 weekends. Now big push to make sure class, really like to have at least ten, think about how to reach out. Will do press release, etc., members urged to think of potential members to get them on board.

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▪ Marion County Fair October 14 and 15 - Anybody want to take place on board, per Pam Watts? Kids day Friday 9-12. 8-5 on Sat. Put table with skulls and skins, might be good way to recruit. Set up any time on Thurs. Inside per Linda. Need volunteers for Saturday. Linda and Stella, be there on Saturday, send email if can help.

▪ Work Day October 15 - Charles talked to Eric, anything to do, could work on any of the trails, start anywhere and bring loppers and pick up limbs. If off trials, let someone know where you will be. Should have partner. Bridge has been fixed. Don’t have to do on designated work day, can be any day. Once new trail rolling, will be even more options. Equestrian trail might be good option. Charles would recommend gathering and take off as a group.

▪ TCU Biology Club October 22 - Greenhouse tour and pontoon boat tour? Talking with Steve, suggested as many as interested in marking trials, drive up trails, and then blitz them, we need to do this. Both sides, Pete and Jill did most of Cathedral trail, a lot are still there, not on Old Folks. Gathered about 5 boats, will send emails. Like to be able to show we’ve done it.

o Other Business

▪ TMN Annual Meeting

Silent Auction Items – each chapter has been asked to contribute a minimum of $100 worth. Annual meeting, note cards, silent auction - pictures. Let Stella know if have something.

Photography contest entries - call for entries from members. Get to Stella before Thursday 10/21.

▪ 2017 Officer Slate – Are you interested? Any interest in any of these rolls, get in touch with them. VP is just backup to President, have to send out by 10/30, think about it and let them know if interested. Contact Charles, Carl, or Linda.

Awards ceremony and End of Year celebration at November meeting families invited - get your pins and your hour awards. Bring your favorite snacks. Might have adult beverage or two.

o October Advance Training – TPWD Teaming With Wildlife: True To Texas coalition: Karly

Robison

ADJOURNMENT 8:08 p.m. with motion by Ted, seconded by Steve o Volunteer Hours - 1.00 o Your travel time – now included in your volunteer hours in VMS o Advanced Training .75

Submitted by Kristi Thomas, Secretary

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Cypress Basin Texas Master Naturalist

Financial Report for October 2016

Submitted by Charles Gillis, Treasurer

Beginning Bank Balance, 09/30/16 $8,260.14

Less: Expenses

Moon-vie:

Radio Advertising $ 120.00

Port-a-jon (Refuge share ½) 75.00

Screen rental 1,800.00

Prepare Longhorn DVD 75.00

Food & Supplies 192.46 -2,262.46

L. Eisenberg Registration (1/2) - 130.00

Add: Deposits

Donations Citizen Science lunch 65.00

Ending Bank Balance, 10/31/16 $5,932.68

Dedicated Funds –

Regatta $3,191.28

Undedicated Funds 2,741.40

Ending Bank Balance, 10/31/16 $5,932.68

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Outstanding deposits:

Moon-vie donations 86.00

Member purchased book 10.00

Outstanding checks:

For Avinger Wine Festival booth - 66.77

Citizen Science lunch - 97.00

Brochures for Moon-vie - 42.22

Citizen Science speaker’s motel - 169.00

Available Balance, 11/03/2016 $5,653. 69

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COME ONE COME ALL!

CYPRESS BASIN CHAPTER FAMILY & FRIENDS

ARE INVITED TO ATTEND

ANNUAL SOCIAL

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14 6:30 PM

JEFFERSON TRANSPORTATION CENTER

BRING YOUR FAVORITE SNACK FOOD TO SHARE

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A CASE OF NOISE POLLUTION by Betty G. Morgan Imagine going outdoors in early morning and not seeing any birds. Imagine going outdoors any time of day or night and not hearing the sounds of birds. Not one bird in the landscape; not one bird in the distance. Where have all of the birds gone? Trouble began during the summer when word spread that a drilling company would be drilling for oil in the neighborhood -- 1/4 mile from my house. Residents immediately set out to stop the onslaught of heavy equipment traffic that would soon invade our narrow county roads. Due to much effort on the part of the county commissioner we avoided that catastrophe when the drilling company was able to lease right-of-way from a nearby landowner. Immediately, work began on the 10-acre site. After about three weeks of machinery noise a small city of trailer houses, piles of equipment, and a derrick were in place. Then the drilling began with a roar that didn't cease for almost four weeks. When that lion's volume roar began the birds disappeared. Not only that, but the great volume of butterflies there the previous week dwindled down to a few sulphurs. We watched, we waited, but no birds to be seen. Bird baths were flushed and filled daily; feeders were supplied but no song birds returned to their pastoral home. No hawks, no eagles, and no crows in sight. Usually, a few Canadian geese stop at the lake even this early in the fall, but not one honk to be heard. The two wells were successfully completed about two weeks ago. The roar ceased and we watched and listening in anticipation of the soothing sounds of nature returning. Growing anxious we were delighted one afternoon to see bluebirds at three birdbaths. At least two dozen of the beauties splashed and chirped happily for about 20-30 minutes. It seemed that they hadn't had a bath in three weeks and were elated to be back "home". Needless to say, we were as enthusiastic as they were. After they left the empty birdbaths were refilled so they could treat themselves again the following day. Slowly, the blue jays, cardinals, wrens, sparrows, crows, pileated woodpeckers and hawks have returned. The noise subsided just in time; the winter birds won't have to find an alternate home. We'll delight in providing them a safe habitat as in previous years. During this nature deficit period of time I turned to the internet to search for answers to the question: What is the effects of noise pollution on wildlife? Answers were alarming and disturbing. Such noise --whether intentional or not -- has the ability to alter the acoustic environment of habitats which can have a dramatic effect on the animals that reside there, perhaps even driving evolutionary change as species adapt to or avoid noisy environments. Field research reveals four major ways in which animals are adversely affected by noise pollution.

hearing loss, resulting from noise levels of 85 db or greater; masking, which is the inability to hear important environmental cues and animal signals; non-auditory physiological effects, such as increased heart rate and respiration and general stress

reaction; and behavioral effects, which vary greatly between species and noise characteristics, resulting in, for

example, abandonment of territory and lost reproduction.

(continued on the next page)

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Think about the importance of sound production and hearing for locating food, avoiding predators and finding a mate. With the roar that we experienced there's no way that man nor animal could hear anything other than the roar. If the birds and pollinators are absent the seeds and pollen of plants are not as widely distributed thus affecting plant life. The results of research is a reminder that everything is connected. We have become a society of noise makers whether it's with our electronics or our engine operated "toys". We need to think about the animals and plants affected by the noise that we create. Yes, even their blood pressure and heart rates increase permanently after exposure to a surges of loud noises. In more than one way, their lives are threatened.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

November 14: Cypress Basin Chapter Monthly Meeting Annual Family Social 6:30 p.m.

November 19: Work Day

2016 MEETING DATES January 11 February 8 March 14* April 11 May 9 June 13* July 11 August 8 September 12* October 10 November 14** *Pot Luck ** Family Social & Awards

2016 WORK DAYS

January 16 February 13 March 19 April 16 May 14 June 18 July 16 August 13 October 15 November 19