Armand Bayou Bayou Foliage713-274-2676 Kristen Hill 713-274-2683 Mike Maglitto 713-274-2663 Susan...
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Volume 38, Issue 4 Bayou Foliage Armand Bayou Nature Center Volunteer Newsletter APRIL 05 Prairie Friday 8:30 a.m. 06 Stewardship Saturday 8:30 a.m. 07 First Sunday 12 p.m. 11 Volunteer Meetings 12 Prairie Friday 8:30 a.m. 18 Bayou Foliage deadline 19 Prairie Friday 8:30 a.m. 20 Stewardship Saturday 8:30 a.m. 21 Third Sunday 12 p.m. 26 Prairie Friday 8:30 a.m. 27 Guardians of the Gardens 8:30 a.m. Upcoming Events: APRIL 25 BIG Meeting 28 World Migratory Bird Day MAY 04 Party for the Planet Next Volunteer Meeting Thursday, April 11 NOTE: Any time you arrive on site, please let the Front Desk or a staff member know. It is very important for safety sake. PLEASE call the Front Desk whenever you drive straight to the back – they don’t know everyone’s car! Speaker: Camille Wagner Native Medical Plants Did you know that plants are a major source of drug compounds? Approximately one-quarter of all prescription drugs contains an ingredient derived from a flowering plant. For example, digitalis, used in cardiac care, was derived from the ornamental flower Foxglove. A powerful anticancer agent for breast cancer has been found in Pacific Yew. And Periwinkle has yielded an anticancer compound that is useful against leukemia. Scientists and pharmaceutical companies are contantly searching for new drug compounds in plants. The possibilities are endless, but resources to test new compounds are limited. Indigenous peoples sometimes use plants for reasons that mey not be scientific; for example, spleenwort has been used to treat spleen ailments because the leaves are shaped like that organ. Hower, many plants used actually did have medical properties. Native people had thousands of years to experiment with these plants; often they can provide scientists with valuable information. Scientists who study native uses of plants are called “ethnobotanists.” (Excerpted from Texas Parks and Wildlife) We are very pleased to have with us Professor Camille Wagner, from San Jacinto Central Campus. Professor Wagner earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Oregon State Uniersity and her Master’s Degree in Biology from CUNY Graduate Center. Professor Wagner will discuss the properties of many of our native medicinal plants. American Beautyberry Yaupon Holly
Transcript of Armand Bayou Bayou Foliage713-274-2676 Kristen Hill 713-274-2683 Mike Maglitto 713-274-2663 Susan...
Volume 38, Issue 4
Bayou FoliageArmand Bayou Nature Center
Volunteer Newsletter
APRIL
05 Prairie Friday 8:30 a.m.
06 Stewardship Saturday 8:30 a.m.
07 First Sunday 12 p.m.
11 Volunteer Meetings
12 Prairie Friday 8:30 a.m.
18 Bayou Foliage deadline
19 Prairie Friday 8:30 a.m.
20 Stewardship Saturday 8:30 a.m.
21 Third Sunday 12 p.m.
26 Prairie Friday 8:30 a.m.
27 Guardians of the Gardens 8:30 a.m.
Upcoming Events:
APRIL
25 BIG Meeting
28 World Migratory Bird Day
MAY
04 Party for the Planet
Next Volunteer Meeting
Thursday, April 11
NOTE:
Any time you arrive on site, please let the Front Desk or a staff
member know. It is very important for safety sake.
PLEASE call the Front Desk whenever you drive straight to the
back – they don’t know everyone’s car!
Speaker: Camille Wagner
Native Medical Plants
Did you know that plants are a major source of drug compounds?
Approximately one-quarter of all prescription drugs contains an
ingredient derived from a flowering plant. For example, digitalis, used
in cardiac care, was derived from the ornamental flower Foxglove. A
powerful anticancer agent for breast cancer has been found in Pacific
Yew. And Periwinkle has yielded an anticancer compound that is
useful against leukemia.
Scientists and pharmaceutical companies are contantly searching for
new drug compounds in plants. The possibilities are endless, but
resources to test new compounds are limited. Indigenous peoples
sometimes use plants for reasons that mey not be scientific; for
example, spleenwort has been used to treat spleen ailments because
the leaves are shaped like that organ. Hower, many plants used
actually did have medical properties. Native people had thousands of
years to experiment with these plants; often they can provide
scientists with valuable information. Scientists who study native uses
of plants are called “ethnobotanists.”(Excerpted from Texas Parks and Wildlife)
We are very pleased to have with us Professor Camille Wagner, from
San Jacinto Central Campus. Professor Wagner earned her
Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Oregon State Uniersity and her
Master’s Degree in Biology from CUNY Graduate Center. Professor
Wagner will discuss the properties of many of our native medicinal
plants.
American Beautyberry Yaupon Holly
Plan For The FutureLiz VanOrstrand
April 2019
Armand Bayou Nature Center
Volunteer Board2019
Proofreader:Vicki Atkins
Contributors:Karen HazenAnna James
Liz VanOrstrand
Staff Roster
Chair Karen Sutera 281-474-5087 [email protected]
Vice-Chair Open
Secretary Karen Hazen 281-857-3142 [email protected]
Treasurer Joe Bryan 713-449-5550 [email protected]
Weekend DIGs * Zohre Amet 832-855-6100 [email protected]
Weekend Trails Kathy Graglia 832-418-6505 [email protected]
Weekday Edu. Edith Erfling 281-470-6824 [email protected]
Outreach Open
Facilities Open
Stewardship Mark Carter 713-456-9919 [email protected]
Gardens Dolores Plaisted contact Liz [email protected]
Bayou Foliage Editor Polly Swerdlin 281-814-4606 [email protected]
Webmaster Shawn Gano 832-314-1608 [email protected]
* Demonstrators, Interpreters & Greeters
Main numbers: 281-474-2551 or 713-274-2688Dial directly to each desk:
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713-274-2671 Facilities (no phone mail)713-274-2672 Mark Kramer713-274-2673 Chris Smith713-274-2674 Derek Sanford713-274-2676 Kristen Hill713-274-2683 Mike Maglitto
713-274-2663 Susan Millsap713-274-2664 Liz VanOrstrand713-274-2665 Tim Pylate713-274-2666 Anna James713-274-2667 Heather Millar713-274-2668 KathyGardner
Emails are first name @ abnc.org i.e.: [email protected]
Armand Bayou Nature Center invites you to join us in providing
generations to come with the opportunity to reconnect with nature by
remembering us in your estate plans or through planned giving. The
common types of planned gifts are wills and trusts, life insurance policies,
retirement plans, and IRA distributions.
Donors should consult with their financial and tax advisors
regarding a planned gift.
Please see our website for more details:
https://www.abnc.org/planned-giving
All future Life Time Memberships will be placed in this endowment fund.
April 2019 3
Volunteer Monthly Meeting Minutes
Volunteer reminder:
The service road gate needs to be closed at all times. We understand that it is a pain to get
out of your car, open the gate, drive through, get back out of your car and close the gate. We
are having trouble with visitors driving all the way back to the Interpretative Building or just
walking back without paying and even riding their bicycles to the back. Please, we need your
help with this matter. So, also, if you see the gate was not closed when you came up to it, go
ahead and close it after you pass through.
Thanks to all for your cooperation.
March 14, 2019
Joe Bryan, treasurer, called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Joe shared with the group the Volunteer Fund Wish List for 2019:
Firefly kits: 3 kits for $75/each.
These will be used for 6 Girl Scout outings that are scheduled $ 125.00
Signup.com software for scheduling/registration; annual cost $ 100.00
New Volunteer Orientation Banner $ 192.00
Tablecloths for the auditorium tables (18) $ 140.00
Refit watering system in veggie garden $ 500.00
Plants/markers and mulch for Farmhouse garden $ 336.00
Plants/markers/mulch/fertilizer/supplies for McGovern garden $ 700.00
Mulch for front entry garden $ 36.00
Total $2129.00
Tim has found a corporate sponsor to purchase children’s picture books for the library. The first
aid supplies needed to replenish the kits will be purchased under operating funds.
Joe called for a motion to approve funding as listed above, Polly motioned, Mark seconded and
the motion was passed unanimously.
Upcoming events where volunteers are needed - 4/28/19 International Bird Day - if interested,
there will be a planning meeting on 3/27/19. Shortly there will be a sign up online for the May
4th Gala.
Joe closed the business meeting and introduced our speaker for the evening, our own Kristen
Hill, Animal Care Specialist at ABNC, who gave a lively and informative talk entitled, “Scat You
Shouldn’t Say,” where she discussed some myths, misinformation, and commonly asked
questions by visitors at ABNC.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
April 2019
TRAINING DATES and EVENTS for your calendarEmail the leader or sign up on clipboards in the Volunteer Office
Treasurer’s Report February 2019 Meeting Snacks & Drinks
The social portions of our meetings are enhanced with
finger food snacks and beverages; please sign up for
one month, either one.
SNACKS DRINKS
APRIL __ __
MAY (potluck picnic) BYOB
AUGUST __ __
SEPTEMBER __ __
OCTOBER __ __
NOVEMBER Polly Swerdlin __
DECEMBER (potluck supper) BYOB
JANUARY (appreciation dinner)
FEBRUARY __ __
MARCH __ __
Signup is on a clipboard in the Volunteer Office
Beginning Balance $3895.68
Expenditures:
Total Expenditures $0.00 $3895.68
Income:
Total Income $0.00 $3895.68
Current Balance $3895.68
Saturday, May 04Canoe 101Time: 9 a.m. to noonLeader:
Saturday, May 11Mushrooms and FungiTime: 9 a.m. to noon Albemarle BuildingLeader: Derek Sanford [email protected]
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Thursday, April 25Bayou Intrepretative Guide (BIG) meetingTime: 6:30 p.m. Auditorium Leader: Liz VanOrstrand [email protected]
Sunday, April 28World Migratory Bird DayTime: noon to 4 p.m.
www.signup.com
Upcoming Events
6:00 p.m.
April 2019
Education Department Page
First and Third SundaysAnna James, Visitor Services, is the POC for these projects
April: A Bird’s Eye View of MigrationMay: Life on Dry Land is possible thanks to Reptile EggsJune: Everything has a History- Even PollinationJuly: What are those huge scary spiders?August: Exposing Houston’s Hidden FelineSeptember: More Than Just a MushroomOctober: Monarchs – An Incredible JourneyNovember: Bison – Architects of the American PrairiesDecember: The Vulture Cleanup Crew
https://www.kroger.com/communityrewards
http://www.randalls.com/ShopStores/Good-Neighbor.page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Armand-Bayou-Nature-Center-Official-Page/301870883076?ref=ts
https://twitter.com/armandbayou
Easy and continuous ways to help ABNC are to go shopping, friend us, and tweet. Help us get the word out.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ABNCvols/
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7403757
Leaders and Helpers needed for these eventsContact Heather 713-274-2667
FIELD TRIPSApril 1 10:00 - 12:00 Reptiles and Trails
Burnett Elementary 2nd grade 7 - 8 years old 60 children
April 2 10:00 - 1:00 Adaptations and Trails
K. E. Little Elementary 2nd grade 7 - 8 years old 120 children
April 4 9:30 - 1:00 Understanding Wetlands
Seabrook Intermediate 7th grade 12-13 years old 34 children
April 5 10:00 - 12:00 Hands on History
Post Oak Elementary 3rd grade 8 - 9 years old 32 children
April 9 9:30 - 3:00 Hands on History & Reptiles
Precinct 3 Senior Citizens 40 adults
April 11 9:30 - 1:00 Understanding Wetlands
Seabrook Intermediate 7th grade 12-13 years old 34 children
April 13 10:00 - 12:00 Reptiles and Trails
LDS family groups mixed ages 40 - 60 people
April 15 9:30 - 1:00 EcoConnections
Alexander Middle School 6th grade 11 - 12 years old 80 children
April 16 10:00 - 1:00 Adaptations & Trails
Ward Elementary 2nd grade 7 - 8 years old 100 children
April 17 10:00 - 12:00 Reptiles and Trails
Armand Bayou Montessori 5 - 6 years old 12 children
April 18 9:30 - 1:00 EcoConnections
Jennie Reid Elementary 4th grade 9 - 10 years old 75 children
April 25 9:30 - 1:00 Understanding Wetlands
Seabrook Intermediate 7th grade 12-13 years old 34 children
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Sponsored by
April 2019 6
Our Secretary’s Take of Kristen’s TalkKaren Hazen
As a new master naturalist, and still learning the ropes, I found Kristen’s talk especially
informative. I wanted to share some of her key points that may be a good review for everyone.
• Get out of a nature mindset, most people have no idea about nature and how to interact with
it! For example, use layman’s terms. We may know what a watershed is, but don’t assume
your visitors do.
• Read your audience to determine what is their level of understanding and interest. It can tell
you to go into more detail or move on!
• Use humor to keep your topic light and fun. Draw the visitors in so they want to learn more.
• Teach your visitors animal (human) etiquette. They don’t like loud, disruptive noises or
clapping and yelling. No rapid, disruptive movements, such as waving and jumping. Just like
you may not like to be poked, neither do our animal residents. Look but don’t touch -
remember this is their home.
Now to address FAQs that Kristen gets and how to respond:
1. Why are they in cages? Some of the animals have been injured and cannot survive in the wild
any more. They are kept in enclosures to meet their unique needs and special dietary
requirements. They are wildlife/educational ambassadors to teach the public.
2. Why do you name them? It is easier for kids to connect, and makes for a more memorable
experience. Research has shown that people retain information about the animal when
they have a name associated with it.
3. Do you have “poisonous” snakes? Kristen told us that there is only 1 poisonous snake, the
Rhabdophis Keelback from SE Asia. It retains the toxins from animals it eats - anything that
comes in contact with its skin will contract the poison. So, here are some
definitions: poisonous refers to any toxin that is consumed or absorbed through the skin, while
venomous refers to the injection into the skin of a toxin. Kristen uses a visual to teach: make
a “V” with your index and middle fingers, bend your fingers slightly-doesn’t it look like a snake
ready to strike? V for venomous. Now, make an OK sign with your fingers and thumb. Turn
your hand upside down-this is the sign language letter P for poison!
Now on to some myths and misconceptions.
Bison vs Buffalo: Bison are native to North America, have large skulls, and a muscular hump
behind their skull and smaller horns. Buffalo are from Asia and Europe, have smaller skulls,
longer horns, and less of a muscular humps. Why the confusion? Probably when European
settlers saw them, they called them buffalo, like what they had seen back home.
Aggressive snakes: Most snakes’ reactions are in response to the threat we pose. They don’t
have the concept of respected land ownership. If you see one in your yard for example, they are
either passing through, or deciding that your yard is just dandy to settle in!! Typically snakes will
give some warning that they are nearby. 97% of snake bites are when someone tries to pick them
up or kill them, and the other 3% is because we aren’t paying attention and disturb them!
Can I get warts from toads and frogs? Warts are caused by the human papillovirus, which is
unique to humans.
Want to hear more? Watch for the rest in next month’s Bayou Foliage.
Editor’s aside: Hey, does she take good notes or what?
April 2019
If you have to cancel, please do your best to find your own replacement. If you
cannot, notify your coordinator AND the Front Desk. If you can cover for any
open slots, call the coordinator for that event. When you arrive at ABNC for
your duty, please check in at the Front Desk.
Except where noted, activities are 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
ABNC Volunteer Weekend Duty Schedule
DATE
10:00 Trails
Kathy Graglia
832-418-6505
2:00 Trails
Kathy Graglia
832-418-6505
Greeters
(Sundays 12-4)
Zohre Amet
832-855-6100
Natural History
Demos
Zohre Amet
832-855-6100
Farm House
Interpret
Zohre Amet
832-855-6100
Farm Life
Demos
Zohre Amet
832-855-6100
04-06 Greg Nenninger
Ashley Hill
Box Turtles Beverly Morrison
Susan Hesley
Yarn Dolls
First
Sunday
04-07 Kathy Graglia Ken Russell
Visitor Services
Migration Mary Horn
BAWS on site
Tonya Lawson
Butter Making
04-13 Kevin Bauman Randy Olsen Ashley Hill
Margaret Frick
Snakes Zohre Amet
HABA on site
Loretta
Lynn
1932
04-14 Helen Lane Ashley Hill
Eleanor Stanley
Reptiles Mary Horn John Hendricks
04-20 Randy Olsen Ashley Hill
Margaret Frick
Snakes Jill Macomber Beverly Morrison
Third
Sunday
04-21 Kathy Gaglia Joe Bryan
Visitor Services
Migration Eleanor Stanley Mary Horn
04-27 Greg Nenninger Mark Carter
Ashley Hill
Box Turtles
Jay Leno
1950
04-28 Kathy Graglia John Hendricks
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BAWS Bay Area Weavers Society
HABA Houston Area Blacksmith Association
April 2019
Hand-Me-Down Shirts with ABNC logo:Three khakis available, and a TeeFor now, in the Heiman House.
If you wish to pass one down, this is where to leave it.
If you buy a khaki shirt of your own to have the ABNC logo added:
Leave it, your name, phone # and $8 at the front desk. One of the volunteer board members will take it in,
and give you a call when it returns. Or you can take it yourself – Third Coast Graphics has our design in stock.
301 W Edgewood Dr. #16 Friendswood 281-992-66008
Bayou Foliage deadline: 3rd Thursday of each month.
Volunteer Web Page:
www.abncvols.org
Frank C Smith Library
Have you seen these?
Back to Basics … Traditional American Skills by Norman Mack
The Bats of Texas by Loren Amerman
Simon & Schuster’s Guide to Mushrooms by Gary Lincoff
April Flower of the Month
