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FIELD JOURNALMeeting

August 26, 20096:30 p.m.Austin Nature

and Science Center

Ed Rozenberg will be speaking on Owls.

CAMN Board Meeting

There is no Board meeting in August. It’s too hot to talk. They’ll start with the hot air again in September.

Volunteer and Advanced Training Opportunities

Visit the CAMN website at www.camn.org and log in to the CAMN Volunteer Calendar to start fulfilling those volunteer hours.

The sunʼs temperature is measured in many layers of the atmosphere right down to its core Those temps run from a cool 11,000 F. to 25,000,000 F. Any way you turn it, itʼs hot. Feeling cooler now?Taken from: www.Solarviews.com

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Yep, pretty sure itʼs hot out there. This is the source of that pesky heat rash youʼve gained while doing those volunteer hours. “Here is a view of the full solar disk during a two-week period in October and November of 2003 which exhibited some of the largest solar activity events since the advent of space-based solar observing.The Extreme ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT) collects solar images in an extremely short wavelength of ultraviolet light, not visible from the surface of the Earth. The narrow wavelength band at 304 Ångstroms corresponds (30.4 nanometers) corresponds to a spectral line of multiply-ionized iron atoms.”A short movie of the storm can be seen at: http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a000000/a003500/a003501/Halloween2003_EIT304_1080.mp4

Sourced from: NASA/Goddard Space Flight CenterScientific Visualization Studio

Feeling The Heat In Central Texas?

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Field Prep: by Jim and Lynne weber

Webs of Intrigue

Spending summer days in the fields, woods, and even our own suburban gardens can yield many interesting sights, but few are more curious than that of the spider web. Formed out of protein-rich silk extruded from a spider’s spinnerets (or silk-producing organs located at their abdomens), webs can take many forms, including spiral orbs, tangles, funnels, tubes, sheets, domes, and tents. While most spiders can use both sticky and fluffy silk to construct a web, they can also position the web horizontally or vertically or at any angle in between, depending on its specific purpose.

Web construction is unique and delicate process, with the spider using its own body for measurements. Starting with the most difficult part, the first thread, spiders use the wind (and a bit of luck) to carry it to an adhesive surface. Once caught, the spider will carefully walk over the thread while strengthening it with another thread, repeating this action until this primary thread is strong enough to support the finished web. Step two involves the process of making many radials, making sure that the distance between each radial is small enough to cross. Ergonomically speaking, this means that the number of radials in a web depends directly on the size of the spider and helps to determine the final size of the web.

Once the radials are complete, the spider will fortify the center of the web with several circular threads, and move outward, continuing a spiral of non-sticky, evenly-spaced threads made so the spider can easily move around its own web. Then, beginning

from the outside edge and moving toward the center, it adds sticky spiral threads by utilizing the radials and non-sticky spirals as guidelines. Once again using its body as a measuring device, the spaces between each of the sticky spirals is directly proportional to the distance from the tips of its back legs to its spinnerets. After the sticky spirals are complete, the spider consumes the non-sticky spirals as they are no longer needed, chews off the initial center spiral threads and sits and waits for prey.

Webs are literally extensions of a spider’s ability to feel, and they allow them to catch their prey without having to expend the energy to run it down. Some spiders will decorate their webs with loose, irregular tangles of silk to disorient and knock down flying insects and to warn birds and other flying predators of the presence of the web. Constructing a web is energetically costly for a spider due to the large amount of protein required, so broken webs, especially if they are still structurally sound, are not always repaired. It is not uncommon, however, for spiders to eat their own web daily to recoup some of the energy used in spinning and recycle the protein by spinning a new web. Normally, a spider’s web will remain in one location for the entire summer, but spiders can change locations usually early in the season, if they find a place with better protection or better hunting.

Commonly, webs are about twenty times larger than the spider building it. Rich in vitamin K, which can be effective in clotting blood, spider webs were used several hundred years ago as gauze pads to stop an injured

person's bleeding. Today, we know that the tensile strength of spider silk is greater that the same weight of steel and has a much improved elasticity. Research into its microstructure is being performed for potential and surprising applications such as bullet-proof vests and artificial tendons!

The next time you are out in your garden in the early morning hours and you come across a delicate spider web glistening with drops of dew like strings of tiny diamonds, appreciate what you are seeing for its natural beauty, strength, and purpose!

Send your nature-related questions to naturewatch@austin.rr.com and we’ll do our best to answer them.

Taken from www.alanbauer.com

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Lizards, ants, plants, birds, odonates, butterflies, frogs, bugs – oh, my ! What started out as just our normal, monthly Texas Amphibian Watch (TAW) monitoring at Berry Springs Preserve in north Georgetown turned into a toasty June (20, 2009) night full of Texas Horned Lizard Watch (THLW) training, a Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) Williamson County Chapter field trip (which morphed into a hunt for Harvester Ant mounds), listening for frogs and toads, and checking out the bugs attracted to a black light and white sheet.

First, Lee Ann Linam (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department) had met Christine Powell and myself for THLW training, and Lee Ann had brought a horny toad from Smithville to show us ! Although park staff had reported a previous sighting at Berry Springs Preserve, we didn’t see any additional Horned Lizards that night. But what a treat to see a live example of this threatened species !

Then ten people came out for the early-evening NPSOT field trip and got to meet “Spike”. Although it would have been a little bit cooler to walk through the more plant-diverse riparian corridor, everyone agreed to walk through the hay fields towards the back of the park and look for the Harvester Ants (the major food source for Horned Lizards) that we had heard

about. The three Harvester Ant mounds that we found provided “Spike” with some take out dinner. Along the way, the native plants that we saw included:

* Indian Mallow (Abutilon incanum)

* White Prickly Poppy (Argemone albiflora)

* Purple Leatherflower (Clematis pitcheri)

* Horsemint (Monarda citriodora)

* Canada Wildrye (Elymus canadensis)

* Western Soapberry (Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii)

We also saw non-native Kleingrass (Panicum coloratum), invasive Chinaberry (Melia azedarach), a number of birds (e.g., Green Heron, Eastern Bluebird, and Scissor-tailed Flycatcher), dragonflies (e.g., Checkered Setwing and Widow Skimmer), and butterflies (e.g., Pipevine Swallowtail and Hackberry Emperor) during the NPSOT walk.

At dusk, the five Capital Area Master Naturalists and one guest started our TAW monitoring. We heard a Common Nighthawk, a Great Horned Owl, a chorus of Northern Cricket Frogs, and one lone Rio Grande Leopard Frog. We also examined another Rio Grande Leopard Frog caught on the shoreline.

After an hour of TAW monitoring, we investigated the black light and white sheet that Bill Dodd and Christopher Fritel had set up for us while the sun was still up. Several of us had heard about this type of activity at an Austin Butterfly Forum presentation given by Mark McClelland earlier this year. Most of what we saw was small beetles, though – the breeze that night may have limited the number of insects that were able to cling to the sheet. A long, warm night, but fun for sure!

Texas Amphibian Watch

Twenty-nine people attended the CAMN-sponsored Texas Amphibian Watch (TAW) workshop on June 30, 2009. Marsha May and Lee Ann Linam from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department focused on the frogs and toads that were likely to be encountered in central Texas, but they also provided plenty of reference material on the species reported elsewhere in the state. Everyone received a CD of Texas frog and toad calls, and Marsha and Lee Ann reviewed the different ways that one could be involved in the TAW program (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/texas_nature_trackers/amphibian_watch/). Participants were encouraged to start their own monitoring or join one of the three current CAMN TAW teams at Hornsby Bend in southeast Austin, Riata Pond in north Austin, and Berry Springs Preserve in north Georgetown.

Field Notes: by Kathy McCormack

Nature Night at Berry Springs Preserve, et al.

Lee Ann Linam introduces the manualIndian Mallow (Abutilon incanum)

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A group of Master Naturalists, Native Plant and Prairie enthusiasts, and Master Gardeners gathered for a nature walk on June 20 at the Berry Springs Park and Preserve in north-central Williamson County. As we waited for the late-comers to arrive, we sat at the picnic tables in the large pecan grove and watched the birds and other wildlife… or as much of it as was willing to venture out in temperatures approaching a hundred. The company was pleasant, in any case. Our expedition had a two-fold purpose: first, we were there generally to view the wildlife and habitat at this relatively new county park; second, we were looking specifically for evidence relating to one important species.

When many of the native Texans in the group were growing up, we saw Texas Horned Lizards (Phrynosoma cornatum) so frequently that we took their ubiquity completely for granted. These “horned toads” became mascots for many colleges and schools, including Texas Christian University, and rightfully have a place on the “Wild Texas” license plates. They are even the state reptile! More recently, however, disruptions in their habitat and food supply have sharply reduced their range. The lizards rely on conditions that used to be very common in much of

Texas, including an abundant population of large native ants and loose soil in which they can burrow for protection. Development has displaced ants and Horned Lizards alike. Perhaps worse, invasive species like the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) and Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) have impacted the native ants both directly, by competition and attacking their colonies, and indirectly, by provoking human beings into broadcasting insecticides. This has decimated Horned Lizard populations throughout the state (and has had a similar impact on related species throughout the United States). Some Texans who once saw Horned Lizards several times a day have not seen one in the wild for many years.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is conducting a research project on Horned Lizards, attempting to locate and count the remnant populations with a view to discovering means to protect the species. Lee Ann Linam from the Wildlife Diversity Program brought Spike, a Texas Horned Lizard recently captured

in Bastrop County, and demonstrated how to take measurements and DNA samples without harming the animal. (Following the measurements, captured animals are released where they are taken—Spike was returned to his home a couple of days later). We then began our tour of Berry Springs Park and Preserve, following up on a report of a possible Horned Lizard sighting there. Since it was too hot for Spike to wait in Lee Ann’s car, he and his carrier came along with us. As a reward for our kindness (no doubt), he produced a sample of the distinctive Horned Lizard droppings for our neophyte researchers to examine.

The nature walk began with a curious part of nature, the trash dumpsters near the parking lot, where the sighting may have occurred. We could not find any lizards or ant mounds nearby, but that does not rule out the sighting, since the animals range over wide territories. We continued down to the lake surrounding Berry Springs… or rather, to the place where the lake used to be. The combination of exceptional drought and aggressive pumping from wells in the surrounding area has dropped the water

Field Notes: by Dale Rye

Looking for Lizards and Lakes

Ever wondered what Horned Lizard poop looks like? Well, here you go. The very dark brown feces is, when broken open, simply desiccated ants. The white blob at one end is a deposit of uric acid. The stool is around an inch long and we were all ecstatic to see that Spike had done his business - it showed us that he was eating and functioning well in captivity.

Spike, by far the most popular guy around!

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table to the point that the springs are running backwards, draining water from the lake and Berry Creek rather than filling them. On June 20, the dry bed of the lake looked as if it were a snowy landscape. On closer examination, we saw that it was covered by a blanket of sun-bleached aquatic plants. It was striking evidence of the impact on Central Texas of nearly two years of sharply below-average rainfall. The county has dug a well to refill the lake, but pumping has been limited because the owners of the nearby wells have requested priority on the available groundwater because their production is dedicated mostly to domestic use.

We continued along the nature trail system that threads through much of the park, enjoying the flora and fauna while keeping an eye out for either lizards or ant beds. We did finally find three large colonies of the red harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex barbatus), the most important food source for the Texas Horned Lizard. These are marked by a large entrance at grade, a bed several feet across of dirt excavated from the extensive tunnels, and paths through the surrounding vegetation

where workers gather seeds to store in the underground chambers. The lack of foliage on the nests makes them easy to spot, at least when we are not in the midst of a drought. Lee Ann collected a considerable number of ants at one nest as

food for Spike and his fellow subjects. As she demonstrated, the large red ants can defend their territories effectively by both biting and stinging. Unfortunately, we

found no evidence of Texas Horned Lizards even in these favorable settings. The experience did inspire several of the group to join the Horned Lizard Watch.

As Kathy McCormack has described, after Lee Ann, Spike, and a number of us went on our way, a particularly dedicated portion of the group stayed for the Texas Amphibian Watch. An enjoyable and informative time had been had by all.

The lake was an eerie experience. It looked like something from a science fiction show but as we got closer we could see that all the algae and plant-life has been bleached by the sun.

No, Lee Ann is not trying to spoon feed the Harvester ants. Rather she is catching the ants to feed to Spike. As you can see, Spike is either playing with his food or carrying out some form of mind games with the ant!

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Before the nature walk, the aspiring citizen scientist volunteers for Texas Horned Lizard Watch received training on how to collect data. Since the species is protected, it requires a permit to capture or keep them. Participants in the watch program are covered by its permit, but they must first receive training in how to proceed. Lee Ann Linam from Texas Parks and Wildlife and a lizard we named Spike conducted our session.We first learned where to look for the animals. They like loose soil areas where they can bury themselves for protection from predators and the sun. They also prefer areas near ant beds, particularly harvester ant beds, where they can pick off the stream of ants returning to the nest. Next was

instruction on how to record data, including size and weight.One tricky issue is determining the sex of a Horned Lizard, since they do not

usually have visible genitalia. In females, the reproductive, urinary, and digestive systems end in a common cloaca with an exterior vent under the tail. This is also true

of males, except that they have a pair of hemipenes that only emerge when they are actually mating. The male consequently has a much broader area behind the vent with bumps over the hemipenes. This area is covered with a few enlarged scales, rather than the regular scales (often with black spots) on the female. Males also have a

row of femoral pores along the underside of the leg.Parks and Wildlife is assembling a DNA database to identify the connections among the isolated Horned Lizard populations in the state. As part of the Lizard Watch program, we were trained how to collect samples in the field. There are two ways to do this. The easier way is to swab the vent while holding the animal in the other hand. It is also possible to take a swab from the mouth, but this generally requires two people, one to hold the lizard and the other to take the sample by prying the mouth open with a guitar pick and then swabbing.Now, if we only had some Horned Lizards to swab!

Spike seemed resigned to allowing Lee Ann to collect his DNA with a swab while she held his mouth open with a guitar pick.

Lee Ann Linam from the Wildlife Diversity Program of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recorded data on Spike, a Texas Horned Lizard, while Kathy McCormack studied intently.

Determining Spikeʼs gender proved more simple than one would expect.

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Just what is Lee Ann looking for? Well, as you have gathered by now, Kathy McCormack and myself are doing a survey for TPWD on Horned Lizards. If you have seen any in our region in the last couple of years could you please let us know as soon as possible. Also, if you know where there are harvester ants nests (their favorite food) could you tell us about that too. These (the Horned Lizards) endearing little creatures are getting to be extremely rare and studies are being completed to try and establish if we actually have any left here at all. We are particularly interested in Williamson County but would love to hear from anyone who has knowledge of them. If you can help us we would be so incredibly grateful you wouldn’t believe it!

If you can give us clear details of just where the sites are it would be helpful or if you could send us GPS coordinates that would be even better. If there is no evidence of Horned lizards near the Harvester ants that information is good too. Thanks y’all.

Can You Help?

"From the Ground Up: Soil Ecology and Biosolids Research"August 3 - Kevin M. Anderson

One of the primary areas of environmental research at Hornsby Bend is soil ecology. The microorganisms which inhabit the soil make up the majority of biomass on Earth, and bacteria are the most ancient of Earth organisms, over 4 billion years old. This presentation will look at life on Earth from the ground up, from the microcosmos of soil. It is this soil ecosystem that allows us to recycle Austin's biosolids, and I will address some of the environmental issues and opportunities of biosolids recycling which are part of CER research at Hornsby Bend.

Each monthly talk for 2009 begins the first Monday at noon at the Waller Center, 625 East 10th Street - between I-35 and Red River. Lectures are free and open to the public. Bring a lunch and learn.

Not every CER Lunchtime Lecture counts as advanced training but most should. If you go to one then just ask the Advanced Training Committee to authorize it—no problem!

CER Lunchtime Lectures 

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Field Notes by Jim and Lynne Weber

Black Witch Moth Sighting!

Since the time of the Aztecs, the Black Witch (Ascalapha odorata) moth has been known as ‘mariposa de la muerte’ or butterfly of death. With a wingspan of up to 7 inches, it is the largest moth that occurs north of Mexico. Females are slightly larger and lighter in color than males, and have a pale almost lavender-pink median band through both fore and hind wings.

Common to abundant in the New World topics as far south as Brazil, the Black Witch flies year-round in south Florida and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. In June and July, summer monsoons in Mexico trigger this fabulous creature to migrate north through Texas, where it is often found

in garages, under eaves, or under bridges.

Primarily nocturnal, the Black Witch is attracted to light and fermenting fruit. Its larvae feed at night on a variety of cassias, acacias, and other woody legumes, and rest during the day on bark and branches. Up to 3 inches long, the caterpillar is dark gray tinged with brown, with a pale stripe down the back and dark stripes down the sides, and relies on this natural camouflage to make it difficult to spot. Pupation occurs on the ground in scattered leaf litter within a fragile cocoon.

At first glance, this Black Witch female was mistaken for a small bat hovering around our porch light before sunrise

on July 12th. She landed on the ceiling, just above the front door, and lingered for several hours. We can only hope that the legend of the Black Witch in South Texas is true, as it states, “If a Black Witch lands above your door and stays there for a while, you could win the lottery!” We’re off to buy a ticket.

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Field Notes: by Lynne Weber

Travis County and the Balcones Canyonlands PreserveCAMN is being courted by Renee Fields, the new volunteer coordinator for the Travis County managed tracts of the BCP (Balconses Canyonlands Preserve). We can expect a friendly and beneficial relationship, much like we

have with Cappy Smith (formerly Daniel Dietz) of the City of Austin Wildland Conservation Division, who also manages tracts of the BCP.

Listed below are the many tasks required to keep the BCP running and

in good shape. Take a look. There is something for everyone. Of course, all hours spent here are accumulated toward your annual minimum requirement.

Travis County Volunteer Opportunities

Education and Outreach

* Lead tours/hikes at BCP * Conduct outreach at schools, community meetings, and events * Create educational presentations, materials, activities, and exhibits * Help establish education center * Assist with orientation and safety training for new volunteers * Create volunteer newsletter

Patrol and Inspection

* Patrol and inspect tract interiors * Patrol and inspect tract boundaries * Check fences and gates * Map problem locations (signs of trespass, clearing, invasive plants, oak wilt, etc.)

Mapping and GIS

* Organize maps and create searchable catalog * Identify and map locations of red imported fire ants * Identify and map locations of invasive plants * Map trails * Map locations of important biological, cultural, or karst features * Assist GIS data entry and projects

Information Management

* Enter data * Check data (Quality Assurance) * Scan and organize library * Create and maintain searchable library catalog * Provide office and administrative supportWildlife Management

* Assist with cowbird traps * Assist with feral hog trapping * Assist with deer feeders and blinds * Treat red imported fire ants * Create wildscape at Nootsie/education center

Land Stewardship

* Clean up trash and debris * Erosion control * Install or dismantle silt fences * Remove invasive plants * Restore habitats: vireo, riparian, woodland, grassland, etc. * Plant native vegetation

Facilities and Infrastructure

* Assist with demolishing old buildings and removing debris * Maintain grounds and gardens around facilities * Repair and maintain roads and trails * Construction projects ex. benches, greenhouse, water features, storage units, signs, etc.

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* Clean and maintain of BCP property (buildings, tools, storage areas, etc.) * Clear vegetation from fence lines * Repair fences and gates * Dismantle interior fences

Monitoring and Research

* Vegetation analysis (recruitment, diversity, cover, etc.) * Plant identification * Assess habitat suitability for GCWA and BCVI * Identify invertebrate food supply for GCWA and BCVI

* Animal behavior studies * Assist with bird surveys (depending on skill level; unmonitored tracts, presence/absence, territory mapping) * Cricket counts * Karst surveys for skilled volunteers (gated caves) * Salamander surveys * Aquatic monitoring – biological, water quality/quantity, habitat

Photo by William Crochot

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If you have never been to Bright Leaf, then you are missing one of the most wonderful hidden gems of the Capital area. It is one of the many places that should be a compulsory hike for every Master Naturalist. Of course, we have so many special places here in the Austin area. What makes Bright Leaf so special? Well, there are a whole host of things… but I guess one of the key things for me is the example of the small group of volunteers who have done amazing things to honor the wishes of the original owner, Georgia B. Lucas, a true visionary.

I was so lucky when I first became a Master Naturalist that Sally Scott (our Food and Fun Angel at that time) invited me to help out on a Sunday hike at Bright Leaf as rear guard. I was amazed that I had never heard of the place (I do have an excuse as I live in

Georgetown) and never realized I had driven past it so many times. We have all seen it, but most of us don’t realize we have seen it. Just go down MoPac and it is there, two hundred and sixteen acres in central northwest Austin, just north of Camp Mabry.

The park is open for monthly interpretive hikes on the second

Saturday and Sunday of each month. If you become hooked (as many CAMNers have) you can join their docent training in the fall. There is much to see here and to learn. With typical Hill Country geology, fossils are numerous and an abandoned quarry area demonstrates how layers of sediment were deposited and covered by the waters which once covered Texas.

Of course there are the usual endemic plants found on the Edwards Plateau but there are also some very special additions. Streptanthus bracteatus, or the bracted twistflower, is a very rare plant that is only found in a few counties and in very low numbers. Several interested agencies are working together

to find, protect, and reintroduce the plant back into the area. Our own Nancy Woolley continues to monitor the plant and saw it again this spring in the park.

The preserve also provides habitat for the endangered Golden Cheeked Warbler as well as many other bird species, including Great Horned Owls. Along with the birds are coyotes, rattlesnakes, blotched water snakes, jackrabbits, and many other animals that have been displaced by the ever-increasing urban sprawl.

It is a wonderful place to take your family and friends and a great place to volunteer. I was there this last National Trails Day, Saturday, June 6th, and had a wonderful time. I know I am going to strive to visit again soon and help in any way I can. So, check out their website—http://www.brightleaf.org/—or talk to one of the several CAMN members who serve on the Board of the Friends of Bright Leaf for more information.

Field Notes by Christine Powell

Bright Leaf — A Hidden Gem

LBJWC

©2006 Nancy Woolley

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So, why is it that Noah Lambert looks so bemused while he is seed cleaning? Well, maybe it is all the wonderful bugs we found this time! We were cleaning Texas Ebony (Ebenopsis ebanofrom) and I think we found nearly as many weevils as we did feasible seeds. Of course, some of us were happier than others about the insects but whatever you say, we all learned a lot during our volunteer hours (plus we got pizza)! There is always a chance we will find insects of some sort but these were particularly fascinating. In the images below and below right you can see the weevil (species unknown at this point) in various stages of development (and escape). The bottom image shows that often each seed has at lest one, but sometimes two insects in it. You can see the drilling nose on some as they try to drill their way out. The pod in the center has a round hole where a weevil managed to hatch and drill its way out before we started to open the pod for the seeds. Also shown is a newly hatched weevil by its seed home and another on Janet’s finger. What fun!

To find out more about the Millennium Seed Bank go to http://www.wildflower.org/msb/, and be prepared to see some familiar faces!

Field Work: Christine Powell

Seed Cleaning Fun!

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The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s (TCEQ’s) map of public water supply systems affected by the drought (http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/permitting/water_supply/pdw/trot/location.html) is updated monthly. As of July 1st, the majority of the 159 systems that have implemented mandatory water use restrictions are located in central Texas.

The U.S. Drought Monitor map (http://drought.unl.edu/DM/monitor.html) is updated weekly. In 2009, Texas has been the only area of the country under the worst drought category (D4 – Exceptional). You can click on Texas in the map to zoom to the South regional map, and then click on Texas again to zoom to the state map.

NOAA’s latest Drought Outlook (http://www.cpc.noaa.gov/products/expert_assessment/season_drought.gif) indicates that drought conditions are expected to persist or intensify in our central Texas area through October while La Nina transitions back to El Nino in the eastern Pacific. The good news is that this should bring us wetter weather in the fall and winter.

The Agricultural Drought Task Force (http://agrilife.tamu.edu/drought/) provides a central clearing house of up-to-date drought-related information for the public. In addition, the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee (TGPC) has a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) titled, “Water in Texas – Who Owns It ?” (http://www.tgpc.state.tx.us/subcommittees/POE/FAQs/WaterOwnership_FAQ.pdf) that may be of interest.

Some water conservation ideas can be found at:TCEQ’s Rainwater Collection and Treatment, http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/permitting/water_supply/rainwater/index.htmlTexas Water Development Board’s (TWDB’s) Water Saving Tips, http://www.twdb.state.tx.us/data/drought/save_water2.aspTGPC’s Water Conservation, http://www.tgpc.state.tx.us/Conservation.htmU.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Water Sense, http://www.epa.gov/watersense/

Field Work: Kathy McCormack

State and Federal Drought Information Resources

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The Newsletter Committee is actively seeking an Editor for 2010. The current editors use Mac computers and prefer to continue in that vein. However, if you have a PC, AND, you can show us how to seamlessly share files, you are still in the running for the job.

Do you find yourself spending hours staring into the screen, not really knowing what to do next? If so, you are fully qualified.

The previous editors have passed down several tools which will again be passed down to keep the system running smoothly. So, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Unless you

just want to do some reinventing, that’s fine with us.

Training, support, and encouragement are provided throughout the year. As tradition stands, past editors buy the first lunch, including libation. After that, you’re on your own for food and drink. The emotional support is ongoing.

You’ll get volunteer hours, lots and lots of hours, but who cares? This is fun, creative, and challenging. The learning is fun, the camaraderie is funner, promoting the organization is funest. You will generally have too much freedom, not enough guidance, and be responsible to a deadline.

What’s not to like? We have a good time and rarely get in trouble.

Now that your intrigued by the idea, contact me or Christine Powell with your interest.

I can be reached at:camnnews@gmail.com.

Christine can be found at:xtinepowell@verizon.net.

Field Work: by Dena Roberts, Editor

Auditions Open for 2010 Editor

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Field Sighting: by Driftwood Wildlife Association

A Swift Night Out ---August 2009 RestorationAs summer draws to a close and the swifts have finished raising their young, these fascinating aerial acrobats begin to congregate in communal roosts prior to their migration in the fall. Some roosts may consist of an extended family group of a half a dozen birds or so, but the larger sites can host hundreds or even thousands of swifts! We encourage you to involve your local Audubon chapters, bird clubs, scout groups and neighbors in this exhilarating spectacle.

Here is how it works: Keep your eyes to the skies at dusk and watch for areas where swifts are feeding. Look for a tall shaft, chimney or similar structure to locate where Chimney Swifts (central to east coast) or Vaux's Swift (Pacific coast) go to roost in your area.

On one night over the weekend of August 7, 8, 9 observe the roost starting about 30 minutes before dusk and estimate the number of swifts that enter. When you have your number, contact us with your results. That's all there is to it!

Please pass this message along to any listserve or other groups that you think might be interested.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Best Regards,

Paul and Georgean Kyle

Driftwood Wildlife Association 1206 West 38th, Suite 1105 Austin, TX 78705 Visit us at: www.ChimneySwifts.org

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Field Notes:

Introducing . . .

Commonly known as the spritely Curriculum Committee Chair, she has managed the class training for eons. As a result, she has memorized the entire curriculum and sometimes recites it to herself at night as a sleep aid. You already know her as smart,

dedicated, enthusiastic, and friendly. We thought you might like to know a few of her lesser known, but equally interesting qualities. She is really taller than you think. The bridge of her nose crinkles when she laughs which happens more often than you can

imagine. She has a deep seated aggression toward any invasive plant. The GPS is her life line in the field as she has almost no sense of direction. She has more good ideas than NASA. She is your duly elected Vice President. She is Theresa Pella.

The CAMN monthly meetings are a wonderful way to earn advanced training hours. Sooooo, please let us know what you want to learn. It may be something there was not time for during your class training, something in the classes you'd like to learn more about, or maybe you've been a member so long you've forgotten something (never!). Ideas, ideas, ideas - we need them - and we know you have them! We'll find the subject experts to help make you the best educated Master Naturalist is the state!

Email your suggestions to Sally Scott at sallylscott@sbcglobal.net; Stuart Bailey at sbailey@aoma.edu; or, Theresa Pella at tpella@austin.rr.com.

Be proactive and get just what you want. It’s yours for the asking!

An Hour Here, An Hour There

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President: Lynne WeberVice-President: Theresa PellaPast President: Barbara CoutantTreasurer: Linda NowlinAdministrative Secretary: Beck RunteRecording Secretary: Mary Ellen QuinnAt-Large Board Members: Cheryl GoveiaJan HanzAdvisory Board Members: Kelly Bender, Clark Hancock, Melissa MacDougall

Board of Directors

According to the CAMN By-Laws, our Board of Directors consists of the Officers and the Chair of each Committee.

If you have concerns you wish the Board to consider, please contact one of the Board members via email or show up at a Board Meeting.

CAMN Board Meetings are held on the first Thursday of odd numbered months at: 6:45 p.m. at the Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin, 2700 W. Anderson Lane, Suite 204, Austin, TX 78757.

The agenda for the next Board Meeting is available here.

Got info for the Field Journal?

Send info, photos and articles for publication in the Field Journal to:camnnews@gmail.com. Deadline for submission is the 27th of each month.

Officers CommitteesAdministrative Contact: Beck Runte Maintains database of students and alumni, including names, addresses, class attendance, volunteer hours earned, and advanced training completed.

By-Laws Contact: Tim Scoggins Develops the organizational by-laws.

Communications Web page: Christine Powell Field Journal: Dena RobertsPress releases: Kelly Bender Responsible for the Internet web page and press releases.

Curriculum Contact: Kris ThorneDevelops the CAMN curriculum, as well as plans the lectures, activities and field trips for each class.

Advanced Training Contact: Joan Singh Plans, coordinates, and approves advanced training opportunities.

Programs Contact: Sally Scott Plans, and coordinates,meeting programs.

Food & Fun Contact: Cindy DurandFacilitates the social aspects of CAMN including the Certification Ceremonies and holiday celebrations.

Volunteer Opportunities Contact: Julia Osgood Develops criteria to determine whether volunteer opportunities may be counted for CAMN credit. Reviews, approves, and publicizes opportunities.

Ad Hoc Education Partners: Jeri Porter, Jessica Wilson , Simonetta Rodriguez, Lynda Blakeslee, Marilyn KircusSeeks and applies for grants to boost our outreach efforts.

Outreach CommitteeContact: Stuart Bailey Promotes CAMN

NatureSmart Family CommitteeContact: Peggy A. Murrphy Promotes CAMN

Sponsors/PartnersMission Statement

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.

Members of CAMN are dedicated to the conservation, preservation, and restoration of our natural resources. To that end, we encourage and support trained Master Naturalist volunteers in Austin and Travis County in providing community programs and projects that increase appreciation of our natural environment and promote, protect, and preserve native flora and fauna.

Austin Nature and Science Center

Texas Parks and Wildlife

Texas Cooperative Extension

Lower Colorado River Authority

Austin Sierra Club

The Nature Conservancy of Texas

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve

Hornsby Bend Center for Environmental Research

Bat Conservation International

Native Plant Society of Texas

Travis Audubon Society