Hikes and More For Your Calendar

Before you escape on Spring Break, join SMGA for a couple of fun activities.

Meet & Greet @ Prospect Park / Lower Purgatory – POSTPONED UNTIL APRIL
Join us in Lower Purgatory at the Learning Tree (from the entrance at Prospect, hike to the end of the walking trail on the map) to learn more about who we are and what we do. Or, if you already know about SMGA, stop by to visit and enjoy a glass of refreshing lemonade.

3/12 – Blanco Shoals Hike
Saturday at 8:30 am, join Todd Derkacz at Blanco Shoals for a hike through this beautiful natural area along the Blanco River.

Also don’t miss these other opportunities to benefit from local events and help local causes.

Thursday Hikes – The Outdoor Women’s Network (TOWN)
Every 1st, 3rd, and 4th Thursdays of the month at 5:30 pm. Hikes take place in greenspace trails around this area. Contact Judy at [email protected] to be added to the hiking list to receive weekly notices.

Farmers’ Markets
Downtown on the Square every Saturday from 9-noon.

TX State on the Quad 3/3 from 11am-3pm. Fresh, sustainable, local produce, prepared foods, grass-fed beef, raw cheese, fair-trade organic coffee, organic soaps, lotions, granola, nuts, salsas, fish, jewelry and more. More info: http://ediblesanmarcos.wordpress.com.

3/5 – Annual Spring River Clean Up 
Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. at San Marcos Plaza Park. Volunteers meet at the stage across from the Grant Harris Building, 401 E. Hopkins, to register, pick up trash bags, and grab a breakfast taco and coffee. You can canoe, kayak or walk the banks of the San Marcos River collecting solid waste and recyclable materials. Lunch at 1:00 p.m. For more information: Heather Powdrill, 512-393-8420, [email protected].

3/9 – Creating a Sense of Place – Janisse Ray Reading & Discussion
Wednesday 7:00 p.m., San Marcos Public Library. How does a writer create a sense of place? Janisse Ray writes with passion and wit about growing up poor, white, and fundamentalist in the midst of an auto junkyard. Ray not only explores the dilemma of owning her “cracker” heritage, but also bears witness to the destruction of the longleaf pines of southern Georgia. She will also read at UCM Wesley on Tuesday, March 8, at 3:30 pm. For more information call 512.393.8200 or email [email protected]. 

3/24 – Spring Eco Concert Series
Opening night kicks off Thursday, March 24 with Beans & Rice, Kinfolk and headliner Fastball! The series will continue every Thursday evening through April 14. Art, eco and food vendors will open at 6:30 pm., opening act at 7:00 p.m., and main performance at 8:30 p.m. KSMB Spring Concerts are held at the San Marcos Plaza Park stage at 401 E. Hopkins. For more information: Heather Powdrill, 512-393-8420, [email protected].

3/26 – Green Living Showcase
The San Marcos Chamber’s 2nd Annual “Green Living Showcase” will take place at the Embassy Suites San Marcos Hotel Spa Conference Center on Saturday, March 26, 2011 from 10-4. Vendors will demonstrate green products and present exhibits geared towards promoting a cleaner, more sustainable environment, including tips on green building, energy efficiency, water conservation, recycling, commuting solutions, alternative energy ideas and earth friendly products. For more information, contact the Chamber at 512.393.5900 or visit the website at www.glshowcase.com.

4/9 – Bobcat Build
Texas State’s annual community service event. SMGA will need help with volunteer coordination-details to follow.

4/30 – 5th Annual Aquarena Earth Day Celebration 
Spotlighting the theme of Sustainability, Aquarena’s Earth Day Celebration, will be the final event for Texas State’s 2011 Common Experience.

5/2 – Riparian Workshop
8:30am-4pm – San Marcos River in San Marcos. Learn from leading experts the hows and whys of rivers and riparian function. Participants will learn basic riparian dynamics: the interaction of hydrology – vegetation – erosion/deposition. This information has been successfully used in many locations to promote cooperative riparian management among landowners. Leading riparian experts ‐ Kenneth Mayben, James Smith and Steve Nelle team teach these half classroom / half field workshops that are sure to change the way you look at creeks and rivers forever. Hosts: Agri-life/San Marcos River Foundation/TPWD