SMGA News: July & August 2023
News is slim in the summer, but the Trail Crew continues to operate in spite of the heat. In this issue, the main focus will be on their accomplishments from late June to mid-August.
TEAM FLORA AT PROSPECT IN LATE JUNE
With the hot weather and no rain, the trees we planted at N. LBJ, Ringtail, and Prospect are suffering. We spent several weeks with TLC and water for the caged trees. A few haven’t survived but a good number are thriving and had their cages removed.
We also had a few minutes to flag the few ligustrum that remain in Prospect Park.
Photos: (from top right) Bernie Andersen, Al Scott, and Cindy Hobson
WORK IN SCHULLE CANYON ON JULY 8
The crew worked on protecting tree roots and keeping the trail usable following rains—should we ever get any—with crushed stone and sand. Warbler Walk was improved through the efforts of Josh, Steve, Mark, John, and Scott.
ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG?
Finding the best rock out there is the secret to trail table building. Oh, the joy and rapture!
A DAY AT THE BARN—SHARPENING, SHOVELING, AND SPIT SHINING
WELCOME TO CHRIS AND PAYDEN
A long overdue welcome to Chris Buchanan and Payden Price, the SMTX Parks and Recreation Dept. Trail Crew. They have become invaluable liaisons between SMGA and the city’s Parks and Rec Dept. Every Thursday they come out to our Trail Crew workday and jump right in with shovels, McCleods, wheelbarrows, pickaxes, scouting treks, mortar, etc. You name it, they do it!
Chris’s experience with helping maintain the extensive Santa Clara County trail system in California made his move from SM Parks and Rec Maintenance position to Trail Crew Leader a smooth transition. Payden was born in San Marcos and is very familiar with the Natural Areas and the trails. He’s a hard worker with an extensive list of skills (carpentry, masonry) along with healthy knowledge of keeping the Natural Areas balanced.
OTHER NEWS
You can read the July 16 (updated Aug. 9) story here.
Thanks to the generosity of an incredible anonymous donor, Hill Country Conservancy is thrilled to announce the acquisition of a newly protected 1,205-acre property in northern Williamson County, Pecan Springs Karst Preserve!
Five miles east of Jarrell, Texas, Pecan Springs Karst Preserve is characterized by Karst landscape, a unique limestone-based formation resulting from erosion due to rainfall and groundwater flow, creating features like springs, sinkholes, and cave systems. This remarkable property also holds land that is rich with biodiversity, including King’s Garden wetland site, a critical wildlife habitat as designated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Pecan Springs Karst Preserve is home to several federally threatened and globally endangered species, including the Salado Salamander, the Tricolored Bat and the Golden-cheeked Warbler, who nests exclusively in our Central Texas Ashe juniper trees.
“Pecan Springs Karst Preserve is by far the largest land donation that Hill Country Conservancy has ever received, and the property is well-suited to our mission to protect the water, wildlands and wonder of the Texas Hill Country,” said Hill Country Conservancy CEO Kathy Miller. “The generosity of the previous landowners and the trust they have placed in Hill Country Conservancy is truly awe inspiring. We also look forward to creating numerous opportunities for the community to enjoy the unique landscape that makes the Hill Country such a magical place.” Read more here.
Land, Water, Sky, and Natural Infrastructure Plan
Read the plan here.
ADIOS!
Y’all check out the new bench we built on Buckeye trail (near Centipede) in Spring Lake! Great views.
About Post Author
