SMGA News: June 2022
Naturescape Photo Competition
Have you taken photos in any of our natural areas? Do you have a shot you particularly like? If so, you’re invited to submit it to the Hill Country Photography Club’s annual Naturescape Competition. If your photo is selected to be in the exhibit, it will also be eligible for SMGA’s award for the Best Photo Taken in a Natural Area. And if you win, you’ll receive a prize of $75. To get more information, or to enter, click here. The deadline for submission is midnight
on Monday, June 27.
Photo Caption: “Snowy Waxwings” by John Moore, Best Youth Photo, 2021
Trails Reopen
In an effort to protect the endangered golden-cheeked warbler, certain trails in Purgatory Creek Natural Area and Spring Lake Natural Area are closed from March 1 to May 31 annually. The following Trails are now open:
- Spring Lake Natural Area Trails
- Blind Salamander
- Roadrunner to Bluestem
- Skink Link
- Gray Fox
- Tonkawa
- Purgatory Creek Natural Area Trails
- Paraiso
Installation of Toilets
The Parks and Recreation Department is excited to announce the installation of vault toilets (similar to the one in the photo) at three of our natural area trailheads! Installation will occur in mid-June and will require the closure of two parking lots.
The parking lot at Lower Purgatory Creek Natural Area (2102 Hunter RD) will be closed on Monday, June 13 and Tuesday, June 14. The parking lot at Spring Lake Natural Area (685 Lime Kiln RD) will be closed on Tuesday, June 14.
*Please note the trails will remain open and accessible via other trailheads during this time.
For more information about the vault toilet project, please visit: sanmarcostx.gov/3654/Current-Projects.
Creating Environmental Stewards
In mid-May, children in the Youth Environmental Stewardship group at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church created a butterfly garden near the labyrinth behind the church. This program is led by Tamara Downey, Director of Children and Family Ministries, and parents in the parish, including many who are Master Naturalists.
More News . . . In Pictures
Hard at work in River Recharge Natural Area
The first birdwalk in River Recharge Natural Area
Congratulations to the SMGA Trail Crew-zer team! You may not have finished the race, but you fought the good fight and represented us well. We’re happy that you made it home safely!
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