Jun

SMGA: News June 2023

An anonymous donor will be funding the placement of benches in both Spring Lake and River Recharge Natural Areas. The benches will be 19.5’ tall, at the seat, and will have backs and arms, making it easy for hikers to sit down and get up again.

SESSOM CREEK RESTORATION

In May, the City of San Marcos celebrated the completion of Sessom Creek Improvements Phase 1. By shoring up the creek banks and adding vegetation, the project is intended to improve drainage and slow stormwater runoff as it heads toward the river. Phase 2, between Canyon Road and Canyon Fork, is expected to begin in 2024.

Throughout the time of the project, SMGA worked with the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) of the Edwards Aquifer to remove invasive bamboo, ligustrum, nandina, and Johnson grass, and to re-seed the area with native grasses and wildflowers.

On June 2, Team Flora returned with the HCP and City of San Marcos personnel to plant woodland sedge, switchgrass, blackhaw viburnum, Carolina buckthorn, American beautyberry, antelope horns milkweed, anacua, and soapberry—all supplied by the Discovery Center.

In addition to improving drainage and water quality, the 14-acre natural area off Chestnut Street will create a rich habitat for wildlife, offer a transportation corridor to the university, and serve as a cool oasis in the midst of rooftops, busy streets, and significant impervious cover.

(Left) Mayor Jane Hughson at the ribbon cutting; (below) terracing to prevent erosion

Before and After

Photos: City of San Marcos
Photos: City of San Marcos

Team Flora at work on June 2

Click here to watch American Trails’ free webinar on using a designated trails day (National Trails Day, in this case, but National Hiking Day in Nov. would work as well) to increase awareness and involvement with local trails.

TEAM FLORA AT RIVER RECHARGE

SMGA’s Team Flora worked with the Discovery Center to plant milkweed plants at the entrance to the River Recharge Natural Area. Milkweed plants from plugs to gallon-size pots were wrestled into the rocky soil. Earlier in the spring, different pollinator plants were also planted and caged.

SMGA TABLE AT THE DISCOVERY CENTER’S MIGRATORY BIRD FESTIVAL

Pictured are Susan Hanson, Melani Howard, and Lauren Thompson

JUNE BIRD WALK

About 15 people gathered for the June bird walk at the Retreat on Willow Creek Greenspace. We documented 23 species of summertime breeding birds including a number of juvenile birds that hatched this season. The bulk of our sightings were from the parking lot with lots of painted buntings and barn swallows making themselves seen and heard.

Other species noted included the black-bellied whistling duck, yellow-billed cuckoo, chimney swift, ladder-backed woodpecker, eastern Phoebe, western kingbird, white-eyed vireo, and lesser goldfinch.

Photos are courtesy of Julie Crum.