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SMGA News: September-October 2023

2023 SMGA Naturescapes Award

Congratulations to Winifred Flato Simons of Wimberley, who won the 2023 SMGA Naturescapes Award. Given for the first time last year, this award comes with a check for $75 from SMGA. Naturescapes is sponsored by the Hill Country Photo Club and Hays County Master Naturalists.

San Marcos Land Use Plan

SMGA members attended the Sept. 19 meeting of the San Marcos City Council to show their support for the new Land Use Plan. You can read the San Marcos Natural Areas and Land Management Plan here.

“Wonderful World” on KZSM.org

Diane and Vee having a wonderful time talking about Purgatory Creek Natural Area on SMGA’s monthly radio show.

These shows are broadcast at 11:30 every 4^th Tuesday of the month on KZSM.org.

Red at Work: Two New Benches in Spring Lake Natural Area

Red proved his—assuming “Red” is a boy’s name—value recently when the trail crew had to haul new benches into Spring Lake Natural Area. These benches were given by an anonymous donor.

The new benches are located on Buckeye and Bluestem, close to the Lime Kiln entrance. Check them out!

Snakefes-s-s-t

Snakefes-s-s-t was held at the Discovery Center on Saturday, Sept. 16. It drew the crowds, especially the little ones. We met folks and introduced them to the natural areas and great hiking and biking trails. We also had the opportunity to network with many like organizations. Our thanks to the Discovery Center staff for this great opportunity.

Ben and Mark Taylor help out at the Natural Hisstory table. Ben kept the children engaged with his enthusiasm!
Olivia sporting a snazzy snake painting
Lance and Jon visited Jo at the Master Naturalist table. She had some awesome coloring books that she’ll take to another event soon at the Meadows Center.
Melani and Monique taking the first shift at the SMGA table

As usual, Lauren was a big bit with the kids, this time helping them cut out snake finger puppets.

Team Flora at Work

Yvonne, Melissa, Marilyn, and Howard work on blue curls and bluebonnets.
Al, Bernie, Cindy, and Minnette work on yarrow, mallow, and Texas star seeds.

Susan has big bucket of mountain laurel seeds to shell. Cameron, Jo, and Heather work on bags of blue curl.

Trail Crew, Sept. 14

While one team sited locations for benches in Spring Lake NA the majority of the crew met at Upper Purgatory. Work continued on an extension of the Paraiso Trail. While we neared one half mile of trail, another 1/2 mile remains to be completed.

Trail Crew, Sept. 7

In spite of the heat, the crew soldiered on with work continuing on the Paraiso extension in Upper Purgatory. Team Flora watered trees at N. LBJ and Prospect Park. The trees are extremely stressed even after years in the ground. While working in the park we spotted a grey fox moving through the meadow. One of the reasons for having these natural areas is as a refuge for wildlife.

The Bois d’Arc along Virgil’s Way in Prospect shows the stressed trees. The fruit on the trees stands out with most of the leaves fallen.
Before we could bring the truck in to water the trees the grass needed string-trimming. Being good stewards of the natural areas, we needed to take every precaution.
Engineering students presenting progress on projects for the natural areas.