Bexar Audubon Society
is a chapter of the National
Volume XXVI, No. 7
September-October 2009
For the latest news and updates, see www.bexaraudubon.org and www.sa-naturecenter.org.
SOUTHERN EDWARDS PLATEAU HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN
A Region-Wide Plan for The San Antonio Area and Beyond!
September Program
Thursday, Sept. 10, 7 PM
Trinity University
(see map on page 6)
Come learn about a new
effort that holds the prom-
ise of protecting and pre-
serving our natural heri-
tage for future generations.
Andrew Winter, Environ-
mental Engineer for Bexar
County, will present a pro-
gram on the development
of a Habitat Conservation
Plan for San Antonio and
surrounding counties
(including Bandera, Me-
dina, Kendall and Kerr
Counties).
Habitat conservation
plans are designed to give
landowners, citizens’
groups and local govern-
ments the ability to protect
endangered species habi-
tat and allow responsible
growth and development
at the same time.
A number of Texas
counties (including Travis,
Williamson, Hays and Co-
mal) have such plans in
place or are in the process
of developing a plan.
Bexar
County
a n d
S a n
Antonio
make
up the
Golden Cheeked Warbler
Audubon Society. Its primary
goals are to promote species
and habitat conservation and
Bexar Tracks environmental education in the
community.
Inside this issue:
President’s Column 2
only remaining major ur- part of his job, and he Promoting Conservation 3
ban center in Texas that says, “is a labor of love”.
has more than ten endan- Bexar Audubon Society Mitchell Lake 4
gered species and no re- will offer a follow-up field
gional habitat conservation trip on October 3rd. See Community Events 5-6
plan. below for details and sign-
up information. White-nose Bat Syn- 7
The U.S Fish and Wild- drome
life Service recently an- BEXAR AUDUBON
nounced it will grant funds FIELD TRIP
to Bexar County and the Habitat Conservation Plan/ Please Note:
City of San Antonio for the Endangered Species Habitat NO evening program in
development of a regional October. Join us for our Oc-
habitat conservation plan. Saturday, October 3 tober field trip to Govern-
9 AM—Noon ment Canyon. Be sure to
Our speaker will give us Government Canyon also check out the Second
a review of development in State Natural Area Saturday programs, Third Sat-
Bexar County, discuss the urdays at Medina River,
Endangered Species Act, Join us on a walk to Mitchell Lake activities, and
who must comply, and learn more about the more during the month of
what constitutes a “take”. Southern Edwards Plateau October!
He will explain fur- Habitat Conser-
ther what a Habitat vation Plan and
Conservation Plan to see endan- SEP-HCP
(HCP) is, who bene- gered species August Meeting Report
fits, and how an habitat includ-
HCP might work for ing karst fea- Andrew Winter, Bexar
us and how Bexar tures, golden County’s Environmental
Audubon Society cheeked war- Engineer, held a meeting
can be a partner. A Rare Cave Invertebrate bler habitat, and on August 12, 2009 to an-
Neoleptoneta sp.
more. Bring wa- nounce the first steps in a
Andrew Winter is a ter, a hat, sun- major conservation effort for
retired Air Force Pilot and screen, snacks and wear our area. He offered assur-
Engineer. As Environ- good walking shoes. An- ances to representatives
mental Engineer for Bexar drew Winter and Park staff from the development, envi-
County he is a strong wa- will lead us. Participant ronmental, and overall com-
ter quality advocate who numbers limited. Call for munity that the Southern
understands the role habi- r e s e r v a t i o n s at Edwards Plateau Habitat
tat and endangered spe- 210.837.0577 or email Conservation Plan (SEP-
cies protection plays in pasztor@ix.netcom.com HCP) would benefit every-
water quality and quantity. one and that all stakeholder
Last year the County com- The Government Canyon groups would be repre-
missioners made habitat field trip will take the place sented, especially develop-
conservation a priority so of our regular October eve- ers. (Conservationists in the
that is now a significant ning program. audience could not help but
(continued on page 2)
 Page 2
From the Pens of the BAS Presidents
- Anita Anderson -
Current BAS President
Since I have not been
part of this organization
long, an introduction might
be in order. I should let you
know that I am Susan
Hughes’ next door
neighbor, which might ex-
plain a little about how I
came to be president of this
amazing organization.
As the planet warmed,
and San Antonio kept build-
ing over my drinking water,
I felt a real need to be part
of the solution…and wan-
dered into a meeting of the
San Antonio Environmental
Network as a “wanna-be”
involved citizen. I was hop-
ing that my experience as a
personal injury trial lawyer,
former reporter and once-
upon-a-time Catholic nun
might prove useful.
To my surprise, Harry
Noyes invited me to join the
Bexar Audubon board
where it became quickly
clear that anyone willing to
work would be “elevated,”
as he puts it, to high office.
I was promptly designated
secretary.
When Tony Wood went to
Iraq and Harry’s health de-
clined, I wound up presi-
dent. My first order of busi-
ness has been to get Bexar
Audubon Society into the
front lines of the Southern
Edwards Aquifer Habitat
Conservation Plan. I am
grateful for the opportunity
to do a little good, and privi-
leged to be part of the
Bexar Audubon Society’s
continued service to this
community.
September-October 2009
- Harry Noyes -
Past BAS President
As you know from earlier
newsletters, I developed a
problem with anxiety/panic
attacks last fall. The medi-
cations have been very ef-
fective at relieving my suf-
fering and helping me
breathe normally. But they
have made me prone to
fatigue and occasional mi-
nor memory lapses.
Frankly, I could not fully
perform my Audubon du-
ties. Consequently, I re-
signed the presidency in
May.
The board of directors
met in accord with our by-
laws to fill the vacancy.
Tony Wood decided to re-
main vice president, and
our secretary Anita Ander-
son stepped up to serve as
president. She is a smart,
experienced, strong person
and I have complete confi-
dence that she will make an
excellent president, no
doubt a far better one than I
was. Nevertheless, let me
say that I enjoyed my term
as your president and hope
to continue to help out in
other ways. Let me con-
clude by thanking the board
and the members for their
sympathy, kindness and
support.
Join us at our September
meeting and program for a
presentation to Harry Noyes
to honor him for his many
years of devoted service to
Bexar Audubon Society and
community conservation ef-
forts.
SEP-HCP
(continued from page 1)
notice the fact that the
meeting was being held in
the posh new offices of the
San Antonio Builders Asso-
ciation.) But Winter stressed
the environmental impor-
tance of the issue by high-
lighting the interrelation-
ships between our region’s
endangered species, karst
and other habitat critical
habitat, and our under-
ground water resources.
The goal of the SEP-HCP
is to create a comprehen-
sive plan to support the
recovery of endangered
species and their habitats
by allowing the developers
and builders a way to build
in marginal areas while
contributing to the pur-
chase of mitigating proper-
ties where there is critical
habitat; to continue con-
structing and still abide by
the law. Laws protecting
endangered species habi-
tat are essentially unen-
forced in this region at pre-
sent. The HCP should pro-
vide some teeth to laws
prohibiting uncontrolled
development in areas
where there is sensitive hill
country habitat. However,
Winter stated that “self-
enforcement” would be
used to ensure compliance
with the HCP.
The SEP-HCP could fol-
low the same path as the
notable “Tree Ordinance”
where the city fathers tried
to “assure stakeholder bal-
ance.” In the end the city
got an ordinance with
enough loopholes that D-
12 dozers had no difficulty
in finding work, and shred-
ded tree mulch piles grew
bigger than the Alamo-
Bexar Tracks
Dome. As with the tree or-
dinance, some unscrupu-
lous developers may try to
work around the HCP, to
“get grandfathered”, and to
build where no man has
built before. Another wave
of massive clear-cutting
could occur in northern
Bexar County before this
HCP is passed.
The HCP will provide a
system for law abidance in
an area where there has
been little or no enforce-
ment to date. BAS mem-
bers should support the
development of this HCP
because it will protect the
most sensitive habitats in
our region “in perpetuity”.
Before and after the HCP
we should report critical
habitat destruction and
other Endangered Species
Act violations. If you see
land clearing underway in
the hill country report it to
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 10711 Burnet Rd.,
Ste. 200, Austin TX 78758
(512.490.0057) and ask for
Bill Seawell, or email Bill at
Bill_Seawell@fws.gov.
FotoSeptiembre USA 2009
The Corn Crib
Sep. 20, 2009, 5–7 PM
Join the Land Heritage
Institute and Texas Public
Radio for the opening of
"The Corn Crib," a site-
specific photographic in-
stallation by Ansen Seale.
Location: Land Heritage
Institute, 413 Neal Rd., San
Antonio, TX 78264. For
more information, contact
Penelope Boyer of LHI,
210.224.2518 or pene-
lope.boyer@ gmail.com.
 Page 3
Promote Conservation: Through Signs, Plates, Booths and Awards
GEAA Yard Signs
To address the se-
vere drought conditions we
are experiencing through-
out the region, the
Greater Edwards Aquifer
Alliance is mounting a cam-
paign to give bragging
rights to all of us who are
pitching in to conserve wa-
ter this summer (and hope-
fully, they’ll result in
some positive peer
pressure, too). They
have three versions
of yard signs avail-
able for display in
your front yard that
announce, "I'm not
watering — I'm sharing my
water with local farmers,
Hill Country springs, or
whooping cranes.” Yard
signs sell for $15 each at
the GEAA office at
1809 Blanco Road,
and at all seven
Clothesline Cleaner
locations here in San
Antonio. As an added
bonus, Clothesline
Cleaners will give a
free “Enviro-Bag” re-
usable garment
bag ($8 value) with
signs purchased at
their locations. Yet
another reason to visit the
greenest cleaners in San
Antonio!
You can also
purchase signs
for $20 ($5 ex-
tra for shipping)
at the GEAA
online store
(www.aquifer
alliance.org).
Contact Elena,
210.320.1457
or Elena@
AquiferAlli-
ance.org.
September-October 2009 Bexar Tracks
Support Texas Wildlife & Parks: Nominations
Show What Drives You! Accepted for
Environmental
You can show your love for the outdoors while Awards
helping to support important conservation programs
when you purchase a Bluebonnet or Horned Lizard The League of Women Voters
license plate. Horned Lizard and Bluebonnet plates fit of Texas Education Fund is
all vehicles, boat and RV trailers, and motorcycles, pleased to announce the 11th
and they make great gifts! Each plate costs just $30*, Environmental Awareness
and $22 or every purchase goes directly to Texas Awards will be presented
Parks and Wildlife. Apr. 24, 2010 in San Marcos
during the LWV-TX Conven-
The Bluebonnet plate funds help tion. These awards continued
support park operations and pro- the League’s 80+ years of pro-
grams at more than 90 parks across moting good government and
the state, and the Horned Lizard environmental protection in
plate funds go toward projects that Texas and the United States.
help implement the Texas Wildlife
Action Plan by maintaining native There is no better time to
species and crucial habitats. recognize members of our
community who are making a
Learn more and order your plates online at www. difference. Individuals are in-
conservationplate.org. Order today and pick up your vited to make nominations for
plates in just two weeks! the awards. Deadline for sub-
*Yearly fee in addition to regular vehicle registration fees mission is December 1, 2009.
Did you know? Texas Parks & Wildlife has a web Look for criteria and a nomi-
that’s chock-full of good stuff. Check out the great nation form on the LMV web
resources on their site, including a free DVD on site, www.lwvtexas.org. More
Texas wildscapes: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/hunt information, contact the LWV-
wild /wild/wildscapes/. TX office at 512.472.1100.
Solar Fest Thanks Solar Tour
Thanks to Bill Hurley, Betty Minyard, Harriet Wiy- Solar San Antonio is coordi-
gul, Anita Anderson, Tom Manzo, Shujan Cheng, and nating the ASES Solar Tour of
Bruce Hughes for their help so BAS would have a San Antonio this October 3,
presence at Solar Fest this year. We spoke with many and they are accepting sug-
people and distributed several boxes of materials on gestions for relevant solar pro-
topics from choosing a bird jects completed in San Antonio
feeder to backyard bird ID to for this year's tour. All solar
global population policy in this projects are acceptable, in-
successful outreach activity. cluding old and new, commer-
Outreach is an important part cial and residential projects in
of our mission and it is not pos- the San Antonio area. Projects
sible without the participation that were included in last
of volunteers. Would you like to year's tour are also accept-
be involved in the future? able.
— Susan
Anita Anderson,
Hughes Send suggestions to Eric
Harriet Wiygul,
210.532.2032 Washburn, ewashburn@solar
& Susan Hughes
sanantonio.org, or call him at
at SolarFest.
210.354.0236.
 Page 4
What’s Happening at Mitchell Lake?
All events on Saturdays
and FREE unless otherwise
listed. For more information
or to RSVP for Mitchell
Lake events, mlac@audu
bon.org, or call Susan at
MLAC, 210.628.1639.
SEPTEMBER
Sounds of Nature
with Henry Brun
Sunday, Sept. 13, 2-4 PM
Back by popular demand,
Henry Brun is a Grammy
winning performer and a
local treasure. Join him as
we look to the sounds of
nature that inspire us to
listen, enjoy and create our
own music! A hands-on
activity for the whole family.
Limited space, RSVP required.
Wet Workshop:
Organic Pest Control
Saturday, Sept.19, 9-11 AM
Learn more about the bugs
you see everyday! Molly
Keck gives tips and infor-
mation on how to banish
unwanted pests using
green methods for your
home and garden. Space is
limited. RSVP required.
OCTOBER
Family Program:
Kids Birding 101
Saturday, Oct. 9, 9-11 AM
One of our most popular
family programs. This is a
class for children to learn
more about this fun activity.
They will learn how to use
binoculars and how to iden-
tify the birds they see.
They'll also get a chance to
explore the habitat at
Mitchell Lake. Limited
space. RSVP required.
September-October 2009
Annual Fall
Wildlife Festival
and
Plant Sale
Saturday, October 24
9 AM to 4 PM
Come celebrate nature and
our 5th anniversary with a
day of great activities and
exhibits for the whole fam-
ily! FREE!
.About Mitchell Lake
http://tx.audubon.org/
Mitchell.html
Just south of downtown
San Antonio, the Mitchell
Lake Audubon Center is
located on a 1200-acre
natural area. This unique
and beautiful bird haven
consists of the 600-acre
Mitchell Lake, 215 acres of
wetlands and ponds and
385 acres of upland habitat.
Audubon Texas has part-
nered with the San Antonio
Water System (SAWS) to
showcase this wonderful
natural area and welcomes
nature enthusiasts, school-
children and families.
Birding Tours
• Birding tours are $5 per
person for non-members,
$3 for members; no reser-
vation necessary.
• Times may vary due to
season, please call to con-
firm.
Mitchell Lake
Audubon Center
10750 Pleasanton Rd.
San Antonio TX 78221
210.628.1639
www.mitchelllakeaudubon.org
Susan Albert
Center Director
. 20090527a
MLAC becomes a regis-
tered Monarch Monitoring
site!
Monarchs produce suc-
cessive generations as they
migrate, funneling through
Texas towards Canada in
the spring and towards their
wintering grounds in Mex-
ico in the fall. This creates
a need for Milkweed as
both a nectar source and
host plant for larva feed-
ing. Development, and use
of herbicides in croplands
and along roadsides, has
resulted in a decline in the
Milkweeds available for the
Monarch. The Waystation
program has provided hun-
dreds of sites where milk-
weed is available. Our gar-
den now features a sign
designating it as an official
Monarch Waystation.
Monarch activity is antici-
pated late August through
early October. Information
about the MLMP is at
www.mlmp.org.
Support MLAC's education,
family and conservation
programs:
Become a member
Become a docent
For more information on
Docent Training Classes at
Mitchell Lake Audubon
Center, contact Michelle
Santisteban, 210.628.1639
or msantisteban@audu
bon.org.
Bexar Tracks
NEW COUNTY PARK!
Cresent Bend Nature Park
Crescent Bend: Once
part of the Lakewood Acres
subdivision, now a beautiful
new county park! Land that
was condemned by FEMA
after the October 1998
floods has now become the
newest and largest in Bexar
County’s park system. Al-
most a year after ground-
breaking, the 175-acre park
is near completion, sched-
uled to open in early Sep-
tember.
Crescent Bend Nature
Park is located east of FM
1518 to Schaeffer Rd. and
bordered on the east and
northeast side by Cibolo
Creek. Directions from IH-
10 east: Take the FM1518
exit and go north toward
Schertz, look for brown
Crescent Bend sign (at
Schaefer Rd.), turn right
and go about 3 miles to
Cibolo Creek.
Lone Star Land Steward
This past May in Austin,
Selah-Bamberger Ranch
Preserve in Blanco County
received the 2009 Leopold
Conservation Award for
Texas from Sand County
Foundation and Texas
Parks and Wildlife
Department, part of the de-
partment's Lone Star Land
Steward Awards program..
Selah-Bamberger Ranch
Preserve was recognized
for numerous land and wa-
ter conservation and envi-
ronmental education
achievements accumulated
over the past 40 years.
Read the release:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/
newsmedia/releases/?req=
 Page 5
Community Events
CIBOLO NATURE CENTER
For more information visit www.cibolo.org/calendar.
Pre-registration for CNC workshops, 830.249.4616 or nature@cibolo.org.
Rainwater Harvest Workshops
Sept. 12 & Oct. 17, 9–Noon
CNC auditorium & visit to Kight installa-
tion; fee, pre-register; limited to 30.
John Kight, engineer and rainwater
catchment owner, gives the latest tech-
nological information and the most
practical advice. The Kight home with
no well or outside water source is in a
traditional development; their system
comfortably supplies water for all
household and landscape needs.
Detailed information may be found at
www.cibolo.org or call 830.249.4616.
September
Fall Grasses Workshop
Saturday, Sept. 12, 9–11 AM
Pre-registration required.
Kids Club:
Learning to Use a Compass
Saturday, Sept. 12, 10–11:30 AM
Donations welcome
Songs and Stories Concert:
One Minute to Midnight
Saturday, Sept. 12, 8:30 PM
$5-$10, CNC outdoor stage
Mother Nature’s Storytime:
Recycling
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 10–11 AM
Donations Welcome
Upper Cibolo Creek Workshop I:
What Makes a Healthy Creek?
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 9 AM–12:30 PM
Pre-registration required
Science in Nature
Saturday, Sept. 19, 10 AM–12 Noon
Donations welcome
Upper Cibolo Creek Workshop:
Is the Water Clean?
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 9 AM–12:30 PM
Pre-registration required
September-October 2009
All listings are on Saturdays
unless otherwise indicated
Boerne Birders: Family Birding Day
Saturday, September 26, 8–10 AM
Tour of Yards
Saturday, September 26
Free
Wildlife Field Research
September 30—October 3, All Day
CNC Park Cost: FREE but registra-
tion is necessary and CNC member-
ship is encouraged. For more infor-
mation and to sign-up, call Suzanne
at 830.249.8240 OR e-mail suz-
anny2@aol.com. Citizen Science
Director: Jan Wrede
Become a citizen scientist! Are you
interested in mammals, insects, rep-
tiles, birds, grasses, trees, fishes or
aquatic invertebrates? Volunteers
receive training and hands-on experi-
ence doing surveys that monitor our
land management practices. Join the
research team of your choice for one
to three days. Attend the Friday eve-
ning Citizen Science Research Semi-
nar and dinner.
October
Cibolo Gala
October 10
Boerne Birders
at Joshua Springs Park
Saturday, October 17, 8—10 AM
Details, call Jerry at 210.710.3981.
Green Home Retrofit
Saturday, October 24, 9 AM—3 PM
Presented by CNC, Linda Manning,
LEED AP, Stephen Colley, AIA, of
Stephen Colley Architecture and an
array of experts. A comprehensive
review of strategies and products that
will green up your house and your
life, from floors to attics, from bath-
rooms to bedrooms, from the air you
breathe inside to the night-sky you
see outside...come learn how to ret-
rofit your life to green.
Bexar Tracks
MEDINA RIVER NATURAL AREA
(MRNA)
15890 Highway 16 South
San Antonio TX 78264
MRNA located approx. 4½ miles
south of Loop 410 on SH 16 South
Reservations are requested for all
MRNA events. For more information
or to RSVP for any event in the
MRNA call 210.624.2575.
Viva Voluntarios:
September 26 and October 31
SECOND SATURDAYS
Suggested donation for all events is $3/
person or $5/family.
CIBOLO! Where Have they Gone?
Sept. 12, 9–11 AM
"Where are the thunder of hooves
and that unending sea of large
shaggy bodies?” Come join us as
Charlie McCarl, Master Naturalist and
National Certified Interpreter, leads
an excursion into the life of the buf-
falo and learn ‘where they have
gone’.
5th Annual FALL FEST
October 10, 9–11 AM
Celebrate the fall harvest demonstra-
tions of: Snakes, Dog Rescue, Birds,
Tree Give-Away, Flint knapping, Fly
Fishing, Geocaching, Hiking and
Fishing Safety, Insects, Arachnids,
Solar Cooking, Turtles and Mam-
mals.
www.sanaturalareas.org
MORE First Saturday Walks and Sec-
ond Saturday Programs, next page.
Second Saturday
Beginners’ Walks
Join San Antonio Audubon Society
on the second Saturday of the month;
start at 8 AM, meet at the Judson Na-
ture Trails next to the Alamo Heights
swimming pool, on Viesca street. For
more information, call 210.342.2073.
Newbies Welcome!
 Page 6
For more information on listings below, visit www.sanaturalareas.org or www.bexaraudubon.org
FIRST SATURDAY WALKS & SECOND SATURDAY PROGRAMS
Reservations recommended for 1st Saturday Walks & 2nd Saturday Programs; call 210.564.6202 or 210.372.9124 for de-
tails, directions, reservations. Email peggy.spring@sanantonio.gov. Suggested donation $3/individual, $5/family for pro-
grams, $2/person for hikes. Unless otherwise listed, Second Saturday programs are held at Eisenhower Park.
FIRST SATURDAY WALKS
Interpretive Nature Walks
Participants limited to 15 per hike.
Meet near restrooms. Suggested dona-
tion $2/hike. Not for groups; please call
to schedule a separate hike.
SEPTEMBER
Friedrich Wilderness Park
21395 Milsa*
September 5, 9–11 AM
Texas in drought leaves nature
stressed! But nature is up to the chal-
lenge. Come see who’s been getting
a drink at the windmill and the over-
flow puddle while you enjoy this late
summer nature hike. Do bring at least
two filled water bottles per person. It
will be HOT!
*Access to Friedrich Park has
changed. Pass the Camp Bullis exit
heading west on IH 10 and take the
Dominion Drive exit. Make the ‘turn-
around’ at the intersection and pro-
ceed back east on the access road to
turn right at Oak and right on Milsa.
OCTOBER
Crownridge Canyon Natural Area
7222 Luskey
October 3, 9–11 AM
We can only hope that things are
cooler now. There should be a hint of
fall with some early leaves changing
colors as the day length gets shorter.
Come learn what nature does to pre-
pare for ‘winter’ in San Antonio and
enjoy this great natural area! Do
bring at least one filled water bottle
per person. It may still be warm.
Sponsored by
San Antonio
Natural Areas
www.sanaturalareas.org
September-October 2009
SAN ANTONIO NATURAL AREAS
SECOND SATURDAY PROGRAMS
Tuna, Nopales and More
Eisenhower Park
September 12, 10 AM-12 Noon
Presented by Patty Leslie Pasztor
Before HEB, Walmart and “the mall”,
indigenous people and early settlers
had to find their resources in the
plants and animals that surrounded
them. Join Patty Pasztor in a fun ex-
ploration of natural fibers, natural
foods and other uses of local plants.
Patty is renowned in this area for her
knowledge of this subject. Don’t miss
this one!!
Eisenhower Park is at 19399 NW
Military Hwy., outside Loop 1604.
Take FM 1535/Military Hwy/Shavano
Park exit off Loop 1604 on the city’s
NW side. Go north 2 miles; park en-
trance on left, just before Camp
Bullis. Program is in the large gated
pavilion; gates open at 9:30 AM.
September BAS Program at Trinity University
Cowles is just uphill from Laurie Auditorium &
between Library and Chapman Graduate Center.
Park by Laurie or in lots or on streets to the west.
Handicapped parking across from Cowles. Enter
from Oakmont or Rosewood. Call Patty for addi-
tional directions, 210.824.1235. or see additional
map at bexaraudubon.org/map.jpg.
Bexar Tracks
Welcome to My Web
Eisenhower Park
October 10, 7– 8:30 PM
Presented by Dr. Cary Guffey
Associate Professor of Biology,
Our Lady of the Lake University
Dr. Guffey is one of the most knowl-
edgeable and entertaining natural
history presenters in the Second
Saturday series. Come join us on a
lively hike as he shares the wonderful
world of spiders and other arachnids.
Recommended for older children and
adults. Bring flashlights—it will be
dark before we finish. Program is in
the large gated pavilion; gates open
6:30 PM.
LIMITED TO 40 PARTICIPANTS;
RESERVATIONS HIGHLY RECOM-
MENDED FOR THIS EVENT.
www.sanaturalareas.org
www.bexaraudubon.org
 Page 7 September-October 2009 Bexar Tracks

White-nose Bat Syndrome: Grave Threat to Bats nose.” It is not yet confirmed whether this fun-
gus is the primary cause of bat mortality or how
Leading bat scientists went to Since WNS was discovered in it might be killing bats. Many other basic ques-
Congress in June to describe a New York cave in February
tions remain, especially including whether the
the grave threat of White-nose 2006, more than a million hiber- fungus is geographically limited, whether and
Syndrome to bats across North nating bats of six species have how the spread of WNS can be slowed or
America. They told two congres- been killed by the disease in
stopped and whether bat mortality can be re-
sional subcommittees that ur- nine states. Mortality rates ap-
duced.
gent federal action is essential proaching 100 percent are re-
to stop this disease before it is ported at some sites. WNS Federal responses to WNS have been slow,
too late. jumped from the Northeast last despite the dedication by staff of the U.S. Fish
winter into West Virginia and and Wildlife Service and U.S. Geological Sur-
After ravaging bat populations vey. The main problem involves bureaucratic
Virginia. And scientists still have
in the northeastern United
far more questions than answers delays in releasing emergency funds.
States, White-nose Syndrome
about the syndrome.
has moved into the American State agencies in the Northeast and nongov-
South, leaving little time to pre- A previously undescribed, cold ernment organizations have helped fill some of
vent what threatens to be a con- -loving fungus is clearly associ- the void, but their resources are limited.
tinent-wide wildlife disaster with ated with the disease since it is Groups such as BCI and the National Spe-
devastating ecological and eco- found on the nose, ears and leological Society have provided emergency
nomic consequences. wings of affected bats, which research funds.
produced the name, “white
This is an urgent action item. Members should
Bexar Audubon Society Contacts contact their federal representatives to urge
President: Anita Anderson—210.533.8726; ajandrsn@sbcglobal.net support of funding on WNS.
Vice President: Tony Wood—210.867.2363; tonywood@sbcglobal.net
From Bat Conservation Times
Treasurer: Caryl Swann—210.653.2860; c.swann@att.net
a Bat Conservation International, Inc. Publication
Secretary: Susan Hughes—210.532.2032; susan@wordwright.com Volume 7, Number 6 - June 2009
At-Large: Amy L. Whitley—210.340.0114; nueces66@yahoo.com
At-Large: Bill Hurley—210.823.1023, billhurley@satx.rr.com
At-Large: Greg Pasztor—210.824.1235, gpasztor@ix.netcom.com Wind Power Impacts on Migratory Wildlife
Webmaster & At-Large: Harry Noyes—210.490.3124; harrynoyes@satx.rr.com
Programs/Outings: Patty Pasztor—210.824.1235; pasztor@ix.netcom.com Alternative energy and safe passage for birds
Editor: Michele Wood—210.492.4684, editor@bexaraudubon.org and bats: How to co-exist safely. Check out
these associated groups and their web sites for
more information and to learn how they are
working together: The American Wind Wildlife
Institute, a nonprofit organization—www.awwi.
org; the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a non-profit
membership institution–-www.birds.cornell.edu;
the American Bird Conservancy, a non-profit
organization–-www.abcbirds.org; and the John-
son Foundation at Wingspread—www. johnson
fdn.org.

Wanted: Keen Eyes and Quick Fingers!

Earth Share of Texas raises money for environmental and conservation
organizations through workplace giving. If your employer participates in
such programs, please ask them to add Earth Share to your giving op-
tions. By designating the Audubon Foundation of Texas (AFT), Bexar
Audubon Society can benefit. BAS receives credit for our support and
receives funding annually form AFT. For more information, call, email or
log on: 800.GREENTX, ESTX@earthshare-texas.org, or www.earthshare-
texas.org.
www.camclickr.org
Be a CamClickr!
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has placed live
cameras at active bird nest all around the country.
By using the CamClickr online tool to help tag and
sort the NextCams images, you can help scien-
tists learn more about the nesting behavior of
birds and how they are responding to challenges
in their environment. Enjoy learning about nesting
birds while testing your online gaming skills!
Create a CamClickr Account Today!
Visit www.camclickr.org—Complete instructions
online.
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PO Box 6084 US Postage Paid
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Bexar Tracks Sept.-Oct. 2009

Bexar Tracks is the official newsletter of the Bexar

Audubon Society, a Chapter of the National Audu-
bon Society. The Chapter’s primary goals are to
promote species and habitat conservation and
environmental education in the community.
Your membership includes National Audubon and
Bexar Audubon and subscriptions to both Audubon
and Bexar Tracks.

www.bexaraudubon.org

For the latest information on environ-

mental events and happenings through-
out the San Antonio community and
surrounding areas, check out
www.bexaraudubon.org and
www.sa-naturecenter.org

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directly back to support local work. The same applies to gift memberships placed through the chapter. Your additional tax deducti-
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in South Central Texas to provide environmental news and education to the community, including the newsletter, programs, San
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