Nature Calendar

Sept. 2 Thurs. 7pm SAAS screening “Ghost Bird” full-length documentary about the search for the elusive Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Lion’s Field Community Center, 2809 Broadway. Tickets are $5.00 per person. Tickets are being pre-sold and will be available at the door as space is available. To purchase in advance, email Patsy Inglet at tpinglet@satx.rr.com with Ghost Bird in the subject line. Tickets will also be available at the Aug. 5 SAAS meeting.

September 4 Sat. 10 am to noon: Nature Walk - Friedrich Park Nature & Trees Friedrich Wilderness Park, 21395 Milsa. - Explore this beautiful park and learn about it's ecology and trees. Reservations are recommended, as the hike will not be conducted if there are no pre-registered participants. Call (210) 564-6400. Participants are limited to 15 per hike. For groups of 8 or more please call to schedule a separate hike. Meet at the restrooms near the parking lot in each park. Be sure to BRING WATER to drink! A donation of $2 per person is suggested.Click here for map. Due to I-10 construction those traveling North from San Antonio exit "Dominion Drive" and take the underpass turnaround to go South on the access road.

Sept. 4, Sat. 9—11 AM Arachnids! Phil Hardberger Park. Explore the interesting & fascinating world of spiders. Walk through the park looking for spiders in various habitats and enjoy a kid friendly activity. Presenter: Dr. Cary Guffey, Our Lady of the Lake University.

Sept. 4 Sat. 8:30am-11:30 Mitchell Lake Audubon Center Basic Birding for Adults Do you enjoy watching birds &find birds interesting and beautiful? MLAC Docents Tom & Patsy Inglet share tools, tips, & techniques for you to build your birding skills. The class is 1.5 hours of instruction and 1.5 hours in the field. Bring binoculars & a bird field guide; we also have some to loan. Dress for a bird walk: long pants, dull colors, walking shoes, & a hat. * Program fee: $5 for non-members; Free for members * Space is limited, RSVP is required * For more information or to rsvp, mlac@audubon.org

Sept. 5, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.— Government Canyon SNA — First Sunday Haiku Hike — Enjoy an experience that combines immersion in the natural world and creative writing. Led by local poet Mobi Warren, it includes an introduction to haiku, a three-mile hike, and quiet time sitting along the trail to write. Open to ages 14 and older; no pets please; group size limited to six; wear sturdy shoes, bring at least a quart of water, a journal to write in, and, if desired, a snack. reservations recommended. For reservation or more information, e-mail reservations@friendsofgc.org. Include name, e-mail address or telephone number for each reservation. Subject to cancellation. (210) 688-9055, ext 291

Sept. 9, Thurs. 6:30-8pm Sequin Community Gardens Meeting. Would you like to see more gardens producing fresh healthy vegetables, herbs, and fruit for local folks? Would you like to see more fresh & healthy local food stuffs funneled to our local food banks and to folk who need a hands-up? Guadalupe County Texas AgriLife Extension/Master Gardeners, GV Habitat for Humanity, Eden Residences, TLU, LULAC, CCSCT, Texas Department of Agriculture, the Seguin Hispanic and Seguin Chamber of Commerce, & Siempre Sustainable Network, … invite you to an organizing discussion to determine and stimulate interest in local community gardens in the Seguin area: Texas AgriLife Extension Meeting room, 210 E. Live Oak St.

Sept. 11, Sat. 9—11 AM Native Plants of the South Texas Brushlands Hike with author and local botanist Patty Leslie Pasztor as she talks about edible and native plant uses. Medina River Natural Area. Call (210) 207-3111 for reservations and information. Suggested donation: $3.00 per individual/ $5.00 per family

September 11 Sat. 10 am to noon: Animal Tracking Eisenhower Park, 19399 NW Military Hwy. - Join wildlife biologist Richard Heilbrun (Texas Parks & Wildlife Department) for an interactive workshop to explore wildlife tracks of central Texas. Call (210) 564-6400 for reservations and information. Walk-ins will be accepted on a limited basis. Suggested donation: $3.00 per individual/ $5.00 per family.

Sept. 11 Sat. 9am-11 Mitchell Lake Audubon Center Free Family Program: Kids Birding 101 Great program for kids to learn about bird identification and habitat. We'll learn how to use binoculars and take a hike to see which winter residents we can identify! * Free * Space is limited, RSVP is required * For more information or to rsvp, mlac@audubon.org

Sept. 11, Sat. 8am-noon Hike the Canyon — Government Canyon SNA, Unfamiliar with the trails at Government Canyon or just want to go hiking there with other people? Join the Friends of Government Canyon Volunteers for a guided hike on one of the many trails at the natural area. Open to ages 13 and over, minors must be accompanied by an adult; group size limited to the first 12 people; no pets please. Dress appropriately and wear sturdy hiking shoes; bring two liters of water and a snack. Meet at the Visitors Center by the rainwater harvesting tower; Note new start time 8:00 a.m. - noon.; subject to cancellation; for more information, call (210) 688-9055, ext. 291

Sept. 18 Saturday 9am to 11 Mitchell Lake Audubon Center Organic Pest Control with Molly Keck There are many ways to manage pests without using pesticides and when management is necessary, there are many organic options to help preserve our beneficial insects and environment. This presentation will cover cultural and mechanical control methods to prevent, tolerate, and manage the bugs that bug you! * Program fee: $5 for non-members; Free for members * Space is limited, RSVP is required to mlac@audubon.org

Sept. 18, Saturday 8am-noon Explore the Canyon — Government Canyon SNA, Knowledgeable guides discuss the flora, fauna, natural and cultural history of this awesome natural area on this exploration. Length of walk and interpretive topic will vary, depending on the group. Open to all ages; no pets please; group size limited to the first 12 people. Dress appropriately, sunscreen and hat recommended, and wear sturdy footwear appropriate for rough trails; bring a liter of water and a snack. Meet at the Visitors Center by the rainwater harvesting tower. Note new start time 8:00 a.m.-noon.; subject to cancellation. For more information and to confirm program, call (210) 688-9055, ext 291

Sept. 21, Tues. 8am-Noon Texas Agricultural Land Trust Hosts "Saving Family Lands" Seminar – To help farmers and ranchers keep their land intact and pass it on to the next generation, the Texas Agricultural Land Trust (TALT) is hosting two "Saving Family Lands" Seminars. "The combination of low agricultural prices, high land prices and burdensome estate taxes is making it difficult for families, even those experienced stewards who have worked the land for generations, to maintain ownership," Blair Fitzsimons, TALT Executive Director said. "As a result, Texas is losing productive agricultural land and wildlife habitat faster than any other state in the nation." The first seminar will be held in San Antonio at The Studio at the Pearl Brewery, 200 E. Grayson, Suite 115. To register please go to: www.txaglandtrust.org/

Sept. 21, Tues. 6pm-8 Alamo Sierra Club: BCI Reports on Bats Fran Hutchins, the San Antonio representative for Bat Conservation International and the Bracken Bat Cave Coordinator, will dispel myths and discuss the benefits of bats. This meeting will start earlier than usual. Socializing begins at 6 p.m. and the program begins at 6:30. General meeting is the third Tuesday of each month at the Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway near Brackenridge Park (map). Admission is free. Free parking is available in front of the museum or in the parking garage south of the museum across Tuleta Street.

Sept. 23, Thurs. 6:15-8:30pm. Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance sponsored Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Town Hall Meeting. GEAA is partnering with the Alliance for a Clean Texas, the Leagues of Women Voters of the San Antonio and Comal areas, the Ecological Stewardship Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, Citizens for the Protection of Cibolo Creek, Alamo and Lone Star Groups of the Sierra Club, Southwest Workers Union, and others to host a town hall meeting concerning Sunset Review for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Location: Cliff Morton Development & Business Services Center, 1901 South Alamo Street, San Antonio, Texas. We are inviting local and county elected officials and their constituents from San Antonio and surrounding communities to recount their experiences with TCEQ, and to share their suggestions for improving this agency, in light of TCEQ's upcoming Sunset Review.

September 24 – 26, 2010, in Fredericksburg 11th Annual Renewable Energy Roundup and Green Living Fair! . Over the past 10 years, this community and family oriented Green Living Fair has grown to be the largest "green show" in the South. It occurs at the end of September, every year, in historic Fredericksburg, Texas. You can see the latest in eco-friendly technologies. Learn how to save and create your own energy. Attend informative talks by the experts. Visit with our vendors to see contemporary green living and sustainability practices. Come test drive the next generation in personal transportation. It's fun, environmentally friendly, and a great place to learn how you can make a difference! Take a peek at the program from the 2009 Fredericksburg Renewable Energy Roundup! CLICK HERE to view! Gate entry fee: Friday $10; Saturday $12; Sunday $10 or best deal is the 3 day pass $20. Children under 12 are free. Show Hours: Friday – September 24, noon to 6 pm; Saturday – September 25, 9 am to 6 pm; Sunday -September 26, 9 am to 3 pm Some of what you'll get to enjoy at the Roundup: * Exhibits and on-going demonstrations * Over 55 Speakers * Eco Friendly Products * Green Building * Electronic Recycling thanks to FBG Cares! * Fun learning activities for kids * Musical performances For more information: http://www.theroundup.org/

Sept. 27, Monday, 10am-4pm San Antonio River Riparian Zone Workshop The Helotes Creek Nature Center, San Antonio River Road Neighborhood Association, and San Geronimo Nature Center are hosting three Riparian Zone Workshops at the end of September. We are extremely impressed with the workshop's presenters - each from the National Riparian Service Team, which is an interagency effort between the Bureau of Land Mangement, the US Forest Service, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. More information on the program can be found at: http://www.blm.gov/or/programs/nrst/index.php  Location: San Antonio River at Tri-Point YMCA Meeting Rooms Workshop begins at 10am, includes lunch and a river tour, and concludes at 4pm. Cost is $20 per session. Contact: Russell Castro 254-742-9982 Russell.Castro@tx.usda.gov

Oct. 2 Saturday 9 am to 11 Mitchell Lake Audubon Center Free Family Program “Wonderful World of Insects” Get immersed in the world of insects with this 30 minute Entomology lesson for kids of all ages. Learn what makes an insect an insect, where they live, which ones are good, and other interesting facts about them. Live and preserved insects will be available as well! Stick around after the lesson to do an activity on insects. * Free * Space is limited, RSVP is required to mlac@audubon.org

Oct. 2, Sat. 10 AM—Noon Nature Walk with the Artist Walker Ranch Park 12603 West Ave Join local artist and Master Naturalist Joy Hein for a nature walk at this great Natural Area. Joy is responsible for the wonderful artwork on the interpretive panels at the park; you’ll want to hear her story of how she painted them!

Oct. 2, Sat. 8 – 10 a.m. Birds/Fall Migration. Phil Hardberger Park Take a birding walk and discover which birds are normally found in the park and which birds are migrating through. Enjoy a kid friendly activity. Presenters: Tom & Patsy Inglet, Birding Experts.

Oct. 2 Saturday 10am-3pm 2010 Solar Tour Self guided tour of homes and businesses using solar energy. Sponsored by Solar San Antonio, each location will have the homeowner and solar installer for that location available for questions and advice. Tour is free. Each tour stop will have additional exhibits and give-aways. Show up at any participating home or business and begin your tour. More information at: www.solarsanantonio.org

October 2 Saturday 6:30-11:30 p.m. Celebrate the Cibolo Gala 2010: Where Nature & History Meet Annual fundraising Gala. Tickets & more information at www.cibolo.org/gala2010

October 7—10 Native Plant Society of Texas Symposium 2010, 30th annual meeting and native plant education extravaganza. Texas Woman's University in Denton Theme for 2010 will be "$ave Texas One Landscape at a Time: Our Native Plants Light the Future" More information at www.npsot.org/symposium2010/

October 9 Sat 7:00 pm to 9:00 PM: Welcome to My Web Eisenhower Park, 19399 NW Military Hwy. - A lively investigation of spiders with a brief walk to look for them with Dr. Cary Guffey from Our Lady of the Lake University. Call (210) 564-6400 for reservations and information. Walk-ins will be accepted on a limited basis. Suggested donation: $3.00 per individual/ $5.00 per family.

October 10 Sunday- 8:00am - 2:00pm Global Work Party: Celebrating Climate Solutions in San Antonio More information at: www.350.org or 350sanantonio.org

October 14 Thursday Green Spaces Alliance Fall Gala: A Bountiful Harvest. The Community Gardens Program has served to strengthen citizen engagement and enhance our urban environments throughout the years, as it has grown from just 3 gardens in 2007 to more than 40 groups that now have a garden or want to start one. It is with community support that Green Spaces has been able to accomplish so much. Please sponsor our 2010 gala so that our organization may continue to grow throughout South Texas. More information here: Green Spaces Alliance

Oct. 16 Saturday 8am-Noon Medina River Natural Area - Fall Fest! Medina River Natural Area, 15890 Hwy 16 South - The 6th Annual Fall Fest! Bring the whole family for a fun filled Saturday morning activities such as Art in the Park, Texas Mammal Skins & Skulls, Flint Knapping, Live Snakes, Search & Rescue Dogs, Leaf Animals, Nature Tattoos and Water Conservation with many more activities. In conjunction with Land Heritage Institute, there will also be a 10K race ("The Trail" 10K) through Medina River Natural Area trails and a Heritage Festival & BBQ on the Land Heritage Institute property.To register for the 10K: The course begins through the Medina River Natural Area trails and concludes at LHI. The race will be using the Electronic Chip Timing System for our runners/walkers and awards will be given to the top 3 males and females of 13 age groups. To register- mail or deliver this form to: THE TRAIL 10K 114 E. Cevallos San Antonio, TX 78204 • $25 pre-registration (before October 9th) $30 on Race Day • Team/ Family discount for groups of 4 or more - $20 each. . Call (210) 207-3111 for reservations and information. Walk-ins will be accepted on a limited basis. Suggested donation: $3.00 per individual/ $6.00 per family

October 23 Saturday 9 am - 4 pm Mitchell Lake Audubon Center FALL WILDLIFE FESTIVAL & PLANT SALE FREE annual fall celebration of nature featuring planSunt sales, hayrides, a raptor show, exhibit booths, kid’s activities, SAWS Autumn Bloom Giveaway and more.

October 23 Saturday 8:30am-? Sierra Club Alamo Group Experience the Beauty: The New Medina River Greenway (Dog Friendly) Medina River Natural Area A first time ever walk for the of the . Walk the paved new section of the Medina River Greenway 3.5 miles (7 mile RT) from Applewhite Road to the terminus. Meet 8:30 AM in the parking lot just south of the Medina River on the west side of Applewhite Road for an 8:45 AM SHARP departure. Anticipated completion time of 12:15pm. To get there take Exit 149 (Spur 422/SH 16) off south IH 35. Turn left at light toward Poteet, take left after 5.3 miles onto Lonestar Pass (Spur 66) toward the main gate of the Toyota Plant. At the main gate turn right (south) down Applewhite Road to the parking lot. Difficulty: MODERATE. Bring one liter water as none is available. Donations to Sierra Club encouraged. Contact leader Stan Drezek (493-0939) to reserve spot. Ellen Clegg will serve as Assistant Leader

Nov. 5-7 Texas Society for Ecological Restoration 2010 Conference Tyler, Texas. See www.txser.org for more information.

Nov. 6, Sat. 9 – 11 a.m. Wild about Turkeys. Phil Hardberger Park Learn many things about our “national bird” including how to call for it, its typical habitat, and how different the “wild” bird is from the one on our Thanksgiving table. Enjoy a kid friendly activity. Presenter: Phil Stratton, National Wild Turkey Federation.

November 7th, Sunday 1:30—3:30 PM, Bats, Bees and Butterflies The Witte Museum hosts a workshop on attracting bats, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your backyard. The workshop will feature Kim Hoskins, whose affiliations include Bat Conservation International, and Judit Green from Texas Parks & Wildlife. Each workshop participant will receive a bat house kit, a bag of bat guano fertilizer from Garden-ville, and lots of takehome information. The workshop will be held in the Witte’s Memorial Auditorium and (weather permitting) on the Witte grounds. Participation limitedto 40. Reservations, call 210.357.1910, or for information, tomkinsey@wittemuseum.org.

November 13 Sat. 10 am - 11 am Native American Stories Eisenhower Park, 19399 NW Military Hwy Lipan Apache story teller, Emma Ortega,shares her stories including the story of what the turkeys saved! Eisenhower Park Call(210) 564-6400 for reservations and information. Walk-ins will be accepted on a limited basis. Suggested donation: $3.00 per individual/ $5.00 per family.

November 13 6 pm- 8 pm Owl Prowl! Medina River Natural Area, 15890 Hwy 16 South - Join Richard Heilbrun, TPWD Wildlife Biologist for an evening about owls, take a walk to the interpretive area where live barred owls will be called in with owl calls as they stake out their territory. This program is very popular and limited to 50 people, so call 210-624-2575 today to RSVP. Call (210) 624-2575 for reservations and information. Walk-ins will be accepted on a limited basis. Suggested donation: $3.00 per individual/ $5.00 per family

December 11 Sat. 10 am to noon Bare Branches Medina River Natural Area, 15890 Hwy 16 South - Come join us for a walk with City Forester, Michael Nentwich, to explore our trees in winter. Learn how they can be used in urban situations and begin to think about trees you may want to plant in your yard this year. Free tree to the first 20 families! Call (210) 624-2575 for reservations and information. Walk-ins will be accepted on a limited basis. Suggested donation: $3.00 per individual/ $5.00 per family

December 11 Sat. 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm: Star Party Eisenhower Park, 19399 NW Military Hwy. - Star gazing with the San Antonio Astronomical Society. What's to see in the crisp, clear winter skies? Call (210) 564-6400 for reservations and information. Walk-ins will be accepted on a limited basis. Suggested donation: $3.00 per individual/ $5.00 per family.

Mitchell Lake Audubon Center Birding Tours * Birding tours are $5 per person for non-members, $3 for members * No reservation necessary * Times may vary due to season, these times begin in June: Every 2nd Tuesday morning of the month at 7:30 am; Every 2nd Sunday morning of the month at 7:30 am; Every 3rd Sunday morning of the month at 7:30 am; Bird count/survey: Every 4th Saturday morning of the month, please call for time: 628-1642

For even MORE outdoors and environmentally related activities:

Cibolo Nature Center--in Boerne: cibolo.org

Government Canyon State Natural Area: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/government_canyon/#act

Mitchell Lake Audubon Center: mitchelllakeaudubon.org

San Antonio Audubon Society--lots of birding!: saaudubon.org

San Antonio Natural Areas:  sanaturalareas.org

Consider becoming a Master Naturalist! Alamo Master Naturalist Chapter