San Marcos Monthly Bird Walks Start this Saturday, 9/3

Immature Eastern Phoebe by Stephen Ramirez Aug2011

Thanks to Stephen Ramirez for leading San Marcos Monthly Bird Walks in conjunction with SMGA. Stephen hopes to introduce people to birding as well as establish a strong birding community. Read more on Stephen’s web site at http://birdsiview.org/SanMarcosBirdWalks.html. (Don’t miss Stephen’s great photos available via the links on the left side of the page.)

Our first hike is this Saturday, September 3rd at 7:30 AM at Spring Lake Preserve. Meet at Aquarena Center (click for map). Please RSVP Stephen@birdsiview.org, but feel free to join the hike with or without advanced notice. Stephen writes, “it won't take too long to cover the entire lake, and for those willing we will also venture up into the spring lake preserve. A total round trip including the lake would be about 3.5 - 4 miles. This is an interesting time of year where we can expect the fall migration to be well on its way, with opportunity to see migrating raptors and song birds, don't miss it!”

Be sure to bring binoculars, if you have them, and water. Dress appropriately for walking on possible uneven surfaces.

Note: Birding is about moving slowly and quietly. If your young ones are loud and rambunctious, this may not be the right event for them. That said, if your children are excited to come out and will behave accordingly, we'd love to have them!

Harvest Moon FUNdRaiser: October 8

On Saturday, October 8th, 2011, the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance will be hosting a Harvest Moon FUNdraiser! Starting at sundown (7 pm) under the Learning Tree in Purgatory Creek Natural Area-Prospect Park, we will have food and activities for your enjoyment.

Arrive at 7 pm to participate in a hike with a fascinating astronomy theme guided by a Texas State University astronomer. Or just hang out at the Learning Tree and enjoy sodas, baked goods and sausage wraps for sale while they last.

Four days away from full, the moon will cast light on a live performance by the Crystal Creek Boys starting at 8 pm. You will be able to look through a telescope to view planetary bodies up close, enter a raffle to win prizes, and take home a new SMGA T-shirt! Bring the kids, and they can participate in some artistic activities.

This event raises funds to benefit the good work of the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance. Our mission is to create and conserve an interconnected system of parks and natural areas for our community and future generations. SMGA is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that works to preserve greenspace in our growing city and make it accessible to the city’s residents. Come out and support our many projects, including trail building and maintenance, installing trail signage and kiosk displays, invasive plant removal, and conservation advocacy, to name just a few!

Bring: Cash, beverage of choice (no glass!), and a flashlight.

Directions to Purgatory Creek Natural Area-Prospect Park: From downtown San Marcos, take W Hopkins St. to N Bishop St. Turn west (uphill) on Bishop and left on Prospect St. Go 2.5 blocks to dead end. Park on the street near the kiosk. Parking is limited, so consider carpooling, walking, or biking; a bike rack is available. Follow the lighted trail which winds through the cedar break, and then emerges into the field. From there you will find the fun under the Learning Tree and by the large compass.

Texas Parks Seek Public Input on Recreation Plan

Here’s an easy way to influence funding for land and water conservation programs in Texas! Please participate by 9/27, at which time the survey will no longer be available.

From Texas Parks and Wildlife:

The Recreation Grants Branch at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is conducting a survey of Texas citizens to determine the kinds of outdoor recreation activities in which people participate, and their opinions about outdoor recreation in Texas. This survey is being conducted to assist in the development of the Texas Outdoor Recreation Plan (TORP) 2012-2017. The TORP ensures that Texas continues to receive federal Land and Water Conservation Funds program and other grant funds. Click on the link below and complete the survey on the TPWD web site.

Tell us about park needs in Texas.

Please note, because we are using a variety of outlets to encourage participation in the survey, you may receive more than one request. You are only able to answer the survey once, and your email is anonymous, so please ignore additional requests. However, please share this message and link with your friends, family and any others that have an interest in parks. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at Rec.Grants@tpwd.state.tx.us. Thank you for your assistance in getting the word out on the survey.

City Seeks ‘Dreamers’ for Comprehensive Plan

Here’s another opportunity to voice your support for a network of greenways and trails that connect the places where we live, work, learn and play. As you contribute to a shared vision for our city, remember that greenbelts offer an inviting and easy way to move throughout our community as a pedestrian or cyclist experiencing our natural landscape and heritage along the way. Greenbelts also help protect creeks and rivers, our water supply, and habitat for native plants and animals. And greenbelts help you access natural areas that contribute to your spiritual and physical health as well as to the economic vitality of our city.

Here is an excerpt from a recent City of San Marcos press release. Read the full release here.

What is your “dream San Marcos?”

Dream San Marcos

That is the question the City of San Marcos will be asking residents over the next several weeks as part of a visioning process to update the City’s 1996 comprehensive plan. City staff will gather ideas from residents about what San Marcos should become in the future using online software, suggestions by email, comment cards, and more traditional public events. Activities will include meetings with citizens, businesses, students, and civic groups, as well as presentations at City boards and commissions, community events such as the Farmers Market, and a daylong public input session.

The City is using “IdeaScale,” an online software that invites community participation in an open forum. Over the next few weeks, City staff will pose a variety of questions and invite residents to weigh in with their opinions, questions, ideas and dreams for San Marcos. Visitors may also log in through their accounts with Google, Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo, AOL, or OpenID. Participants can submit their own ideas or questions and vote and comment on ideas. The best ideas will float to the top

To submit your ideas online, visit http://sanmarcostx.ideascale.com or send them by email to dream@sanmarcostx.gov For more information about times and locations of public events, visit the city website at www.sanmarcostx.gov/ideas, send an email or call the Development Services Department at 393.8230.

Purgatory Creek Grant Rejected

Of course we were disappointed to hear that federal funding was withheld from Trust for Public Land in its bid to expand Purgatory Creek Natural Area. SMGA supports TPL’s ongoing efforts and will continue to work with TPL and the City of San Marcos to conserve the environmentally sensitive areas that surround the Purgatory Creek Natural Area. Read more from San Marcos Mercury at the link below.

Feds reject grant for Purgatory Creek greenspace expansion
by SEAN BATURA
Efforts to more than double the size of San Marcos’ Purgatory Creek Natural Area were frustrated last week when the federal government opted not to award a $1.9 million land acquisition grant to the Trust for Public Land. The Trust for Public Land was seeking a federal Section 6 Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Grant to buy a 289-acre parcel just west of the Purgatory Creek Natural Area. Scott Parker, trust’s senior program director, said the pool of grant money was smaller this year than previous years and competition was exceptionally high.
http://smmercury.com/20716/feds-reject-grant-for-purgatory-creek-greenspace-expansion/ 

Purgatory Creek Expansion Map (used with permission from San Marcos Local News)

For Your Calendar: September and Beyond

SMGA Events

September 3, 7:30AM: Monthly Bird Walk

Thanks to Stephen Ramirez for leading San Marcos Monthly Bird Walks in conjunction with the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance. Click here to read about this event.

October 8, 6PM: Harvest Moon FUNdRaiser
Mark your calendars for a night of festivities under the Learning Tree in the Prospect Park - Purgatory Creek Natural Area. There will be a guided hike, live music, raffle, kids activities, T-shirts for sale and more. Come out and support the good work of SMGA! Click here to read about this event.

October 15, 9AM: Invasives Removal & Seed Planting at Purgatory Creek Natural Area

October 22, 8AM - Purgatory Creek Hike
We’ll lead a hike from Children's Park to Purgatory Creek Natural Area. Please RSVP by e-mailing alliance@smgreenbelt.org so we can set up ridesharing back to our starting point at Children’s Park.

November 5, 9AM: General Clean Up and Trail Repair (location TBD)

November 13, 2PM: Hike with Mayor Guerrero at Ringtail Ridge Natural Area

Community Events

Every Tuesday and Saturday: Farmer's Markets
Tuesdays between CM Allen and MLK from 3pm-6pm. Saturdays on the square on San Antonio St. from 9am-Noon.

September 1, 7PM: Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA) Meeting
San Marcos Public Library in the large meeting room. CONA will hold annual elections in the beginning of the meeting, then John Foreman with the Planning Department will be receiving input for the Dream San Marcos initiative. Questions or comments: amy.kirwin@gmail.com.

September 10, 5-7PM: Naturescapes Photo Contest Reception
San Marcos Activity Center. This year the Hays County Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists is joining the Hill Country Photography Club as cosponsor of the contest. The contest and exhibition provide an excellent vehicle for educating and increasing public awareness of the importance of preserving and maintaining our natural areas. Learn more at either of the links above.

September 10, 9AM-4PM: Rainwater Harvesting Workshop
Hays County Extension Office, 1253 Civic Center Loop (east side of IH 35 and one mile north of the outlet mall) Admission: $30.00 (You must pay in advance. Registration is due to the Hays County Extension Office by September 8.) Sign up here: http://hays.agrilife.org/events/

October 1: PetFest
Mark your calendar for the PetFest 5K and Fun Run on the San Marcos River trails. PALS of Central Texas will use race proceeds to provide pet spay/neuter services to those who need assistance. Stay after the race and enjoy PetFest. More at http://www.preventalitter.com/petfest.html

October 15: KSMB Art & Eco Fest
This fun event on the square in downtown San Marcos will highlight local art, eco and food vendors as well as the Farmer’s Market and Dream San Marcos interactive booths. To end the day, the Texas Music Theater will hold a concert at their venue to continue the festivities. Stay tuned for details.

Contact Heather Powdrill (hpowdrill@sanmarcostx.gov) of KSMB to Adopt-a-Spot to beautify. Special thanks to two neighborhoods that have adopted Schulle Canyon Natural Area: Sierra Circle and Holland Hills!

New Map! Spring Lake Preserve

We are pleased to announce the availability of another trail map, this time for Spring Lake Preserve. Download it soon from our natural areas page! We know you’ll join us in thanking the many folks who participated in the development of this long-awaited resource.

Spring Lake Preserve Trail Map

What's Your Park Personality?

Enjoy this fun quiz from Trust for Public Land:

Has this ever happened to you? It's a gorgeous morning and you want to spend the day outside at a park, but with so many great public places to choose from, where do you go? Ever wondered which type of outdoor park best suits your personality?

The Trust for Public Land has created a fun quiz to help you discover your "park personality".

Over the years, people like you have helped The Trust for Public Land save over 4,000 special places in 47 states: a total of nearly 3 million acres of wilderness, open spaces, trails, and parks. That's a lot of land to explore, so we've kept our quiz short—9 questions only. We want to make sure you'll have plenty of time to get outside and indulge your park personality on some public land with the help of The Trust for Public Land.

Take the quiz here

Editor’s note: A question in the quiz asks for your email address so you can receive conservation news from TPL. We encourage you to sign up and support TPL’s efforts, especially in light of their recent work on adding 300 acres to Purgatory Creek Natural Area. Read more here.

In the News: Hot Snakes and a New Travis County Ranch

Heat affecting snake behavior; bites up
AUSTIN (KXAN) - Officials at Seton Healthcare warn the public to be aware that the streak of hot weather is also affecting the behavior of venomous snakes and other wildlife in the area as they broaden their search for water and food. Medical staffs have seen a 14 percent increase this year so far in venomous bites and stings, and the number of children treated at Dell Children's Medical Center is up 46 percent, officials said.
http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/heat-affecting-snake-behavior-bites-up

Editor’s note: While enjoying the natural areas, watch where you step, stay on the trail, keep young kids close to you, and keep your dogs on a leash. This is a great article with information on snakes.

Hill Country Conservancy, NRCS, and Travis County are proud to announce the permanent conservation of the historic Brockenbrough Ranch!
Anne Brockenbrough is a rancher, equestrian, and professional writer, and is currently working with Hill Country Conservancy on a conservation easement to protect her land and its water and wildlife for future generations.
http://www.hillcountryconservancy.org/land-projects/private-land-preservation/brockenbrough-ranch/brockenbrough-ranch-closing/

Mini Update: Hays County Parks Plan and Open Space Master Plan

According to Jeff Hauff, Hays County grants administrator, portions of the Hays County Parks and Open Space Master Plan are still being revised, per comment from both the public and from the Hays County Parks and Open Space Advisory Board. The county anticipates a 30-day review period when the report is in final draft form and will post the draft for comment on the Hays County web site at http://www.co.hays.tx.us/ParksMasterPlan.

For Your Calendar – August and Beyond

Michaelis Ranch by Winifred Simon

SMGA Events

October 8, 6PM: Harvest Moon FUNdRaiser
Mark your calendars for a night of festivities under the Learning Tree in the Prospect Park - Purgatory Creek Natural Area. There will be a guided hike, live music, a raffle, kids activities, T-shirts for sale and more. Come out and support the good work of SMGA!

October 15 (time TBD): Invasives Removal & Seed Planting at Purgatory Creek Natural Area

October 22, 8 AM - Purgatory Creek Hike
We’ll lead a hike from Children's Park to Purgatory Creek Natural Area. Please RSVP so we can set up  ridesharing back to our starting point at Children’s Park.

November 5 (time TBD): General Clean Up and Trail Repair (location TBD)

November 13, 2 PM: Hike with Mayor Guerrero at Ringtail Ridge Natural Area - NEW TIME!

Community Events

August 10, 6PM: Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) Public Comment on Proposed Fee Increases
A public meeting at the San Marcos Activity Center and hosted by the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) will inform and take public comment on proposed increases in fees that the EAA charges to municipal and industrial water users. Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance urges you to attend and to speak in support of the increase in Aquifer Management Fees proposed to fund the Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program (EARIP). Read more here.

August 10, 7PM: Open San Marcos Meeting
From John Thomaides: We have been in regular contact with our City Manager, Jim Nuse, in an effort to bring the OSM "First Ten" items and Resolution for Open Government before the City Council for discussion. These initiatives will be formally discussed by the City Council on August 16th during the regular city council meeting at 6 p.m. We have scheduled an important meeting of OSM on Wednesday August 10th at 7 p.m. at the Price Seniors Center, 222 W. San Antonio St.

Tuesdays/Thursdays: Movies/Concerts in the Park
For more information and schedules, visit http://sanmarcostx.gov/departments/parks/index.htm.

Thursdays, 5:30PM: Tube with TOWN
NO TUBING UNTIL 8/18: Tube the river with like-minded women. Contact Judy at judy@americruit.com to be added to the tubing list to receive weekly notices. Usually held 1st, 3rd, and 4th Thursdays of the month.

Tuesday: Edible San Marcos Workday at St. Vincent De Paul Food Bank Garden
Every Tuesday Morning 9-10:30AM, 624 E. Hopkins, San Marcos. You can learn about gardening while you help, or mentor, or just have fun; either way you are contributing. Make sure to bring gloves and water. If you have any tools bring them along! Check http://ediblesanmarcos.wordpress.com for cancellations due to rain.

September 10, 5-7PM: Naturescapes Photo Contest Reception
San Marcos Activity Center. This year the Hays County Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists is joining the Hill Country Photography Club as cosponsor of the contest. The contest and exhibition provide an excellent vehicle for educating and increasing public awareness of the importance of preserving and maintaining our natural areas. Learn more at either of the links above.

October 1: PetFest
Mark your calendar for the PetFest 5K and Fun Run on the San Marcos River trails. PALS of Central Texas will use race proceeds to provide pet spay/neuter services to those who need assistance. Stay after the race and enjoy PetFest. More at http://www.preventalitter.com/petfest.html

Thank You Bluebonnet Lions!

We are so grateful for support from the Bluebonnet Lion’s Club in the form of a check for $600! We plan to put this money to good work adding directional signs to our natural areas. Thanks for this vote of confidence, Bluebonnets. It means a great deal to us.

Sun Shines on the Karst at Prospect Park

SMGA crews, with help from Texas State students, removed enough ligustrum from around the main karst feature at Prospect Park to let the sun shine in. Ligustrum is a non-native, invasive species that dominates parts of local natural areas. Its removal allows native grasses and plants to reclaim the understory below live oaks and cedar elm. Encouraging native plants improves the rainwater catchment that karst features (limestone openings in the ground) are known to empty directly into the aquifer.

Texas State students lend a big hand early Saturday morning

Work began July 23 with Donna Browning and myself cutting the ligustrum. Three hours later the results were impressive but messy. Saturday July 30, six students from TXState Volunteer Services and trail crew members, Dick McBride and Mike Baugh, moved the cut ligustrum to the access road. There the branches and limbs will decompose and become habitat for birds and small animals, offering a refuge from predators.

Future plans include continuing the process of invasive removal and planting native grasses in the fall.

- Lance Jones

It's Hot, Go For A Hike

Kate at Sunset by Petesie Lee

To say it's hot may be a bit of an understatement. However, it is August, and we live in Texas. Despite the heat, this is still a great time to discover local natural areas at dawn and dusk. Explore a trail at a new time of day and see new things, meet new people, and enjoy the natural world!

The other day, my class let out early. I called my husband who suggested that I join him and my kids on the trail at Purgatory Creek Natural Area (PCNA). As I started to hang up, I heard my daughter yell, "We're lost!" Oh great, I thought.

It turned out that they weren't really lost, just roaming around the trails in PCNA. I walked along Dante's trail until I met them. (I promise that the trail maps are coming soon!) It was about 8 pm and finally a bit tolerable outside.

About 1/4 mile from the Wonder World trail head, I passed a two hikers. One, a girl about 8-years old, asked her companion, a woman, about a small light flickering in the brush. The woman responded, "It's a firefly!" The girl excitedly replied "I've never seen a firefly before!" What a wonderful way to end a day and an exciting new adventure for the young girl.

So, get up a bit early and enjoy a dawn hike with the sun rising. Or take a dusk hike with the fireflies and sun setting, and perhaps you too will see something new along the way.


- Maggie Hutchins-Wagner, SMGA President

Sink Creek Phase II Wastewater Project Status

Here is an update from the city on the wastewater line proposed through Sink Creek. Read our take on this project from our last newsletter.

To all interested parties:

We have received a good deal of citizen response regarding the Sink Creek Ph II Wastewater Project and would like to give you an update. The City has listened to everyone’s concerns and is taking a step back to ensure that all previous assumptions for pipe location, size, etc. are still valid, given the changes the city has undergone in recent years. We anticipate the project review process will take 1-2 months. At that time, we will provide additional project information to you.

We appreciate your interest and taking the time to share your comments with us. Please continue to keep in touch by contacting the CIP Department at 393-8130, CIP@sanmarcostx.gov or me at the phone number and email below.

Thank you again for your patience through this process.

Jennifer Shell, P.E.
City Engineer
City of San Marcos
Capital Improvements Department
512.393.8133

Learning is a Constant Endeavor

Friday, July 15th, a group of us walked Prospect Park-Purgatory Creek Natural Area in San Marcos to learn what we could do to improve the diversity of the natural area. Minnette Marr was our guide and we were given numerous ideas on how to encourage more wildlife to visit the greenspace. Removing some of the invasive ligustrum was also a key topic as we have the opportunity to receive assistance by Texas State students being involved with the local community. This is the third visit by San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance trail crew members and Master Naturalists in planning work in the natural area this year.
Lance Jones

Pictured left to right:
Lauren Redman (TXState/Bobcat Build coordinator)
Judy McBride
Leah Laszewski
Ellie Loggins
Melani Howard
Dick McBride
Hope Shimek
Donna Browning
Minnette Marr

- Lance Jones

See Lance's follow up story here.

Almanac Predictions: Cold Wet Winter?

During the high heat of summer, it’s nice to think that cool weather is coming. Add to that the year-long drought we have experienced in Central Texas, and the thought of wet weather is very welcome. So the Farmers’ Almanac prediction of weather changes in our future is refreshing news.

Some may be skeptical when it comes to long term weather predictions. But the Almanac’s prediction of several blizzards during winter 2010 proved to be true, with “Snowmageddon” hitting the north-east.

This year, the Almanac predicts a storm track crossing the Gulf Coast and Southern Texas, bringing plentiful precipitation to this rain-starved land.

In shorter-term weather predictions, the Almanac expects some thunderstorms over the South Central US during the month of August. The beginning of August is predicted to be hot with thunder storms, but near the end of the month storms should bring clear, cool weather. In September, we can expect tropical storms, fair weather, and more thunderstorms. See www.farmersalmanac.com for more information about their weather predictions.

These changes in the fall and winter should bring some nice days to get out on the trails in your favorite greenspace. See you in the parks!

- Mary Van Zant

San Marcos Community Bike Project

Located at 155 South LBJ (next to Cats Billiards and across the street from The Restless Wind), the volunteers at the San Marcos Community Bike Project will teach you how to fix your bike. The project offers free access to bike tools and workspace and can help you fix just about anything wrong with your bike... for free.

We have used bikes for sale (beginning in July) and free bikes available for those in need. Our hours are:
Monday - Friday 5pm - 8pm
Saturday @ Downtown Farmers' Market 9am - 1pm
Saturday @ the shop 1pm - 5pm
http://www.bikesanmarcos.blogspot.com/

Come Out and Speak for Spring Flows

From Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance:

A series of public meetings  hosted by the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) will be held throughout the Edwards Region next week to inform and take public comment on proposed increases in fees that the EAA charges to municipal and industrial water users. We urge you to attend and to speak in support of the increase in Aquifer Management Fees proposed to fund the Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program (EARIP).

Wednesday, August 10, 6:00 pm
San Marcos Activity Center, 501 E. Hopkins
San Marcos, TX 78666
Find more meetings here

What is at stake here is fair and rational allocation of water from the Edwards Aquifer.  Since the Endangered Species Act is the only tool that the Federal government gives us to deal with these issues, the critters will continue to assume a starring role in these discussions. The crux of the issues addressed by the EARIP, however, is whether municipal and industrial pumping should be allowed to draw down the aquifer below levels required for maintaining spring flow. To do so could result in reduction of in-stream flows needed to maintain the balance of fresh and saline water in the bays and estuaries, as well as the need for hundreds of folks on Edwards wells to drill deeper, loss of heritage trees, and perhaps other unanticipated consequences...

Please note that increased fees will not affect agricultural users as their fees are capped by State Law.  Nor would the fees apply to well owners who pump water strictly for domestic and livestock use, as these pumpers are exempt. The increase in management fees would principally be passed on to the large municipal utilities that pump from the Edwards.

Our staff has researched water rates and have concluded that SAWS, Bexar Met, and New Braunfels Utilities, when compared to other US cities of comparable size, definitely have room to charge more for water, especially if increased fees are structured so as to distribute the price increases to discourage excess consumption. For SAWS, specifically, we found that when compared to rates for similar cities in the US, SAWS water rates are extremely low. To see the full study, click here.

The EARIP plan to preserve Edwards Aquifer spring flows has been three years in the making and deserves to be funded at levels adequate to insure success. We hope to see you at one of the Public Hearings [above].

Annalisa Peace
Executive Director
Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance

In the News and Other Tidbits

Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine, July 2011, Every Drop Counts
http://tpwmagazine.epubxp.com/issue/33411
Enjoy reading and viewing the amazing photography of Texas outdoor spaces in this online magazine with highlights from around the state, including a story by Andrew Sansom about our rivers.

San Antonio-based director has eyes on San Marcos
http://www.sanmarcosrecord.com/features/x1475586567/San-Antonio-based-director-has-eyes-on-San-Marcos
San Antonio native and film director Taylor James Johnson says there’s potential for him filming in San Marcos and doing so soon. The filmmaker is just one of more than 100 participating in the recent San Antonio Film Festival…Johnson continued to praise San Marcos for its abundance of nature trails and animals…

Lengthy drought takes toll on Texas wildlife
http://smmercury.com/20057/lengthy-drought-takes-toll-on-texas-wildlife/
Texas is now nine months into one of the worst droughts in recorded state history, and it shows no signs of abating. That’s bad news for city dwellers who must use ever less water for their lawns, but it’s worse for many wildlife and fish, which find their habitats drying up.

GAA Releases 82nd Legislative Season Scorecared
http://troxiamo.com/images/ScoreCard%20F.pdf
We tabulated results of key votes related to its Legislative Agenda for the 82nd Legislature. GEAA counts twenty-five House members and eight State Senators among its legislative delegation, representing an area that covers twenty-one counties in Central and South Texas – the Edwards and Trinity aquifer regions.