t
BEXAR ·
AUDUBON
SOCIETY
First Place, 2000
National Audubon
Society newsletter
contest for large
chapters
Tuesday, June 5, 2001-San Antonio Environmental Network Meeting
Water, growth costs, changing rural land ownership
Topics for discussion at J one BAS/SAEN meeting
6:30p.m. - Social Time; 7:00p.m. - Program
Free and open to the public-Extra parking across Broadway at /HOP
Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway (Take Hildebrand exit off 281)
For VIA public transportation: take Route 9 or 14 to the Broadway/ Pershing/ Toledo intersection
Editor's note: As we do every quarter, BAS and the San Antonio Environmental Network share a meeting.
Three engaging, interesting and important topics will be discussed at the June BAS/SAEN meeting. The topics and speakers are:
"Update on San Antonio Water Issues"- Mary a. Kelly, former SAWS Board Member
"Cost of Community Services- Hill Country Growth Costs"- Ellen Humphries, American Farmland Trust, San Marcos, TX
"Fragmented Lands: Changing Rural Ownership in Texas"- Dr. Neal Wilkins, Extension Wildlife Specialist, Texas A & M
University, College Station
Mary a. Kelly is a San Antonio attorney and former SAWS board member and a former attorney for the (then) Edwards Underground
Water District. Kelly will present a brief update and status report on the present and future major water issues facing residents of the
greater San Antonio metropolitan area.
Ellen Humphries is the Outreach and Development Coordinator for American Farmland Trust's (AFT) Texas office in San Marcos.
AFT is the largest non-profit, private conservation organization dedicated to protecting our country's agricultural resources. Using Hays
County (San Marcos) as the example, AFT studied the cost to county governments associated with the rapid, often poorly planned, urban
expansion into former agricultural lands. Expansion from Austin into Hays County has been very heavy. An AFT publication describes
data showing that "farms, ranches and open lands actually generate three times more dollars for the county than the county spends on
them for public services. On the other hand, revenue from residential lands falls about 25% short of covering the costs of public services
they receive. Ultimately, instead of expanding the tax base, residential development that is not balanced by business growth and maintenance
of agricultural lands or open space will cause either increasing property taxes or declining levels of public services."
Dr. Neal Wilkins is an assistant professor of Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences and an Extension Wildlife Specialist at Texas A & M
University He co-directs the Land Information Systems Lab at TAMU. Dr. Wilkins will describe the results of a recent study documenting
the division of rural lands into smaller parcels that shows that "ownership fragmentation may result in rural parcel sizes generally too small
to maintain the economy-of-scale for traditional farming, ranching and forestry uses. Potential impacts of ownership fragmentation include
loss of open space; a localized loss of farm, ranch, and forest production; higher demand for public services from rural areas; and a
reduction in effective wildlife habitats." In addition, he will address buyer/seller motives and the future.
Two Chapter Outings
June 9th- Saturday-FIELD TRIP-Kerr Wildlife Management Area-Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept., near Mountain Home, TX. Meet
?am at Raymond Russell County Park on 1-1 OWest outside Loop 1604. Exit Camp Bullis/RR Park and stay on access road. Park is
on right (east side of 1-1 0). We will park there and car pool to the Kerr WMA or caravan. Folks wanting to go up early to the Kerr WMA
can be at their gate at daylight (about ?am) and it will be open to you. BAS tour starts at 9:00am and will end around 12:00 noon to
1:OOpm. Bring your water and lunch, we can have lunch on Kerr afterwards then head home or whereever. Dress appropriately for
rough country. The Kerr WMA is a fine example of land and vegetation management using prescribed fire and livestock grazing as
tools. The endangered black-capped vireo has greatly improved its numbers since the land management programs have restored the
normal vegetation to the area. Typical Edwards Plateau vegetation and wildlife will be seen.
July 21st - Saturday-FIELD TRIP-Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area. Same agenda and meeting place as for KMA:
Meet ?am at Raymond Russell County Park. We will park there and car pool to MMWMA. Will be touring a large ranch donated to the
state with many types of African and Asian exotic wildlife species. Very different soils and somewhat different vegetation. Located in
the Llano Uplift or Central Mineral Ecoregion near Mason, TX. Geology is igneous rather than sedimentary such as the rest of the
surrounding Edwards region. We will hear what the state's plans are for the management of this new wildlife research area. Time
frame will be similar to the KMA trip: 9:00am - 1:OOpm.
Field Trips: Check BAS web site at www.BexarAudubon.org for info, maps. Call Mike Mecke for more info if needed and to sign
up for the trips. Phone: 210/344-3737 evenings and weekends.
BEXAR AUDUBON SOCIETY
Chapter of the National Audubon Society
P. 0. Box 6084, San Antonio, TX 78209
21 0-822-4503
GOALS
The Chapter's primary goals are
to promote species and habitat
conservation and environmental education
in the community.
President
Vice Pres.
Treasurer
Secretary
Past Pres.
OFFICERS
Mike Mecke (mikebmecke@prodigy.net) .. ... 344-3737
...... .. .. Vacant
Rita Banda (WaterHawk2@aol.com) ... 830 606-1946
Susan Hughes (Susan@wordwright.com) ... 532-2332
Bill Sain ............ .. ...... Moved to New Mexico
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Term Ending 2000:
Bill Hurley ......................... (billhurley@satx.rr.com) . .. 341-2676
Janis Merrit ....................................... 698-1 095
Term Ending 2001:
Bill Barker ............... (barker@texas.net) ...... .
Harry Noyes ........................ (harrynoyes@juno.com) ... 490-3124
Tom Wilson .............. (twilsond@AOL.com) ....... 492-4799
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Aud. Adven. Betty Minyard ... (mink@texas.net) .............. 344-6128
Birdathon ......................... .. ................ available
Conserv. Harry Noyes ..... (harrynoyes@juno.com) .... 490-3124
Education .... available
Hospitality ................................. .. .................... available
Memb. . .................................................................... available
Natural lnit. Tom Wilson ...... (twilsond@AOL.com) ...... .. 492-4799
Outings
Programs
Publicity
SAEN Coord.
Bexar Tracks
Editors
Mailing
TxAS Bd.
.. available
.............................................................. available
Harry Noyes ..... (harrynoyes@juno.com) .... 490-3124
Mike Mecke (mikebmecke@prodigy.net) ..... 344-3737
................................... .................. available
Tom Wilson ...... (twilsond@AOL.com) ...... .. 492-4799
Jill Sandeen ......................................... 830-980-3277
(jsondeen@NetXPress.com) ........ Fax: 830-438-7393
..................................................................... available
.. ......... available
Bexar Tracks is your newsletter.
We welcome your contributions.
www
San Antonio is served by a
"Virtual Nature Center'' website
Editors note: We introduced our new web site in the last issue of the newsletter. This is
an update on the further evolution of the site.
So your neighbor is watering his lawn with a fire hose in the middle of the state's
worst drought. His truck smokes like Dickens's London. And he just brought home two
deer out of season. You've had it. But who do you call?
Now there is a local World Wide Website- the San Antonio Virtual Nature Center
at http://www.sa-naturecenter.org- that can help you with all these issues and more.
On the first page of the website a "hot button" leads to a list of phone numbers to
which you can report environmental and wildlife emergencies or violations. The same
button also gives you access to the latest environmental, conservation and community­development
"alerts," which can range from important public meetings where your
attendance can make a difference to short-notice crises in which a letter or e-mail from
you might influence a government agency's policies or a company's development plans.
Recently McDonald's saved a heritage tree at a new restaurant site because of just
such an alert from local tree groups and the resulting outpouring of public messages.
Enter the front door of the nature center and you find yourself in a hallway lined with
doors leading to a meeting room, with information on local environmental/conservation
groups and their meeting schedules; to a library with reference information on ecology,
ecosystems, natural history, natural resources, etc.; to an issues room, with postings
about local, state, national, and global concerns; to a children's room with information
and activities for young people; and to a classroom, where listings of environmental and
natural-history educational resources in the San Antonio region are being added.
The site is young and still growing, with additional material added every week.
Citizen comments. and suggestions are welcomed and may be submitted through e­mail
links on the site. The goal is to make this website a true one-stop shopping center
for everything anyone might want to know about the environment, natural history and
related issues, from city leaders researching policy to students researching term papers,
from activists seeking good ideas to ordinary citizens seeking to enhance their city and
neighborhoods. Unlike other sites that offer similar fare, this one will focus tightly on
local issues and the writings of local experts.
The San Antonio Virtual Nature Center is a project of the San Antonio Environmental
Network (SAEN), an umbrella for collaborative efforts among local environmental and
conservation organizations. Bexar Audubon Society is currently acting as the executive
agency for SAEN and the website.
Please fax Jill or email Tom as above; diskettes Bilingual site
and hard copy should be sent to Tom Wilson, N k.d ' b •t h h · h b d ·
13227 Hunters Spring, san Antonio, TX 78230. ew I s we SI e s ows w y SCience as no oun aries
Printed with soy ink on
recycled paper.
Visit Bexar Audubon's
Web Site:
http://www.BexarAudubon.org
Visit San Antonio Environmental
Network's Web Site:
http://www.sa-naturecenter.org
Suggestions and contributions are welcome.
Please contact Bill Hurley at
billhurley@satx.rr.com
June I July 2001
Editors note: this story comes from the Agricultural Research Service of the USDA.
WASHINGTON, May 4-Starting today, children around the country and the world can
visit a new web site to see why science knows no boundaries.
The site highlights work by USDA scientists who search overseas for natural controls
to weed and insect pests, as alternatives to pesticides. "Global Science and Technology
Week" (GSTW) will also highlight the importance of science education in preparing today's
students for tomorrow's discoveries for helping resolve global issues such as poverty,
disease, food supplies, environmental degradation, and sustainable use of natural
resources.
USDA's Agricultural Research Service developed the web site in recognition of
GSTW, May 6-12. The "Science Knows No Boundaries" website is designed for children
about 8 to 13 years old, but has links to more advanced material. Links to Spanish and
English versions of the site can be found at: <www.ars.usda.gov/is>. The official home
page for all GSTW outreach activities is: <www.ostp.gov/html/gstw.html>.
The new ARS web offerings are parts of the agency's extensive, award-winning
"Science for Kids" and "Ciencia Para Ninos" websites. The sites present dozens of
stories and features showing kids how the agricultural sciences connect to everyday
life. Included are sections on science careers and science fair projects.
2 Bexar Tracks
Presidential viewpoint
What do we have here? A Briarpatch
Or a diverse habitat and water?
Editor's note: This is the first presidential column for Mike Me eke, who became BAS president early this spring.
Historically the drainage area of the
Edwards Aquifer region was a grassland
savannah, with mid and tall grasses
interspersed with scattered stands of
various brush and tree species. This was
highly productive range for wildlife,
livestock and for water issuing from the
limestone, which maintained the thousands
of springs, creeks and clear flowing rivers
of this region. During the past 150 years
the area has largely become an oak-juniper
woodland with many dry springs and
infrequently flowing streams.
This has reduced natural recharge to
the Edwards Aquifer and to other more
shallow aquifers in the region such as the
Trinity-Edwards. Diaries from the Spanish
explorers confirm what 19th century early
botanists also described-the present state
of the vegetation on the Edwards Plateau
(and many other regions) is not anywhere
close to its natural pre-European condition.
This can also. be confirmed by aerial photos
going back only 20 to 60 years in areas
where juniper or "cedar" has greatly
increased. Several factors are thought to
have brought about this rapid deterioration
in rangeland habitat, such as over-grazing
by livestock, old European grazing systems
not suited for Southwestern ranges, the
control of wildfires; crossfencing preventing
natural grazing animal movements to fresh
pastures, and the aggravating effects of
several severe droughts in the 1900's. The
lack of fire in this ecosystem has been
especially kind to cedar and some other
shrub species that are very fire sensitive.
Brush management on watersheds to
increase water yields is not a new idea. For
over 30 years studies in Texas, Arizona,
California, and other states have proven
that carefully planned removal of certain
brushy plant species not only improves
rangelands for livestock grazing, but
increases the water production in streams
and in aquifers, while removing sediment
and other pollutants. If properly planned
and operated, such programs have also
improved wildlife habitat and even
increased certain endangered species
such as the black-capped vireo at the Kerr
Wildlife Management Area.
While the application of this watershed
management principle is a proven fact,
June I July 2001
many of the controlling factors on certain
types of watersheds in Texas are either
unknown or in open question. Most of the
prior studies regarding brush management
in Texas have focused on the range
management and livestock production
benefits. In recent years research at
Sonora, Seco Creek and Uvalde has shown
that potential water yield can be greatly
increased by selective brush removal, but
studies were not on large-scale watersheds.
Other studies or sources have provided
results that have been clearly visible, but
not scientifically based or quantified.
Are these results applicable to larger
watersheds such as that of our Edwards
Aquifer? Yes, I feel that they are. It is in the
interest of the region to encourage, support
and promote the research needed to wisely
manage the watersheds draining across the
Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone in order
to facilitate increased recharge to the
aquifer. A stable watershed yield would be
beneficial in maintaining adequate
steamflows in area creeks and rivers for
wildlife, fisheries and downstream bay/
estuary needs. Remember a few years ago,
when the Blanco River dried up? The people
of Blanco do. In the drought of the 50's many
area streams dried up, including the Medina
River. The major drought which started in
1947 and extended until 1957 completely
dried up the famous Co mal Springs in New
Braunfels. And, that drought occurred prior
to most irrigation well drilling into the
Edwards Aquifer and before San Antonio
became a city of one million plus! What
would be the situation now in a similar long­term
catastrophe? Would large, lush green
lawns or golf courses still be a high priority?
Or would the production of food and drinking
water rule? Hmmmm?
Agriculture is the #2 industry in Texas,
and the overall economic health of the
agricultural community is likewise critical to
San Antonio's economy and future.
Agriculture greatly benefits from improved
watershed management accompanied by
a strong range management system and
proper utilization of our stream riparian
zones. Not only can ranchers on a healthy
rangeland watershed carry more livestock,
but also stock has a higher quality diet and
the ease of moving and checking animals
3
is greatly improved. A high level of the
Edwards Aquifer promotes a healthy
irrigated agriculture that is key not only to
regional economics, but to producing the
food, fiber and other crops that we now buy
so cheaply compared to other nations. Not
to mention keeping regional towns and
communities alive and thriving so that they
can trade with neighbors in San Antonio or
other cities.
Riparian zones, essentially the green
areas along streams, rivers or other water
bodies, are very necessary to maintaining
quality wildlife habitat, a healthy aquatic
community and clean water in our rivers and
lakes. Healthy riparian zones, vibrant with
the native grasses, aquatic plants, shrubs
and trees, are living filters to remove
pollutants and sediments, which also helps
keep reservoirs pure. Healthy, riparian
areas act as sponges, absorbing and storing
water that is later slowly released during
drier periods, thus maintaining stream flows
and aiding in drought management.
Downstream urban interests gain by having
a steady release of clean, pure water to
aquifers, rivers, and lakes. Bays and
estuaries are then provided a pure and more
constant supply of water to nourish the
valuable shellfish, shrimp and fishing
resources of our state.
Wildlife habitat that is healthy and
diverse produces another crop for
agricultural landowners, whether that be via
a hunting lease, fishing fees or other forms
of eco-tourism such as hiking, camping,
birding, and wildlife viewing. Property values
rise for the wise landowner and a healthy
tax base is maintained for our society.
So, it is easy to see that the bottom
line is that a healthy watershed and riparian
zone is a win-win proposition for all! Do your
part-become involved or at least become
a knowledgeable citizen voter!
-Mike Mecke
PS: Bexar Audubon is sponsoring a field
trip to the above-mentioned Kerr Wildlife
Management Area on June 9th where we
will see firsthand the values gained by
carefully planned use of prescribed burning
and good livestock management in
manipulating vegetation. See page 1 of this
newsletter for details.
Bexar Tracks
CHAPTER NEWS
April meetin2 recap
Amphibian watchers unite,
There's a lot we can learn
Yearn for a frog or a frog
pond to call your very own?
You can have one. And with
the blessings of Texas Parks
and Wildlife. As BAS
members who attended the ~~~~
April meeting learned, the
state is actively recruiting
Texans who are willing to
recognize an amphibian when
they see one and make their
sighting-s part of a vital
scientific record.
Lee Ann Linam, a Natural Resources
Specialist in Texas Parks and Wildlife's
Wildlife Diversity Program, explained to a
small but very attentive audience how they
can be part of a survey program to provide
essential data on the status of Texas
amphibians, principally frogs and toads.
Lee Ann said that amphibian watchers
noted an alarming decline in amphibian
numbers at a conference in 1989. Shortly
thereafter, Minnesota school kids noticed
large numbers of malformations in the
bodies of local frogs. Studies since then
have confirmed the decline but have been
unable to pinpoint a cause. Lee Ann
suspects there is no single answer, but
probably the result of interaction among
several habitat and environmental changes
and new substance introductions. She
noted that amphibians, with their thin,
permeable skin and their aquatic/terrestrial
lifestyles, are very good indicatorS for the
general environmental health of an area.
But before anything can be done, Lee
Ann said, we must have data to support a
protection program. That's where nature
loving Texans come in. Working with the
Texas Amphibian Watch you can Adopt a
Frog Pond or be an amphibian
spotter or a Texas Frog and
.~...,;;..=- Toad Surveyor.
Becoming involved in
these programs gives you a
good excuse to get out in a
natural setting and learn more
of the wonderful mysteries of
nature. It takes as much time
as you can devote to it-the
more the better-but does not
require a rigid schedule. As you
may have noticed, most frogs and toads
are active in the evening hours so you can
be a frog spotter without job interference.
The Amphibian Watch program
provides a variety of materials to assist the
watcher, including illustrations of a wide
variety of frogs and toads and taped
recordings of their amazing calls.
Equipment requirements are few-basically
sturdy and waterproof boots-and detailed
reporting instructions and forms are
included in the Monitoring Packet. Meeting
attendees were delighted in the variety of
frog and toad calls Lee Ann played for them;
a sample of the chorus created by Texas's
40 varieties of frogs and toads, including
the eastern barking frog which can outdo
Spot with ease.
As the packet says, "Texas Amphibian
Watch gives you a chance to help us
understand what frogs, toads, and
salamanders are telling us about the world
around us." For more information call1-800-
792-1112x7011 or e-mail:
lal(nam@wimberley-tx.com or visit
www. tpwd .state. tx. u s/n atu re/tracker I
amphibians/amphibian-index.htm
-Tom Wilson
BirdS await at Avenue A: Here's how to get there
Editors note: directions to a map of Avenue A, one of San Antonio s best and most centrally located
birding -areas, come courtesy of Georgina Schwartz and San Antonio Audubon.
Have you ever wished you knew what location someone was telling you about at
Avenue A in Brackenridge Park in San Antonio?
Well, now a new grid map is available on the San Antonio Audubon Society's website
at http://www.electrotex.com/saas/. Go to the birding sites on the menu. Choose
Brackenridge Park.
Forlow down to Avenue A where a link to the new gridded map is shown in two sizes.
The system works like the Mitchell Lake grid. To locate a site, use a number, then a letter
to locate the square as in 7 H. Further detail can be SEEN by using the numbers as in the
micro-grid (located in the lower right of the map) to further define the location as "7 H 9."
June I July 2001 4
Keep environmentally current
South Texas Audubon
Conservation Report -
Available online
Bexar Audubon members who want to
read the monthly "Audubon Conservation
Report for the South Texas Region" (locally
produced by our chapter's conservation
team) but who miss one because they
cannot attend a monthly meeting now have
two other options to obtain this news-filled
publication.
The first is to visit the San Antonio
Virtuaf Nature Center site at http:www.sa­naturecenter.
org and click on the door to
enter the hallway, then click on the "issues"
door, and then click on the "conservation
reports" note on the issues bulletin board.
This will take you to both the current and
past issues of the conservation report. All
the websites and e-mails listed are
converted to links on the website, so you
can get additional information or send e­mails
simply by clicking on the report.
The other option is to contact the
conservation report editor, Harry Noyes, at
(21 0) 490-3124 or <harrynoyes
@juno.com> and ask to receive the report
by e-mail. We encourage you to keep up
with this report because it describes many
hot environmental/conservation issues on
which you can take action, through active
participation in projects or events or by
sending letters, e-mails, phone messages,
etc. , to political leaders , government
agencies, · businesses, or non-profit
organizations.
Magnolia Trust Honors
Lucie Wray Todd
Bexar Audubon Society gratefully
acknowledges two generous gifts in
honor of Lucie Wray Todd from the
Magnolia Charitable Trust: one in
support of the South Texas Farm &
Range Forum and another in support of
a seminar on genetic engineering to be
developed for the San Antonio
Environmental Network.
Bexar Tracks
CHAPTER NEWS
May meeting recap
BAS members learn ways to help hummingbirds prosper
Following a welcome
by Witte Museum president
Dr. James McNutt, hailing
the partnership developed
between Bexar Audubon
and the Witte, president
Mike Mecke introduced
Mark Klym of Texas Parks
& Wildlife. Klym is the
organizer of TPWD's "Hummingbird
Roundup"-a year-round monitoring
program for hummers in Texas.
Among other data, the hummingbird
roundup report asks participants to report
any pests at their feeders, including flying
insects, such as bees, wasps, and yellow
jackets, and ants. Containing these pests
means controlling their access to food. Birds
feed by sight, bugs by smell. Controlling
spillage is, therefore, a major objective.
Klym advised closely examining a feeder
before purchasing it to evaluate its ability to
deter spillage.
A 4 to1 solution of water to sugar is
the recommended hummer food. Boil the
water and add the sugar, stirring until it goes
into solution. NO RED DYE. While red dye
has not been proven harmful to hummers,
there is absolutely no benefit and it is better
to avoid any potential harm.
To deter pests at the hummingbird
feeder place a sweeter sugar solution (e.g.,
2 to 1) away from the feeder, or plant
something like Mexican heather, which
hummers don't use, but bees LOVE! To
<;~.void ants, hang your feeders from house
eaves or use a free-standing structure, not
a tree. You can also use an ant trap, which
can be something as simple as a spray can
cap with a hole drilled in it positioned on
your feeder hanger upside down, secured
with a sealant and filled with water.
Pesticides should never be used
around feeders, since hummingbirds also
eat some insects.
An otherwise beneficial insect, the
praying mantis, can take juvenile hummers.
You will see them waiting perfectly still for
hours near a feeder. If you observe this,
move the mantis to a place away from your
feeder, in another part of your garden.
To avoid snake predation , eliminate
access with a baffle or by using a smooth
pole. Reduce potential snake shelters near
your feeders.
Hawks, road runners, shrikes, cactus
wrens, and other predatory birds can also
June I July 2001
be a problem. Allow easy
access to the open sky for
your hummers. Avoid
providing perches that can
easily be approached
without notice. When
hummers take off from a
perch they are traveling at
top speed, so unimpeded
retreat paths are very important.
Important non-native predators include
cats, dogs and other mammals. Keep
feeders out of their reach and don't provide
any ambush points they can use. Cats kill
millions of hummers and songbirds, as well
as other wildlife, each year and should be
kept indoors.
One of the biggest threats to hummers
can be your viewing window, since it may
be mistaken for unimpeded open sky by an
alarmed retreating hummer. Take steps to
visually break up the window area to avoid
this problem.
Non-hummer avian visitors to your
feeders may include woodpeckers, house
finches, and orioles. They are not a threat,
but just stopping by for a sweet drink and
some extra calories.
Change your feeder water every 2 to 4
days in serious heat. Fermented feeder
water is attractive to hummers, but it is not
good for them. If you don't want to waste it,
use it in a shallow bowl with a sponge in it
to attract butterflies.
After October or so, you can go 4 to 6
days. Don't ever take your feeders down.
They will be used either by migratory
hummers passing through or hummers who
may overwinter in the warmth of Texas. If
you are not getting much action at your
feeders in the winter, simply reduce the
amount of food solution placed out at any
one time.
An interesting phenomenon,
sometimes seen in cool weather, is
hummingbird torpor. In times with cooler
nights, overcast sky, and a slight wind, you
might see a hummer at a feeder that is
seemingly asleep. It may have gone into a
state called torpor, a dormant or inactive
state similar to a brief hibernation. This can
happen very suddenly and can be alarming,
but they can be "jolted" out of it. In this state,
of course, they can be especially vulnerable
to predators.
If you have garden area, plant
hummingbird food sources such as salvia,
5
turkscap, coral honeysuckle, and hibiscus,
with an emphasis on native plants. One
good non-native is winter honeysuckle, but
it is hard to find in area nurseries. (Japanese
honeysuckle is discouraged, since it is non­native
and invasive.)
Having patches of red, yellow, blue,
and white flowers in your garden will attract
hummers. Plant large solid arrays of these
colors for maximum attraction. This works
for butterflies, too. You can even tie brightly
colored ribbons around other plants to
attract hummers. If you don't have hummers
by mid-May, try red and yellow attractants
such as these.
Typically the first males migrating
through come in February, the first males
to nest in the area come in March, the first
nesting females will come in April. One will
usually see more hummers in fall when they
are migrating back south. Fall territoriality
among hummers is about food, not nesting.
If you are looking for hummingbird
nests, they will be within a half-mile of their
feeding territory. Black-chins tend to nest 5
to 10 feet off the ground. Ruby-throats,
which usually nest east of 1-35, nest 15 to
40 feet off the ground.
Klym said if you really want to see a
diversity of hummers, Fort Davis, in far West
Texas, is the place to go. In August you
might see as many as ten species in that
area, as contrasted with Rockport, on the
Gulf, where 99 percent of the hummers are
ruby-throated.
-Susan Hughes
Wildflowers greeted on
Second Saturday walk
Editor's note: this report on BAS' Second
Saturday program comes from Mary
Kennedy, BAS member and former
Education Chair.
There were 28 enthusiastic participants
in the April Wildflower Walk. Sherry
Whitmore led an great hike through the park
looking for wildflowers and then
demonstrated pressing and mounting
techniques.
Donations this month came to $57.
Since August we have received $243 in
donations for the programs and paid $300
in honoraria. Sherry plans to donate her
honorarium to a memorial fund for Lottie
Milsap's son.
-Mary Bishop Kennedy
Bexar Tracks
CHAPTER NEWS
Recap of May12 Farm and Ran~:e Forum
How many of you eat? Then you are involved in agriculture
Kudos to Susan Hughes
BAS and the planning
mittee along with the
c:nr>ncnrc (too numerous to
here) for a very success­Spring
2001 South Texas
and Range Forum en­titled
"Managihg to Make a Living: Working
Together to Sustain Natural Resources."
We've all heard how the relentless growth
in this state is challengingour water sup­plies-
the speakers made it abundantly
clear that this growth is also encroaching
on our ability to produce food and maintain
healthy habitats for wildlife.
Experts from Texas A & M (Dr. James
· Teer-also Texas Audubon
Board Chair, Dr. Ronald
Lacewell) , Texas Agricul­tural
Extension Service
(Helen Holdsworth, Charles
Stichler), Texas Dept. of Ag­riculture
(Mike McMurry),
American Farmland Trust
(Ellen Humphries), and the
Audubon Society (Dr. Bill
Branan, Terry Austin) dis­cussed
what was meant by
sustainable agriculture and
how those practices are
leading to better protection
of natural resources and
wildlife habitat. Sustainable
activities must meet the
needs of the present in such
a way that future genera­~~~~~
tions will be able to meet
their needs. Sustainable ag­riculture
is an integrated
system of plant and animal
production practices having
site-specific application that
over the long term will ;;at­isfy
human food and fiber
needs, enhance environ­mental
quality and the natu­ral
resource base upon
which the agricultural
economy depends, make
the most efficient use of re­~~.~.~~
oLao;,i~~ sources, and integrate
where appropriate natural biological cycles
(check out the website <SUstainable
.tamu.edu> for more information). More and
more, natural resource protection is mov­ing
taken over from government to non-gov­ernment
and private organizations. Com­munity-
based conservation projects are
June I July 2001 ·
major innovators, but there
are underlying economic
rather than heritage and so­cial
values driving conserva­tion-
wildlife is now a eco­nomic
resource : Wildlife
watching has become the
number one outdoor activity, .
surpassing consumptive use
(ie, hunting), and flexible
ranchers can use this to their
advantage.
George Ozuna, US Geo­logical
Survey, gave the re­sults
of a study on the qual­ity
of surface and groundwa­ter
completed in 1998. The
highest concentrations of ni­trates
and pesticide and her­bicide
residues were found
in urban streams, not rural.
s a small but detectable amount of
these constituents in the grouhdwater,
which presumably derived from the surface
water. There was a higher concentration of
these substances in the urban Edwards
Aquifer than the rural Trinity Aquifer: This
leads to the conclusion that urban effluent
from wastewater treatment plants and ap­plication
of large amounts of pesticides and
herbicides by homeowners (some is good
and more is better), is a greater threat than
agricultural sources.
Fragmentation of the land is a common
cause for the degradation of both agricul­tural
lands and wildlife habitaL Generally,
what is good for ranching is good for wild­life:
According to Dean Bibles, board mem­ber
of the Texas Audubon Society (and a
consultant developing innovative means of
converting large private land holdings into
public ownership for conservation of biologi­cal
diversity while maintaining viable eco­nomtc
productivity), estate taxes are the
greatest contributor to fragmentation. Dr.
Neal Wilkins, Dept. of Wild­life
and Fisheries Sciences,
Texas A&M, described how
the increased demand for
recreational land by urban­ites
looking for weekend
..:::a.a.JJ~.~.,~;u getaways drives up the mar­ket
value for rural land ($519/ acre) way be­yond
the value a rancher/ farmer can ex­pect
to produce from the land ($83/ acre).
As the aged landowners die, the families
are forced to sell the 500 to 2000 acre fam­ily
ranch to pay the estate taxes. Rural land
6
acreage sh'ows a dichotomy
of use: the fastest growing
segments are either less
than 500 acres or greater
than 2000 acres. According
to Dr. Jose Pena, TAES
Economist, although 75 per­cent
in the US are small, they
produce only 1 0 percent of the food. Twenty­five
percent of landowners own large farms
but produce 90 percent of the food because
of economy of scale. Less than 2 percent
of the population in the US are producers.
Because of their productivity, only 11 per­cent
of our income Is spent on food.
The small farmers fulfil a
unique need. Some have
said that our nation has be­come
a nation of "picky eat­ers."
These small farmers
provide organic food or spe­ciality
items. However, as
,.,..........,...t Denny Bolton of Pure Luck
Texas Grade A Dairy and
Certified Organic Farm told us, innovative
marketing and internet skills are required
for success of his operation, and this leads
to a change in life style from traditional farm­ing.
Three ranchers, Hazel
Graff, ?A Ranch of Hondo;
Dan Dierschke, Austin; and
Stan Meador, X Bar Ranch
Nature Retreat, Eldorado,
described how they had to
diversify their activities from
traditional ranching chores.
7 A Ranch has partnered
with a tour company to pro­vide
a South Texas barbe­cue
with music and ehter­tainment
with a hayride tour
of a real working ranch. The
~=====~ X Bar Ranch has a combi­nation
recreational ranch
with a bed and breakfast with
nature-based and cultural
heritage tourism thrown in.
People living off the land are
livihg on the edge. Ninety
l.i.Y.iil.ii..oii....,.l.iil percent of income from a
farm household comes from non-farm in­come.
At the conclusion of the conference,
remarks were made as to how alliances
bestween agreicultural and conservationist
communities will be mutually beneficial, and
both sides committed to continue the work
toward that end.
-Jill Sandeen
Bexar Tracks
BIRD TALES
Study underway to determine status of Cagle's map turtles
Editor's note: this article was written by Rick Jensen, a Texas A & M information specialist.
The Guadalupe River ecosystem is
home to many diverse threatened and or
endangered aquatic organisms, including
the Texas Blind
Salamander, the San
Marcos Salamander, and
the Fountain Darter.
Unfortunately, there may
be a need to add a
species to this list, based
on results of an on-going assessment of the
Guadalupe River being conducted by a
West Texas A&M University biologist .
Flavius Killebrew, a researcher in the
WTAMU Life, Earth, and Environmental
Sciences Department and the Provost and
Vice President for Academic Affairs at the
university, is leading efforts to study the
population of the Cagle's Map Turtle
(Graptemys.caglei) in the Guadalupe River
watershed. Researchers Joel Babitzke and
Jim Rogers are also working on the project.
First discovered in 1974, Cagle's Map
Turtles are thought to exist only in the
Guadalupe River system. "Cagle's Map
A cup for the birds
Turtles usually occur only in the river, and
they are rarely ever found on the bank,"
Killebrew said. "They don't wander too far
from the river."Killebrew
said that one of the
problems facing
continued survival of the
turtle is the presence of
dams along the.
Guadalupe River. Male
Cagle's turtles eat insect larvae which are
usually abundant in pools and on rocks in
areas with riffles. Femal_e Cagle's turtles
eat clams and snails. When dams are
present, the water quality in the river is
altered. Silt covers rocks and decreases the
number of riffles in the ecosystem, thus
reducing the foodstuff for male turtles.
The last assessment of the range and
population of Cagle's turtles in the
Guadalupe River basin was done in the
early 1990s. This new assessment will be
focused on abundance, habitat
characteristics, and instream flow
requirements of the turtles. By determining
the flows the turtles need, scientists can
identify the volume and timing of flows that
will allow the best chance for the turtle to
·survive. Similarly, learning more about
habitat characteristics (for example, the kind
and size of rocks the turtles utilize most)
will help biologists and planners identify
which reaches along the river may need to
be preserved.
Preliminary results suggest that the
areas in which the turtle is now found are
more limited than the range identified in
previous studies. As a result, Killebrew says
the turtle may potentially be threatened or
endangered unless critical habitats are
protected.
Note: This study was funded by the
Edwards Aquifer Authority and will be
completed in 2001. Information from the
study will be used by the Authority to make
informed decisions about how the
Guadalupe River system could be managed
to let turtle populations flourish. Killebrew
can be contacted at (806) 651-2044 or
fkillebrew@mail.wtamu.edu.
International Migratory Bird Day hails coffee consumption for birds
Editor's note: International Migratory Bird Day (May 12) is a little behind us but, as this item from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
points out, we can enjoy good coffee and serendipitiously help the birds.
lnternationa~Migratory Bird Day (IMBD)
2001 highlights a fact that's easy to swallow:
shade-grown coffee helps protect habitat for
migratory birds. Hundreds of IMBD events
celebrated the annual return of millions of
birds from wintering habitats in Latin
America and emphasized that the continued
enjoyment of these birds depends upon our
actions as consumers and citizens.
Though it's not widely known, the way
coffee is grown can have a direct effect on
many of the birds we see in our
neighborhoods each spring. Coffee farms
or plantations that leave a canopy of
shading trees benefit migratory birds by
providing habitat on their wintering grounds
in Mexico, Central and South America, and
the Caribbean. The Wilson's warbler,
scarlet tanager, northern oriole, indigo
bunting, and wood thrush are among the
dozens of migratory birds that spend part
of their lives in the U.S. ,and that winter in
the coffee-growing regions of Latin America.
Studies have shown that coffee plantations
June I July 2001
· that are shaded by multiple tree species
harbor a variety of birds second only to that
found in undisturbeq forests.
The desire for higher yields led many
Latin American producers in the 1970s to
clear forest land and plant dense groves of
coffee trees that could grow in full sunlight
and Were more disease-resistant. Although
"sun coffee" farms produce high yields, they
require more chemical fertilizers, pesticides,
and lierbicides. They are also more
vulnerable to drought and soil erosion and
contribute to toxic runoff and soil
acidification. The loss of the shade canopy
also proves devastating for the many
species of migratory birds that require layers
of vegetation for shelter and feeding. Full­sun
coffee plantations host a fraction of the
bird species found on nearby shade farms.
Homeowners can also make a
difference for bird conservation by reducing
and carefully monitoring the pesticides they
apply to lawns and shrubs, by planting trees
and bushes that provide habitat and natural
7
food, by keeping cats indoors whenever
possible, and by supporting community
land-use decisions that consider the needs
of wildlife. By creating or preserving bird­friendly
habitat in their backyards and
communities, citizens can make their own
environment more livable and benefit
declining bird species.
IMBD is the hallmark event of Partners
in Flight, an international coalition created
in 1990 that includes the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, other federal and state
wildlife agencies, conservation groups,
academic institutions, corporations, and
private citizens dedicated to reversing these
declines in migratory bird populations. In its
nine years, IMBD has grown to become the
premier celebration of birds and their habitat
in our hemisphere. Additional information
on migratory bird management issues,
including shade-grown coffee, can be found
via the Service's home page at
www.fws.gov.
Bexar Tracks
r - - Me~be7ship-F~r;' - - "'I Bexar Audubon Society, Inc.
National Audubon Society P. 0. Box 6.084
Bexar AudubonSociety San Antomo, TX 78209
(Chapter Code W19)
Membership rates are:
Student/Senior $15
Introductory 1-year $20 (2-year: $30)
Basic $35
Lifetime Individual
Dual
$1000
$1500
Name __________ ~----------
Add~'--------------------
Address Service Requested
Non-profit
Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
San Antonio
Permit #590
City _____ State __ Zip. ______ _
Phone: ) ____________ ___
Email:. ____________________ _
For a new membership, mail this coupon and
your check-payable to "National Audubon
Society, Chapter W19" to:
Bexar Audubon Society
P. 0. Box 6084
San Antonio, TX 78209
W19, 7XCH .. ____________ ..
Thanks to Harry Noyes, Harriet
Kutscher, and Susan Hughes for getting out
the Farm & Range Forum mailing. .
Thanks to Bill Hurley, Harry Noyes,
Shiyan Cheng, Tom Manzo, and Susan
Hughes for staffing the Earth Day booth at
Woodlawn Lake.
Thanks to Harry Noyes, Tatjana
Walker, Betty Minyard, Patty & Greg
AUDOBON APPLAUSE
Pasztor, Tom Wilson, Harriet Wiygu l, and
Susan Hughes for staffing the BAS table at
Viva Botanica. During the two days we
collected 305 postcards to President Bush
urging him to protect the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge.
Appreciation to Betty Minyard and her
friends who mailed the newsletter in April.
RECURRING EVENTS
San Antonio Audubon Society's Beginners' Birdwalk. Meet at the Judson Nature Trail in
Alamo Heights at 8:00AM. (except in the summer, June through August, when it is 7:30)
Visitors are welcome. Membership is not required and they have a few binoculars to lend.
For more information, call at 342-2073. ·
SECOND SATURDAY PROGRAM
Second Saturdays are co-sponsored by the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Def')artment
and the Bexar Audubon Society. Eisenhower Park is located at 19399 N .W. Military Hwy.,
about 2 miles outside of Loop 1604 on the city's northwest side. Take the FM1535/
MilitaryHwy/Shavano Park exit, go north on FM1535, and the park wi ll be on the left, just
before you reach Camp Bullis. Reservations are requ ired. For more information or to make
reservations please call 210-698-1057. A $2 donation is requested.
MITCHELL LAKE ACCESS
Dates will be available on the San Antonio Audubon Society website at http://
etex.electrotex.com/saas/. Additional access can be arranged by calling in advance to
Georgina Schwartz at 210-342-2073.
June I July 2001 8
Special thanks to the Range and Forum
planning committee: Larry Allen, Janet
Black, Peter Bowman, Helen Holdsworth,
Susan Hughes, Ellen Humphries, Mike
Mecke, Mike Petter, Jorge Ramirez, Phillip
Wright, and Eloisa Clack.
Mark your
Calendars
*June 5: Joint meeting with the San
Antonio Environmental Network (SAEN).
See story on page 1
*July: no program meeting
*August: no program meeting
*September 4: Joint SAEN meeting,
topic to be announced.
*October 2: Angela Langs of the San
Antonio Zoo staff on raising whoopers for
the future.
*November 6: Patty Leslie Pasztor, BAS
member and noted naturalist/author.
Texas Trees and their stories-a little
ethnobotany and other interesting tidbits
about our huggable friends.
*December 4: holiday party-location to
be determined
Bexar Tracks
NAME/ADDRESS AS APPEARS ON MAILING LABEL
PLEASE NOTE
Bexar Audubon Society
By-Laws Election
P0Box6084
San Antonio TX 78209
PLACE
STAMP
HERE
ENCLOSED ARE REVISIONS TO THE BEXAR AUDUBON SOCIETY, INC. BY-LAWS RECOMMENDED
BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE PURPOSE OF THESE REVISIONS IS TO UPDATE THE BY-LAWS
TO CONFORM TO CURRENT PRACTICE AND CIRCUMSTANCES AND TO SIMPLIFY THE OPERATIONS
OF THE SOCIETY TO HELP US BE MORE EFFECTIVE.
THE CHANGES ARE INDICATED BY STRIKEOUTS OF DELETED TEXT AND UNDERLINING OF NEW TEXT.
WE HOPE YOU WILL REVIEW THESE CHANGES AND MARK AND RETURN THIS BALLOT ACCORDING
TO THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT MIKE MECKE, PRESIDENT, OR SUSAN HUGHES,
SECRETARY, AT THE NUMBERS OR E-MAIL LISTED IN THE NEWSLETTER.
BALLOT:
__ For the By-Laws amendments proposed by the Board of Directors in May 2001.
___ .Against these By-Laws amendments.
Please mark, fold, seal, include your return address information, and
mail by june 15, 2001. Thank you.
I Proposed Revisions to Bexar Audubon Society, Inc. By-Laws 5/16/2001 p.l
BY-LAWS
of
Bexar Audubon Society, Inc.
As revised 1994
ARTICLE I
MEMBERSHIP
Section I. Any person or family interested in the purposes and
objectives of this CHAPTER is eligible to apply for membership.
Section 2. Membership in this CHAPTER shall be limited to those
persons or families who, being members of the NATIONAL
SOCIETY, shall declare their affiliation with this CHAPTER or who
shall be designated as members of this CHAPTER by the NATIONAL
SOCIETY.
Section 3. The classes of membership in this CHAPTER shall be the
same as the membership classes maintained by the NATIONAL
SOCIETY.
Section 4. The membership dues shall be established by the
NATIONAL SOCIETY.
Section 5. All members of this CHAPTER shall enjoy all the rights
and privileges accorded to the members of both this CHAPTER and
the NATIONAL SOCIETY, except as otherwise provided hereinafter.
Section 6. Membership dues in any category, except Life
Membership, shall be paid at the time of applicat ion and yearly..QI
multi-yearly, by renewal, thereafter. Life Membership dues shall be
paid in full in one sum, except as may be provided otherwise in the
By-Laws of the NATIONAL SOCIETY.
Section 7. Should renewal of membership dues not be paid within
three months after due date, a member so in default shall be
dropped from the rolls.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS
Section I. R8gwlar IIU8tiRgs sf 11!811!Q8FS sll.all b8 ll.8hl s11 tll.8 til. ira
Tll.wrsdar sf 8aoll. II!SI!tll., 8l[o8pt 'fsr tll.8 a11Rwal plallllillg ll!utiRg
R.11gwlar 11!88tiRgs gf llliiii!Q8rs sll.aiiThe Board of Directors shall
schedule regular meetings of members to be held not fewer than
~four times in any calendar year -100r more frequently than once
each month. Tll.11 aat11 fgr tll.8 aRI!wallt is not reguired that business
of the chapter be transacted at such meetings; they may be program
or social meetings. The Board shall determine the date(s) for the
CHAPTER planning meeting sll.all bi dilirlllillir.l bj' tll.i JlgarrJ gf
DiuotQH and/or any other member or special meeting.
Section 2. The iiiRYal ll!ntiii!!Annual Meeting of the CHAPTER
shall be held once each year at a time to be determined by the Board
of Directors. An annual CHAPTER activities report, an annual
financial report, and the proposed budget for the following year
shall either be presented at this meeting or be published in the next
available CHAPTER newsletter.
Section 3. Special meetings of the CHAPTER may be called at any
time by the President~ upon the request of a simple majority of the
Board~ or upon written request of~IO percent of the members of
the CHAPTER.
Section 4. Notice of any CHAPTER meeting at which CHAPTER
business is to be transacted (such notice to include time, placeL and
purpose) shall be given to each CHAPTER member not less than 10
nor more than-4060 days prior to the meeting.
ARTICLE Ill
VOTING
Section I. Each member of the CHAPTER may cast one vote on any
motion that is properly brought before an authorized meeting of the
CHAPTER. Hill!birs iR tll.i •lass valllilj' HIIII!QiiHRip gr srilatilr
ll!aj' •ast I"'Q l!QiiS
Section 2. "gUs ll!aj' b11 oastMembers may cast votes in person, by
II! ail QF bj' pr9l[j'• mail, by proxy, or by any other method that
ensures the integrity of the vote.
Section 3. T"'IIRtj' W"8Fifteen members or~one - tenth of all
members (whichever ~are fewer) shall constitute a quorum of
the CHAPTER. 0Ri ll.alfplus QRiA majority of the members of the
Board (or one-half of the Board members plus one) shall constitute
a quorum of the Board. ~w•ll. 'jYQFYII!sA guorum shall be required to
properly transact CHAPTER business.
Section 4. Election to office or tll.i Jlgardas a Director at Large shall
be by plurality of the votes cast.
Section 5. Passage of any motion properly brought before the
membership and amendments of the By-Laws shall require a simple
majority of the votes cast.
Section 6. Discontinuance of status as a CHAPTER of the
NATIONAL SOCIETY, dissolution of the CHAPTER, and passage of
constitutional amendments shall require a Jf.Jtwo-thirds majority
vote of the membership.
ARTICLE IV
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section I. The Board of Directors shall consist of four QffiEHS, tll.11
II!Sst Fiollllt a"ailablll Past Pr8sid8Rt a11>i siKOfficers and three
Directors at Large. Election of Board members shall occur at;o.
CW • PTI!R ll!utiRg Rst l8ss tll.aR gu II!SRtll., RSr II!Qril tll.aR I' ·g
II!SRtll.s, b8fgu the Annual Meeting of the CHAPTER. If deemed
necessary, additional Officers or Directors at Large may be
appointed by a majority vote of the Board. (See Article V, Section
1.) Appointed members, except those appo inted to fill a vacancy ill_
an otherwise elected position, may not comprise a majority of the
Board.
Section 2. Tll.i iRitial iliotlld OfWoiH sll.all bi iiii!PQ"'iUQ tg siP'il as
iRo9rpgratgrs witll. IRi awtll.gritj' IQ Hl9pt S'loR • rtiolis sf
IRo9rpgratigR as RlloiiSSaFj' tg iRo;grpsrau YRQ8r tll.8laws gf IR8
~tat8 sf T8Kas, as "'811 as tg gbtaiR fild8ral taK iil[illl!pt statws wRaH
~8o;ti9R ~01 (o;) {i) gftll.iliRtilrRal Rll"ilRYii Csa11 gf l\l~4 as
alll8RQilQ Officers shall serve a term of two years. Directors at Large
will serve four-year terms. Each terms of office shall end as of the
Annual Meeting or when an eligible successor is elected and
installed.
I Proposed Revisions to Bexar Audubon Society, Inc. By-Laws- 5/16/2001 - p.Z
Section 3. OU".ioiH dull siP'i a lirlll gf Qlli )'iif DirioiQH at Lars1
"'ill SiP'i a lirlll gft· 'Q )'iUS Tirllls gf gl£i6i sl!all iRQ as gftl!i
aRRualllliiliRg All Board members may be reelected to the same or
any other position on the Board.
Section 4. AllllgarQ lllilllbirs lllay bii u ihotill IQ tali Ulllli Qf aRy
gtl!ir p9siti9R QR tali llgara; RQWi"llr, RQ OU".iwir sllall s11rui iR tl!i
saAt& capacity {.gr ~gru tAaA duao GQAfiliiwtiug UrAu aad RQ IJgard
b4aA1btr at I..arg1 dull rarzra f41r Al8Fi tAaa twg GQAf&Gwtiua tar~c
lixcepti8AG tg tbic UF;:A limitati8A ~=Ray ba awtAgriaad by a Atajgrity
(i 11, 9} "QIII 9ftllllll9ara The Board shall meet within one month
after the Annual Meeting and at least four times per year. Meetings
may be called either by the President or by a majority of the Board.
All Board members must be given notice of the Board's meetings by
publishing a regular schedule or other means of notification.
Members of the CHAPTER may attend Board meetings, although
only Board members may vote.
Section 5. The Board GRall Aiiit witbiA QAQ fR:QAtA after tlli JAAWal
JR&itiAg aRd at laatt ~ ... ~ tiAt&G par yaar )4&atiAgr ~Ray b& called by
iitR.ar du Pnu:idult gr a JRajgrity gf tA& ieanl 0 11 iJgard :At&J:Rbir£
J:RWGt Qg SiHiR R8tiGi gftbi 11oard'r AliitiASG )(&A1bin: gfd~i
Clvl 4 PTliR ~=Ray att&Ad ilgard A1&atiAgr, altllgngR. 8Aly :S8ard
lllilllbiu lllay ugt11 may conduct business or emergency or time­sensitive
nature via electronic mail, fax, teleconference, postal mail,
or polling of members of the Board by the President or the
President's designee. Such actions of the Board shall be summarized
at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the board and reported in
the minutes.
Section 6. The position held by any Board member who misses three
consecutive Board meetings may be declared vacant by a majority
vote of the Board. Any Board member may be removed from office
by a two-thirds vote of the members of the CHAPTER voting at any
CHAPTER meeting that wQRSists gfcomprises a quorum. Any
vacancies shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining
directors, except that if the office of the President becomes vacant,
the Vice Presiden~ shall become President and a majority of
the Board shall elect a new ~ruia11Rt ah>t Vice President.
Section 7. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for carrying
out the goals of this CHAPTER, and for maintaining its status as a
CHAPTER of the NATIONAL ~OCiaTY, a111l iRSOCIETY. In order
to do so, the Board shall have the authority to accumulate,
administer, and convey the property and funds of this CHAPTER.,
and to supervise its business.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section I. The Officers of the CHAPTER shall be a President, a
~rlltia1111t ali>t, Vice President, a Secretary,.a.RJ. a Treasurer, and
such other~ Officers as may be determined by the Board of
Directors.
Section 2. The President shall direct and administer the affairs of
the CHAPTER as its executive~head; supervise all phases of its
activities, subject to instructions by the~Board; be an at large
member of all oQIIllllittus,Action Teams; preside at all membership
and Board lllliiliRgs,meetings; be empowered to speak on behalf of
the CHAPTER or .fi!OI.)'!.Q. designate a sp9kllsl!laRone or more
spokespersons from the membership as rllljUifllil aHa required;
present an annual CHAPTER activities report to the membership;
.-+ensure that the CHAPTER's programs reflect the Essential
Elements of a Chapter in the Chapter Policy of the NATIONAL
SOCIETY; and file the annual ~Recertification Report as
required.
Section 3. The President Elect shall assist the President in carrying
out~
his duties and, in the absence of the President, assume the duties of
the President.
Section 4. The Secretary shall keep a record of all proceedings of the
CHAPTER and of the Board of Dirii>IQrt, tiRa Directors; provide
notice of all speciallllutiRSt,meetings; conduct all the
correspondence of the CHAPTER, except such correspondence as,
by instructions of the Board or at the discretion of the President,
shall be conducted by another member of the
CW: • ~TaR ,CHAPTER; and preserve all correspondence of the
CHAPTER.
Section 5. The Treasurer shall have the custody of the CHAPTER's
~funds; disburse such funds as may be ordered by the
~Board; report to the Board at its regular meetings or as
fll\j'IUIIIa,reguested; and prepare an annual report on the financial
condition of the CHAPTER, along with a proposed budget for the
coming year, for presentation to the members at 11!11 aRRuallllutiRS
aHa fQpuara a w9p)' gf n•ll r~~pgrt 19 11!11 ~~ •TIO~I • L ~OCIIIT¥.
Section 6. All checks and drafts of the CHAPTER may be signed by
the Treasurer, the ~flltialllll Qf IRII ~fllSiaiiRI ahwt President, or
another officer designated by the Board. Two signatures are
required, except as otherwise authorized by the Board.
ARTICLE VI
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The Board shall~at least biennially appoint a
committee consisting of no fewer than three members (at least one
of whom must be exclusive of the Board) to canvass the membership
and receive petitions or nominations for Officers and Directors at
large. Tlu ti~Ri fralili fgr aFp8iRtiRg tAu bQiilAtitt&i, itG
~llljUiflllllllRIS 5 aRildliibilliliRgprgo~wiJibi~i!llatlllilmtlig;lld~
flllklwill@ lRi iiPAUal Hllllllins
ARTICLE VII
OTHER COMMITTEES
Section I. The President, with the approval of the Board of
Directors, sllall app9iRt wllairlllllll gf tll11 ~taRaiR!! CQI!llllittus 1"1111
C:Rair~RaA dull itif"i tbi t&rAl gf QRi yaar, gr WAtil tAair £'1Gbt££8FE
ara app8iRtiQ, llut RQ AUUillur rA.all rarua ac CAairAUA gf tl:u fiJ;ti
bQAURittgg £Qr Ai8£9 tbaa tAraa Ei8R£tcntiHg yaan;, Yalau awtluaia1d
by IRi llgara gfDirllwiQH and in order to manage each defined area
of continuing responsibility, concern, or interest for the CHAPTER,
shall at least biennially define a portfolio of responsibility for each
member of the Board. Each Board member so assigned may himself
perform the necessary duties or may recruit and oversee a Team
Leader and/or an Action Team to accomplish relevant tasks.
Section 2. Tll11 CQIIllllittllll CluirlllaR,Team Leaders, with the
I Proposed Revjsjons to Bexar Audubon Society, Inc. By-Laws- 5/16/2001 - p.3
approval of the Board, shall ditiriOiiRii tAli liQIUtitntiga gf RiG
oQIOIIOiittee assemble and manage Action Teams as required to carry
out the relevant objectives of the CHAPTER. Each Team Leader
who is not a member of the Board shall serve until a successor is
appointed or until otherwise determined by the Board.
Section 3. The President, with the approval of the Board, may
appoint ad hoc liQIOIIOiittliliGTeam Leaders and/or Action Teams
whose terms of ~service shall be determined by the nature of the
aGGi!!RIOIIiRt, liKiilipt "'AIIR aa aGGi!jRIOIIiRt 'G Qllratiga liKiililiQG tArii
yaarG ia "'AilOR liaGii tAli llgard IOIIIGt apprQHii aa liKtliaGiQR gftAii
oQIOIIOiittili 'G Ur101 assignment and who shall report to the Board
through the President.
Section 4. The ~taaaiag (QIOIIOiitteeG au aG folliQ"'G·CHAPTER' s
areas of continuing interest, concern, and/or responsibility in our
community include, but are not limited to, the following:
•
•
H A .Wbll}JC (QW~ITT.Ii.li~
(QN~.I!R" A TIQN
Tlu C9A&iruati9A C9RURittii r:R.all kaap i:R:~r~Radt QA iHi:R:Hh
iG&UiG, aJa1sQ][i£AIRi1Hal pglirsiar a:R:d eHiitiQR£ ailirstiAS tb&
aat~o~ralliR"iFQRIOIIiRt, aatnral FliGQIIFiili IOiaRa!jliiOIIiRt aad
fiiQIUJQp•atiQ:R:; iiHi iAQFg}' fiGQ'lHii' Qguglgp~iii:R:t a:R:.J
11tiliutiga It GRall draft a ad FlioQIOIIOIIiRQ tAli Gl A .I'H:R 'G
liR"irQRIOIIiRtal pgliii)' tQ tAli IJgard It GAalliiarry QHt tAli
liQRGiP'atiQR pgJio)' aG apprgu@Q B)' IAi llgara aaa iRQii"QF IQ
oQQrJiaate tAil aotiQRG gftl!e OI*PT.I!R "'itA tile pgli•y aaJ
aGti"itieG gf tl!e ~JA TIQ.W AJ, ~QCI.I!TY iaGQ~r aG oQRGif"atiga
IOiiiGIHiG aaJ pgli•ieG gf aatigaal GGQpi are GQRoirRiiQ It GRall
l>eep tl!e .W ATJQ~I A J. ~QCI.I!TY iafolriOiiQ gf GIIGA aGtiQRG
.I!P!ICHIQ.W
Natural resource conservation and management, through
direct action (e.g., habitat protection), advocacy, and/or
education;
TAli lidlliiatiga (QIOIIOiittlili GRall101aiataia iilQGii liQRtalit "'itA
tAli lia"irQRIOIIiatal Iafolr!Oiatiga aaJ liduiiatiQR PiuiGiQa gf tAli
}J A TJQ}J A J. ~QCI.I!TY It GRall >QRQIIIit, gr liRiiQnrasli gtAiFG tg
oQRQIIGt, "'QrkGAQpG iaEnvironmental, natural history,
ecology, aaQ/gr oQRGiiP'atiga folr IOiiiOIBirG gf tAli OP PTiiR
aaJ QtAiiFG, aaJ GRall, ia uariQIIG Wij'EJ iafolr101 aaJ iiQIIGatil tAll
pwbliG abgwt tAli aatwral eauirQRIOiiiRt and conservation
education for CHAPTER members and for the community,
through outings, programs, outreach activities, and
coordination with educational institutions;
TAli HliiOiblirGAip (QIOIIOiittu GRall101aiataia iilQGii oQata>t witl!
tAli HliiOibliFGAip DlipartiOIIiRt gf tAli :bl HIQ.W AJ. ~QCIIiTY It
GRall klilip tAli (J;l. A .I'H:R 'G IOIIiiOibliFGAip FlioQrQG aad GRall
liQRQIIot IOIIiiOIBilrGAip oaiOipaigaG tQ iiRrQll Ril"' IOiiiOibiiFG It
sR.alli:Ad.tta"gr ts n~gaiA tAgrg HlifR:birc wQg Aaug bi68iili
QiliR'jii@Rt ia IAi pa)'IOiiiRI 8f QlliiG
PTTilJ.ICITY
Tl!i Pwblioity (QIOIIOiittee GRall pwbli•i~e, tArQwgl! ae'J'spapiFG,
tlilli"iGiQa, radi8 a ad 8tAii£ p11bliliity IOIIitAQQG, tAil p11rpQGiiG,
•
•
•
Tile OwtiH§G (QIOIIOiitteil Gil all plaH, QrgaHi~i aHQ arraHgil folr
tAil GQHQIIGt 8ft:i81J tripE f8r tlli IOiiiOIBilrG 8f tlli (J;l. A.I 'TiiR aHJ
8tllilrG iHtiFiGteJ iH tlli pwrp8GiG aHJ ai101G 8ftllil 01 APT.I!R
TAli .l'rQeraiOIG (QIOIIOiitliHi sllall101ak11 all plaas aHd
arraH!!IiiOiiiRtG folr tAli risnlar IOIIiitiass, n>iipt f8r FHattiiH
rlilatiHS tQ C.W A PTiiR BIIGiRiiGG til at FHay b11 traHGaGtiiQ at Gil oR
FHililtiH!jG It sllall FHakil arraH!jliiOiiiHtG f8r lliiitllrliG, Jis>nssi8HG,
iHQ Glloll 8tlliF i"iHIG aG lOis)' pr8FHQii iHtilriGI iH iHQ
appu•iati8H 8f GQHGiP'ati8H1 io818g)' aHQ HatwralllistQr)'
VUilJ.IC ATJQ:bl~
Tile hbliGati8HG (QIOIIOiittee Gllall pwblisll, at lust six tiFHiiG
uol! j'Ur, a bwlllitiH Qr Hi"'Ghttir f8r tlli IOiiFHBirG 8f tl!e
(J;l. A .I'T.I!R aHQ Gil all priiparii aH)' gtlllir pllbliGatiQRG HilliQiiQ IQ
oQIOIFHIIRioalli tllii (J;l. A .I'TJ;R' G aGti"itiliG
Tllli ~iaaalili (QIOIFHittliil sllall plaa tAli aHHIIal BIIQ!!it 8ftll11
C.W A PT.I!R, assist tile Triaswrer iH tile priparatiQH 8f t:iHaHGial
ri!p8rtG 1 aHQ 101ake r@GQIOIIOiiHQitiQHG iHQ GiH)' Qllt pJaHG f8r
QBtaiHiHg t:iHaHoial swpp8rt f8r tile C.W A PTiiR Membership
recruitment, retention, and members' services;
Active communication with members, the media, and the
community, through print, electronic, and/or other media; and
Financial and programmatic stability and growth, including
fundraising, strategic planning, and responsible management,
in order to achieve the CHAPTER's goals and provide
conservation leadership in the local and regional area.
ARTICLE VIII
COMMITMENTS
Neither this CHAPTER nor the NATIONAL SOCIETY shall
obligate ~the other without prior consent and/or written
authorization.
ARTICLE IX
PARLIAMENTARY A UTH 0 RITY
In procedural matters not covered by these By-Laws,~
~Robert's Rules of Order (revised version) shall govern.
ARTICLE X
CONSTRUCTION
The masculine pronoun, as used herein, shall mean the masculine or
feminine wherever applicable.