Society for Ecological Restoration

Texas Chapter 

 

     Restoration Update                              August, 2016



In This Issue

 

Quick Links

 

TXSER

Board of Directors 

 

President

Charlotte Reemts

 

Vice President

Kelly Lyons

 

Secretary

Leslie Dietz

 

Treasurer

Colin Shackelford

 

North Texas Rep.

Michelle Villafranca

 

East Texas Rep.

William Forbes

 

South Texas Rep.

Eric Grahmann

 

West Texas Rep.

Katherine Crosthwaite

 

Central Texas Rep.

Ingrid Karklins

 

Coastal Texas Rep.

Alejandro Fierro Cabo

 

Coastal Texas Rep.

Bradley Hoge

 

Chapter Director

Gwen Thomas

 

 

TXSER

[email protected] 

(972) 768-8067 


2016 Conference
November 11-13, 2016
Camp Cho-Yeh
Livingston, TX

Save the Date!

Employment Opportunities 
& More
For up-to-date announcements of positions open in ecological restoration and environmental science,
visit our website at:
Job Postings


We also post a wide range of articles on ecological restoration issues as well as job and volunteer opportunities on our Facebook page at:
TXSER Facebook Page
South Rio Grande Valley
TXSER Newsflash

Conference Registration is Open!
 
Join us at Camp Cho-Yeh in Livingston for the:


November 11-13, 2016
Follow the links for more information and to register.


Conference Update



November 11-13, 2016,
Camp Cho-Yeh, 
Livingston, Texas


Call for Abstracts

We are accepting abstract submissions for conference presentations and posters on any topic related to the restoration, management or conservation of natural areas in Texas and beyond, in either rural or urban settings.  For details on abstract submissions, click here -  Call for Abstracts.


Conference Events & Activities

Some of the exciting events/activities planned for the 2016 conference include:

* Keynote Speaker - Wendy Ledbetter, TNC Forest Program Manager
* Field trip to TNC's Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary
* Centennial Forest/Big Thicket Tour & Tree Planting
* Field trip to the Pineywoods Mitigation Bank
* Young Professional and Student Happy Hour
* Excellence in Ecological Restoration Award
* Campfire and S'mores in the woods
* Volleyball & ping-pong matches, treehouse explorations
* Land-based "blob" (upside-down trampoline)
* Many opportunities for informal networking
* And, of course, lots of great presentations by experts in the field

Check out our conference website for details:   TXSER-2016.

  
Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary. Photo credit: TNC Staff
Member Spotlight

Name:  Sara Beesley   
Sara Beesley, Center Director, all buckled up and ready to start a land survey from above.  Photo credit:  Laurel Smyth

City:   San Antonio, TX

Affiliation:   Center Director, Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, National Audubon Society

Briefly describe your ongoing efforts/interest in ecological restoration.   San Antonio and Mitchell Lake Audubon Center are located in a critical area along the Central Flyway, providing much needed food, habitat, and resources to migrating birds through our wetlands. The population of San Antonio is expected to almost double by the year 2040, and with growth comes development. It is critical to protect and restore natural areas to create robust and diverse eco-systems, preventing fragmentation. Mitchell Lake drafted our first climate-based, long-term conservation and habitat restoration plan, and look forward to begin implementation in Fall 2016.

Briefly describe if, and how, climate change has affected your work.   Through various models, we understand the heat index of San Antonio is projected to increase 5 to 10 degrees in the next 30 to 50 years. Concurrently, habitat for various bird species and other wildlife will diminish in other areas of the city. We understand we need to plan for the immediate future, and the needs of the wildlife that use our resources daily, as well as for the future needs of the bird species and wildlife that will be displaced by climate change and loss of habitat.

Describe your favorite outdoor activity.   Birding on the Gulf is the best. The various sandpipers running around - I love watching them.

What is your favorite Texas plant and/or animal?   Scissor-tail Flycatcher, they flock to Mitchell Lake every spring. Their long tail feathers are so elegant. They're a classy bird!

Scissor-tail Flycatcher ( Tyrannus forficatus).
Photo credit:  Vic Prislipsky, Audubon Photography Awards

__________________________________

News You Can Use

1.  Texas A&M Forest Service Tree Apps - Tree Risk & Tree Trails


2.  Desert Flows Database - Over 400 articles, reports, chapters from across watersheds that touch the Sonoran, Chihuahua and Mojave deserts.   Desert Flows Database


3. Management Recommendations for Native Insect Pollinators in Texas -  Downloadable handbook from TPWD - Native Insects


4.  How Wildfires Affect A Watershed - Graphic from the Alberta WaterPortal - Wildfires


5.  Mainstreaming the Social Sciences In Conservation - Open access article from the Society for Conservation Biology - Social Sciences
__________________________________

Upcoming Events


1.  USFWS Restoration Webinar Series -  Download schedule for monthly webinars August - December - Restoration Webinars Schedule


2.  Southwest Fire Science Consortium - Fire Webinars - from the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch in Roby, TX - August 23-26, 2016  - Fire Webinars



A Heartfelt Thanks to the Following Organizations & Individuals for their Generous Support  of TXSER's 
Annual Conference!!



                   


         
   

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The Society for Ecological Restoration, Texas Chapter promotes ecological restoration as a means of sustaining the diversity of life on Earth and

re-establishing an ecologically healthy relationship between nature and culture. 

 

 

 Become a member today!                            Click Here to Join Us! 

 

Join the Texas Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration.  Chapter members receive valuable benefits including:

  • the opportunity to network with restoration practitioners and enthusiasts;
  • discounts to our Annual Conference, an opportunity to share and learn;
  • invitations to attend talks, ER Discussion Groups, and volunteer workdays around the state; and,
  • monthly updates and quarterly newsletters with articles and notices about regional events that allow you to connect to the local restoration community.

Chapter membership fees of $15 support chapter administration.  The TXSER Board of Directors consists of volunteers who share a passion for furthering ecological restoration in Texas.

 

Joining SER links you with a global restoration network.  SER member benefits include:

  • SERNews bi-monthly newsletter;
  • discounts on journal publications;
  • discounts to SER World Conferences;
  • discounts on SER Career Center;
  • access to a searchable, online member directory;
  • access to SER's Global Restoration Network; and,
  • promotional opportunities through the SER Calendar of Events and Restoration Project Showcase.

To become a member visit:  www.ser.org/membership

 

Be sure to click the Texas Chapter as your Chapter Affiliate.  We look forward to having you join us!