October 2020
Friend
Every year we look forward to our annual fundraising event - the KPC Bash. Postponing this year's event from May to October and then transitioning to a virtual event was certainly not what we had planned, but we are thrilled to share with you details and are confident it will be a delightful evening, gathering together hundreds of community members helping KPC protect the prairie.
I am thrilled to announce that our keynote speaker for the evening will be American author, poet, and wildlife biologist J. Drew Lanham. Drew's speech will enthrall, entertain, and inspire all of us to help protect this land now. Click here if you would like to purchase Drew's latest book entitled The Home Place: Memoirs Of A Colored Man’s Love Affair With Nature before the event.
We will also honor KPC’s Donors for a Decade, an incredible collection of individuals and foundations who have supported our work for ten years or more. Their significant level of commitment and consistent giving is a powerful endorsement of our mission.
We look forward to celebrating the Donors for a Decade and hearing Drew's thoughts on coastal prairie conservation and the role we can all play. I hope you will click on the Bash invitation below to register for free for this fantastic stay-at-home virtual event at 6:30 p.m. on October 20th.
Sincerely,
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Mary Anne Piacentini
President and Chief Executive Officer
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What's Happening On the Prairie |
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Unplugged Adventure: Texas Prairie Grasses
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Throughout history, people have used them as medicines, groceries, and more. Take a virtual walk and discover the hidden utility behind these beautiful fall grasses.
Join Cindy Crosby, author, master gardener, teacher, and prairie steward, for a one-hour virtual adventure on the prairie grasses of Texas followed by a 30 minute Q & A session.
DATE: Sunday, October 4th
TIME: 4 to 5:30 p.m.
COST: $5
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Photo Courtesy of Jaime González |
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Unplugged Adventure: Foraging on the Katy Prairie
Have you ever wondered how plants on the prairie can be used? The prairie is covered with a wide variety of vegetation that can be used in a multitude of ways. Learn how these plants can be used for medicinal or edible purposes, as well as which plants should be avoided.
Join Dr. Mark "Merriwether" Vorderbruggen, forager, chemist, author, inventor, and rogue botanist, for a virtual adventure on foraging of the Katy Prairie.
DATES:
Sunday, November 8th at 4pm
-or-
Wednesday, November 18th at noon
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KPC In-Person Programming Still On Hold
All in-person KPC events, volunteer activities, and educational programs continue to be suspended, and our offices will remain closed as our staff continues to work from home. We are pleased that people are visiting the Ann Hamilton Trail and the Matt Cook Wildlife Memorial Viewing Platform, which remain open.
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Ann Hamilton Trail
Open to the public
9 AM to 1 PM
Every Tuesday, Friday, and 1st & 3rd Saturdays
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Located on the Indiangrass Preserve, the Ann Hamilton Trail is a mile and a half long trail surrounded by wetlands, native grasses, and wildflowers.
For directions to the Indiangrass Preserve, please click here.
For the Ann Hamilton Trail guide, please click here.
There will be no access to the KPC Field Office building under any circumstances.
All guided tours are cancelled until further notice.
There is NO RESTROOM ACCESS and NO TRASH BIN - please plan accordingly and leave no trace, pack out what you pack in.
When visiting the Ann Hamilton Trail, please abide by all CDC guidance, including:
- Practice social distancing: Stay at least six feet away from other people who do not live in your household. If necessary, step aside when passing other people on the trail. And remember that groups of 10 or more are prohibited.
- Don’t linger: Shorten your stay when visiting natural stopping points so everyone can enjoy them while maintaining a safe distance.
- Don’t touch: Avoid touching signs, kiosks, and benches to minimize the spread of the virus.
- If you’re sick, stay home: It puts others at risk when you leave home while exhibiting symptoms related to COVID-19, or if you have recently been exposed to the virus.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover or mask when around others.
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Matt Cook Memorial
Wildlife Viewing Platform
Open to the public everyday from 7 AM to 8 PM
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A short walk through the Shrike Prairie leads you to this two-story structure overlooking KPC’s 140-acre Warren Lake, which teems with wildlife year-round. The ADA-accessible platform is dedicated to the memory of Matt Cook, a young wildlife and fisheries graduate student who loved the outdoors and spent many hours studying and enjoying the wildlife of the Katy Prairie.
For directions to the viewing platform, please click here.
When visiting the Matt Cook Memorial Wildlife Viewing Platform, please abide by all CDC guidance, including:
- Practice social distancing: Stay at least six feet away from other people who do not live in your household. If necessary, step aside when passing other people on the trail. And remember that groups of 10 or more are prohibited.
- Don’t linger: Shorten your stay when visiting natural stopping points so everyone can enjoy them while maintaining a safe distance.
- Don’t touch: Avoid touching signs, kiosks, and benches to minimize the spread of the virus.
- If you’re sick, stay home: It puts others at risk when you leave home while exhibiting symptoms related to COVID-19, or if you have recently been exposed to the virus.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover or mask when around others.
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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Katy Prairie Conservancy has suspended all volunteer opportunities, including Stewardship Saturdays, until further notice. We continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as appropriate.
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Bird Day LIVE
October 8 - 10, 2020
Inviting individuals and organizations to join this virtual event! Activities include a forum for young birders, workshops on bird tracking methods, community experiences, expert panels, and more. If your organization or anyone you know is interested in participating in this October virtual event, please fill out this form.
Virtual technical tools and promotion on social networks will be offered. Zoom will be used as the main platform and live stream via Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
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Wildlife Tax Valuation Webinar
Join Texas Parks and Wildlife for a free virtual workshop where a biologist will provide an overview of the wildlife tax valuation, developing a wildlife management plan, and management practices.
WHO: Texas landowners interested in wildlife tax valuation for their property.
WHAT: Topics to be covered include overview of wildlife tax valuation, habitat evaluation, target species selection, requirements and wildlife management plan development, seven wildlife management practices, filling out the wildlife management plan and annual review, and help with individual plan preparation.
WHEN: 8 am - 2 pm, Friday, October 23, 2020
WHERE: Held via web. Register here.
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Be a part of this community activity by observing and identifying pollinators throughout Texas. Hosted by Texas Parks and Wildlife, this event, October 2 -18, 2020, is open to all ages. Find pollinators and nectar-producing plants, then take photos and share through Instagram, iNaturalist, or the Facebook event pages. More information here or register here.
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Shop to support coastal prairie conservation.
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AmazonSmile can now be used on your mobile device!
How to turn on the AmazonSmile in the mobile app:
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If you are not already an AmazonSmile member, sign up on your web browser. Simply select Katy Prairie Conservancy as your favorite charity to start generating donations, at no cost to you.
- Download or update to the latest version of the Amazon Shopping app on your phone. You can find it in the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android.
- Open the app and find ’Settings’ in the main menu. Tap on ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the on-screen instructions to turn on AmazonSmile on your phone.
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SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE PRAIRIE |
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