Society for Ecological Restoration

Texas Chapter 

 

    Restoration Field Notes               Sept/Oct, 2017



In This Issue

 

Quick Links

  

TXSER

Board of Directors 

 

President

Kelly Lyons

 

Vice President

Katherine Crosthwaite

 

Secretary

Matthew McCaw

 

Treasurer

Colin Shackelford

 

North Texas Rep.

Michelle Villafranca

 

East Texas Rep.

William Forbes

 

South Texas Rep.

Forrest Smith

 

West Texas Rep.

Charlotte Reemts

 

Central Texas Rep.

Ingrid Karklins

 

S. Coastal Texas Rep.

Alejandro Fierro Cabo

 

N. Coastal Texas Rep.

(position open)

 

Chapter Director

Gwen Thomas

 

 

TXSER

info@txser.org 

(972) 768-8067 


2017 Conference
Nov. 10-12, 2017
Univ. of North Texas
Denton, TX

Visit:  www.txser.org for conference details.

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
 


Things you might spot at the 2017 Conference!

















South Rio Grande Valley
TXSER Newsflash

Every year TXSER awards its Excellence in Ecological Restoration Award to an individual or team who has shown exemplary dedication to the conservation, management, and restoration of the Texas natural resource base.  This year, we are pleased to announce a 3-way tie among three individuals who are pillars of the Texas restoration community, all of whom have touched so many of our lives with their knowledge, expertise, and friendship. Please join us in November to honor:

Ken Steigman, Director & Research Scientist, Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, UNT Institute of Applied Science, Lewisville, TX.

Judy Walther, President & Co-Owner, Environmental Survey Consulting, Austin, TX.

David Mahler, Senior Ecologist & Co-Owner, Environmental Survey Consulting, Austin, TX.

Many congratulations to all three.  Join us to celebrate the work of these three individuals at our annual conference, November 10-12 at UNT in Denton.  

*********************

Early Registration Extended to
Friday, October 13th!   

We are not superstitious!  We have extended our early registration deadline until Friday, October 13th.  We don't want you to miss out on this opportunity to connect with fellow restorationists, to learn about all the great restoration activities taking place across the State of Texas and beyond, nor miss out on all the fun.  Register now, before it is too late.  Here is the link - TXSER 2017
Conference Update
 

University of North Texas, Denton
November 10-12, 2017


Friday Field Trips:  Three Fabulous Friday Field Trips planned.

1.  Dixon Water Foundation - Heard and Leo Ranches, Cooke County - Grassland Restoration and Rotational Grazing.

2.  Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area - Talk & Tour of ongoing Restoration Projects and Hands-On Opportunities.

3.  Kayak Paddle - Elm Fork of the Trinity River - Aquatic and Riparian Restoration.

Follow the link to learn more about the field trips - Friday Field Trips

Student & Young Professionals' Roundtable - Under the Stars:   We are bringing back for a 2nd year in a row the popular Student and Young Professionals' Roundtable which offers students and young professionals the opportunity to meet and talk with restoration professionals in non-profit organizations, public agencies, private consulting and academia.  We thought it fitting to hold this event under the stars on the prairie.  This event will be followed by a Friday night BBQ Picnic on the Prairie and Bonfire.  Follow the link for more information - Roundtable Under the Stars

BBQ Picnic on the Prairie:  The City of Lewisville and the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area are hosting a BBQ Picnic on the Prairie Friday evening on the LLELA prairie.  Our friend and colleague, Bob Monaghan, former Director of the City of Lewisville's Department of Parks and Recreation AND competitive BBQ Chef will be treating us to this BBQ extravaganza (veggie options available too).  This Picnic on the Prairie will be complete with campfire and performance by the Lake Lewisville Chorus Frogs and accompanying night sounds.  Click for more info - Picnic on the Prairie.

Sat/Sun Conference Presentations:  The abstract submission deadline has passed and we have received a tremendous variety of abstracts from grassland restoration to funding opportunities for wildlife conservation.  The range of presentations is sure to spark lively dialogue and connections among all participants.  Stay tuned for a conference schedule.

Saturday Social & Poster Session:  We have a wide range of graduate student, undergraduate student, and professional posters on topics ranging from dragonfly diversity to prescribed fire.  The social is an opportunity to learn about fascinating projects and experiences across Texas and beyond.

Saturday Awards Banquet:  Join us for our evening of awards.  There are many wonderful accomplishments to be recognized.  Not only will be be awarding our Excellence in Ecological Restoration Award, as noted above, we will be awarding students for their accomplishments with our Best Graduate Student Presentation and Poster Awards and our Best Undergraduate & Student Presentation and Poster Awards.  

Extra Fun Throughout the conference there will be opportunities to participate in raffles for an overnight at an AirBnB in Wimberly or at Native American Seed; purchase cool hats and t-shirts from various groups, participate in a used book raffle, visit organizational tables, catch up with old friends, and make connections with new friends and colleagues.

For more information on the November Conference, you can find the link on our website at www.txser.org under the Meetings/Events tab or follow the below link:  

 
Join us in Denton November 10-12, 2017!
Forest to Mulch to Prairie:  TNC's Experience Reclaiming the Blackland Prairie

By:  Brandon Belcher, North Texas Preserves Manager
The Nature Conservancy, Clymer Meadow Preserve, Celeste, TX

The Nature Conservancy's Clymer Meadow Preserve in Hunt County stretches over 1,400 acres, including more than 500 contiguous acres of remnant Blackland Prairie.  The site is home to two rare grassland plant communities: the Eastern Gammagrass - Switchgrass and the Little Bluestem - Big Bluestem series'.  Clymer Meadow has been used for a number of scientific studies, and current projects include investigations of bird and mammal habitat, invasive plant species, and the impact of high diversity plant communities on local hydrology.  The Nature Conservancy also works on this and neighboring sites to restore areas once converted for agricultural use back to native grassland. 
 
Without periodic disturbance, portions of the Blackland Prairie can quickly move from grassland to woodland by succession. Forested areas of Clymer Meadow are characterized by mature trees including Ulmus, Maclura, Celtis, Fraxinus, Gleditsia, and Cornus.  A current project involves the mechanical removal of one of these areas to create opportunity for reclamation of underlying remnant prairie.  Read More.


Mulching in progress.  Photo credit:  Larry Crane, TNC

_________________________________     


"Digging" into the Past and the Present of Beautiful Natural Places

By:  Rick Herrman, Executive Director
Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute, Fort Davis, TX
          
It is human nature, when introduced to thoughtfully designed and passionately cared for botanical gardens or green spaces in general, to almost effortlessly slip into a semi-trance while enjoying the beauty and tranquility of the place, including the sights, smells, and sounds of the experience. A visit to Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute's (CDRI) Nature Center and Botanical Gardens is just such a place.
 
Many of us enjoy delving a bit into the history of these serene natural places, learning about the sources of inspiration, vision and energy which helped create and continue to give rise to the physical space in the present.  Read more.


Echinocereus coccineus in the Cactus & Succulent Greenhouse.
Photo credit:  CDRI

 
News You Can Use

1.  KWVH Wimberly Valley Radio - On River Time  - Interview with TXSER Board VP, Kate Crosthwaite.

2.  Problem Soils Class - Offered by the Whitenton Group, October 17-18, 2017, Katy, TX.  


4.  Round-Up of Hurricane Harvey Commentary - Articles collected by Save Buffalo Bayou.


A Heartfelt Thanks to the Following Organizations & Individuals for their Generous Support  of our
2017 Annual Conference!!



                      

                 
   
                 
                  
              Villafranca Sculpture


Individual Donors:    

Colin Shackelford, 
Edward Collins, 
Charlotte Reemts,
Suzanne Tuttle, Kelly Lyons, 
Matt McCaw, Kate Crosthwaite, Ingrid Karklins, 
William Forbes, Roy & Jessica Leslie,
& Douglas Ivor-Smith

<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>
                                                                          
Please Take a Moment to Click on the Above Logos
& Check Out Our Sponsors' Websites.


  

The Texas Society for Ecological Restoration connects

scientists, practitioners, and policy-makers to restore Texas ecosystems

and the vital services they provide.   

 

 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!