Would you like to be involved with the CAMN Class of 2023 and help guide the journey of our next group of master naturalist candidates? 

Consider volunteering to serve as a Class Coordinator or an Assistant Coordinator!  Class Coordinators help plan the content for the different classes.  They arrange for speakers, locations, and help with activities during the class.  You don't have to be an expert on the topic to be a class coordinator you just have to know how to find the experts.  We need coordinators for the following classes:

• Observation, Interpretation Urban Habitat - Assistant Coordinator (November 19, 2022)
• Spiders and Texacology, Class Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator (April 1, 2023)
• Archaeology - Assistant Coordinator (February 4, 2023)
• Insects and Herps - Assistant Coordinator (April 15, 2023)
• Hydrology and Aquatic Ecology - Assistant Coordinator (February 25, 2023)

If you are interested in becoming a Class Coordinator or an Assistant Coordinator email Carla and David at:  curriculum@camn.org

Plan and Grow a Prairie

The Austin Memorial Park Cemetery (AMP) at 2800 Hancock Drive and the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department have committed to volunteer work sessions on a managed prairie/wildflower meadow starting in September. 

There is an immediate need for a core group of volunteers who have native plant/pollinator garden/prairie knowledge who can help to guide the work. There is also a need for one or two such people who would like to share the leadership role as contact people for the AMP staff and PARD from May-September. The project will go forward under the auspices of PARD which will manage volunteer registration and provide seed and tools. Contact Carolyn Mixon (CAMN 2021) to discuss volunteer/leader needs. 

For more information on the project, see the PARD webpage including a video about the project.

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Darla Cohen and Amy Simpson, members of the CAMN Class of 2022, have designed and implemented a new project that is open to all CAMN members.

CAMN is partnering with the Water Quality Protection Wildlands (WQPL) to establish new Seed Production Plots on the Mary Gay Maxwell Tract, home of the Slaughter Creek Trail. The WQPL is already home to some of the largest native-dominated grasslands in Central Texas and this collaborative project will take grassland restoration on the WQPL to the next level. While the WQPL has successfully restored degraded grasslands on the WQPL there are many conservative, specialist, and rare plant species that remain largely absent on these lands. The goal of this project is to bring back these under-represented species by developing and managing small seed production plots, and using the seed to create founder colonies in adjacent fields and elsewhere on the WQPL. This is an opportunity for Master Naturalists to use their expertise in natural history to engage with the broader ecological community. The ecological community sorely needs human effort, discernment, and creativity, which, as the underlying driver that facilitated extensive landscape degradation, may be the only force of nature capable of facilitating its recovery. 

Seed Production Plots will increase the variety of plants from which seeds can be harvested by using horticultural methods to propagate those plants which are difficult to seed-harvest in the wild. Seeds can then be used in founder colonies that will be protected and nurtured until they can be self-sustaining.

This ongoing project will consist of:

• Harvesting seed
• Propagating plants in the onsite Seed Production Plots
• Establishing protected “founder colonies”
• Improving and maintaining the plots and water collection system

Interested volunteers should register for the CAMN Restoration Project on the Wildlands Conservation Division website.
VMS Category:  Resource Management
 

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• Calendar of volunteer and training opportunities.
• List of pre-approved CAMN partners and projects.  Activities hosted by a pre-approved partner do not require individual pre-approval if the activity supports the mission of the TXMN program.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
 

WQPL Land Steward Leaders
Apply by August 15th
 

Our friends at the Water Quality Protection Lands are looking for existing WQPL volunteers who are interested in helping to lead volunteer restoration workdays on the WQPL as Land Steward leaders. Some CAMN members have led volunteer workdays in the past. If you are interested in returning to help lead events, or if you’re interested in leading events for the first time, they would love to have your help

As a Land Steward leader you will:

• Support your community by amplifying your contribution to local grassland and groundwater conservation efforts. 
• Give others the opportunity to connect with nature, learn, and make a difference in their community.  
• Further develop restoration skills with a program that is a leader in regional grassland savanna restoration.
• Grow your leadership skills in a wildland setting. 
• Have fun, meet new friends and spend time outdoors. 

• Complete this application by August 15th
• Attend the orientation and First Aid/CPR certification training on September 10th at the Onion Creek WQPL.  The orientation begins at 8:30 a.m.  The CPR/First Aid portion of the training is from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.  If you are already CPR/First Aid certified you do not need to attend this portion.
• Co-lead six events each year, with support from staff and fellow Land Stewards. Each event is a 2.5 - 3.5 hour commitment, depending on length of the event and not including travel time to and from the event.

Note: If you previously led WQPL workdays, you do not need to complete the application, just let Audrey Stewart know that you would like to resume leading. If you do not wish to attend a full-day training, let her know and she will find an alternative option.

Seeding the Water Quality Protection Lands

There are several opportunities to collect seeds on the WQPL preserves in August and and early September.  These seeds are harvested, cleaned and stored and then used to reseed the preserves in the fall and spring.  This creates a healthy grassland ecosystem that contributes to the quality and quantity of water that enters the aquifer.  

And don't miss the article on the new CAMN/WQPL project.

Check for dates and sign up.
VMS Category:  RM, Resource Management


Restoration Day at the Baker Sanctuary 
Saturday, August 20th | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Help the Travis Audubon Society spiff up the 715-acre Baker Sanctuary.  Work will include removing non-native plants and trail maintenance.  Tools are provided.  Bring water and dress for insect and sun protection.

Register by August 18th.
VMS Category: RM, Resource Manangement


Education and Outreach Committee Meeting
Monday, August 22nd | 6:00 p.m.

The Education and Outreach Committee (E&0) invites you to join them for their first meeting of 2022 and help them plan activities to engage and educate the community.  

The meeting will be virtual on Zoom.
VMS Category: CB, Chapter Business, Committee Work


Bird Survey at Brackenridge Field Lab
Sunday, August 28th | 7:00 a.m - 9:00 a.m.

Please join a fun bird survey at Brackenridge Field Lab, 2907 Lake Austin Blvd, 78703. Bring binoculars and lots of water. Long pants recommended and closed-toe shoes a must.

Contact Cheryl at mcgmilquet@gmail.com or (512)636-5835 if you'd like to join. 
VMS category FR: Brackenridge Field Lab


Plant Survey at Brackenridge Field Lab
Sunday, August 28th | 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.

We will 1-2 miles on both paved and unpaved surfaces to observe how target plant colonies are responding to the season and weather.  Wear closed toed shoes, bring water and expect some bugs and poison ivy.  

Meet up in the parking lot of 2907 Lake Austin Blvd. at 7:30 a.m.
VMS category FR: Brackenridge Field Lab


Ecological Restoration with The Trail Foundation
Friday, September 9th | 9:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m.
Friday, September 16th | 9:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m.
Friday, September 23rd | 9:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m.

Help The Trail Foundation restore and maintain the natural areas surrounding the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail.  Activities will include mulching, seeding, seed collection, invasive plant species removal, and a variety of other ecological activities on different parts of the trail.  Register for the day(s) you prefer.
VMS Category: RM, Resource Management

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ADVANCED TRAINING
 

Planning and Planting for Monarch Success
Monday, August 15th | 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Presented by Carol Clark and the Hill Country Chapter of the NPSOT.  Learn about the Monarch Butterfly’s life cycle and migration, and discover why Texas plants are crucial to Monarchs’ migration and breeding success. The presentation will cover some of their favorite native plants for garden use, and for acreage, followed by a brief lesson in milkweed propagation. 

Carol Clark is a Monarch Watch Conservation Specialist, a Texas Master Naturalist, and long-time member of the Native Plant Society of Texas.

Register to receive a link to the virtual meeting.

CAMN Field Trip
Saturday, September 24th | 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Would you like to learn how the weather works from the inside? Here's a chance with a CAMN visit to the National Weather Service (NWS) Office in New Braunfels! The tour will include a quick overview of what the NWS does and includes a viewing of weather observing systems (radar, rain gauges), and a demonstration of how meteorologists monitor and forecast weather in the operations area!

This free event is open to CAMN members and guests but is limited to 25 persons.  Register for this event that earns up to two hours of advanced training (the tour is 1.5 hours but there may be a Q&A after the tour.)  As this is AT, travel time may not be claimed.

The event will be repeated in February of 2023.


NPSOT Symposium
Friday, September 23rd - Saturday, September 24th

The symposium will be held in Alpine, TX and focus on the native flora of the Trans-Pecos region.  There is also a virtual option for $40 (member price).  

#TMNTuesdays
The second Tuesday of each month | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Earn an hour of advanced training by viewing a video, either live or recorded. Each month is a new topic relevant to the TMN Program.  For more information, visit the TXMN website.

Note that viewing videos from 2021 does not count as advanced training for 2022.

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