|
|
Autumn Is Here
|
|
The beauty of Westcave Preserve reveals itself anew in every season.
|
Spook-tacular Review
| | By Linda Wofford, Education & Outreach Coordinator | Westcave
Preserve welcomed an excited group of children for our annual Halloween
program, Spook-tacular Creatures, on October 19th. The kids and their
families had a wonderful time preparing for Halloween by learning about
bats, spiders and owls through crafts, fun activities and a story time
while also enjoying a hike to the grotto on a beautiful autumn day.
At
the end of the program, the children seemed happy but tired. After
commenting that she had had a great time, one girl added "When I get
home, I'm going straight to bed."
For the staff at the Preserve, the program provides an opportunity to visit with our neighbors and regular supporters as well
as to draw in a large number of first-time visitors.
We extend our thanks to all of the volunteers who made this program possible.
Westcave's Spook-tacular event was enjoyed by about 175 visitors this year.
Through the Eyes of Children
By Steven Hubbell, Site Assistant
Nothing captures the experience of Westcave quite like the words and images of the children who visit the Preserve.
Whether
it's what they say while they are here or what they draw or write and
send to us afterwards, these young explorers inevitably manage to warm
the heart and tickle the imagination with their perspective.
The other day, as I was leading a group of third grade students into the canyon, I happened to overhear the following comments:
"I am completely covered in awe."
"This is the best trip of my whole life!"
"Why do I smell cinnamon rolls?"
(Variations of this cinnamon scent observation have been heard on several recent tours. When I asked John what we were smelling, he explained that the scent comes from the fallen leaves of the Sycamore trees.)
"I wish I was an animal so I could live here."
(Followed in rapid succession by:)
"I wish I was a squirrel." "I wish I was a cardinal." "I wish I was a chipmunk."
Westcave enjoys receiving letters from young visitors each year (see transcription below).
Dear Mr. John and Mr. David,
Thank
you for the fild trip and I thouth it very cool and I think Westcave
Preserve was the best fild trip I had ever had in my whole life and you
were the best gide I ever had.
from your friend,
Briley
 Art sent to Westcave by a young visitor.
Field Study Program Update
By Steven Hubbell, Site Assistant
Following a pilot run last spring and a slightly modified summer version of the program, Westcave welcomed students from Small Middle School to participate in our hands-on field study program on November 12.
Small Middle School students take notes in the field. Photo by David Matthews.
Designed for middle school students, the approach uses guided group observations and scientific survey methods to gather and record information about the natural world in the areas of biology, meteorology, botany, hydrology, and soil morphology. Students conduct their surveys both in the canyon and in the savannah, and then use the two data sets to discuss similarities and differences between the two distinct ecosystems.
Anticipating future demand for the program, Westcave invited volunteers to be trained to lead students through the field investigations. We were very pleased to have seven individuals attend the November 5 volunteer training event: Mike Murphy, Marolyn Smith, Dan Schuhmacher, Patricia McGee, Vivian Caputo, Flavia Gaskin and Vicky Mathews. Mike, Vivian and Vicky also joined us during the students' visit. Thank you all very much.
Stay tuned, we'll be in touch.
Training participants before a day in the field.
Return of the Bat
For the past few years, a small bat has taken up winter residence in our cave. Site Assistant David Bennett reported this season's first look at the bat as it hung in a small cavity in the ceiling of the cave on Sunday, November 9. Preserve Manager John Ahrns observed that the fur on the bat seems a bit paler than it did last year. Last November, a similar bat (or the same one?) moved in and occupied the space until a warm day this spring.
This drawing of our bat was sent to Westcave by a young visitor in 2002
|
| | Discover Westcave!
Visitation to the grotto is only by guided tour to minimize the impact on this beautiful and fragile site. Tour rates are $5 per adult, $2 per child (under 12), or $15 per family. Free tour admission is offered for Westcave Preserve members.
Weekday tours for organized groups and schoolchildren can be arranged by calling the preserve at (830) 825-3442. Additional information on school groups can be found in our Teacher's Resource Guide, available at: www.westcave.org
Public tours are offered year-round (weather permitting) on Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.
| |
|
|
|
|
A Celebration of Children in Nature
By Molly Stevens, Executive Director
On the first of October, Westcave Preserve hosted nearly 400 people at the Four Seasons Hotel to hear Richard Louv, bestselling author of Last Child in the Woods, Saving Children from Nature Deficit Disorder, speak at our first annual Celebration of Children in Nature. Rich spoke about the growing disconnect between children and nature and the negative health, cognitive and emotional impact and consequences. His was a very hopeful message as he also talked at length about the many solutions to this problem now emerging throughout the country and beyond.
John Ahrns presents Danna Keyburn's award. Photo by Lars Frazer.
We had the honor of presenting four awards to local individuals and organizations who are doing exemplary work in connecting children to nature:
The E. Lee Walker Award for Community Collaboration was presented to Youth Launch for their Urban Roots Program.
The John Covert Watson Award for Vision was presented to Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas for their extensive healing gardens.
The John Ahrns Award for Environmental Education was presented to Danna Keyburn, Redeemer Lutheran School for her exemplary practice of environmental education.
The Westcave Preserve Awardfor Enduring Dedication was presented to Girl Scouts of Central Texas for nearly a century of success in getting girls outside and into nature.
The program was followed by a picnic under the stars on Lady Bird Lake.
After the presentations, it was a perfect nght for a picnic under the stars. Photo by Lars Frazer.
On the Preserve
By Steven Hubbell, Site Assistant
A New SeasonIt's autumn again. Temperatures are teasing us with cool mornings and some of the trees in this part of the world are putting on an impressive show of color. Outstanding among them are the golden Bald Cypress trees, the bright yellow Sage Bushes and the stark red Virginia Creepers. Other eye-catching fall trees in the vicinity include the brilliant Flame-Leaf Sumacs, the red-orange Spanish Oaks, and the amber Cedar Elms. As of November 16, 2008, Westcave Preserve had received 16.53 inches of
rain for the year. Last year by this date it had rained almost 42 inches.
The last time we were this dry by the middle of November was in 1999,
when we had only 14.84 inches by this time (we ended that year with
18.38"). The stream still flows, the falls continue to trickle, and
the lush flora remains. It seems something is always blooming
at Westcave. Earlier this fall, the Tall Goldenrod stood out among the
canyon flowers. The pale purple Texas Aster is one floral highlight
currently decorating the trail.  This Tall Goldenrod bloomed by the trail in the early fall. |
| Moss Specialist Visits Westcave By Chris Caran, Westcave Volunteer
Bob Fulginiti, an expert on mosses and their relatives, visited Westcave Preserve twice this winter and spring to collect samples for the University of Texas Herbarium and to identify these previously little-known elements of our rich flora. Bob was accompanied by Preserve Manager John Ahrns, and by volunteers Nan Hampton and Chris Caran.
Bob Fulginiti examines mosses at Westcave. Photo by Chris Caran.
Scouring both the uplands and the canyon, Bob collected more than 30 samples, noting conditions at each site and recording the locations using a GPS unit. In all, he identified 15 species-quite a large number for this small, but ecologically diverse area. Bob's contribution greatly enhances our knowledge of the Preserve and its ecosystem. The list of mosses will be included in the forthcoming naturalist's guide to Westcave Preserve.
Westcave is fortunate to have the services of Nan Hampton, a retired University of Texas at Austin geneticist and now one of the experts producing the popular "Ask Mr. Smarty Plants" column in the Austin American-Statesman newspaper and on the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Website (http://www.wildflower.org/expert/). Mr. Smarty Plants is a free question-and-answer service providing plant identification, landscaping advice, and many other kinds of information regarding the native plants of Texas, North America, and beyond.
Former University of Texas geologist Chris Caran is the editor of the naturalist's guidebook and, like Nan, a member of the Westcave Preserve Council and long-time supporter of the Preserve.
|
NEWS RELEASE
WESTCAVE PRESERVE MORE THAN DOUBLES IN SIZE
Added
acreage preserves critical wildlife habitat, expands recreational and
educational opportunities and protects water quality.
Westcave
Preserve has added 44 acres of land adjacent to its current boundary,
more than doubling the size of this popular southwest Travis County
attraction known for its captivating landscape and canyon grotto rich
in diversity, rare plants and birds.
Westcave Preserve's
Executive Director Molly Stevens said, "The addition of buffer land to
protect our water quality and the overall integrity of our Preserve has
been the Board's highest priority for more than a decade. We are
ecstatic to have completed this acquisition."
The Preserve
purchased the land from friends and neighbors Suzanne and Ted Stewart
with help from several key partners. The Conservation Fund, a
top-ranked national conservation organization, provided short-term
financing to the Preserve through its Land Trust Loan Program.
According
to Westcave Preserve Board Chairman Max Scoular, "We are extremely
grateful to The Conservation Fund, AMD, Lower Colorado River Authority
(LCRA), Chris Harte, Mike and Pam Reese, the Damuth Foundation, and our
generous donors for their support in getting this deal done. We are
also appreciative of the long-standing interest in Westcave on the part
of landowners Suzanne and Ted Stewart. We commend all of these partners
for their role in protecting this extraordinary part of the Texas Hill
Country."
Sitting at the rim of the Preserve's well-known canyon
and grotto, this ecologically significant land lies within the Preserve
view-shed that draws more than 8,000 visitors annually. It also
provides a home for more than 400 plant species and 150 bird species,
including the rare, endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler. The newly
acquired property creates a buffer between inevitable development and
the Preserve, and it protects the pristine environment as well as the
wilderness experience for visitors. In addition, keeping this land in
its natural state reduces water pollution, erosion and runoff.
The E. Lee Walker Award for Community Collaboration. The awards were created by the official Texas State Sculptor Damian Priour. Many thanks to Mike and Pam Reese for underwriting the awards. Photo by Lars Fraser.
|
|
|
|
|
|
