Balcones Canyonlands Preserve Sunset Hike (Aug 14th)
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Balcones Canyonlands Preserve Hike – June 26th
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Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP) Update and Request for Volunteers
Neighbors from Grandview Hills have been active at the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP) this spring. Volunteers are helping to improve access by assisting with guided hikes through the preserve. Our next hike will take place later this month (look for announcement coming soon). Volunteers are also helping to cleanup the preserve and neighborhood. Seven hardworking volunteers picked up several loads of trash and bulk items from the preserve areas near Wilson Parke Road. Travis County thanks these volunteers for their hard work in making the preserve and neighborhood a cleaner and more beautiful place! Travis County staff also provides education and outreach opportunities for neighbors. A group of Brownies and their families hiked along Spyglass trail through the Vista Point tract of the BCP. On the hike, we discussed the difference between a preserve and a park, hiking safety, poison ivy, invasive plants, endangered species, gall wasps, native plants and wildlife. The Brownies plan to make seed balls, which will be spread at the BCP to restore native grasses and wildflowers to disturbed areas. Finally, one volunteer helped to count cave crickets exiting from a local cave. The BCP is seeking more volunteers to adopt a cave and help with quarterly cricket counts. If you are interested in volunteering or are interested in an educational activity for your group, please contact Renee Fields at 219-6190 ext. 7 or renee.fields@co.travis.tx.us.
mduggan
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2010 Grandview Hills Care Group Block Party
When: Saturday, June 5, 5:30PM
Location: Tahoe Parke Circle North Cul-de-sac
8144 Tahoe Parke Circle
Austin, TX 78726 US
It’s that time of year…..the annual GVH Care Group Block Party is upon us!!! Come visit with old friends and meet new ones on Saturday, June 5th starting at 5:30.
Bring your favorite dish to share with the group. Please email: Suzanne Marshall smarshall002@austin.rr.com if you can attend and what you’re bringing so we can plan accordingly.
Thanks
Suzanne Marshall
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Travis Audubon Society Events March & April
March 23, 2010
Baker Sanctuary & The Balcones Canyonlands Preserve Presentation
FLYER – Baker Sanctuary Presentation 2010 flyer
WHAT: Baker Sanctuary, part of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP), is 690 acres of nesting habitat for the Golden-cheeked Warbler. This endangered migratory songbird nests and breeds in only a few counties of Central Texas. The three BCP partners will present an evening of discovery in a multi media context highlighting the history and purpose of the BCP and Baker Sanctuary. There will be contests and prizes and the opportunity to participate in future activities at the Preserve.
WHEN: March 23, 2010 at 6:30 pm
WHERE: Deer Creek Elementary School Cafeteria
2420 Zeppelin Drive, Cedar Park
CONTACTS: For media inquiries contact: Nancy Manning, Travis Audubon Executive Director at 300-2473.
__________________________________________
APRIL 10, 2010
BAKER OPEN HOUSE
FLYER: Baker Open House 2010
WHAT: One day per year Baker Sanctuary is open to the public. This 690 acre sanctuary offers 690 acres of nesting habitat for the Golden-cheeked Warbler – one of the only places in the world that this endangered songbird nests and breeds.
Guided tours will focus on ecology and feature Golden-cheeked Warblers, plants, butterflies and bugs. Enjoy a variety of displays on native plants and wildlife species.
Children’s activities include bird identification, bird drawing, making bird feeders and much more.
Light snacks will be served but we encourage you to bring a sack lunch for those longer walks. Please bring your own water bottle that can be refilled on site.
WHEN: April 10, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. – noon
WHERE: 12308 Lime Creek Rd
Leander TX
Directions: Can be found at:
http://www.travisaudubon.org/BakerOpenHouse.html
Admission: Admission is Free.
CONTACTS: For media inquiries contact: Nancy Manning, Travis Audubon Executive Director at 300-2473.
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Balcones Canyonlands Preserve Cleanup
Travis County Balcones Canyonlands Preserve is looking for volunteers to help pick up bulk trash from the preserve near Wilson Parke Road on Saturday 27 from 1:30 to 3:30 PM.
Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at renee.fields@co.travis.tx.us or (512) 219-6190 ext. 7 if you are interested in helping.
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Hike February 13, 2010
GRANDVIEW HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD HIKE
Saturday February 13
9 AM to 12 PM
Click on link below for registration information…
GVH Volunteer Hike 13 Feb 2010
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Oak Leaf Roller
Many people are asking already if oak leaf rollers will grace us with their presence again this year. While I’m hoping that the ice storm we had in January wiped out some of the eggs, I’m sure that there will be a few lingering caterpillars. Only time will tell if there will be a large population again this year.
Oak leaf rollers are yellowish-green caterpillars with a dark brown head capsule that dangle from silken thread on oak trees. These caterpillars usually show up when the oak trees leaf out in the spring.
Some nurseries recommend releasing Trichogramma wasps. If you choose to release Trichogramma, remember that they parasitize only the egg stage, so they should be released before you see caterpillars. Horticultural oils may also be used on the egg stage. If you have mature oaks that are tall, it is best to hire a professional with the proper equipment to reach all parts of the trees.
Once caterpillars emerge, Bacillus thuringiensis variety kurstaki may be used. Bt targets only caterpillars, though it does not differentiate between pest caterpillars and those that people enjoy having, such as ones that become butterflies. When using Bt, good coverage is key because the caterpillars need to consume a lethal amount of the toxin. Other possible control methods would be active ingredients such as spinosad (spinosyns) or carbaryl.
For more information or help with identification, contact Wizzie Brown, Texas Cooperative Extension Program Specialist at 512.854.9600.
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2010 Parke HOA Annual Meeting
2010 Parke HOA Annual Meeting
When : 10 am – Saturday January 23, 2010
Where: SAS building – 11920 Wilson Parke Avenue
Neighbors,
All of you should have received by now the official notification about our HOA’s annual meeting. We hope all of you can attend.
The agenda for this year’s meeting includes:
Election of the 2010 board – if you would like to be nominated send an email to edjvega@yahoo.com
Financial Review – current and projected financial status
Development Review – new and current development in the Four Points area
Projects Review – new and ongoing projects around the neighborhood
Please bring your questions, comments, suggestions, etc. We will have a Q&A session after the reviews and election.
To ensure we have adequate accommodations, please send an email to edjvega@yahoo.com and let us know how many people will attend from your household.
Thank you,
The Parke HOA Board
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Wildlife Management Activities on BCP Properties
Wildlife Management Activities to begin November 10th 2009 on Travis County BCP Properties
Dear Preserve Neighbor:
As a landowner adjacent to Travis County ’s Balcones Canyonlands Preserve lands (BCP), this letter is to notify you that Travis County will be performing management activities on the preserve between November 1, 2009 and February 26, 2010 that will include shooting white-tailed deer and feral hogs. The wildlife management program will be tightly controlled by Travis County Law Enforcement and Natural Resources staff in coordination with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and will take place in locations selected to help ensure public safety. No public hunting is allowed on the preserve at any time. Travis County Commissioners Court , the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) have approved the implementation of these scientifically sound management practices to prevent negative human health, economic or environmental impacts on County managed lands.
Background Information
Travis County Natural Resources Division currently manages over 5,000 acres of preserve lands as a portion of the BCP. This system of lands is owned and managed under a USFWS regional 10(a) permit jointly held by Travis County and the City of Austin . The BCP was established to manage and protect over 30,000 acres of habitat for eight endangered species and 27 species of concern.
The BCP Land Management Plan, as approved by the USFWS, directs that deer populations be monitored and maintained at a level that allows for successful growth of plants that support the golden-cheeked warbler and the black-capped vireo (species listed in the USFWS permit). In cooperation with TPWD, County staff collected data in an effort to determine the current status of the deer population. Census results indicate that the current overpopulation of white-tailed deer is causing habitat damage within the preserve. The population of feral hogs on the property is also a concern for Preserve managers, as they can significantly impact the area’s native wildlife as may pose a threat to human health and safety.
Our goals are to protect the health and safety of our visitors, prevent habitat degradation within the preserve and to maintain a healthy and sustainable deer population. We assure you that the safety of the public and our staff is our first priority when implementing any wildlife management activities. Animals that have food value will be maintained in an edible condition and will be processed and donated to charitable organizations to help provide nutritious meals for needy residents of Travis County . Travis County cooperates with the Hunters for the Hungry Program, and donated over one ton of processed venison to Caritas of Austin last year as a direct result of these wildlife management activities.
Preserve entrance roads are fenced, gated and posted with “No Trespassing” and Preserve Boundary signs and additional Travis County Law Enforcement and TPWD Game Warden patrols will be in effect to help ensure the safety of the public.
If you have any questions related to this matter, please contact Rose Farmer, Travis County Natural Resources Program Manager at (512) 854-9383. If you see or suspect trespass, poaching, or other illegal activities within the BCP, please contact our Law Enforcement Rangers at (512) 854-9433, the Travis County Sheriff’s Office at (512) 854-9770, or TPWD Game Wardens at (512) 389-4848.
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