Welcome.......
 to the Rio Brazos Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist
Hood, Johnson, and Somervell Counties

The Texas Master Naturalist program develops local teams of "master volunteers" to provide educational and outreach services aimed at the better management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities. The Texas Master Naturalist program is a partnership between the Texas AgriLife Extension, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and other local partners. There are a number of Texas Master Naturalist Chapters - including the Rio Brazos Chapter.

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Rio Brazos Master Naturalist December '11 Newsletter
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March Meeting - 6:00 PM March 1st
Hood County: 
Hood County Development District # 1 Building
Community Meeting Room
6430 Smoky Hill Court
Acton Texas
Map
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Our speaker will be our own Billy Teels talking about the birds at ANC.
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Join the Rio Brazos Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist
Find out how to become a member of our chapter

Rio Brazos Master Naturalist Chapter
2012 Master Naturalist Training
March 10 to May 5, 2012
The 2012 Master Naturalist training classes are scheduled to begin on Saturday March 10, 2012 and continue on Saturdays until May 5, 2012. The training will include classes and field exercises and will start at 9:00 AM and end between 3-4 PM. The classes are open to residents of Hood, Johnson, and Somervell Counties, however we will accept students form the surrounding counties as well.
The fee is $100.00 and this covers the class materials, instruction fees, and a
training manual.
For more information and an application form contact
Robert Theimer, 817-641-2457
rlnatheimer@sbcglobal.net
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Great Backyard Bird Count at ANC
I thought that we would do something similar for the Great Backyard Bird Count this year at the ANC as we have done in previous years. That is, have counts beginning at the parking lot at 7:00 a.m. on Feb 18 & 19. And, on Feb. 18 have a get-together and bird presentation at 10:00 on Saturday Feb. 18 at the Library. This year it will be on waterfowl identification. I will bring coffee and cookies, and we can have a drawing for a couple of bags of bird seed at the event. Would you please put out notification through your media. Thanks. Billy
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2012 Wildlife for Lunch Webinar Series
https://texas-wildlife.webex.com to log on to the live webinars.

For more information contact: 
Courtney Brittain 
Texas Wildlife Association 

Education Program Coordinator
2800 NE Loop 410, Ste. 105 
San Antonio, TX 78218
(210) 826-2904 ext. 122
(210) 826-4933 - fax
(210) 393-3467 - mobile
www.texas-wildlife.org 
cbrittain@texas-wildlife.org 

Keep Those Hummingbird Feeders Active
From TPWD

“When am I supposed to take my hummingbird feeder down? I still have a hummingbird visiting, and I don’t want her to freeze!” As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, this question becomes increasingly common for the folks who work at Texas Parks and Wildlife.

“The answer is, don’t take your feeders down,” says Mark Klym, TPWD coordinator of the Texas Hummingbird Roundup

Years ago, the answer would have been different. “At one time, we would tell people to take their feeders down about early November, out of fear these birds would not migrate,” Klym said. “Through programs like the Texas Hummingbird Roundup, banding studies and the simple availability of information to be shared easily across the nation; we are learning that these birds are not as fragile as we thought.”

In Texas, hummingbirds of various species have been seen in the winter months as far north as Amarillo. In other states, winter visits have been reported as far north as the Canadian border.

“It is important though to keep the feeders clean and fresh.” Klym cautioned. “During the winter we do not have to change the feeders as often, but it is still important to empty and wash them about once every 6 days. To save on sugar and water expenses, do not fill the feeders as full when there are not as many birds using them.”

TPWD encourages Texans to participate in the Texas Hummingbird Roundup – an annual survey that tracks these birds and the resources they use in Texas.To find out more about the roundup visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/hummingbirds or call 512-389-4644.

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NEW - Acton Nature Center - Plant Survey with Images  
This survey was begun by Rio Brazos Master Naturalists in 2008 as part of an on-going effort to develop a comprehensive list and photo record of all plant species that occur at the ANC.  The lists and images are intended for use by naturalists and the interested public to help identify area plants and assist them in conducting educational and outreach services (e.g., nature walks). The lists and images will be updated as corrections are made and new species are found
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Xerces Society
The Xerces Society is a nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat. For forty years, the Society has been at the forefront of invertebrate protection worldwide, harnessing the knowledge of scientists and the enthusiasm of citizens to implement conservation programs.
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CURRENT MOON
The Texas Master Naturalist of Texas activities are coordinated by AgriLife Extension and Texas Parks and Wildlife. Texas Master Naturalist programs serve all people regardless of socioeconomic level, race,color,sex,religion,disability or national origin.

 Texas Master Naturalist State Office
Michelle Haggerty, State Coordinator, 830-896-2500
mhaggerty@ag.tamu.edu
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 © 2012 Rio Brazos Master Naturalist