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Lost Pines Chapter, Texas Master Naturalist Program

...right here at home... in the Lost Pines

Welcome to the Lost Pines Chapter, Texas Master Naturalist Program! You can learn more about our chapter and the Master Naturalist volunteer program here. Master Naturalist volunteers help manage our local natural resources. If you are interested in joining us, or have questions about our activities, please contact us.

The Lost Pines chapter serves primarily Bastrop and Caldwell Counties of Central Texas. These counties are predominantly in the Post Oak Savannah and Blackland Prairie Ecoregions. In addition, our area includes the unique "island forest" of the Lost Pines, - the western most extension of the loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), separated by about 100 miles from the pine forests of East Texas. Species in the Lost Pines are particularly adapted to the drier conditions here, and provide unique habitat for varied flora and fauna which can be seen in Bastrop State Park and Buescher State Park and other nearby natural areas. You can learn more about what makes these parks so special and see pictures of them by visiting our "Discover the Lost Pines" page; you can also find many links to information about the native plants, animals and ecology of the Lost Pines region on our resources page.

Lost Pines Chapter, Texas Master Naturalist Meetings

Chapter meetings generally alternate between the Bastrop State Park Refectory, Red Rock Community Center, and the Lockhart State Park, and are at 6:30 PM on the third Monday of each month. Most meetings feature an educational program (Advanced Training unless otherwise noted), and are open to members, prospective members, and the general public.

May 20, 2013, 6:30 PM, McKinney Roughs Nature Center Dining Hall. Greg Creacy, Natural Resources Coordinator, Parks Division, TPWD will give a presentation on Ecosystem Management. This will be a combined Chapter Meeting and basic training class; and will also be graduation for our new trainees.

June 17, 2013, 6:30 PM, TBA.

2013 Master Naturalist Training Class

The Lost Pines Chapter 2013 training class for new members is underway, and will culminate with a graduation on May 20. For a schedule of the classes planned, click here.

2013 Membership Dues

Current Chapter members may renew their membership dues ($10) for 2013 by credit or debit card, or PayPal account. Click here to renew.

2012 LPMN Master Naturalist Training Class Graduates

Back row: Sherri Ray, Barbara Carstens, Carroll Moore, Craig Stalcup, Russell Schmidt, Bonnie Shimek, Catherine Sherwood, Laura Trotter, Rick Gast, Jerry Baugh.
Row 2: Audrey Ambrose, Patty Deak, Julia Akin, Maureen Costell, Holly Sutherland, Julie Erlon, Mike Barrett, Beverly Trotter-Low.
Row 1: Cat May, Kelly Alecci, Laura Clancy, Rob Sutherland, Shorty Butler, Honey Butler, Steve Moredock, Karen Mahoney-Woods.
Not pictured: Jeffery Haller, Frank May, Braden Stewart.

Lost Pines Chapter Officers for 2013

Lost Pines Chapter Officers for 2013 are:

President, Grace Pratt
Vice President, Open; volunteer needed!
Secretary, Joan Estes
Treasurer, Holly Sutherland
Past President, Louise Ridlon
State Representative, Marsha Elrod

Members: Take Credit For Your Volunteer Hours!

Scott Moore is now tracking volunteer hours. Please report your volunteer and advanced training hours each month, using the Volunteer Activity reporting form. Send your completed reports to Scott.

Three forms are available:

1. A PDF file for those of you that complete time sheets manually and mail them to Scott,

2. A Word document in which you can insert your scanned signature, or scan after signing and email to Scott, and

3. A word document including the statement needed for an electronic signature.

If submitting your report electonrically, e-mail back to Scott (lpmnhours@gmail.com). If submitting by regular mail, send to Scott Moore, 415 Patton Cove, Bastrop, Texas 78602).

Bastrop and Caldwell County Plant Lists

Thanks to Liz Pullman and Judy Turner, lists of all reported plants for Bastrop and Caldwell counties are now available for your use. Please see our Plants Page to download your copy of each list!

In the news...

There is an AWESOME 7-page spread story about the Texas Master Naturalist Program in the new April 2013 Issue of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine! See the story on pages 40-47.

The feature is entitled: Nurturing Nature: Master Naturalist Volunteer their Time to Conserve and Educate There are some great member testimonials and pictures of Lottie Milsaps from the Alamo Area Chapter, Paul and Mary Meredith from the Mid-Coast Chapter and Mark Hassell from the Panhandle Chapter. Several other Members are mentioned and quoted as well. View the story at:
http://www.tpwmagazine.com/archive/2013/apr/ed_2_masternaturalists/

A recent article in the Smithville Times (and Bastrop Advertiser) "The Snakes Among Us" features a timely discussion of venomous snakes in our area. It was written by LPMN member Denis McGinness and includes extensive comments form Bill Brooks, LPMN unofficial herpetologist, and photography by LPMNer Alvin Cearley. Click here for part 2 of this series.

LPMN members Dale Morrison, Jim Estes and Nick Nichols were featured in an article in the Bastrop Advertiser about volunteering at the Colorado River Refuge. (Click here: 248 kB PDF file)

Volunteers gathered at Lockhart State Park for training by Texas Forest Service foresters on installing Emerald Ash Borer traps. A trap was assembled and hung in the ash tree in the background. Our volunteers will install 12 traps in Caldwell County and 18 in Bastrop County as part of a state wide program to detect if Texas has been invaded by this destructive insect. In early June each trap will be examined and likely specimens will be sent to the Forest Service for identification. In August the traps will be checked again and removed.

Environmental Education at Colorado River Refuge

Home Schoolers in action making a human food web. LPMN volunteers included Susan Crone, Bill Brooks, Carol Reidy, and Louise Ridlon.
Bill Brooks photo.

Cedar Creek Park Butterfly Garden

LPMN member Anna Stalcup with Boy Scout volunteers preparing to plant coral honeysuckle at the Cedar Creek County Park