Movie Night at the Corral

Barbara Attwell

Mary and Bob Anderson at the WVWA fundraiser Photo by Jane Dunham

The skies over the Corral Theatre were clear with the promise of a meteor shower, and even a bit cold – a nice surprise for April in Texas. Bob Anderson, nephew of Corral Theatre owner, Mary Anderson, spoke to the audience beforehand about the notion of a sense of place. His Aunt Mary had scooped up the young Bob on many occasions and taken him to locations of natural beauty, particularly the springs around the state. Her enthusiasm and innate understanding of the ability of a place to get into your skin was imparted to Bob, and become a powerful influence on his life and work.

Concerned Citizen Speaks Out Against Mining our Hill Country Aquifers

As a result of completing the state mandated Desired Future Condition (DFC) process last year, the Hill Country’s Trinity Aquifer is now predicted to have a 30 foot average drawdown by 2060.  This decision was made by the Groundwater Conservation Districts despite the vast majority of the public asking for sustainable management of the aquifers to protect spring flows to creeks and rivers and existing water wells in the region.  The next five year planning cycle is already underway, we can do better!

Jacob’s Well Elementary Back for a Third Year

Gary Zupancic, WISD Information Officer

Helen Foster teaches with GBRA Model Photo by Jane Dunham

The fifth graders of Jacob’s Well Elementary School visited their namesake, the real Jacob’s Well. Master Naturalists and other  volunteers helped with the hands-on instruction, which included three learning stations. The students were taught about their local, natural environment and the qualities that make living in the Wimberley area so unique.

The Top Ten Invasive Species in Texas

The Edwards Plateau is a land of canyons, caves, and springs. It has grasslands, juniper/oak woodlands, live oak savannahs and….Chinese Nandina! Invasive species are a monumental threat to habitat loss, second only to direct habitat destruction by development. State legislators and citizens need to implement stronger limitations very soon, starting with a ban on selling them in our nurseries.

2012 Photo Contest – Still Time for Entries

Capture the Irreplaceable Hill Country

March 1st through May 31st

Now in its 6th year, the HCA photo contest is a wonderful way to explore, learn and teach about the special qualities of the Texas Hill Country. HCA is not only looking for photography that captures the spectacular beauty of this region, but also illustrations of the rare qualities worth protecting and stories that need to be told.
For more information, visit the HCA site (http://www.hillcountryalliance.org/HCA/2012PhotoContest)

New 2012 Training Class Graduates

There is a great deal of talent in this new group, such as staff of the Texas Parks and Wildlife, retired teachers, and students and graduates from Texas State University. Welcome to Andrew Spurlin, Briane Willis, Cappy Smith, Cheryl Gilpin, Christine Byrne, David Glenn, Ellie Loggins, George Mathews, Irene Bond, Joe Bowman, Judy Elliot, Susan Cook, and Toby Leon.

This year’s class was taught by Jason Pinchback (General Land Office), Steve Jester (Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust), Doug Wierman (Hydrologist), Krista McDermid (ZARA Environmental), Gregg Tatum (JW Research Dive team), and Nico Hauwert (City of Austin Watershed Protection). Current volunteers welcomed the newbies and demonstrated our teaching models – Jeff Vasgaard, Linda Lang, Helen Foster, Dona Wallace, Helen Marsh, Ray Frierson, and Bob Mobley, along with Bob Currie who filmed the presentation. Thanks to all of you for your commitment to saving our springs.

The information presented was nothing short of awe-inspiring. This year, as in every year we hear the question, “Why doesn’t everyone know this information?” We are working on it!