chapter newstmn-cot.org/newsletters/chapter_news_2015-05.pdf · at the june general meeting,...

Texas Master Naturalist Program – Cradle of Texas Chapter – Chapter News

Well, our envi-ronmental education pro-grams have ended for this school year. It was a real-ly fun year for us and we were able to execute the programs rain or shine,

thank goodness. Where I’m sitting we’ve had 27 inches of rain so far this year. A nor-mal year is about 44 inches. It appears our strong and strengthening El Nino has put an end to your multi-year drought, and hopeful-ly much of hurricane season. Everything is so green!!

Ms. Ruby’s county library pro-grams are about to begin, running June through July. I’m sure she still needs some help during July, so please consider helping, especially at your local library. No experi-ence is required – you don’t need to learn how to have fun.

Chapter News is published by Texas Master Naturalist Cradle of Texas Chapter. Contact us at Texas A&M Agrilife Brazoria County Office 21017 County Road 171 Angleton, TX 77515-8903 979-864-1558 (Angleton) 979-388-1558 (Brazosport) 281-756-1558 (Alvin) 979-388-1566 (Fax) http://tmn-cot.org The Texas Master Naturalist program is coordinated by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Texas Master Naturalist pro-grams serve all people without regard to socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, disability, reli-gion, age, or national origin.

A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT DAVE

TMN — CRADLE OF TEXAS CHAPTER JUNE 2015

CHAPTER NEWS

CONTENTS

President’s Message Membership Report

Page 2 Intern Graduation Page 3 June Meeting Page 4 Volunteer Opportunities

Page 5 Photo Gallery Picks

Page 6 Tockonhono Naturalist GCBO Wetlands Nursery

Page 7-8 Halls Bayou

Page 9 Officers and Directors

Dave Brandes is the President of the Cradle of Texas Chapter. He can be reached at [email protected].

And, as they say on TV: But wait … There’s more!

Camp Mohawk Summer Day Camp is coming for

4 days beginning June 29th. We deliver 3 sessions each morning for the kids. Knowing Ed Barrios, I’m sure he already has this well in hand for the session leads, but we always need more supporting ac-tors. Come play with us.

I’m sure I could find much more to say, but you know how it is as we approach the end of school. So let me just say I hope to see all of you at our general meeting June 10th.

—Dave

MEMBERSHIP REPORT by Jerry Eppner As of May 31, forty COT members have turned in timesheets totaling 3,647 hours of VT. This brings the COT cumulative total VT since inception to 157,840.

At the June general meeting, members to be recognized include John Boettiger and Sherree Muzny for recertification.

Also, a significant milestone has been achieved by one of our long time members. Phil Huxford has volunteered over 10,000 hours for TMN. This is a huge achievement and one of the few in the entire state. A special recognition will be given to Phil at the next general meeting.

Congratulations to all.

http://tmn-cot.org/

http://facebook.com/TMN.COT

mailto:[email protected].

Chapter News—June 2015




Program: Red Imported Fire Ants and Tawny Crazy Ants: Changing of the Guards

Speaker: Dr. Robert Puckett, Professor and Extension Entomologist, Texas A&M

This training is approved for Advanced Training. The number of approved hours will be

announced at the meeting and will be available after the meeting at http://tmn-cot.org/Advanced/index.html

.

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

General Meeting and Nature Quiz Quiz: Same or Different by Leo Novak

This meeting is approved for 1.00 hour Volunteer Time.

9:00 AM - 9:50 AM

Fun and FellowshipRefreshment Team: Anna King, Jerry Krampota, Kathleen Murray, Robert Simmons

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Biographical Sketch

Dr. Robert Puckett was hired as

Assistant Professor and Extension

Entomologist at Texas A&M University

during Fall 2014. He completed his

Bachelors and Masters Degrees in the

Department of Biological Sciences at Sam

Houston State University in 2003,and his

PhD in the Department of Entomology at

Texas A&M University in 2008. His

dissertation work addressed the ecology

of introduced ant decapitating flies and

their interactions with red imported fire

ants, with the goal of improving fire

ant biocontrol. The success of his graduate student research

resulted in him being awarded the John Henry Comstock Graduate

Student Award, the premier student award granted by the

Entomological Society of America.

After completing his graduate studies he joined Dr. Roger Gold

as a Research Scientist at the Rollins Urban & Structural

Entomology Facility (formerly the Center for Urban and Structural

Entomology) at Texas A&M University. Since then, his research

has primarily involved investigations of the biology, behavior, and

management of invasive social insect species including red

imported fire ants, tawny crazy ants, and Formosan subterranean

termites. Additionally, he is engaged in research involving a wide

variety of urban insect pests including bed bugs, cockroaches, flies,

and ornamental pests. Dr. Puckett has published 21 scientific

articles and has given more than 50 presentations at professional

meetings and scientific conferences. A native Texan, he is thrilled

that his work in the Urban and Structural Entomology Program at

Texas A&M University will directly impact the lives of people in his

home state, as well as those who are unfortunate enough to reside

elsewhere.

Abstract This presentation will address the complicated

biology and behavior of ants. Specific emphasis will be

placed on factors that lead to the success of invasive ant

species such as red imported fire ants (Solenopsis

invicta) and tawny crazy ants (Nylanderia fulva).

Additionally, the presentation will address a variety of

strategies, techniques, and chemical insecticides for

management of pest ants.

Solenopsis invictaUSDA National Agricultural Library

Nylanderia fulvaTexas A&M University/Entomology

Texas Master Naturalist ProgramCradle of Texas Chapter

General Meeting and Advanced TrainingWednesday, June 10, 2015

AgriLife Building, Angleton



We always need volunteers! Following is a list of recent

requests. For a complete list, please see the “Volunteering” pages

on the chapter website at

http://tmn-cot.org/Ongoing/index.html

All of the projects listed below are approved for Volunteer Time

SUMMER LIBRARAY PROGRAM This summer’s programs are Reptiles and Sea & Shore.

Schedule: http://tmn-cot.org/BCLS/index.html

Timesheet code: BCLS

To volunteer contact Ruby Lewis [email protected]

DISCOVERY ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (DEEP) Schedule: http://tmn-cot.org/DEEP

Timesheet code: DEEP

To volunteer contact Jen Brown [email protected]

SEA CENTER TEXAS Sea Center Texas needs volunteers to assist in several

capacities including:

• Tour guides

• Touch tank

• Youth fishing events.

Timesheet code: SCT

To volunteer Connie Stolte

• 979-292-0100 ext 23

• [email protected]

GCBO BIRD CAMP GCBO needs volunteers to assist with its Bird Camp program,

June 8-12, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Timesheet code: GCBO

To volunteer, contact:

• Ruby Lewis [email protected]

• Carol Jones [email protected]

NATURE CAMP AT CAMP MOHAWK COUNTY PARK Nature Camp is presented by the Brazoria County Parks

Department with assistance from TMN-COT.

BCPD describes the program as follows:

• Outdoor nature-related programming.

• Ages 7-1 2. $30 per camper; limited space available.

• Pre-registration required.

TMN-COT members conduct classes and interact with students.

We need volunteers to assist.

Monday-Thursday, June 29-July 2, 9 AM – 12:00 PM.

Volunteers should arrive at least 1/2 hour early.

See Calendar for further details:

http://tmn-cot.org/Calendar/index.html

Timesheet code: BCPD

To volunteer contact:

• 979-297-1815 (h) 979-415-4998

• Ed Barrios [email protected]

Touch Tank at Sea Center Texas, 2014

Ph

oto

: S

CT

Nature Camp at Camp Mohawk, 2013

Ph

oto

: B

CP

D/F

ace

bo

ok

GCBO Bird Camp, 2013

Ph

oto

: S

CT

/Fa

ce

bo

ok

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED



http://tinyurl.com/USGS-373982

http://tinyurl.com/USGS-1357529


President Dave Brandes, Lake Jackson

Vice President/Program Leo Novak, Lake Jackson

Secretary Linda Sluis, Richwood

Treasurer Gerald Forrest, Damon

State Representative Ed Barrios, Lake Jackson

Past President Mike Mullins, Sweeny

Training Coordinator Roy Morgan, Lake Jackson

Membership Coordinator Jerry Eppner, Lake Jackson

Volunteer Service Coordinator Pete Romfh, Houston

Advanced Training Coordinator Peggy Romfh, Houston

Outreach Coordinator Ruby Lewis, Angleton

Chapter Host Pam West, Freeport

Publicity Coordinator Richard Schaffhausen, Alvin

Publications Coordinator Neal McLain, Brazoria

Intern Class Advisors Joycelynn Grigson, Angleton Breana Kitchen, Richwood

Chapter Advisers Connie Stolte (Texas Parks & Wildlife Department) John O'Connell (AgriLife Extension Service)

Newsletter Editor Monica Krancevic

Newsletter Writers Dave Brandes, Jerry Eppner, Peggy Romfh, Chris Kneupper, Neal McLain

Website http://tmn-cot.org

Facebook http://facebook.com/TMN.COT

E-mail Listserv http://tinyurl.com/TMN-COT-Mail

CRADLE OF TEXAS CHAPTER OFFICERS

MASTER NATURALIST EMAIL LISTS TMN-COT Chapter list

Instructions http://tmn-cot.org/Email_Lists/index.html

Send messages to [email protected]

Message Archive http://tinyurl.com/TMN-COT-Mail

All messages are sent immediately.

Please reply only to the sender of group emails.

State Master Naturalist Listserv

Instructions http://txmn.org/staying-connected/sign-up-for-tmn-listserv/

Subscribe [email protected]

All messages are held for moderation by the TMN State Coordinator

Chapter News is published monthly on the first day of the month by the Texas Master Naturalist Cradle of Texas Chapter. Submissions are welcome. Submission deadline is 5:00 PM the next-to-last day of the month. Submissions should be sent by email to Chapter News Editor at [email protected]. Submissions may be edit-ed for clarity, syntax, grammar, or spelling.

http://tmn-cot.org/

http://facebook.com/TMN.COT

http://tinyurl.com/TMN-COT-Mail

http://tmn-cot.org/Email_Lists/index.html

mailto:[email protected]

http://tinyurl.com/TMN-COT-Mail

http://txmn.org/staying-connected/sign-up-for-tmn-listserv/

mailto:[email protected]

chapter newstmn-cot.org/newsletters/chapter_news_2015-05.pdf · at the june general meeting,...

Documents