Contents:
Next Meeting
Next Meeting
President’s Message
News
Castner Range
Wolf Stamp
TX Master Naturalist Class
Park News
Ranger Nuñez
Volunteer Richard Love
Mark Your Calendars
Museum of Archaeology
Protect Otero Mesa
Volunteers
Board
Loan Star
Cyberspace
Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 17, 2010
MEETING LOCATION: The Garden Center, Memorial Park, 3105 Grant
http://www.cichlidpress.com/elpasocactusclub/graphics/gardencenter.jpg
TIME: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT, SCOTT CUTLER:
Welcome to the November edition of the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition newsletter.
As most of you may be aware, there has been a flurry of discussion regarding how the City's public lands, managed by the Public Service Board, should be zoned. Members of FMWC and other organizations have been advocating that the City Council rezone the land as Natural Open Space, a zoning designation that would keep the land in its natural state. The City Planning Commission will be reviewing the measure by City Council to preserve 900 acres along Transmountain Rd to preserve the scenic vistas. Your attendance at the meeting will help show the CPC that the public supports this innovative approach to keeping our public land public.
Details:
Date: November 18, 2010
Place: El Paso Public Library, 500 N. Oregon, El Paso, TX 79901 (NEW Location)
Time: 1:30pm
And if you haven't already signed the petition urging the City Council to rezone as open space its public lands around the Franklin Mountains, please do so online at: http://www.iloveparks.com/fmwc/
This issue and many more will be discussed at our next meeting on November 17. I hope you will be able to attend and learn more about what the Coalition is doing.
NEWS
Castner Range
A meeting of the Fort Bliss Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) took place on November 10 at the Eastside Police Command Station. The company implementing the Wide Area Assessment of Castner Range (a test of UXO detection methods for use on Army lands) talked about how the assessment method has been going, the techniques being used, and what has been found. The work will continue for another few months after which the corporation will write up their results and eventually give a presentation of their findings to the public - probably at another RAB meeting.
Of particular interest to Coalition members was the presentation by consultant Steve Bonner on the Office of Economic Adjustment federal grant to The Frontera Land Alliance for a study of how conservation conveyances could be applied to surplus military property. As with the Wide Area Assessment, Castner Range will be the model used to develop the guidelines for implementing the conveyance process. The project is expected to be completed in the last quarter of 2011. The Coalition, closely partnering with Frontera to get the grant, had a very strong presence in the audience with more than half of the attendees connected with FMWC. Thanks to all who were able to attend and show that strong support continues for the preservation of Castner Range.
New Mexico Wilderness Alliance Awards First Conservation Wolf Stamp Grant
NMWA is excited to announce that it has awarded its first-ever Conservation Wolf Stamp Grant to filmmaker and conservationist Elke Duerr for her Wild Wolf Film project. The grant of $2,500 supports Ms. Duerr’s Wild Wolf Film a multi-year outreach effort educating the public on Mexican Gray Wolf reintroduction and “advancing the coexistence of wilderness and civilization.” “Ms. Duerr has shown the heart and passion needed by us all if we are to save this magnificent creature,” said NMWA Executive Director Stephen Capra…Upon receiving the award, Duerr commented: “Thank you to the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance for acknowledging my efforts to aid in the recovery of the Mexican Gray Wolves by awarding me a grant. It is my heart’s desire to create awareness for the interconnectedness and beauty of all life on this planet and to help implement creative solutions to a healthy coexistence between wolves and humans. We all belong in the web of life.” Read about Elke Duerr’s Wild Wolf Film project on the artist’s website
http://www.wildwolffilm.com/.
The grant is the first to be awarded from NMWA’s Conservation Wolf Stamp Fund, generated from the sale of our Conservation Wolf Stamp; similar to the Duck Stamp sold by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, except no hunting is related to the sale of the Wolf Stamp. All proceeds go into the Conservation Wolf Stamp Fund, administered by NMWA and distributed directly to projects and organizations working for Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery. NMWA will award further grants to worthy projects in the coming months and looks forward to releasing a new Wolf Stamp for sale each year. To learn more about the Wolf Stamp, visit the NMWA website at http://www.nmwild.org/blog/wolf-stamps-available-order-today/
2011 Master Naturalist Class
We hope to start the next master naturalist class on Wednesday Feb. 09, 2011. It will run thru May 14th. It is never too early to give your friends and enemies a poke to let them know so that they can start arranging their schedules.
The classes will be on Wednesdays from 6:00 P.m. until 9:00 p.m.
PARK NEWS
From Ranger John Nuñez
Greetings from Franklin Mountains State Park!
First, I would like to mention that we recently lost one of our former rangers. Unfortunately, Gilberto Vargas, who was the Maintenance Technician IV at the Wyler Aerial Tramway State Park passed away on November 1st. Ranger Vargas was at the Tramway for thirty years. I had the pleasure of working with Gilbert when I worked at the Tram and I must say he will be greatly missed. He was well known for his great sense of humor and wisdom. Our best goes out to Gilbert’s family and to those who were his friends. He will be greatly missed.
September and October have been some eventful months for us at the park. We have been busy since the beginning of September with our Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. This event was held on September 11. This is an event we hold annually as a way to say thanks to our volunteers for all their help. This year was a special year since we had two winners for the Volunteer of the Year award. This year we all voted that Richard Love and Robert Newman were both more than qualified for this award. Richard is at the park almost daily to ensure that the Wildlife Viewing Area (bird blind) is well maintained and he is out capturing the amazing beauty of the wildlife in the park with his camera. Robert has been helping us almost daily with building and maintaining the many miles of mountain bike trails in the park. He’s been working on the mountain bike trails since 1998 and has helped us decide the best way to build a bike trail and the best design for hiking trails. It is common for Robert to hike an area several times to flag the best possible routes for new trails. All of us at are very grateful to Richard and Robert, and all of our volunteers for their assistance.
On Saturday, September 18, the Park hosted the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition Fiesta with roughly 850 people in attendance. It was another successful event where we had the opportunity to introduce the many wonders of our park and surrounding areas to the general public.
We recently hosted an event with the Borderland Mountain Bike Association on October 23. The Twelve Hours of Old El Paso mountain bike race was held on the northeast side of the park near the Bowen Ranch and the Old Tin Mines. The race had roughly 150 participants and went well into the evening hours with a celebration afterwards at the Bowen Ranch Round Room.
Speaking of mountain bikers, Park Ranger Jesse Kapenga recently departed the park to pursue a Master’s Degree in Political Science at UTEP. We regretted to see Jesse leave since he was very helpful, especially with the mountain bike trails. However, we support his decision to continue with his education. I’ll see you around UTEP Jesse, good luck with your endeavors!
Volunteers Richard Love, George Murray and Robert Newman along with Lead Ranger Robert Pichardo, Rangers Alvaro Garcia and John Nuñez have been working on installing park trailhead signs throughout the northeast side of the park and at the Tom Mays Unit. We are making progress, but still have a ways to go.
As part of the Celebration of the Mountains, we have been busy giving tours throughout the park. This has been a great opportunity for staff and volunteers to introduce the Park to newcomers to the area. Due to the great weather we have been having lately, many people are starting to venture out and explore the Park and take advantage of the many tours available through the Celebration of the Mountains. Visitation has been high, to the point where there are not any parking spaces available at the trailheads. Good job, El Paso, explore your mountains!
Well, the coming months will be just as busy. Park staff and volunteers will continue with working on the signage, giving tours and park vehicle maintenance.
Park Volunteer Richard Love writes
If you are a bird watcher or a wildlife photographer or just love to get out in the beautiful fall days that happen here in the southwest, boys and girls, you are in luck. The fall and winter birds are in the Park and are in prime condition. We have birds that are visiting the Wildlife Viewing Area that have not been in the area in a while. We had a flock of Pine Siskins
Pine Siskin 1
that have decided to call the Park home for a while. I have had some excellent photo ops with them. We have several Ladderback Woodpeckers
that have decided to call the Park home for a while. I have had some excellent photo ops with them. We have several Ladderback Woodpeckers
Ladderback Woodpecker 1
visiting, unfortunately they are trying real hard to dismantle the bird blind. Brave little guys attack the blind with me in it. What a thrill, in all my years that is a first. The Lesser Goldfinches are in numbers not seen before. A new sparrow like bird, in the process of being identified, will raise the life list for the bird blind to over 65 different birds. Last week I spotted a large flock of Canada Geese flying over the Park. This is the second flock I have seen this year. For the people who are fans of our resident birds, the quail
Gamble's Quail 1
raised lots of their hatchlings to adulthood. The other resident birds are here and also in prime condition. The days are cooling down and the weather is near perfect for mountain biking, hiking, and just load up the grill and picnic. This is the time of the year for getting out and enjoying the beautiful autumn days. For a time the tiny Texas Antelope Squirrels left the Wildlife Viewing Area. Many of the children who come ask why did the little squirrels leave. They were gone most of the summer but now have returned. The large rock squirrels are frantically trying to fill up the den with nuts for the winter. The last phase of remodeling the bird blind is about 70% complete. Then there will be some surprises for next year at the wildlife area. Get out and visit the park. Meet the rangers and the volunteers. We have some new volunteers and they are working on giving tours and leading people into the wonderful world of the Park.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
El Paso Museum of Archaeology:
Sundays, November 14 and 28, 2:00 pm
Zip Tours of the exhibit Tradiciones y Simbolos, Traditions and Symbols, Free Admission, A Zip Tour is a brief introduction to the exhibit in which ten members of the Juntos Art Association of El Paso explore Hispanic-American traditions through their art. The exhibit’s theme of traditions and symbols addresses contemporary, historic and prehistoric Mexican-American, Mexican and Native American culture. Reservations are not necessary, but contact the museum if you plan to attend, 915-755-4332; guidamr@elpasotexas.gov.
Sunday, November 21, 2010, 3:00 pm
Chinese Interactions with Inner Asia and Beyond before the Silk Road By Ken Hammond, Ph.D. Free Admission. Professor Hammond's talk will examine recent archaeological evidence from China and Inner Asia which suggests that there was extensive interaction between these zones well before the period generally associated with the rise of the Silk Road trade around the 2nd century BCE. Presented by the El Paso Archaeological Society in partnership with the El Paso Museum of Archaeology.
DECEMBER 4: Your Voice Needed to Protect Otero Mesa
The Obama administration needs to hear from all New Mexicans one more time, urging the President to create the Otero Mesa National Monument. It is with your voice that we can actually see this occur before the end of the year. Please join us on Saturday, December 4th, from 1:00 to 3:00 in Downtown Albuquerque at the KiMo Theater, on the corner of Central and 5th, at our Otero Mesa National Monument Rally. We would love to have your support at this crucial event. It is important to RSVP if you are planning to attend. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Nathan Newcomer at nathan@nmwild.org or 505-843-8696 x 106.
Volunteers
FMWC Booth and Korina Navarro at EcoSummit 2010.
We can always use volunteers: you can help man our booth at an event; meet with elected officials or attend civic meetings; coordinate outreach to community organizations; distribute our rack cards; contribute to bi-monthly newsletters. Please contact Judy at j.p.ackerman@sbcglobal.net, 755-7371 or Kathy at kmcconaghie@gmail.com, 227-5330 if you are interested in volunteering.
FMWC BOARD
President: Scott Cutler
Vice President: Jane Fowler
Secretary: Judy Ackerman
Treasurer: Pat White
At Large Members: Matt Carroll & Jim Tolbert
LONE STAR LEGACY
You can make a lasting contribution to the future of Franklin Mountains State Park with your tax-deductible donation to the Lone Star Legacy Endowment Fund. Checks, payable to “Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation”, can be sent to: Lone Star Legacy Endowment Fund, c/o Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, P.O. Box 191207, Dallas, TX, 75219. Mark your donation to the endowment fund for Franklin Mountains State Park.
FMWC Newsletter Archive
New and historic versions of FMWC newsletters are now available online at
http://www.franklinmountains.blogspot.com/, thanks to Judy Ackerman.
FMWC In Cyberspace
This is the electronic version of the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition newsletter. To be added to or removed from the distribution list, contact: j.p.ackerman@sbcglobal.net.
The Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition
Borderland Mountain Bike Association • Border Toasters, Toastmasters International • Bordersenses • Celebration Of Our Mountains • Centro San Vicente • Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition • Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife Rescue • Eco-Club EPCC • El Paso Archaeological Society • El Paso Cactus And Rock Club • El Paso County Master Gardeners • El Paso Native Plant Society • El Paso Regional Group Of The Sierra Club • El Paso/Trans-Pecos Audubon Society • El Paso Youth Symphony • El Paso Zoo • Environmental Advocates at UTEP • Friends of the Arroyo • Friends Of The Rio Bosque • Jolly Elders • League Of Women Voters Of El Paso • Mesilla Valley Audubon Society • Mountain Park Community Association • Photography Enthusiasts Of El Paso • Southern New Mexico Group Of The Sierra Club • Southwest Environmental Center • Skyline Optimist Club Of El Paso • Trans Pecos Chapter Of The Texas Master Naturalists • Vista Hills Rotary Club • Voter Education Project, Inc •
LONE STAR LEGACY
You can make a lasting contribution to the future of Franklin Mountains State Park with your tax-deductible donation to the Lone Star Legacy Endowment Fund. Checks, payable to “Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation”, can be sent to: Lone Star Legacy Endowment Fund, c/o Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, P.O. Box 191207, Dallas, TX, 75219. Mark your donation to the endowment fund for Franklin Mountains State Park.
FMWC Newsletter Archive
New and historic versions of FMWC newsletters are now available online at
http://www.franklinmountains.blogspot.com/, thanks to Judy Ackerman.
FMWC In Cyberspace
This is the electronic version of the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition newsletter. To be added to or removed from the distribution list, contact: j.p.ackerman@sbcglobal.net.
The Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition
Borderland Mountain Bike Association • Border Toasters, Toastmasters International • Bordersenses • Celebration Of Our Mountains • Centro San Vicente • Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition • Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife Rescue • Eco-Club EPCC • El Paso Archaeological Society • El Paso Cactus And Rock Club • El Paso County Master Gardeners • El Paso Native Plant Society • El Paso Regional Group Of The Sierra Club • El Paso/Trans-Pecos Audubon Society • El Paso Youth Symphony • El Paso Zoo • Environmental Advocates at UTEP • Friends of the Arroyo • Friends Of The Rio Bosque • Jolly Elders • League Of Women Voters Of El Paso • Mesilla Valley Audubon Society • Mountain Park Community Association • Photography Enthusiasts Of El Paso • Southern New Mexico Group Of The Sierra Club • Southwest Environmental Center • Skyline Optimist Club Of El Paso • Trans Pecos Chapter Of The Texas Master Naturalists • Vista Hills Rotary Club • Voter Education Project, Inc •
