Friends of the Rio Bosque

The Friends of the Rio Bosque is the volunteer-support group for Rio Bosque Wetlands Park. The Friends are active in all aspects of the park, from education programs, to outreach, to ecosystem management, to faunal monitoring, to fundraising, to advocacy.

Vision
Rio Bosque Wetlands Park will be a unique natural landscape where visitors from throughout the Paso del Norte region and the world experience first-hand the biologically rich ecosystems once found in our river valley, learn about those ecosystems, and become inspired to be careful stewards of our natural world.

Mission
Our mission is to provide the volunteer support needed to make Rio Bosque Wetlands Park a world-class nature park through active involvement in the Park’s habitat-restoration, education, research, public outreach, advocacy and fundraising programs.

More at www.riobosque.org

TX Master Naturalists Class

The Trans Pecos Chapter of the TX Master Naturalists is accepting applications for their 2013 class which runs from February to May.  If you are interested in working with one of the friendliest and most fun groups around, please contact Matt Santillan at msantill@ag.tamu.edu, 860-2515 for details.

Welcome Trinity First United Methodist Men!

FMWC’s newest Member Organization is Trinity First United Methodist Men.  Their representative to our Coalition, Rodney Smith, explains that the Methodist Men have been serving our community for decades, helping families and individuals in need.  If you would like more information, contact Rodney at 915-755-0110 or RJDPKM@aol.com. 

We now have 31 local non-profit/civic organizational members of the FMWC.  These organizations support our efforts to preserve and protect our Franklin Mountains and designate a representative to serve on the FMWC Board.  If you know of an organization that might be interested in joining, please contact judy Ackerman, 915-755-7371 or jpackerman@gmail.com.

November 2012

Newsletter

Word from the President

Dear Friends of the Franklin Mountains,
The Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition has worked diligently over the years to protect the Franklin Mountains and support the Franklin Mountains State Park.  At the next meeting we will be discussing how we, as a group, might best continue helping the park.  One idea is to have FMWC take a more active role in supporting the Park by transitioning into a Friends of the Park type of organization.  This, and other ideas, will be discussed at our upcoming meeting.  We would very much like your input and hope you will be able to attend.
The Franklin Mountains will always be the main focus of the Coalition.  Now seems an opportune time to find new ways to protect the mountains and help the park that is a vital tool in that preservation effort.

Sincerely yours,
Scott Cutler
President, Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition

Transmountain: Done

by  Laurence Gibson,chair
El Paso Group, Sierra Club

On October 23 the Environmental Law Office of Sierra Club national in San Francisco finally recommended dismissal of El Paso Group’s lawsuit against TxDot and the Federal Highway Administration over their overblown plans to expand Transmountain Road in Northwest El Paso. If approved as expected by SC leadership, this would mark the end of a 20-month effort by El Paso’s environmental community to get back to TxDot’s original 4-lanes-at-grade road improvement plan for this once-pristine drive past Franklin Mountains State Park and over the crest of the mighty Franklins.
The Executive Committee of your El Paso Group, already $38K in debt to its lawyers, decided in July to pull the plug on the lawsuit. The litigation has been fraught with delays, taking almost two months for approval in San Francisco to begin, with a three month delay by the Austin judge on our motion for a temporary injunction to halt construction, and finally another three-month delay in granting our wishes to halt legal action.
Fortunately, Lowerre, Frederick, et al;, our Austin lawyers, agreed to “stop the clock” in July after your Excom, intimidated by a debt that might take 15 or 20 years to pay off, felt it was hopeless to continue after the judge denied our request for an injunction to stop construction.
In retrospect (Hindsight is always perfect, yes?) we can say, even the lawyers say, that we got a “bad” judge, one unlikely to go up against the development community. Of course, the idea of filing in Austin was in hopes of getting our case heard in a more environmentally sensitive court
There were several good things to come of this debilitating lawsuit effort. We actually did a terrific job of fundraising! For the first time the Rio Grande Chapter did a special fundraising mailing targeted just to El Paso. This netted over 30 donations, some for hundreds of dollars. Unfortunately they averaged about $20; not nearly enough to cover our five-figure debt.
We also inadvertently discovered a “high-value” donor in El Paso committed to the Lone Star Chapter (That’s the rest of Texas, folks). This person, a non-member, gave our top gift of $5000 and has promised to change donations to El Paso. We also were heartened by major gifts from our coalition partner Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition and our Rio Grande Chapter overseers.
The national Sierra Club was, unfortunately for El Paso, MIA on this lawsuit, which was of course a civic effort. Its Bloomberg millions are committed to the transition away from coal. Efforts are already underway to find ways to replace that money when it is “used up.”

Franklin Mountains State Park Update

by: Adrianna Weickhardt
Park Interpreter/Ranger/Volunteer Coordinator

Fall is in the air and it’s a great time to visit the park.  We’ve been seeing the critters on the move from Sandhill Cranes flying over McKelligon Canyon during their migration, to a herd of Mule Deer sited in various units of the park and to the Great Horned Owl hoots and Coyote yips heard echoing throughout the east and the west sides of the Franklin Mountains.
Our rangers have been busy conducting general maintenance to the grounds at Tom Mays Unit and McKelligon Canyon HQ.  TXDOT continues to work on Trans Mountain Road and they will work on the reconfiguration of the Tom Mays Unit entrance.  Park staff and community service cleaned Clivus restrooms at Tom Mays Unit.   Fort Bliss Personnel helped with an erosion control project at Mundy’s Gap.  Additionally, Fort Bliss personnel offered help with equipment and labor to breach the Knapp Dam as recommended by TECQ in 2010.  Officer Rincon coordinated a cleanup event at McKelligon Canyon with staff from DHL Global Forwarding.
We had the great privilege of a visit from Dr. Goodell, Eric Kappus and Ramon Llavona one Saturday morning for a coordinated training session on geology for park staff and volunteers, which included a tour within the West Cottonwood Mine – Thank you from all of us for an incredible geology filled morning!  In September, the park held and hosted two of its annual events, the Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta and the Chihuahuan Chili Challenge – both family friendly, fun events were enjoyed by many annual goers as well as some first time park visitors.  Jacob Barton helped orchestrate and present two highly requested Geocaching 101 Workshops and was able to inspire some youngsters to pursue this activity beyond the programs. 
Adrianna Weickhardt (FMSP Park Interpreter) and Jane McFarland (Hueco Tanks SP & HS Park Interpreter) collaborated during the summer months to develop a new astronomy program that was offered at the end of September – the reservations were filled a week in advance, we had 15 astronomers and telescopes involved, and concluded with a positive response after the program that will lead to developing new programs unique to both FMSP and HTSP&HS.  One of the greatest outcomes from the program development was a new partnership with the Astronomical Society of Las Cruces as well as with the Sun City Astronomy Club from El Paso.  Upcoming:  “Melodies Under the Milky Way” will be held at FMSP on November 17th from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  (The program will be a mix of musical entertainment and sun, moon, and light pollution power point presentations/activities).  In October, FMSP also attended the TecH20 Water Festival and Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site Interpretive Fair, and organized “Coffee Time with Archaeologists” at McKelligon Canyon HQ. 
We want to congratulate Raul Gomez who was appointed to Maintenance Specialist V!  Also, It is bittersweet that we say goodbye to Officer Jacob Barton ~ we all wish you success and happiness during your next adventures and chapter in life as the new Park Superintendant at Balmorhea State Park.
The schedule for the Franklin Mountain SP monthly hikes and events are now posted on Facebook, Meetup.com, Celebmtns.org, TPWD Calendar of events online, and the El Paso Scene.  Stop by the office, park or call us at (915) 566-6441 if you ever have any questions or just want to talk to the rangers.  Happy Trails!

You can Help Preserve Critical Natural Open Space

The “Friends of the Arroyo” has long been an organizational member of FMWC.  Now, they are seeking assistance from like-minded organizations and individuals.  See Matt Carroll’s letter below and learn more HERE.   If you can help, please contact Matt:  2friendsofthearroyo@gmail.com .

From Friends of the Arroyo by Matt Carroll:

Billy Rogers Arroyo Park consists of about 75 acres along about a mile of the arroyo that drains part of the south Franklin Mountains and then flows through the UTEP campus to the Rio Grande.  Friends of the Arroyo was the name coined by the late artist Steve Edwards, a founder of the ad-hoc association of neighboring residents and concerned citizens that arose in reaction to development proposals,  Our effort culminated in a City Council decision to confer nature preserve status on this area.  I assumed responsibility for the densely vegetated lower section, and the late Dr. Billy Rogers partnered the larger, more open upper section.  We co-operated fully in advocacy, protection and clean-up activities.
Since the tragic and untimely death of Dr. Rogers, I have given much thought to how we can best assure the preservation of this natural treasure for future generations.  If an established environmentally-oriented organization can take over partnership for the entire park, I would be happy to continue my customary stewardship of the lower portion as long as I am able.   I would hope that the partnership would keep the name “Friends of the Arroyo” and its affiliation with the FMWC. 
Sincerely,
Matt Carroll,
Senior Leader, Friends of the Arroyo.

September 2012

Newsletter

Franklin Mountains State Park Update

by: Adrianna Weickhardt
Park Interpreter/Ranger/Volunteer Coordinator

We are proud to welcome our newest member of the Franklin Mountains SP team, Matthew Truax! He comes to us as a local El Pasoan with a strong desire to learn about the park and all of the important duties that come with being a park maintenance ranger. The guys have been showing him the ropes and so far haven’t run him off J. Welcome Matt!

Our Park Superintendent, Dr. Cesar Mendez, attended the El Paso County and Dona Ana County Conservation Cooperative meeting with the ultimate purpose to establish a group that can make recommendations on the direction of conservation efforts in both counties. The City of El Paso and Texas Parks and Wildlife signed an Inter Local Agreement that will allow Franklin Mountains State Park to install signage and iron rangers at specific trailheads within City property to legally access the State Park.

As we are rounding out the summer, the park has been chock full of visitors attending various activities such as the Women’s Only Hikes, Peak Fitness Challenge hikes, and FREE movie nights in the Franklins – all new programs that started either earlier this year or as special summer programming. During the month of August, the park offered 4 FREE movie nights all supporting the theme of Water Conservation and included special guest speakers Diane Perez and Norma Guzman, both from the TecH20 Center. We showed the movies “Texas the State of Water” and “Rango” drawing adults, children, dogs and even a surprise viewing of some deer during one evening.

We just offered our 6th Women’s Only Hike (a once a month offering) in August and have been meeting some wonderful ladies with vivacious spirits and passions for getting more familiar with the outdoors and the desert. We also had our 3rd Peak Fitness Challenge Hike (a once a month offering as well) in August and with a group of 10 people and one loveable dog, hiked to the top of North Franklin Peak. FMSP partnered with the folks from GeoBetty, Texas Mountain Trail Region and Guadalupe Mountains National Park for this one of a kind and exciting program! Check out the link at: http://beta.geobetty.com/peak/. Sign up for a fun new challenge, log your miles, win prizes and reach new peaks and goals with us.

On August 25, 2012, we held our 2012 Volunteer Orientation for about 15 volunteers. It was a wonderful day-long training presented by Dr. Cesar Mendez, Park Police Officer Fernie Rincon, Volunteer Richard Love and Park Interpretive Ranger Adrianna Weickhardt. We are so happy and appreciative to all of the new and “renewed” volunteers for the dedication and passion that they share with the park and all of the visitors – we couldn’t do it without you!
On September 1, 2012, the much anticipated Chihuahuan Desert Chili Cook Off will be commencing. Volunteers and park staff have been planning this event all year; sure to be a fun day for the whole family, this Chili Cook-Off is Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI) sanctioned. “CASI raises money for charity through the promotion of American red chili. CASI sanctions over 500 chili cook-offs internationally each year as qualifying events for the Terlingua International Chili Championship. This grand spectacle is held the first Saturday of November each year at the society’s grounds in Terlingua, Texas.” -- www.chili.org. There will be free chili tasting, music by Slackabilly, door prizes and more.

Park staff, volunteers, and community service did general maintenance to Tom Mays Unit and McKelligon Canyon HQ. Park staff requested wooden signs to be installed across the park. Park volunteer R. Newman continues to work on the trail rerouting of a bike loop north of the Lower Sunset trail. Volunteer Richard Love and park staff did maintenance to the Wildlife Viewing Area. A couple of rattlesnakes hanging out by the Wildlife Viewing Area were relocated by park staff to an area out of public use. Other Wildlife sightings during the month of August: a Hoary Bat, a Javelina, Deer, Gray Fox, a Leopard Lizard (rarely seen in Texas) and a Ringtail; all but the Javelina and Leopard Lizard were seen in McKelligon Canyon. The Javelina was spotted out in the Hitt Canyon area of the park, and the Leopard Lizard was seen on the Lazy Cow trail.

Hop on over to the 8th Annual Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta, Saturday, September 15

The Annual Chihuhuan Desert Fiesta at Tom May’s Park sponsored by Franklin Mountains State Park will take place again this year in northwest El Paso on the west side of the Trans Mountain (Loop 375) road. Everyone is invited to come out and enjoy the day and explore the area with park staff, volunteers and partner conservation education organizations including the El Paso Zoo, El Paso Water Utilities, Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coaltion and many other local organizations. There will be short easy walking guided walks, speakers, educational exhibits, horse and hay rides and demonstrations.
If you are an experienced desert goer the event makes for a great time to renew friendships with other members of the community and to make new friends. If you are a novice with little or no experience attending the event will help you connect with the Chihuahuan Desert and its amazing biodiversity, geology and cultural resources.

Texas Master Naturalists Screens Documentary
“Mother: Caring for 7 Billion”

Texas Master Naturalists invite you to a special screening of “Mother: Caring for 7 Billion”, a  documentary about population, held at El Paso Museum of Archaeology, 4301 Woodrow Bean  Transmountain Road El Paso, TX 79924 at 11 am on Saturday October 13, 2012. This is a  courageous and sensitive new film that shows how population silently fuels our largest  environmental, humanitarian, and social crises. Since the 1960’s the world population has nearly doubled, adding more than 3 billion people. At the same time, talking about population has become politically incorrect because of the sensitivity of the issues surrounding the topic- religion, economics, family planning and gender inequality. The Green Revolution that has fed billions will
soon come to an end due to the diminishing availability of its main ingredients -oil and water. This film highlights this issue with some eye opening facts and personal life accounts.”

FMWC Seeks Event Coordinator

The Franklin Mountain Wilderness Coalition is seeking an Event Coordinator for Poppies
2013. Other volunteer opportunities include: Volunteer Coordinator, Event Day Security,
Children’s Activity Leader, and more.

The Event Coordinator is responsible for organizing the Planning Meetings, setting the agenda, and coordinating with other event leaders.

Please ask your organization’s members and friends, and spread the word. If anyone is interested, please notify Judy Ackerman, (jpackerman53@gmail.com, 915-755-7371) not later than 15 Oct 2012. Response to this request will determine IF 2013 Franklin Mountains Poppies Celebration on Castner
Range happens. Tentative event date is Sat 30 Mar 2013.

SWEC Steps Up Efforts to Get More Mexican Wolves on the Ground

By Kevin Bixby
Contributor/ Executive Director of the Southwest Environmental Center

The Southwest Environmental Center in Las Cruces has been at the forefront of recent efforts to  convince federal officials to release more endangered Mexican wolves into the wilds of New Mexico  and Arizona.

In February, we ran six full-page ads in the Las Cruces Sun-News, each consisting of a letter signed by more than 1500 people calling on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Regional Director Benjamin Tuggle to use his authority to revoke an outdated and politically- motivated rule that prohibits the direct release of wolves into New Mexico.

Most of the best remaining unoccupied wolf habitat is located in New Mexico’s Gila National Forest, yet current rules stipulate that wolves from the captive breeding population must first be released into a relatively small area of Arizona before they can be subsequently relocated into New Mexico. Releasing suitable wolves from the more than 300 in captivity directly into New Mexico is the quickest and most effective way to boost numbers and genetic diversity in the wild population, and ensure that Mexican wolves do not go extinct in the wild again.

At the same time, we circulated an online petition calling for direct releases that garnered more than 26,000 signatures. Each time somebody signed, Tuggle received an email message urging him to clear the way for direct releases of Mexican wolves into New Mexico.

Finally, SWEC’s Executive Director Kevin Bixby helped to author a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, signed by 30 conservation organizations, calling for more wolves to be released into Arizona to prevent further loss of genetic diversity in the wild population, as well as a rule change allowing for releases into New Mexico.

A copy of the newspaper ad, online petition and Salazar letter can be found on our website at www.wildmesquite.org.

July 2012

NEWSLETTER

July 2012

Next Meeting:  WEDNESDAY, July 25, 2012
Location: Our meeting will be held at The Garden Center, Memorial Park, 3105 Grant St. from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Map:
http://www.cichlidpress.com/elpasocactusclub/graphics/gardencenter.jpg


ON THE LOOKOUT!

FMWC is looking for a newsletter editor for the September and November editions. Please contact kmcconaghie@gmail.com  if you’re interested. Thank you!


TRANSMOUNTAIN SCENIC CORRIDOR

Congratulations and heartfelt thanks to all who participated in efforts to preserve city owned land along Transmountain Road in NW El Paso! Actions that began in Aug 2010 concluded on July 17, with City Council’s vote to preserve some land by transferring it to Franklin Mountains State Park. Deed restrictions will make it clear that Council’s intent is ensuring NO development there.

We look forward to the expert stewardship of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and still need your eternal vigilance because “Every conservation victory is temporary.”

You can find many more details and links to related issues here and here.


A Word from Jim Tolbert

As the author of the petition and the coordinator of the petition drive, I hope we all see the tremendous achievement which came from our dedicated work. On July 17, 2012 City Council voted unanimously to preserve land in the NW Master Plan in perpetuity by deeding and donating the land to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to become part of the Franklin Mountains State Park. Language in the deed will contain very strict covenants that will forbid the property from ever being used other than as recreational natural open space. If for any reason the land comes back to the City, a conservation easement will be created and the land will be dedicated as Parkland. The conservation of this land in perpetuity is just one of many benefits created by our successful petition drive. The NW Master Plan was redone as Smart Growth/Smart Code. Moreover, City Planners are now seeking to incorporate Green Infrastructure/Low Impact Development into the engineering tools and building codes of the City. Also, conservation and smart growth have become the goals of the City of El Paso rather than conventional growth and sprawl. The City’s Planning Department is now led by progressive, Smart Growth, New Urban, conservation advocates. Finally, a better working relationship between the conservation and environmental community and the PSB/EPWU has begun and needs nurturing.

The way is clear for all of us to begin wrestling with the bigger issue of scarcity of water as we face more years of drought and global warming/climate change. As El Pasoans we need to realize that we have more land than water and no land without water is or will be of any value. Therefore, preserving land as natural open space maximizes the economic value of the remaining land. Much of City-owned land managed by the PSB should be declared inexpedient not to sell to developers but to preserve as natural open space. May we as El Pasoans be as prudent, judicious, deliberate and conservative with our land and water management as City Council was with its conservation strategy to preserve land in the NW Master Plan. May we be faithful stewards of our land for our grandchildren’s grandchildren and may we not ever be lured by any need for instant profit and gratification.


Letter to the Editor, Judy Ackerman

Right here in El Paso, we have the LARGEST Park in the entire lower 48 states that is inside city limits – the Franklin Mountains State Park (FMSP). Our Park is a huge asset to El Paso that brings visitors from far and wide. We should enhance access to FMSP at every opportunity. Instead, PSB and City Council recommend a backdoor approach - the worst of TXDOT’s six alternative entrance options to the Tom Mays section of FMSP (other than the current death trap requiring at-grade crossing high-speed traffic lanes).

Public Service Board staff articulated the difficulty to move forward with the backdoor approach which requires extending Paseo Del Norte north of Transmountain Rd. Currently, that road is only a figment of PSB’s imagination and building it mandates selling city owned land to developers who would benefit from such a road. The next section of the backdoor approach requires a farm road (possibly gravel) built from Paseo Del Norte, east to the Park. Does that look like an entrance to a world class Park? Will visitors with low clearance vehicles or RVs decide to go elsewhere when they see they must go off pavement to get into Our Park?

The worst part of the TXDOT’s backdoor is NO mention of hike and bike trails or wildlife crossings to connect the north and south sections of the Park fragmented by Transmountain Rd – soon to be an even bigger highway with traffic speeds likely well in access of the posted limit. Fortunately, both PSB’s and City Council’s resolutions do include wildlife crossings near the current Park entrance.

There are better ways to get into FMSP! Two of TXDOT’s six alternatives include some form of an underpass near the current entrance that ensure safety of Park visitors, allow for easy direct access from Transmountain Road, and create a connection between the north and south for people and wildlife.

TX Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) have not yet analyzed entrance alternatives. TPWD andFMSP personnel are the experts on what is best for our Park. Decisions are in TXDOT’s hands. Let’s encourage TXDOT to do the right thing: Give TPWD personnel time to analyze the alternatives and then follow their recommendations to optimize our outstanding Franklin Mountains State Park. Visit Our Park and you will see for yourself why it is worth the effort to do the right thing.


PARK NEWS, Adrianna Weickhardt

Good Morning FMWC: The Franklin Mountains are still here and standing proud in El Paso, so this is great news. What (or who) is not still here at the Franklin Mountains State Park is a different story. As many of you know, this park is about 26,000 acres and requires a lot of love and attention to ensure its continued operation and its success. Two recent employees of the park gave 100% of that attention to these mountains and to this park; but with the changing times, demands and personal interests, we had to say good bye to two great employees: Robert Pichardo and John Nunez. Robert P. contributed countless years to the parks in and near El Paso, and left a huge void when he decided to take a change of pace at another park; he was an incredible employee, friend and a Mr. Fix-it of almost anything. John Nunez also gave many years to two state parks in El Paso, and was an avid “mountain man” that we miss dearly. Both men are pursuing the next adventures in new chapters in their lives, and the Franklin Mountains State Park is now actively seeking two new employees to start the park’s new chapter. The remaining employees are working double time to cover the duties of those empty positions as well as their own! The times are challenging for our staff, but the crew at this park is resilient and determined.

With many discussions swirling about regarding a new entrance to the park with the TXDOT construction on the West side of TransMountain Rd., and the discussions around the over 800 acres adjacent to the FMSP, people are abuzz about the changes occurring at the park. At this point in time, Cesar Mendez is handling the park’s needed participation in the planning phases and discussions surrounding these two major topics.

The northern boundaries of the park are getting some much needed attention. Park staff and volunteers are out GPS’ing safety markers to aid the folks at GeoBetty with the new and updated version of their fantastic maps of the park and trails. We have our dedicated volunteer out on the bike trail loops re-routing part of the track to make sure trails are completely within park boundaries; simultaneously, the work on the re-routes is giving sections of trail a much needed face lift while increasing their sustainability by preventing early erosion and trail damage.

The Monsoon Season is here again bringing new life and energy to the mountains. We’re seeing Ocotillos blooming again near the northern boundaries of the park, ant reproductives scurrying about the grounds, and many Horned Lizards throughout the mountains. The Facebook page has been an excellent media source for the park; the friends base is growing, people are using it to inquire about their park related questions, to post their photographs from all corners of the mountains, and to stay up to date on events and activities each month. Join us on Facebook to stay current on your FMSP.

Recently, the park staff had a meeting and signed up as a contributor to the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS). The following is an excerpt from their website: “CoCoRaHS is a unique, non-profit, community-based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow). By using low-cost measurement tools, stressing training and education, and utilizing an interactive Web-site, our aim is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education and research applications. We are now in all fifty states.” The Franklin Mountains State Park is proud to be participating in this effort; the representative who brought the rain gauges and held an educational meeting with us explained that El Paso has one of the lowest numbers of reporters for our region. He is intent on drumming up more involvement; they provide the education and the gauges. If you are interested in participating in this community project, you can contact me or the park superintendent for information and we can supply you the contact name and number for our region: Headquarters: (915) 566-6441 or Adrianna.Weickhardt@tpwd.state.tx.us.


MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

El Paso Museum of Archaeology
4301 Transmountain Road, El Paso Texas 79924
915-755-4332;
guidamr@elpasotexs.gov; www.elpasotexas.gov/arch_museum/

Access Update: Due to TXDOT construction in process, from Hwy 54, use the Sun Valley exit to reach the museum via Transmountain Road westbound. Look for the right turn lane into the museum driveway.



July/August 2012 Programs

2012 Archaeology Summer Day Camps – Still Open for Registration: 9 am to Noon, Tuesdays through Fridays on the following dates: July 24 to 27 for ages 10 to 12, Grades 5 to 7. The camp registration fee is $55 for El Paso Museum of Archaeology members and $70 for non-members. Registration is accepted on a first-come first-served basis as attendance is limited to twelve students per camp. Children must have completed first grade and be at least seven years old. For information and the camp registration form contact the museum at 915-755-4332 or guidamr@elpasotexas.gov.

New Exhibit: Look Close SEE FAR, A Cultural Portrait of the Maya - On View through September 9, 2012: Photographer Bruce T. Martin has been photographing the Maya and their surroundings for the past twenty years. His exhibit of 28 photographs and book of the same name gives his impressions of the lives and culture of Maya people today. He says “The Maya region is a place where the delicate balance between society and the environment dominates life and challenges one’s view of reality.” Look Close See Far by Bruce T. Martin Photography. Also on view are twelve contemporary Maya textiles borrowed from an anonymous lender, with handouts explaining the designs and symbolism.

Saturday, August 4, 1:00 to 3:00 pm, Free Admission
1:00 pm - Little Red Riding Hood Lied about Wolves
Facts and fiction about wolves. Presented by “The Wolf Lady” Nancy Bain, Former Wolf Exhibit Volunteer Host at the El Paso Zoo

2:00 pm – Venomous Creatures of the Chihuahuan Desert. Learn about venomous insects, spiders and reptiles & some poisonous plants. Bi-lingual Program – English & Spanish, Presented by Sal Quintanilla, West Texas Poison Control Center

Sunday, August 19, 2:00 pm, Free Admission
EPAS Speaker – To Be Announced
Sponsored by the El Paso Archaeological Society

Saturday, August 25, 2:00 pm, Free Admission
Pompeii: The Key to Roman Life
Film with introduction and follow up discussion
By Dr. Ronald Suciu, Professor of History, EPCC

Saturday, September 8, 2:00 pm, Free Admission
A 21st Century Maya Woman: One Life Story
Dr. Eber will read from her book with “Antonia” - The Journey of a Tzotzil-Maya Woman: Pass Well Over the Earth - and discuss the process of writing her life story and their experiences working together. By Dr. Christine Eber, Professor Emerita of Anthropology, New Mexico State University


EL PASO ZOO

August 4-5, 2012. 10am to 3pm: It's the annual Back-to-School "BUG AWARENESS WEEKEND 2012" at the El Paso Zoo with fun and games for the whole family. Zoo staff will be breaking out the bugs and letting you see them UP CLOSE at the best place to bug out before school starts. Zoo staff and volunteers will host bugs inside the El Paso Water Utilities Discovery Center just inside the Front Gate. There will also be a bug cooking demonstration and children activities in the Asia Discovery Center. Be sure to check the map insert when you arrive for more details.

Rick LoBello, Education Curator
4001 E. Paisano, El Paso, Texas 79905
http://www.elpasozoo.org/
(915) 521-1881
Sign up for the El Paso Zoo email list here.

TP Master Naturalists
SECOND CHANCE WILDLIFE RESCUE
4122 Emory Rd., El Paso, TX 79922
Carol Miller, Licensed Rehabilitator ,915-584-7088

Needed: Wildlife Rehabilitator Trainee, anytime between 6 am to 6 pm, 2 hours minimum. Lots of choices, lots of tasks at intake facility for Westside bird rescues. Feed and care for baby birds and injured birds, mostly songbirds, also ducks, geese, emus. Man the office for rescue facility and maintain release sites and ponds.


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: Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, Attention: Lone Star Legacy, P.O. Box 191207, Dallas, TX, 75219. Mark your donation to the endowment fund for Franklin Mountains State Park.


FMWC IN CYBERSPACE

This is the blog version of the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition newsletter. To be added to or removed from the e-mail distribution list, contact: j.p.ackerman@sbcglobal.net.

Many of you also receive the paper version of this newsletter. If you wish to help us save paper and postage by receiving the e-newsletter only, contact: j.p.ackerman@sbcglobal.net .


FMWC BOARD

President: Scott Cutler
Vice President: Jane Fowler
Secretary: Judy Ackerman
Treasurer: Pat White
At Large Members: Raul Amaya & Nick Havlik



May 2012

Next Meeting: WEDNESDAY, May 30, 2012

MEETING LOCATION: Our meeting will be held at The Garden Center, Memorial Park, 3105 Grant St. from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

CASTNER RANGE, by Scott Cutler

As you are all probably aware by now, a press conference was held on Saturday, May 12, to announce that language in the 2012 Defense Authorization Bill supporting the transfer of Castner Range to the State Park had passed out of the House Armed Services sub-committee. While many may have seen this event as an attempt at political one-ups-manship, from the standpoint of preserving Castner Range it is a huge step forward. While the language in the bill could have been stronger, the bill clearly contained language that supported and advanced what FMWC has worked towards for decades.

As the President of the Coalition, I was asked to say a few words during the ceremony. Cognizant of the fact that as a non-profit 501C3 we cannot endorse any candidate, I focused my statements on the importance of this issue and the hopes of all supporters of Castner Range that the bill will pass with the conveyance language still in place. Below is a copy of what I read at the event.

The Coalition will continue to support any appropriate measures that move us towards our goal of protecting Castner Range forever. This will be done in a non-partisan way. Your continued support of our efforts will show all officials that there is broad-based community support to keep Castner Range the magnificent natural jewel we all treasure.

For over 30 years since the Franklin Mountains State Park came into being the citizens of El Paso have hoped for the day when the original vision of the Park would be fulfilled with the inclusion of Castner Range.

That is now one giant step closer to becoming a reality as the House Armed Services Sub-committee has approved the 2013 Defense Authorization Bill which includes language paving the way for Castner Range to be conveyed to Texas Parks and Wildlife's Franklin Mountains State Park.

There have been many Federal, State, County and City officials who have stood up and supported the effort to preserve Castner Range in its natural state and we are thankful to them all.

Fort Bliss is to be commended for their tireless efforts to protect the public from UXOs through their stewardship of the Range resulting in as pristine a natural area as one could hope for in a major metropolitan area.

And certainly the voice of the citizens of El Paso has been heard loud and clear through petition drives, public forums and attendance at the annual Franklin Mountains Poppies Preservation Festivals that they want Castner Range protected and added to the State Park.

So, it will be with great anticipation and hope that El Pasoans will watch the 2013 Defense Authorization Bill wend its way through Congress to final approval with the Castner Range conveyance language remaining intact.


The final language of the Castner Range provisions (section 2844) in the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act are on pages 803-806 of the bill as passed by the Armed Services Committee. You can read it all HERE



TRANSMOUNTAIN SCENIC CORRIDOR
From Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter El Paso Group

For over a year now most of your Executive Committee’s energy has gone into fighting Texas Department of Transportation’s overblown plan for Transmountain Road.

We regard the planned expansion as the linchpin that will release a flood of development on the western slopes of our beloved Franklin Mountains, labeling El Paso forever as a second-rate city that values the short-term gains of sprawl over respect for our natural heritage. We have a vision for El Paso that would put us in a class with Tucson or Boulder, or even Austin!

First, we hired Texas’ foremost environmental law firm, Lowerre, Frederick, Perales, Allmon and Rockwell, for an unsuccessful protest of the TxDot plan where we asked for a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) instead of their “quick and dirty” Environmental Analysis. This is the same firm that brought our ASARCO suit to a successful end. We do not often seek legal help. Then, we filed suit against TxDot and the Federal Highway Administration in hopes of forcing that EIS. In the meantime, the contractor has begun work down by I-10. Please stay tuned for future updates.


CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS! by Richard Teschner and Scott Cutler

It’s that time of the year again! The FMWC (and the Frontera Land Alliance) Ardovino’s Desert Crossing Farmers’ Market display tables and the need for volunteers!

Did you volunteer last year? If so, a trillion dollars’ worth of thanks to all of you and yours. Now can we count on you again? As for those who were dangerously derelict in their FMWC/Frontera Duties, can we count on you THIS time around? Richard Teschner has e-mailed the sign-in sheet to all the folks who were on our last year’s list. Have you received it? If so, PLEASE SIGN UP! Have you not received it (because, perhaps, your name was not on it)? If that is the case, then just e-mail Richard— teschner@utep.edu —and he’ll zap it on off to you.

Following is the Farmers’ Market instruction sheet that Scott Cutler, Judy Ackerman and Richard wrote up. It tells you all you need to know.

Instruction Sheet

Those who are new to the ADCFM game have asked: What exactly do we do out there? Here is a little list of instructions that may answer most of your questions.

1. Arrive at the ADCFM no later than 6:45 a.m. on the Saturday in question. The booths are located in ADC’s south parking lot, between the restaurant area and the railroad tracks. Many booths are already up and running at that hour. If possible, park alongside the shrubs and bushes on the EAST side of the south parking lot, which is considerably closer to the FMWC/Frontera tables than is the north parking lot. This makes a difference when transporting the FMWC/Frontera materials from your car to the tables.

2. The FMWC/Frontera tables occupy a very visible location at the very northern end of the ADCFM area. The tables are just to the right as you enter that area. Our tables are just to the east of Richard Silva’s massage chair. (Most of you already know Richard.)

3. The materials in your possession will be: (a) two large folding triptychs bearing photos and text that explains what the FMWC and the Frontera Land Alliance are all about; (b) the Frontera banner (in a long triangular cardboard container) and the FMWC banner; (c) a box full of Albertsons Community Cards; (d) a box full of Frontera brochures; (e) a green canvas shopping bag containing (i) a plastic pitcher where shoppers can leave small change or dollar bills as donations to the FMWC, to Frontera, or to both, (ii) the sign-up sheets for both the FMWC and Frontera, (iii) bungee cords, (iv) FMWC petitions and the like. Scott Cutler (President, FMWC; 581.6071; 112 Colina Alta, 79912 ScottMCutler@sbcglobal.net ) has kindly volunteered to store these materials in between Saturdays. Pick them up at his home, or make your own arrangements with the previous Saturday’s volunteer to pick them up from him or her.

4. Attach the banners to the posts alongside the two tables. Rubberized metallic cords plus bungee cords enable you to do so.

5. Set up the two triptychs, the FMWC materials, the Frontera brochures, the Albertsons Community Cards, the plastic pitcher, the sign-up sheets, the petitions, etc., on the two tables.

6. Sit in one of the two chairs and wait for the first groups of customers to show up. And show up they will, typically by 7 a.m. You may want to stand in FRONT of the tables, enticing folks to drop by, talk, and read the materials. Or you may want to spend some of the time sitting and the rest of the time standing. Drinks and food can be purchased at the trailer that’s located at the western end of the ADCFM parking lot. Restrooms are located inside Sunset Hall (where the Taste of Frontera is held) and also inside the restaurant proper.

7. By 11:45 a.m. the crowds begin to thin out. Most people actually go to the ADCFM to buy produce, which gets very picked over by 11 a.m. Around 11:45 you can begin to think in terms of packing up and later shutting down. Be sure you pack up everything that you brought and then carry it back to your car. (“Leave nothing behind, save footprints [and dollars].”)

Hope to see you at the Farmers’ Market!!!


NEWS

Vista Del Aguila National Wildlife Refuge Proposed for El Paso, Hudspeth and Culberson Counties

Effort to create the first National Wildlife Refuge in West Texas will help meet the growing demand for access to lands to experience nature. The Southwest Region of the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFW) is proposing a new National Wildlife Refuge in the Trans-Pecos region of far west Texas near Sierra Blanca and Van Horn, Texas. Support for the effort is growing where members of local and regional conservation organizations including the El Paso Chapter of the Sierra Club are getting behind the proposal. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to offer their support by contacting Dr. Benjamin Tuggle, Southwest Regional Director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service by email at RDTuggle@fws.gov. The proposed National Wildlife Refuge would be a USFW contribution to a multi-agency/multi-landowner conservation partnership in the Trans Pecos and would support coordinated efforts of resource management activities through strategic landscape- level conservation planning within the northern Chihuahuan Desert ecoregion. In 2010 the USFW signed on to a Memorandum of Understanding supporting a new Desert Landscape Conservation Cooperative and President Obama's America's Great Outdoors initiative. The MOU between the USFW, U.S. National Park Service (NPS), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is collaborative effort benefiting research and management activities of the natural and cultural resources in the Rio Grande Basin and Chihuahuan Desert of the Trans-Pecos region.

The establishment of a refuge in the Eagle Mountains of the Trans-Pecos is a proactive conservation endeavor aimed at strategically preserving a representative example of the Chihuahuan Desert ecoregion currently underrepresented within the National Wildlife Refuge System. The entire Chihuahuan Desert ecoregion consists of approximately 148 million acres. The U.S. portion consists of approximately 38.5 million acres within the states of Texas (23.6 million acres) and New Mexico (14.9 million). Currently, less than I percent (or approximately 281,000 acres) of Chihuahuan Desert habitat is protected within the National Wildlife Refuge System, solely on refuges in New Mexico. To learn more about how you can get involved in the effort contact Rick LoBello at ricklobello@gmail.com

During the 1970s, the Service attempted to establish a refuge in the Trans-Pecos, but was unsuccessful. Since the creation of Big Bend National Park in 1944, unified landowners have opposed and prevented the establishment of additional federal lands within this region. The majority of the Trans-Pecos remains in private ownership in the form of relatively large ranches. However, the profile of the typical landowner in Texas is changing. The large ranch tradition is giving way to subdivided properties allowing more landowners to own smaller parcels. Increased development and population growth in the Trans-Pecos, especially near urban areas, is reducing large-scale areas of biologically sustainable habitats and creating additional habitat fragmentation. The City of EI Paso, the nation’s largest border city, is experiencing continued development and population growth. In addition, the Fort Bliss Army Air Base located in EI Paso, will experience an increase of about 20,000 soldiers along with their families in 2011 due to base realignments. Across the border from EI Paso along the Rio Grande, is Juarez, Mexico, a city of approximately 1.5 million people. It too, continues to experience unusually rapid growth in population.

Given the growth and population trend in the bi-national metropolitan cities of EI Paso-Juarez and the surrounding communities of west Texas, pressure continues to be placed on the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem and its limited resources. In a state where 80 percent of the population lives in urban areas, there is a growing demand for access to lands to experience nature. In addition, there is a need to provide more opportunities for outdoor recreation near major population centers and adequate conservation of the state's natural regions and cultural heritage.

The establishment of the first Refuge within the vast expanse of the Trans-Pecos would serve the following purposes: I ) reduce ongoing habitat fragmentation by protecting a large expanse of the Chihuahuan Desert not currently represented in the Trans-Pecos within the National Wildlife Refuge System; 2) provide an area within proximity to a metropolitan center for the public to engage in positive outdoor experiences and; 3) in collaboration with other stakeholders, provide a link to existing conservation areas to preserve the biological diversity within the Chihuahuan Desert. Conservation and heritage education, particularly for the next generation, is vital to the future.

Establishing a refuge within the core of the northern Chihuahuan Desert would not only protect one of the natural treasures of Texas, but preserve the cultural heritage of the region.

Source – from Preliminary Project Proposal: Vista Del Aguila National Wildife Refuge, El Paso, Hudspeth and Culberson Counties, Texas. US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Refuge System, Southwest Region, April, 2011


MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

El Paso Museum of Archaeology
June 2012 Programs

Archaeology Camp

June 12 to 15 for children 7 to 9 years

June 26 to 29 for children 10 to 12 years

$55 museum members; $70.00 non-members

Call 915-755-4332 for information and registration form


Rainwater Harvesting: Weathering the Drought

A Master Gardeners Class, Free and Open to the Public

Sat. June 9, 10:00 am: Virginia Morris, a Master Gardener, shows you how to have water through the drought with rainwater harvesting in this PowerPoint illustrated talk. You’ll learn how to capture, store and use harvested rainwater which can result in a lower water bill.


Transmountain Road Clean Up with Master Gardeners and Naturalists Sat. June 9, 7:55 to 9:30 am, Open to the Public Call 915-525-7723 for directions and information


Sun and Rain: Rock Art Images of New Mexico and Sweden Sat. June 9, 2:00 pm, Free Admission: Margaret Berrier presents a myriad of photos to compare the landscape and rock art images of New Mexico and Sweden and the methods and challenges of recording them using in this PowerPoint illustrated talk.

Exploring the Music of the Americas, A Family Workshop by the musical group Ceiba,Sat., June 16, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, Free Admission: Ceiba invites families with children age six years and up are to participate in a creative, interactive exploration of live music and art inspired by ancient and modern Latin America from México to the Andes led by the El Paso musical group Ceiba.


El Paso Archaeological Society Program

Sun. June 17, 2:00 pm, Free Admission

El Paso Museum of Archaeology, 4301 Transmountain Road, El Paso Texas 79924; 915-755-4332; www.elpasotexas.gov/arch_mus

Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition BOARD

President: Scott Cutler

Vice President: Jane Fowler

Secretary: Judy Ackerman

Treasurer: Pat White

At Large Members: Raul Amaya and Nick Havlik


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.