Next Meeting:
WEDNESDAY
March 21, 2012
NEW Meeting Place and Time
MEETING LOCATION: Our meeting will be held at 6:30 PM at Scott Cutler’s home: 112 Colina Alta Drive, El Paso, TX 79912, Phone: 581-6071. We will welcome Jim Tolbert of El Paso Naturally as our guest speaker. He’ll be presenting us with an update on NW Scenic Corridor issues. Hope to see you there!
NEW MEMBER ORGANIZATION LOOKOUT
Non-profit organizations that share our goals to preserve and protect the Franklin Mountains may join for FREE. If you know of a non-profit that would like to join FMWC, please have them contact judy Ackerman, 915-755-7371, or j.p.ackerman@sbcglobal.
TRANSMOUNTAIN ROAD CLEANUP
Our first 2012 cleanup of Trans Mountain Road on March 3 was a success and a failure. The 16 hardworking volunteers who participated picked up 30 bags of trash in two hours. Thanks to them for their hard work. We failed to clean the dirtiest section of our adopted segment, the last half mile from Ressler on both sides of the roadway, because we did not have enough volunteers.
The next cleanup is on May 12, 2012 at 0800-1000. We will only work those two hours since most of us have busy schedules. I will be contacting FMWC Member Organizations to commit for one of the remaining cleanups on May 12, Aug 18, or Oct 27. Please contact your organization’s members to participate so that the remaining cleanups are more successful. As we all know the more volunteers we have the easier the effort to complete the project.
Thanks to Ed (no e-mail) Dominguez (915-494-5297) for coordinating these efforts! Please call him to sign up as a volunteer for this crucial Adopt a Highway effort!
TRANSMOUNTAIN SCENIC CORRIDOR
Editorial Comment: FMWC contributed to this effort by the Sierra Club. The Coalition supports the expansion of Transmountain Road to two lanes in each direction for safety reasons but, as stated below, NO overpasses should be built east of Gasline Road.
SIERRA CLUB APPEAL
Funds are urgently needed, any amount is appreciated.
On February 6, 2012 The Sierra Club filed a lawsuit in the Western District of Texas, Austin Division, against the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The suit alleges failure of FHWA and TxDOT to provide an adequate assessment of the collateral damage to environmental values that will be caused by the Transmountain Road Freeway Project. The Sierra Club contends TxDOT and local real estate interests feared looming state budget shortfalls would freeze the Project unless it was rushed quickly to contract. This so rushed the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses of the Project as to lead to prejudgment of the outcome of the environmental analyses.
The widening of Transmountain Road to a “Freeway” status threatens to degrade the high-desert solitude of the Franklin Mountains. The El Paso Sierra Club strongly believes that those who value the rugged beauty of the Franklin Mountains State Park must continue efforts to protect it from the impacts of the proposed freeway and the development it will enable. The City’s concessions to real estate development interests and the insensitivity of TxDOT officials to the qualities of high-desert mountains risk stripping all El Pasoans of a valuable part of our natural heritage.
In the lawsuit, the Sierra Club asks the Court to declare the FHWA approval of the Finding Of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and its failure to require a Section 4(f), i.e., parkland protection, evaluation to have been arbitrary, capricious and not in accordance with the law. The Court is also asked to set aside the FONSI and enjoin FHWA and TxDOT from further development, except for the completion of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Section 4(f) study and revised project design work. The revised design work should include no construction of bridges/interchanges or access/gateway roads beyond what is commonly called “gas line road.” Any construction beyond “gas line road” should be “at grade level” and no accommodations should be made to allow for Plexxar Road or Paseo Del Norte Road to intersect with Transmountain Road as was planned by TxDOT.
Additional funding in the amount of $65,000 will be necessary for the continued funding of the lawsuit. Donations are direly needed immediately and should be mailed to:
Sierra Club – El Paso Regional Group
P.O. Box 9191
El Paso, Texas 79995
UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 20TH
BE THERE!
This coming Tuesday, City Council will begin the process for the new NW Master Plan. They will have four scenarios to choose from:
• Build north and south of Transmountain (2 options)
• Build only south of Transmountain in limited areas
• No Build
A special meeting of OSAB has been called so that OSAB can have the opportunity of being on record for recommending a more conservation/natural open space friendly scenario to City Council rather than having their previous decision assumed by Council members as their final recommendation.
OSAB and City Council need to see you – many numbers of you – and hear from many of you. Pack the place with with people who want to save the Scenic Corridor, preserve arroyos, rescue animal habitat and corridors . . . keep open space open!
CASTNER RANGE
TWO IMPORTANT MEETINGS
Please plan to attend. It is crucial to show visible public concern about Castner Range:
The next Ft Bliss Restoration Authority Board (RAB) meeting will take place on April 25th, 6:30PM at the Chaparral Community Center, which is located at 132 County Line Road.
The final meeting for the Castner Range Wide Area Assessment Technical Project Planning (WAA TPP) will take place on Wednesday, 25 April 2012 at 9:00AM, at the Marriot hotel near the El Paso Int’l Airport. This project deals with assessing the hazards on Castner Range.
2012 FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS POPPIES FEST
CASTNER RANGE, MARCH 31, 2012
Castner Range is a former artillery range known for its cultural, geologic and unique biology and get ready, folks, because THE POPPIES ARE IN BLOOM!
Join us for the 2012 Franklin Mountains Poppies Fest on Castner Range! This FREE event will be held March 31, 2012 (10am-4pm) at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology at 4301 Transmountain Road. Enjoy the beauty of the mountains and a full day of nature talks, children’s activities, educational exhibits, demonstrations, live music and entertainment, live wolf, nature tours, Jackson Polk films, refreshments and Mexican poppies are in bloom!
Parking will be at the El Paso Community College Northeast campus. Free ADA accessible shuttle service will be provided from 9am-4:30pm.
10am – 4pm
Children’s Activities
Unique craft vendors and educational exhibitors
Museum exhibits open
Live wolf
Refreshments include real buffalo stew, Navajo tacos, frybread
At the Rotary Monument Overlook
12:00pm Meet Takota the Golden Eagle, Ambassador for Conservation of the Franklin Mountains with Heather Rivera, Education Specialist, El Paso Zoo
At the Bandstand
10-10:15am Welcome and Blessing from Tigua Cacique
10:15-10:45am Tigua Dancing and Drumming
11:15-12:15pm El Paso Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Electrick Rock Orckestra
12:15-1pm United Intertribal Nations Drumming and Dancing
1-2pm Ceiba and Friends
2-4pm Slackabilly
Inside the Museum of Archaeology
Nature Talks
11:00am Direct releases of Mexican Wolves in New Mexico by Jason Burke, Southwest Environmental Center
11:30am How can YOU help preserve Castner Range by Judy Ackerman, Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition
12:30pm How do we put an economic value on ecosystem services provided by natural open space in El Paso? By Rick LoBello, Education Curator, El Paso Zoo
Films by Jackson Polk
- Inside the Museum of Archaeology
1:15pm “El Paso’s Hueco Tanks”
2:30pm “Ghost Stories of El Paso Volume 3”
Nature Tours
- All tours will be on the Museum grounds and last less than an hour. The starting point for all tours is the gazebo.
10:00am Indian Uses of our Desert sponsored by the Museum of Archaeology
11:00am Identification of Native Plants sponsored by the El Paso Native Plant Society
12:00pm West TX Cacti Tour sponsored by the El Paso Cactus and Rock Club
1:00pm Indian Uses of our Desert sponsored by the Museum of Archaeology
2:00pm Identification of Native Plants sponsored by the El Paso Native Plant Society
3:00pm West TX Cacti Tour sponsored by the El Paso Cactus and Rock Club
For general poppies questions or to become a sponsor for the event contact Naima Montacer at montacernj@elpasotexas.gov or (915) 521-1894.
ROCKIN’ THE ROCK AT THE POPPY FEST!
The El Paso Youth Symphony Orchestra and the ELECTRICK ROCK ORCKESTRA will be ROCKIN THE ROCK at the Poppy Festival on March 31st at 11a.m.
We will perform our set that we will be playing on tour this summer. Our set will feature our FLOWER POWER from our Band FALLRISK! Our female vocalist Autumn Fall and Jordan Ocampo will sing songs like Heartbreaker, Hit Me with Your Best Shot, I’m Just a Girl, 99 Red Balloons, Hey Mickey. Also Come see our out of sight lead guitarists "Jammin James" Octavius Sanchez and "A Train" Adolfo Holguin as they melt faces as they play Rock You Like a Hurricane, Jump, Dont Stop Believing, Sweet Child O Mine and Freebird. Also check out our HOT electrick string section lead by Joshua "Da Bom" Rosenbaum and Lexi Arabitt as they shred on Electrick violin/viola. MORE COWBELL? Dont worry Kaptain Kody Jones and Albert Mendoza got that covered. Whats best of all is the Band FALLRISK is backed up by the ELECTRICK ROCK ORCKESTRA and the show will certainly set off some unexploded ordinance on Castner Range. "We're gonna tear this mountain a new canyon."
EL PASO MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY
CALENDAR
Ancient Mexico
Exhibit on view through April 1, 2012, Free Admission
Artifacts including five featured Maya ceramic vessels graciously loaned by the University Museum of New Mexico State University, Las Cruces are showcased. Other artifacts representing the Maya, Aztec, and lesser known great civilizations from Mexico will be on display along with prints of ancient Maya murals and ruins and a map of ancient Maya territory.
Watercolor Paintings of Rock Art at Hueco Tanks
Exhibit on view through June 3, 2012, Free Admission
The El Paso Museum of Archaeology is currently exhibiting Forrest Kirkland’s images of rock art at Hueco Tanks in the auditorium gallery. Kirkland was the first artist to systematically document prehistoric rock art in Texas, thus his work is well known and admired by those interested in Texas archaeology.
La Noria: A Hydrologic Technology of Yucatan
El Paso Archaeological Society Program
Sunday, March 18, 2012, 2:00 pm, Free Admission
Ms. Nina Williams presents her master’s degree archaeological research on water wheel technology introduced to the Yucatan by the Spanish after 1511. She’ll explore the variation among norias (or water wheels) and offer insight into how technology transfer reengineered Yucatán’s landscape. Nina Williams will be receiving her masters in anthropology at end of 2012 from New Mexico State University.
This program is presented by the El Paso Archaeological Society in partnership with the El Paso Museum of Archaeology. Information: 915-755-4332; guidamr@elpasotexas.gov
Tour of the exhibit
Watercolor Paintings of Rock Art at Hueco Tanks
Saturday, March 24, 2:00 pm, Free Admission
Guest speaker Alex Mares presents his insights and interpretations of these rock art images during this free tour. This tour introduces the exhibit to the public through a casual conversation during which those attending may ask questions and share their knowledge.
El Paso Museum of Archaeology
4301 Transmountain Road, El Paso Texas 79924; 915-755-4332;
guidamr@elpasotexs.gov; www.elpasotexas.gov/arch_museum/
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm; Sunday, 12 to 5 pm - - Closed Mondays and City Holidays
PARTY FOR THE PLANET: EARTH DAY
CELEBRATE BIODIVERSITY AT EL PASO ZOO
APRIL 21 – 22, 2012
10 AM – 4 PM
Party for the Planet, hosted by the nation's Association of Zoo and Aquarium's accredited institutions, is one of the largest Earth Day celebrations on record! Millions of zoo and aquarium visitors across North America party for the planet with family fun and renewed commitment to wildlife conservation. This year we are celebrating biodiversity and the many ecosystem services provided by our environment. Guests also learn the latest ways to be kind to their wallet and the environment.
Please join us at the Zoo. We have lots happening this spring with the re-opening of the Hunt Family Spring, the African Star train, a new giraffe encounter where you get to feed the giraffes plus a completely renovated Prairie Dog town!
FMWC has been invited to set up a free booth at the Zoo for this event. Please contact Judy Ackerman or Scott Cutler if you’d be interested in volunteering to staff the booth. Rick LoBello has invited us to to provide a fun and educational booth on how we are helping to protect biodiversity here in El Paso and how your efforts help people connect with wildlife. He would place our FMWC Discovery Station next to his station where he will befocusing on how we all benefit emotionally and spiritually when we connect with wildlife. Other Discovery Stations will highlight other ways the ecosystem benefits us by covering topics such as how the ecosystem helps to control disease, modifies climate, control soil erosion and helps to regenerate habitats that have been harmed by developments.
Please volunteer to help highlight the importance of FMWC to the ecosystem as part of Celebrating Biodiversity. It is not only a community service, it is FUN!
EL PASO YOUTH SYMPHONY
MARIACHIS FOR MOM will be on Saturday May 12th at 4pm at the Coliseum. Ticket release day TBA.
Cost for show is $15-$45 depending on seating. Tickets at Coliseum Box Office
This Summer Maestro Phillip Gabriel Garcia will lead the The El Paso Youth Symphony and The Elecktrick Rock Orckestra on A Diplomatic International Cultural Exchange Tour with the Chuihuahua Youth Symphony, Esperanza Azteca, and Maestro Quezada, which Mayor Cook helped facilitate. Our Epic Hollywood Rock Odyssey which will be called THE GOODBYE WORLD TOUR 2012 will be June 24 to July 2nd. We will perform shows in L.A, Anaheim, Buena Park, Universal City, San Diego and El Paso! We will also have a Meet and Greet Reception with the Youth Orchestras of Los Angeles directed by Maestro Gustavo Dudamel.
Students still have time to join the tour and EPYSO. Rehearsals are on Saturdays from 2-5pm at EPCC Valle Verde room A1201.
COOL WEBSITES:
http://www.nmwild.org/
http://www.ourtexaswild.org/index/
FMWC 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.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
January 2012
NEWSLETTER
January 2012
Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 18, 2012
MEETING 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
IMPORTANT NOTE!
It’s Membership Dues Time again! You will find your dues tear-off form at the bottom of this blog. Please print it, fill in the form and mail it, along with your 2012 dues to Pat White, Treasurer, FMWC, 10525 Texwood, El Paso, TX 79925. Thank you for your continued support!
TRANSMOUNTAIN SCENIC CORRIDOR – Please attend!
Scott Cutler, President: Below is information about how you can make known your feelings about preserving the scenic corridor on the west side of the Franklin Mountains. These public meetings (charrettes) will be an important opportunity, perhaps one of the only opportunities, to make sure that the scenic qualities of the west side corridor of Loop 375 are preserved. The stronger the participation by those favoring protecting this valuable scenic asset the greater the likelihood it will become part of the new master plan.
Please make an effort to attend one or all of these meetings and let them know what you would like to see happen.
Northwest Masterplan Planning Sessions:
1. Hands-On Session:
Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 5PM to 9PM,
Canutillo HS Auditorium;
6675 S. Desert Boulevard, 79932
2. Northwest Masterplan Work in Progress:
Saturday, January 28, 2012, 9AM to Noon,
Canutillo HS Auditorium;
6675 S. Desert Boulevard, 79932
3. Design Studio: (Open to the Public)
Monday, January 23 to Friday, January 27, 2012
7965 Artcraft Road, 79932
Hours of Design Studio:
Monday-Friday, 9AM to 7PM
More information at: http://www.planelpaso.org/
For more information about the Transmountain Petition:
http://elpasonaturally.blogspot.com/2011/12/transmountain-petition-update.html
And, once again, Jim Tolbert at El Paso Naturally, is keeping track for us. Check it out and sign up for email notifications: www.elpasonaturally.blogspot.com
PAVE PARADISE?
Raul Amaya at City Council 11/29/11:
There are places in the world that should be left as they are; that should be preserved, conserved & protected for everyone’s benefit. Things like beautiful beaches, mountains & mountain vistas like the 700 acres of land along the western slope of Trans Mountain road that we the citizens of El Paso own.
Everything, everyone & everyplace should not be for sale. Money is not all that matters in life. Commercial & residential development on every parcel of land regardless of its beauty & uniqueness should not be the predominant value.
Environmentalist author Edward Abbey wrote: "The love of wilderness is more than a hunger for what is always beyond reach; it is also an expression of loyalty to the earth, the earth which bore us and sustains us, the only paradise we shall ever know, the only paradise we ever need … wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, as vital to our lives as water and good bread."
I’ll close my comments with a few lyrics from a popular song of my youth written by Joni Mitchell named Big Yellow Taxi.
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot with a pink hotel, a boutique and a swinging hot SPOT.
Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got ‘til it's gone.
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.
Please don’t be the “they” in this song.
NEWS
Castner Range: Restoration Authority Board meeting postponed due to contracting issues.
Audubon Society honors Jim Tolbert, February 18, 2012:
Snow in the Franklins!Had Robinson is Secretary of RIO GRANDE SOARING ASSOCIATION - FMWC’s newest member organization. Had sent us some sensational pictures from his adventures soring over the Franklins.
El Paso Zoo (Steve Marshall, Director):
City and County Officials and downtown business leaders have announced the beginning of the public process for a November 2012 Quality of Life bond election. The proposed election will create new ideas for bold economic development and quality of life initiatives which could include the El Paso Zoo. The call for community projects is the beginning of a public process which provides voters the opportunity to request projects to improve the quality of life in El Paso.
The process is especially important to the zoo because it is one of the sites that can be listed for consideration in the bond. This is an opportunity for you to continue to improve your zoo. The first step in collecting ideas from citizens is critical because after this process the City Council will determine, from these comment cards, the projects that will be included in the bond election.
Once the public process is complete, the final recommendation should represent a project mix geared to providing the largest benefit for El Paso citizens, the most significant economic impact, and the opportunity to maximize the quality of life for our citizens. Projects will be selected by City Council in the spring, and the details will be presented to the public in the summer so that voters can make an informed decision before the vote in November.
The El Paso Zoo needs your support to ensure that its needs are represented in this process.
The support by zoo members for the 2000 bond provided $34 million to the zoo and greatly improved our zoo. In fact, it was truly transformative. Some of the additions to the zoo funded by the bond included a new zoo entrance, the new sea lion exhibit, the addition of the African exhibits and much more. The 2012 bond is necessary to allow the zoo to replace the 1950-60’s exhibits in the North and South America section, create a large Chihuahuan Desert exhibit area, add exhibits in Asia and Africa, improve behind the scenes support facilities and build a special events pavilion.
I ask that you take a moment to fill out a comment card by visiting the “El Paso Tomorrow” section of the City website at www.elpasotexas.gov. Zoo improvements are much needed and it is important that our supporters speak up. Your participation is critical to determine which projects are included - filling out this comment card and asking for zoo improvements is the only way to ensure that the zoo is included in the proposed bond election. The City’s future could be decided without your input and this is your opportunity to help further transform our zoo and our city.
Don’t let others decide if a great zoo is important to your community. Your participation is absolutely essential. Fill out comment cards and have your friends fill out cards asking for zoo improvements, listing some of the suggested projects, and an investment in the zoo’s next master plan.
Texas State Parks Need Your Help:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recently hosted 11 news conferences at different locations across the state, appealing to the public to visit state parks and make donations to help offset a revenue loss caused by heat, drought, wildfires and a resulting drop in park visitor revenue.
“A ‘triple whammy’ of record heat and drought, devastating wildfires and a corresponding decline in visitation and revenue has created a critical need for Texas State Parks,” said Carter Smith, TPWD executive director. “So, we are reaching out for help.”
“The bottom line is we have a $4.6 million gap in our 2012 park system operating budget,” Smith said. “This is the amount we need to raise to help keep state parks open. We want to alert people now while there is still time to help.”
TPWD is rolling out a multi-faceted awareness campaign stressing three calls to action:
• One, go to www.tpwd.state.tx.us/helpparks to make a tax-deductible, year-end donation.
• Two, starting Jan. 1, make a donation when you renew your motor vehicle registration.
• And, most important, because visitor fees pay for about half of park system operating costs, visit state parks.
Franklin Mountains State Park (John Nuñez):
Howdy Everybody! As always, life is busy at Franklin Mountains State Park! There have been new events planned for the coming year with a huge event about to take place this coming weekend, the El Paso Puzzler. On Sunday, January 15 the Borderland Mountain Bike Association will host the Puzzler, which is a highly popular race, at the park. In anticipation of the Puzzler, park staff (Adrianna Weickhardt, Fernie Rincon and John Nunez) have participated in the trail building days that the BMBA coordinated with park volunteer Robert Newman. The trail building days were successful with the help of the BMBA and new volunteers. According to Robert Newman, “The trail is pretty much done and ready for the race. There are a few spots that will need additional tweaking, but the trail is ready for the race.” Thanks to Robert, David Wilson and Brent Sanders for all their hard work and to all the others that have come out to help make this trail a reality.
Another project at hand is the building and installation of mile markers on the Ron Coleman Trail. Lead Ranger Robert Pichardo designed and built the new signs which are all metal with a hiker medallion and the distance marked on the sign. The signs will start at the Trans Mountain trailhead and continue the approximate four mile stretch to McKelligon Canyon. With the help of our newest volunteer, Emmanuel Moreno, the signs will be installed throughout the current fiscal year. Park staff Steve Taylor and John Nunez have been coordinating the project with Emmanuel and have also used the assistance of the TDCJ work crew. So far, the ½ mile marker sign has been successfully installed on the Coleman Trail in Smuggler’s Canyon. As far as an effort to thwart would be vandals, the signs are drilled into the ground, re-enforced with concrete and have three pre-drilled rocks as an anchor and support for the signs. Along with that, the signs, once anchored, are covered with additional rock and cement to help prevent them from being destroyed or removed.
As with every New Year, come new projects at the park. A massive clean-up effort is in the planning stages to clean the desert below the Westside Overlook on Trans Mountain Road. Unfortunately, people who don’t have any respect for nature or the park have continually disposed of trash, including tires and yard waste, on the desert floor. Park staff, along with possibly two TDCJ work crews, are planning a huge event to clean up that part of the park. There is also a possibility of getting other local organizations involved with this project. As soon as plans are finalized, we will announce the day of the event and all who will be involved.
Another exciting project in the planning stages is the installation of trail signs for the mountain bike trails that are south of the Tom Mays Unit. Park Police Officer Fernie Rincon along with Maintenance Techs Steve Taylor and John Nunez will be involved with this project. Park staff have coordinated with BMBA members Brent Sanders and Dave Wilson for ideas of where the signs are needed and most importantly, the names of these trails. Once all the signs have been installed, there will be updates made with the new Geo Betty maps. Fernie just completed taking GPS coordinates for all these trails and soon an order will be placed for the signs. (Thank you BMBA again for your support)!
Along with those new projects, come the daily maintenance projects throughout the park. For the remainder of the current fiscal year, all at Franklin Mtns. State Park will be involved with the ongoing maintenance throughout Tom Mays. The campsites and picnic sites have been re-landscaped and soon all the picnic sites and camp sites will have a new coat of paint. New trail signs will be installed along with the continued restoration of all current signage.
Park volunteer Richard Love, along with Park Interpreter Adrianna Weickhardt, are currently in the planning stages for the up-coming Chili Cook Off at Tom Mays. So far the event is tentatively scheduled for September. Along with the Chili Cook Off, plans are underway for the upcoming Poppy Festival in March. Hopefully, with this winter’s moisture, we will see the desert covered in orange for this year’s event!
With so many events in the planning stages along with new events, Adrianna has been incredibly busy. Thus far, a New Year’s Day hike went well with a turnout of about 30 people. The hike included the Schaeffer Shuffle and the Lower Sunset and was led by Adrianna and Park Volunteer Heath Shawhart. Adrianna plans on hosting several more hikes throughout the year to encourage area residents to come out and explore the park and get in shape at the same time.
Wow! So much going on at the park to keep us all busy doing what we love best, caring for the park! Every day is exciting with all the projects and events. We encourage all area residents to come and be a part of it. Many more events are planned for this year to continue spreading the word of all our mountain wilderness has to offer!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Year of the Bat, El Paso Zoo, Jan. 28-29, 10 am – 4pm:
Join us to help raise awareness about Bat conservation and learn about these magnificent creatures. Daily activities will include bat games, arts and crafts, bat enrichment programs and more (activities included with regular Zoo admission).
Do more to help bats during our Bat House Building Workshop on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 11 am ($10 per person, $9 for members). Learn how to build a bat house in this fun, hands on interactive workshop. Bats are essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems and installing a bat house is a great way to support these insect eating species.
Or how about the Batty Sleepover, January 27, 6 pm – 9 am? Spend the night at the Zoo and discover information about our local bats, make bat enrichments and celebrate the Year of the Bat! Also enjoy a jam packed time with nocturnal tour, animal encounter, campfire, story time and behind the scenes tour. All you need is your pillow and a blanket. Cots are provided. $30 non member, $27 member. Enjoy this half price special while it lasts. Ages 7+, must be at least 1 adult per 5 children. For more information and to register, visit elpasozoo.org/adventure or call 521-1850.
Desert Dirt Fest comes to Big Bend Ranch President’s Day weekend:
‘The Chihuahuan Desert Dirt Fest’ is scheduled to take place Feb. 16-18 in the Terlingua/Lajitas area of southwest Texas. The International Mountain Biking Association’s internationally acclaimed and designated 54-mile Epic Ride in Big Bend Ranch State Park will be the festival’s featured route on Feb. 18. The Dirt Fest offers three days of riding opportunities for all levels of riders, from beginners on mostly flat, historic 4x4 double-track ranch roads to advanced riders taking on the challenging single-track of the Dome Trail and Rincon Loops or the Epic Ride up Fresno Canyon to Sauceda. The Lajitas and Contrabando trails are great places to develop and enhance mountain-bike riding skills, while at the same time experiencing and enjoying some of the wildest remaining desert landscapes in the United States.
Saturday’s options include the grueling 54-mile Epic Ride, the Dome or Rincon Loops, roll your own or a children’s’ ride. Riders may also take the two-day Epic Ride option if the 54 miles is too tough and arduous to ride in one day. Riders on this option are invited to make a 29-mile ride on day one then throw their feet up and relax with dinner, a hot shower and a good night’s rest before heading out again in the morning. After a hearty breakfast on day two, riders can then complete the 25 miles back to Lajitas. In addition to seeing and experiencing the natural beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert mountains, canyons and springs, visitors can see archeological and historic sites along the way. Water aid stations will be available.
The two-day Epic Ride can be done either Thursday/Friday or Friday/Saturday. Persons opting for one of the two overnight Epic rides must observe the following guidelines:
Make Big Bend Ranch State Park lodging reservations through TPWD’s Customer Service Center at 512-389-8919. The Bunkhouse is $35 a night per bunk, or reserve one of three rooms (one queen bed) inside the original ranch residence, the Big House, which is $100 per room (two people maximum occupancy). Park entry fees are being waived during the three-day festival. Meal reservations must be made and paid for in advance by calling BBRSP at 432-358-4444 or barrett.durst@tpwd.state.tx.us for more information, as there is limited space available. To pre-register for Dirt Fest, visit www.bikereg.com.
For more information about the event, call Desert Sports toll-free at (888) 989-6900 or www.desertsportstx.com/mountain-bike-event
El Paso Museum of Archaeology:
Ancient Mexico Exhibit on view through January 15, Free Admission:
Artifacts including five featured Maya ceramic vessels graciously loaned by the University Museum of New Mexico State University, Las Cruces are showcased. Other artifacts representing the Maya, Aztec, and lesser known great civilizations from Mexico will be on display along with prints of ancient Maya murals and ruins and a map of ancient Maya territory.
Watercolor Paintings of Rock Art at Hueco Tanks
Exhibit on view through February 12, Free Admission
The El Paso Museum of Archaeology is currently exhibiting Forrest Kirkland’s images of rock art at Hueco Tanks in the auditorium gallery. Kirkland was the first artist to systematically document prehistoric rock art in Texas, thus his work is well known and admired by those interested in Texas archaeology.
Saturday, January 7, 2:00 pm, Free Admission
Tour of the Diorama Gallery
Open to all ages, groups or individuals, Free Admission
During this tour our Curator of Education, Marilyn Guida, takes visitors on a journey through 14,000 years of El Paso’s Indian heritage in our diorama gallery exhibits. Those attending will learn about Paleoindians who lived here 14,000 years ago continuing through time to the Mescalero Apache people of today. Reservations are not necessary but contact the museum if you plan to attend, 915-755-4332; guidamr@elpasotexas.gov.
Saturday, January 14, 2:00 pm, Free Admission
Screening of the Popol Vuh, The Creation Myth of the Maya:
Introduction and Audience Discussion following the film by Jena Camp. The Popol Vuh is the foundational cultural belief of the ancient Maya people, similar to the Bible for several cultures. Patricia Amlin’s video version of the Popol Vuh is told by animating characters and events using images from ancient original Maya carved stone and stucco reliefs, engraved shells and bones, and painted books and vases. Through the video we see the story as the ancient Maya would have known it.
Sunday, January 15, 2:00 pm, Free Admission
Screening of Finds from Pendejo Cave by Scotty Mac Neish, PhD, Introduction and Comments by Marilyn Guida, Curator of Education:
The Capstone Productions film Paleo-American Finds from Pendejo Cave by Scotty MacNeish, Ph.D. is a based on a 1999 lecture by Richard “Scotty” MacNeish to the annual meeting of the El Paso Archaeological Society. This program is presented by the El Paso Archaeological Society in partnership with the El Paso Museum of Archaeology.
Saturday, January 28, 1:00 pm, Free Admission
Removing Modern Graffiti from Ancient Rock Art at Hueco Tanks:
Speaker Tim Roberts, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Archaeologist, discusses efforts since 2009 to use lasers to remove graffiti from several pictograph (ancient paintings on rock) sites at Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site, outside El Paso.
Saturday, January 28, 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Museum Member Appreciation Party
Become a new or renewing member to attend the Member Appreciation Party. Memberships start at $15; levels and benefits vary. Contact the museum at 915-755-4332 or enriquezrz@elpasotexas.gov.
2012 POPPIES FEST, Saturday March 31, 2012:
The Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition, in collaboration with several local organizations, is excited to announce the date of the sixth annual poppies celebration next spring. The 2012 Franklin Mountains Poppies Fest on Castner Range will take place on Saturday, March 31 at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology at 4301 Transmountain Road. Join us for a full program of nature talks, wildlife displays, educational exhibits, demonstrations, music and refreshments. Everyone is welcome to come out and enjoy the beauty of the mountains and the poppies during this free educational family fun event.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or volunteering for this event please contact Naima Montacer (email: njmontacer@gmail.com cell: (806) 683-2242).
COOL WEBSITES: http://www.nmwild.org/ http://www.ourtexaswild.org/index/
FMWC In Cyberspace
This is the blog version of the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition newsletter. It is also available by e-mail and by US Post . If you would like to receive another version, please contact: judy Ackerman at j.p.ackerman@sbcglobal.net.
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 BOARD
President: Scott Cutler
Vice President: Jane Fowler
Secretary: Judy Ackerman
Treasurer: Pat White
At Large Members:
Raul Amaya and Nick Havlik
TIME TO JOIN OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP!
Please print it, fill in the form and mail it, along with your 2012 dues to Pat White, Treasurer, FMWC, 10525 Texwood, El Paso, TX 79925. Thank you for your continued support!
Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition
APPLICATION FOR
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP
Individual membership in the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition is open to all who share our goal of preserving the scenic beauty and wilderness character of the Franklin Mountains. Dues are payable annually in January. Join Us!
Student, $5
Individual, $10
Contributing, $25 - $100
Sustaining, $100 and up
I also want to contribute to the Lone Star Legacy Endowment Fund for Franklin Mountains State Park. I have included a supplemental contribution of $_____ for the Park’s endowment fund.
Name ______________________________________
Address ______________________________________
City _______________ State____ Zip ______
Phone (Day) ___________________________
(Eve)_________________________________ E-mail
___________________________________
Your contribution is tax deductible
Please make checks payable to “Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition” and send to:
Pat White, Treasurer, FMWC
10525 Texwood
El Paso, TX 79925
Friday, November 11, 2011
November 2011
Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 16, 2011
MEETING LOCATION: Our meeting will be held at The Garden Center, Memorial Park, 3105 Grant St. from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Map:
CASTNER RANGE
~ Richard Teschner, Vice President, The Frontera Land Alliance and Member, 4-C’s
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Mike Gaglio, Frontera President and judy Ackerman, FMWC Secretary, present a copy of the Castner Report to Congressman Reyes. |
Conservation Conveyance Report for Castner Range Now Available: The Castner Report is now available! This 104-page study was prepared for the Castner Conservation Conveyance Committee (“4-C’s”) by CALIBRE Systems, Inc. of Alexandria, VA with funding from a $300,000 Office of Economic Adjustment/Department of Defense grant obtained through the offices of El Paso’s Congressman Silvestre Reyes. The 4-C’s, an ongoing entity consisting of members of the boards of directors of The Frontera Land Alliance (Mike Gaglio, Richard Teschner, Doug Echlin, Kevin von Finger, John Moses, Scott Cutler) and the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition (Judy Ackerman, Pat White and, again, Scott Cutler), were led in their activities by Project Manager Steve Bonner of the SONRI Corp. (Boerne, TX). Work on this project by the 4-C’s, CALIBRE and SONRI began in the fall of 2010. The project is a major component in the ongoing effort to deploy a conservation conveyance on the 7,081-acre/eleven-square-mile Castner Range property located on El Paso’s Northeast Side between the Franklin Mountains State Park (FMSP) and the U.S. 54 Patriot Freeway. Since the late 1960’s, Castner (a live artillery/ordnance firing site inaugurated in 1923) has been a “closed” range and thus not considered a part of the Fort Bliss Training Complex. Governmental bodies at all levels—the El Paso City Council, the County Commissioners’ Court, the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate—have gone on record in favor of applying a conservation conveyance to Castner as an intermediate stage in the transfer of the property from Department of Defense ownership to ownership by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as part of the FMSP.
The report itself—accompanied by a CD—consists of a one-page Executive Summary plus four chapters: Background (including Demographics, Environmental Conditions, Ecological Information, Cultural Resources, Future Land Use, and Munitions and Explosives of Concern), Real Estate Options (among them Conveyance of Surplus Real Property for Natural Resource Conservation, Cooperative Research and Development Agreements, Conveyance of Property at Military Installations to Limit Encroachment, Disposals to Public Agencies under Public Benefit Statues, Enhanced Use Lease, and Early Transfer), Liability concerns, and Recommendations. Among the topics dealt with in the Appendices are the exact legal status of Castner Range, previous deployment of conservation conveyances at two other military properties, unexploded ordnance remediation, contacts with local, state and national officials, liability issues, Texas and federal law, Army contingent funding, Army-retained conditions, and the specifics of a draft Conservation Conveyance Cooperative Agreement with the Army, including a likely time line that sets forth the various stages any Agreement would go through. Maps, photos and a glossary conclude the appendices.
The 4-C’s goals for the immediate future include continued contact with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to plan what a conservation-conveyed Castner Range would look like if it became part of the FMSP. In addition, contacts established between the 4-C’s and military officials have been firmed up and will be expanded upon.
For copies of the Castner Report, contact Frontera’s new Executive Director, Janaé Reneaud Field, 915.351.8352 in Frontera’s new offices at 1201 N. Mesa, Suite D-3, El Paso, TX 79902.
TRANSMOUNTAIN CORRIDOR
~ Jim Tolbert, El Paso Naturally
Best environmental updates in town from Jim Tolbert at his blog El Paso Naturally. Bookmark, sign up for email notifications. You can catch up on Transmountain Scenic Corridor NW and many other issues on his blog. Strongly recommend subscribing.
Please visit and bookmark http://www.elpasonaturally.blogspot.com/.
October 21: Again this past Tuesday City Council took up a resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign a an amendment to the agreement with Dover Kohl updating the Northwest Master Plan to smart code and preserving land (the “Scenic Corridor”) in perpetuity. Unlike the Tuesday before, all hands were on deck and the vote at the end of the debate was unanimous in favor of the resolution. For petitioners, this is a huge victory as it puts the City on target to preserve land permanently. For City planners, the PSB and the business community, it can also be seen as a “win” for it fits preserved land into an updated plan. An holistic solution is sought and not a hodgepodge. It’s not so much trying to put a square peg in a round hole, but working out the jigsaw puzzle in a way that fits all interests.
September 21: Please check out http://elpasonaturally.blogspot.com/2011/09/petitioners-council-and-others-will.html for a few more details including my remarks and what I’m calling the McElroy Process for coming to an overarching plan for re-doing the Westside Master Plan and preserving the land in the corridor.
The bottom line is that Council voted to postpone action on the petition ordinance for 90 days while the process is pursued. What is a huge positive is that agreeing to process means agreeing to preserving the view shed of the Scenic Corridor. I can report that I saw unanimous consent from Council members to find a win/win solution and to pursue a Smart Code plan that most certainly will mean more natural open space and a hard look at Paseo del Norte. We didn’t exactly hold hands and sing “Kumbaya” – but it was close.
Of course, petitioners have the option to begin collecting signatures now for a ballot referendum. Keep in mind though that, even if Council had passed everything in the proposed ordinance (and there weren’t the votes), there still would have had to have been time to determine the mechanisms for preservation, etc., etc.
Looming is the Sierra Club lawsuit against TxDOT and a meeting about that lawsuit is happening imminently. The petition ordinance doesn’t address the widening of Transmountain and is a separate issue except for how Paseo del Norte may or may not connect with the TxDOT overpass/interchange.
Editor: Thank you, Jim Tolbert, for your continuing efforts on behalf of the natural glories of El Paso!
RIO BOSQUE UPDATE
Rio Bosque still facing some very tough times. Please see this article for an update.
http://elpasonaturally.blogspot.com/2011/10/options-and-obstacles-for-water-at-rio.html
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| 23 Oct Clean-up Success |
FMWC Transmountain Clean-Up On 23 Oct 2011: Great success! Many thanks to those who were able to participate. 8 volunteers: Scott Cutler, Robin Ricart, Pat White, Cinda Cotham, Kathy Barton, Nicolas Havlik, John Nunez, Judy Ackerman. In 3 hrs, we collected 22 bags of trash, 3 tires and some big pieces of wood, 8 bags of recyclables that Robin took home. Of the 2 mile stretch, we cleaned MAYBE 1 mile. Let’s do it again soon. Be cool to see more volunteers next time!
PARK NEWS
7th Annual Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta Message from Cesar Mendez, Ph.D., Park Superintendent:
On Saturday September 17, 2011, we successfully had our 7th Annual Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta in conjunction with the 4th Annual Chili Cook Off at Franklin Mountains State Park - Tom Mays Unit. The Fiesta featured fun, educational, and interpretive activities for the public. Some highlights included great food, interactive exhibits from El Paso Water Utilities; horseback rides and hayride shuttle provided by the Serna Ranch; Van Shuttle provided by Southwest Expeditions, birding activities by Texas Parks and Wildlife Urban Biologist Program; exhibits on conservation efforts by Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition, among many others that provided valuable information on the natural history and culture of the Chihuahuan Desert. The Fiesta was the result of numerous hours that many individuals invested during the pre-event meetings and the day of the event. Once again, the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition (CDEC) members played a key role in the logistics and organization of the Fiesta. Many other park staff and volunteers were also critical for the completion of both events. Even though I would like to mention all persons that helped during the events, I will not because it would be very difficult for me not to accidentally omit names. I am confident to say that in Franklin Mountains State Park we arenot only surrounded by beautiful desert mountains but by great staff, volunteers, and partners. In general, we received positive comments from visitors, volunteers, and exhibitors during and after the events. Over 25 organized groups contributed to both events. We all witnessed how the events were carried over smoothly and with no major incidents. This is a clear example on how strong partnerships, commitment, and organization result in things that enhance our community. Although we did not exceed last year's attendance, I am pleased to say that we had over 600 participants in both events. But most important many participants were new to the area, thus being exposed for their first time to the wonders of the Chihuahuan Desert. On behalf of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Franklin Mountains State Park I want to thank all of you for the outstanding team work that all of you demonstrated on Saturday's events. Your help and efforts substantially contribute to our mission in Texas Parks and Wildlife. Please extend my thanks to every person in your team. At Franklin Mountains State Park we feel honored and privileged to count with collaborators as you all. We will continue our commitment to joint conservation and educational efforts for enriching the lives of the people of El Paso through outdoors experiences.
Greetings All! from John Nunez, FMSP:
Business as usual at the park, with so many events and a few changes, all of us have been busy with all that is happening on the mountain. First, we welcome two new employees to Franklin Mountains State Park. We welcome Steve Taylor, Maintenance Specialist II. Steve was originally stationed at the Wyler Aerial Tramway State Park. However, due to the major cuts at the Tramway, Steve was transferred over to Franklin back in August. We are glad to have Steve with us as he has many years of experience with maintenance, construction and mechanics as well as an extensive knowledge of the park and the mountains as a whole. We also welcome Adrianna Weickhardt, who has filled the position of Park Ranger II/ Interpreter. Adrianna has been at Franklin now since the middle of October. We are glad to have Adrianna join our team as well. Adrianna has so much experience with working at other parks across the nation and as well as trail work. Adrianna has many new creative ideas for increasing the interpretive programs at Franklin Mountains State Park. All of us are very grateful for the addition of these two highly experienced individuals that have already made huge contributions to all the hard work that goes on at the park.
Many special events have been happening at the park. In anticipation of the Texas Outdoor Family event, all park staff were busy preparing the park grounds. All 15 campsites were polished up for the event. The event was held on October 8 and 9. We had six families, 25 people in total, participate in this event. This was an opportunity to introduce the wonders of outdoors and camping to folks that have never had the experience of camping. Park volunteers Richard Love, Heath Shawhart and George Murray helped with the event, including guided tours of the Nature Trail and West Cottonwood Mine Shaft.
On October 10, the Wyler Aerial State Park was vandalized extensively. There was a great deal of damage done to the park, but thankfully the Tramway itself was not damaged. Unfortunately, no suspects have been found as of yet.
On October 11, Park Police Officer Fernie Rincon witnessed a robbery at the Radio Shack on Trans Mountain Road while he was making the park bank deposit. Officer Rincon pursued the vehicle which had three suspects. Two suspects managed to flee on foot as the vehicle proceeded to drive off. However, Officer Rincon pulled over the vehicle and arrested the driver. El Paso Police Dept., Department of Public Safety and Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice police dogs assisted in the search for the two other suspects. One suspect later turned himself in to EPPD.
Park staff, have been working on the Lower Sunset trail with the help of the TDCJ work crew. Also, park staff has been working ongoing field and grounds maintenance throughout the park. A major part of our daily duties include patrolling the outer reaches of the park. Park staff welded a new chain and installed a lock on the gate on the Pipeline Rd. in far Northeast El Paso. The gate at the Texas/ New Mexico boundary had been vandalized and the lock had been shot off.
Park Maintenance IV Robert Pichardo travelled to Bastrop State Park to assist with the clean-up efforts after the devastating fires. Robert came back on October 15 from the trip.
Park volunteer Robert Newman has recently completed the first half of the new Sotol Forest hike/ mountain bike trail in the Northeast end of the park. This new route will continue from Sotol Canyon north towards Hitt Canyon and will intersect with the Hitt Canyon hike/ mountain bike trail. On Sunday, November 6, the Borderland Mountain Bike Association sponsored a trail day workshop and assisted Robert Newman with trail construction. It was a great day for trail building as the weather was ideal! BMBA members Dave Wilson, Brent Sanders and local rider Pablo, along with Maintenance II John Nunez, were part of this fantastic event. It was a great deal of intense work since there were quite a bit of large boulders that needed to be removed. Approximately a quarter mile of trail was built.
So many exciting events and occurrences at the park, as we all feel there is never a dull moment with all that happens in the Franklins. All of us have so much to offer to get the job done and all of us come home after a hard day’s work feeling a sense of fulfillment and pride in all the hard work we do. We are a family of unique individuals that are all behind the park 100%, including all park volunteers and employees. Some days are harder than others, but in the end, we are all a team that manages to get the job done!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Poppies 2012
Planning already underway for Poppies Celebration 2012: The Franklin Mountain Wilderness Coalition, in collaboration with several local organizations is excited to announce the date of the sixth annual poppies celebration next spring. The 2012 Franklin Mountains Poppies Fest on Castner Range will take place on Saturday, March 31 at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology at 4301 Transmountain Road. Join us for a full program of nature talks, wildlife displays, educational exhibits, demonstrations, music and refreshments. Everyone is welcome to come out and enjoy the beauty of the mountains and the poppies during this free educational family fun event.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or volunteering for this event please contact Naima Montacer (email: naimamontacer@yahoo.com cell: (806) 683-2242)
Castner Range is a former artillery range known for its cultural, geologic and unique biology. If the rain and weather cooperate, it is most known for its beautiful and vast display of Mexican Poppies in the spring.
Borderland Mountain Bike Association
Check out http://bmba.wordpress.com/ for the latest.
El Paso Museum of Archaeology
November Calendar
Exhibits:
Ancient Mexico
October 13, 2011 through January 15, 2012
Free Admission: In collaboration with the El Paso Museum of History’s new exhibit “Mystery of the Mayan Medallion,” the Museum of Archaeology will emphasize its collections from early Mesoamerica. Artifacts representing the Maya, Aztecs, and lesser known great civilizations from Mexico will be on display. Vintage and recent photographs will be added to the gallery to link the artifacts with the great artistic accomplishments and monumental architecture of these past civilizations. The exhibit includes five featured Maya ceramic vessels which were graciously loaned by the University Museum of New Mexico State University.
November 19, 2:00 pm
Curator’s Tour of the Diorama Gallery, open to all ages, groups or individuals, free admission:
During this tour our Curator, Dr. Matt Taylor, takes visitors on a journey through 14,000 years of El Paso’s Indian heritage in our diorama gallery exhibits. Those attending will learn about Paleoindians who lived here 14,000 years ago continuing through time to the Mescalero Apache people of today. Reservations are not necessary but contact the museum if you plan to attend, 915-755-4332; guidamr@elpasotexas.gov.
November 20, 2:00 pm
Elizabeth Ann Owen, speaks on research at Gila Cliff Dwellings for the El Paso Archaeological Society, Free Admission
December 3, 2:00 pm
Dr. Rani Alexander, NMSU Archaeologist, speaks on the Maya collapse in the 16th Century, Free Admission
December 10, 11:00 am
Cesar Mendez, Superintendent of Franklin Mountains State Park, speaks to the Master Gardeners/Master Naturalists meeting, open to the public, free admission, for information on the topic, call the museum at 915-755-4332
El Paso Museum of Archaeology,4301 Transmountain Road, El Paso Texas 79924; 915-755-4332;
guidamr@elpasotexs.gov ; www.elpasotexas.gov/arch_museum/
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm; Sunday, 12 to 5 pm , Closed Mondays and City Holidays
Southwest Environmental Center
~Kevin Bixby, Executive Director
A Native Returns:
On October 11, five Mexican grey wolves (“lobos”) were released in the San Luis Mountains of northeastern Sonora, near the New Mexico border. It is the first reintroduction of lobos into Mexico since they disappeared from their historic range in that country more than 30 years ago. The release was coordinated by the federal SEMARNAT agency, and Naturalia, a non-governmental conservation organization.
Reintroducing wolves into their historic range in Mexico is an important and long-overdue step towards recovery of the highly endangered Mexican wolf. It is absolutely critical that wolves be allowed to move freely between the U.S. and Mexico to establish a genetic connection needed for healthy populations and long-term survival. SWEC is working to make sure the U.S. does not construct additional border fencing that prevents the movement of wildlife.
How endangered are Mexican wolves?
Here’s how the number of lobos in the wild compares with some other animals considered endangered or critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN):
Mexican wolf ~50
Ethiopian wolf ~210
Red wolf ~150
Javan rhino 50-70
Asiatic cheetah 60-100
Giant panda ~1600
Amur tiger ~500
Vaquita <500
Mexican wolves still on the brink of extinction
More wolves needed in New Mexico--now!
With only 50-60 Mexican wolves in the wild, it is time to pick up the pace of wolf recovery in the Southwest.
The Southwest Environmental Center has joined with biologists and other groups in urging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to jettison an obsolete and politically-motivated rule that prevents the direct release of captive-bred wolves into New Mexico, where the best unoccupied wolf habitat occurs. The rule was a concession aimed at gaining New Mexico’s cooperation before the Mexican wolf reintroduction program began in 1998. At the time, the state’s Governor and Game Commission opposed the wolf reintroduction.
The rule stipulates that direct releases of wolves can only take place in the Arizona portion of the Mexican wolf recovery area, despite the fact that 75 percent of the recovery area is in New Mexico. Arizona wolves can subsequently be moved into New Mexico for management purposes, and they are allowed to move there on their own.
Wolf experts have long criticized this rule. In 2001, a review team lead by the University of Calgary’s Paul Paquet concluded that modifying the rule to allow direct releases into New Mexico “is by far the most important and simplest change” that could be made to improve the reintroduction effort.
Wolf activist Jean Ossorio, a Las Cruces resident and former SWEC board member, agrees. “Much of the good lobo habitat in Arizona is already occupied by existing packs. In the wake of the Wallow Fire, it’s even harder to find good release sites. Meanwhile, the number of wolves that have already been in the wild in Arizona and are eligible for re-release into New Mexico is limited,” she said.
Although FWS claims to support this rule change, it has yet to take the first step needed to make it happen; namely, publishing the proposed change in the federal register and preparing an environmental assessment.
What you can do:
Please contact FWS Regional Director Benjamin Tuggle and let him know that you want to see a rule change that would allow for the release of Mexican wolves directly into New Mexico as soon as possible. If you are a New Mexico resident, please also contact Senators Bingaman and Udall and tell them the same thing.
DR. BENJAMIN N. TUGGLE
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 1306
Albuquerque, NM 87103-1306
(505) 248-6911 RDTuggle@fws.gov
US SENATOR JEFF BINGAMAN (NM)
703 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(800) 443-8658
http://bingaman.senate.gov/ (email at site)
US SENATOR TOM UDALL (NM)
B40D Dirksen Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-6621
http://udall.senate.gov/ (email at site)
For more information about what you can do, visit http://www.wildmesquite.org/ or contact Jason Burke at (575) 522-5552 or jason@wildmesquite.org .
FMWC In Cyberspace
This is the blog version of the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition newsletter. It is also available by e-mail and by US Post . If you would like to receive another version, please contact: judy Ackerman at 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 and Nick Havlik
LONE STAR LEGACY
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