Sign up to be a volunteer, exhibitor or vendor
The seventh annual 2013 Poppies Celebration on Castner Range will take place on Saturday, March 23 at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology at 4301 Transmountain Road. The day will feature a full program of nature talks, wildlife displays, educational exhibits, demonstrations, live wolf, Houdini the Harris Hawk, children’s activity center, 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.
What: 2013 Franklin Mountains Poppies Celebration on Castner Range
When: Saturday March 23, 2012
Time: 10am – 4pm
Where: El Paso Museum of Archaeology (4301 Transmountain Road)
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for this event please contact Sylvia Price at slyfox7tx@att.net.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or vendor for this event please contact Lisa Gutierrez at 915-269-1239 or lisamarie177@juno.com.
Free Admission and Parking at El Paso Community College NE Campus. Also free Shuttle service provided from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
This event celebrates the marvelous open space in Northeast El Paso where we frequently enjoy a stunning spring display of our native Mexican Gold poppies. This festival is an opportunity to enjoy our beautiful outdoors while learning about all our mountains and desert have to offer. It takes place on the 15-acre grounds of the El Paso Museum of Archaeology. The museum’s Chihuahuan Desert Gardens boast examples of more than 200 native plants.
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.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
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
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.
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.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
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,chairEl 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 WeickhardtPark 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.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
September 2012
Newsletter
Franklin Mountains State Park Update
by: Adrianna WeickhardtPark 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 BixbyContributor/ 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.
Friday, July 20, 2012
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
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
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
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