T HE G ROTTO A Publication for Members of Westcave Preserve
WESTCAVE PRESERVE FALL/WINTER 2009-2010
A Very Brief History of Westcave Preserve
Preserve Manager John Ahrns was hired in 1974. His first task was to haul more than 100 large garbage bags of trash, left by area trespassers, out of the canyon. In addition to restoring the Preserve’s spectacular habitat,
1976
1974
1973
Preserve Manager John Ahrns hired.
LCRA purchases property. Westcave/LCRA partnership forms.
In 1983, a land swap deal with the LCRA resulted in a number of improvements, including the first secure fence and a septic system. From the early 1990’s, a trailer served as the visitor center. In 2003, the award-winning Warren Skaaren Environmental Learning Center was opened. In 2008, an additional 45 acre “rim around the canyon” was purchased. The biology, geology and archeology of this property are now being studied.
Double-wide trailer established as first visitor center.
1990
Nonprofit status received for Westcave Preserve Corp.
1983
John Covert Watson purchases Westcave property (25 acres).
Researchers from UT, A&M, ACC, SWTSU and others have studied the geology, biology, and archeology of the Preserve. Ahrns also began inviting nearby schools to participate in weekday educational programs.
Doors open to award-winning Warren Skaaren Environmental Learning Center. 45-acre “Rim Around the Canyon” acquired.
2008
In the 1960’s, Westcave was “rediscovered” by nature enthusiasts who nearly loved the place to death. John Covert Watson acquired the original 25-acre property in 1973. A few years later, Alfred E. Glen purchased 5 more acres and deeded it to Westcave as a north buffer zone. The nonprofit Westcave Preserve Corp. was established in 1976.
he encouraged nature enthusiasts to come out for public tours on weekends. There was no fee, only a jar on a stump to accept donations.
2003
According to archeological evidence, people camped in this area roughly ten thousand years ago. The Spanish explored the region almost five hundred years ago, naming the Pedernales River for the flint found along its banks. The area was settled by European immigrants in the late 1800’s, and Caption Washington Hammetts established the river crossing near the current bridge in 1875.
PRESERVE UPDATES Celebration of Children In Nature Awards Dinner September 30, 2009 Four Seasons Hotel Keynote Speaker: Carter Smith, Director Texas Parks and Wildlife Awardees: National Wildlife Federation and Texas Wildife Association; J. David Bamberger and Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve; David Matthews, Teacher, Small Middle School; LCRA’s McKinney Roughs Nature Park and Natural Science Center; Enzo Monfre, “Enzoology” Dinner On the Shores of Lady Bird Lake Individual Tickets: $125 each. Visit www.westcave.org to purchase.
New Westcave Benches from design contest at U.T. School of Architecture A unique collaborative project with the U.T. School of Architecture has resulted in two sets of new benches at Westcave Preserve. Students in Mark Macek’s design class were tasked with designing benches for the W.arren Skaaren Environmental Learnng Center. Two winning bench designs were chosen which the students then built and delivered to Westcave. We hope that you’ll take a moment to relax and enjoy our new benches the next time you’re at the Preserve. For four years, Westcave Preserve has been blessed to have Vanessa Piña as our weekend intern. During this time, Vanessa has readily shared her wealth of Westcave knowledge with countless tour groups. Vanessa will be heading north in August for a yearlong internship at the Audubon Center of the North Woods in Sandstone, Minnesota where she will receive certification in local environmental education courses while undergoing hands-on-training in their wildlife rehabilitation focus program. We’ll miss you Vanessa!
El Ranchito New Conservation Corps. El Ranchito, the camp that Westcave co-sponsors along with the Shield Ranch Foundation and El Buen Samaritano, was a huge success this year. Despite the record heat, the campers enjoyed horseback riding, climbing, s’mores, campfire songs, fun nature-based activities—and lots of swimming! We also introduced a new program this summer: the El Ranchito Conservation Corps. This group of 10th – 12th graders worked on conservation projects for six hours each day, followed by educational and high adventure programs in the evenings, earning a small stipend at the end of their session.
On the Preserve Westcave Preserve is currently studying the ecology, geology and archeology of the recently-acquired “rim around the canyon” property. Initial plant and bird surveys have been conducted. Researchers from the University of Texas have collected samples from the cave in an effort to better understand its age and development. They are also measuring the growth rate of active formations. Coming soon: Researchers will conduct core sampling of trees to determine longevity and weather history.
U.T. researchers investigating Westcave’s cave.
Green Heron seen on “rim around the canyon” property.
WHO WE ARE BOARD, STAFF, VOLUNTEERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Max Scoular, Chair Lee Walker, Vice-Chair Buddy Steele, Secretary Bill Keenan, Treasurer Hayden Brooks Amon Burton Nourah Caskey Victor Emanuel Chris Harte Mike Luigs Pam Reese Laura Scanlan Cho Jennifer Vickers Peggy Winkler John Covert Watson, Member Emeritus
CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Buddy Steele, Chair Beryl Armstrong Rene Barrera Chris Caran Jarrod Depew John Gosdin Amber Gosselin Tom Hegemier Tom Martine Tom “Smitty” Smith Murray Walton John Worrall
EDUCATION COMMITTEEE
STAFF Molly Stevens, Executive Director John Ahrns, Preserve Manager David Bennett, Site Assistant Steven Hubbell, Site Assistant Jody Karr-Silaski, Administrative Coordinator Linda Wofford, Education and Outreach Coordinator
David Matthews, Chair Chris Caran Nan Hampton Robert Jackson Ethel Kutac Marc LeFebre Karen Marks Angela Milliman Erich Rose Terri Siegenthaler Melanie Tiemann Rob Lallier, Publicity George Perry, Technology
MAJOR DONORS FOUNDATIONS
CORPORATE SUPPORT
Austin Community Foundation The Brown Foundation Davidson Charitable Foundation Foundation for Global Community Haggerty Family Foundation Jacob & Terese Hershey Foundation The Junior League of Austin Mattsson McHale Foundation Meredith Family Foundation Powell Foundation Reese Foundation Shield Ayres Foundation St. David’s Community Health Foundation Topfer Family Foundation Trull Foundation Rachael & Ben Vaughan Foundation Warren Skaaren Charitable Trust William & Salomé Scanlan Foundation Winkler Family Foundation
AMD Community Investment Corporation HEB HEB Tournament of Champions Charitable Trust Jackson & McElhaney Architects land/water/sky LCRA Locke Lord Bissell and Liddell LLP REI TBG Partners Thundercloud Subs Victor Emanuel Nature Tours Wells Fargo Bank
GROTTO GUILD
Grotto Guild members provide annual support of $1,000 or more and receive special benefits, including tours and events. Contact
[email protected] for additional information. Bob & Margy Ayres Inelle Bagwell Shelly & David Bain Hayden Brooks Amon & Carol Burton Ronald Carroll Nourah Caskey Ken Cho & Laura Scanlan Cho
Victor Emanuel Michael & Jean Haggerty Chris Harte & Catherine Pope Robert & Dee Jackson Bill & Rita Keenan La Tierra POA Keith & Ellen Lain Steve & Leslie McConnico Pam & Mike Reese Nancy Scanlan Tom “Smitty” Smith
Marika & Jonathan Schoolar Max Scoular Buddy & Maggie Steele Grant & Margot Thomas/ Kabacoff Family Foundation David & Tara Tetreault Kate Watson-Toth Lee Walker & Jennifer Vickers John Covert Watson Matt & Peggy Winkler Jan & Neile Wolfe
MEMBERSHIP PRIVILEGES Westcave Members receive the Grotto newsletter, free weekend visits to the Preserve and invitations to special events. To become a member or to renew your membership please visit www.westcave. org/join/. Earth Share of Texas represents Westcave Preserve in workplace payroll contribution plans throughout Texas. For more information about how you can support Westcave Preserve and other leading environmental groups at your workplace, call 1-800GREENTX, or visit www.earthsharetexas.org.
Westcave Preserve 24814 Hamilton Pool Road Round Mountain, TX 78663 Phone: 830-825-3442 Fax: 830-825-3509 www.westcave.org
Printed in Texas on recycled paper with soy-based ink
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Featured Westcave Volunteer Murray Walton.
Long-time volunteer Murray Walton received an undergraduate degree in wildlife biology from Colorado State University, and a graduate degree in game management from Louisiana State University. He and his wife Felixa bought property in the Westcave neighborhood in 1976 and then moved out to their new land in 1979. They visited Westcave and became acquainted with Preserve Manager, John Ahrns, and enjoyed the community get-togethers and holiday parties. According to Murray, John Ahrns was always willing to help a neighbor. His generosity became the basis of a long-standing friendship and helped inspire Murray to start volunteering at Westcave in 1979. Murray began by giving tours for school children and other special interest groups, and has particularly enjoyed working with students from advanced science classes. He has also appreciated opportunities to learn from special preserve groups and activities like the annual Audubon bird count. Over the years Murray has done just about every volunteer job imaginable at the Preserve. When asked about what has been the most rewarding experience for him, he describes how much he values seeing the continuing improvements on the Preserve while still balancing the protection of the essential characteristics and features. He also takes pleasure in watching the slow evolution of the vegetation unfold. According to Murray, one of the best things about volunteering at Westcave is that you get to take away a special sense of ownership of the place.
