Highland Lakes Master Naturalist - Advanced Training Courses
Scheduled & Recently Completed Programs
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| 23 March; 9:45 am |
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A 3-hour program that goes from the spillway to the end of the gorge, at the highway. In July 1972, high rainfall on the upper Guadalupe River created a flash flood with a crest 7 feet higher than the Canyon Reservoir spillway. The high velocity flow over the spillway (67,000 ft3 – 200 times normal) removed the alluvial sediments and exposed a gorge of Cretaceous Limestone (Glen Rose limestone). |  |
| 20 April; 6:30 pm |
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The abandoned railroad tunnel is home to up to three million Brazilian free-tailed bats (T. b. mexicana) and 3,000 Cave myotis (Myotis velifer) from May to October, more mammals than any other WMA. From May to October, visitors come to watch the bats emerge from the tunnel each night, and nightly educational programs provide guests with a better understanding of the life history and ecology of bats. |  |
Potential courses for Highland Lakes Master Naturalist Chapter
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WE NEED A COMITTEE TO DEVELOP THIS PROGRAM
A 6-hour training program that consists of 2 hours of classroom information and 4 hours of outdoor rock and mineral collecting. |
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There has been a subcommittee looking into the possibility of the HLMN going on a field trip to the Davis Mountains. On Wednesday September 22nd or Wednesday October 20th there is a chance for us (HLMN) to tour the McDonald Observatory located in the Davis Mountains and observe their 107" telescope |  |
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WE NEED A COMITTEE TO DEVELOP THIS PROGRAM
Big Bend Ranch State Park, the largest state park in Texas, over 300,000 acres of Chihuahuan Desert wilderness in a remarkably rugged, remote and unpopulated setting. The park extends along the Rio Grande from southeast of Presidio to near Lajitas in both Brewster and Presidio Counties. Embracing some of the most remote and rugged terrain in the Southwest, it encompasses two mountain ranges containing ancient extinct volcanoes, precipitous canyons, and waterfalls. The area has been a crossroads of human activities for over 11,000 years, as diverse people and cultures have been drawn by the abundant resources of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo corridor. |
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WE NEED A COMMITTEE TO DEVELOP THIS PROGRAM
This would feature a landscape or wildlife photography professional. Two hour lecture and 3 hour field program similar to the presentation at the annual nature quest. Fees for the course would cover the lecturer's presentation |
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WE NEED A COMMITTEE TO DEVELOP THIS PROGRAM
Colorado Bend State Park, a 5328.3-acre facility, is located west of Lampasas in San Saba and Lampasas counties. The park site was purchased partly in 1984, with the balance acquired in 1987; the park was subsequently opened in 1987. The park is located at the former sites of the Gorman and Lemons Ranches above Lake Buchanan. |
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Online Advanced Training
The Internet has everything from how to comb your dog to MIT graduate courses in Astrophysics. With care in selecting, we can develop a valuable program of advanced training courses to go with the lectures and workshops that we attend. This section of training opportunities will include programs such as the established "Invaders of Texas Program," commercial (for a fee sites) such as Lynda Training, free training such as the Adobe tutorial sites for their programs, and sites that our members develop. We have had presentations at our meetings that could be developed into online lectures, members with skills and knowledge to teach photography, ground water assessment, water catchment, geology, plant identification -- and on. Our 281 web site gives us the ability to develop and store these programs. I will work with individual members to:- code their lecture notes into html language and add it to the web site
- choose and develop programs - suggest new programs, develop programs, request removal of programs
- aquifers of the Texas hill country
- identification of hill country trees
- how to build a back yard habitat
- photographing wildlife/insects/butterflies/flowers
- digital photography techniques
- "darkroom" enhancement of digital images - Photoshop elements, Picasso
- water catchment system
- archeology of the hill country
- Llano uplift geology with road logs and landscape development
- nature walks in Llano-Burnet counties
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| The Invaders of Texas Program |
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The Invaders of Texas Program is an innovative campaign whereby volunteer "citizen scientists" are trained to detect the arrival and dispersal of invasive species in their own local areas. The Voyager program consists of 8 online training modules with a quiz at the end of each. |  |
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| Llano uplift geology with road logs and landscape development |
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The first part of this program is the geology of the Llano Uplift including stratigraphy, rocks and landscape discussion. This is presented in a "frames" format so that you can see text and pictures as you read through the document. The second part of the program are three field trips (road logs) that get you into hands on geology. For the trips you will need the logs, so they are in PDF format and can be printed by you. Also on your trip, a rock hammer (a simple 3-pound sledge is great), magnifying glass, notebook, camera and a vial of 10% HCl - your local science teacher can help with this. When you click on one of the element sites you will leave this section. A navigation key on the site will return you to here. |  |
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| software training |
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A large number of courses are offered; I have listed xx that can help you in using software as a naturalist. A large number of Photoshop CS courses are offered, but the program is overkill and over priced for most people. I have used it for about 12 years and still do not access about 80% of the available tools, so I have picked courses that teach photography, Photoshop Elements (a much cheaper program) and other programs that may be useful.
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| Landscape and wildlife photography |
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Landscape and wildlife photography. , You can see the introduction to each lesson free, $25/month for full program access. This looks like a site that I will try. |  |
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Landscape Photography - $282. Learn how to take landscapes like the professionals. Follow our course on Landscape photography and soon you will be taking images to be proud of! With full tutor assistance and feedback on YOUR images. Landscape photography includes multiple choice questions and practical work to help you learn quickly and your personal tutor.. School of photography.com have been online since December 1999 and are registered in the Republic of Ireland. We currently offer 7 full photography courses at two levels. Level 1 are beginner courses, level 2 are more advanced. Each course is broken in defined modules with tests or projects after each module, each module contains lessons of varying length. It is recommended to start with level 1 courses if you have gaps in your photography knowledge or are starting out. |  |
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Advanced Training Courses offered by other chapters and organizations
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| 3, 10, 24 May 11 am, then 1-4 pm |
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The canoe clinic will introduce first-time boaters to the basic skills needed to enjoy a leisurely afternoon canoe trip for flat water locations. Participants will learn to paddle, steer and stabilize the canoe and receive safety instruction. It will be followed by a break, then everyone will return to enjoy an exciting, guided canoe tour down to Devil's Waterhole. Canoeists will see geological, natural and cultural features of the park as they enjoy this great family activity. First time will qualify as advanced training; following trips are great volunteer hours |  |
| 10 April 9 am to 12 pm |
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Rufus Stephens, Texas Parks and Wildlife biologist, will begin with a talk on how to manage different habitats to provide food, cover and space needed by Hill Country birds. This is a systematic approach to bird species diversity. Program includes use of Kendall County Bird Checklist for easy record keeping and time outside examining native plants important to wildlife. Cost: CNC Members $20/person; non-members $25/person. |  |
| 17 Apr 9 am to 12 pm |
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Susan Oualline of Texas Rainfall Catchment will demonstrate design, setup and use of a rain barrel and its overflow. Jim Champion, ARCSA accredited rainwater professional, also with Rainfall Catchment, will be available to answer your technical questions such as how much water is needcd to irrigate different sized gardens through the summer months and how to decide the amount of water you might need to store. Participants (minimum of 5) may choose to buy a kit or rain barrel through a bulk-buy opportunity. Members $20 and non-members $25. Pre-registration required. Limited to 30. | |
| 17-18 April 9:00 AM Saturday-12:00 PM Sunday |
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This workshop is designed to teach your family all the basic outdoor skills you'll need to enjoy a great overnight camping experience. You will get hands-on experience learning basic outdoor skills such as camping, outdoor cooking and also be able to get basic instruction on how to use a GPS unit on trail walks. Use your newly acquired skills to find special geo caches and explore other nature activities. Best of all, no experience is necessary! ; fee $55 per family up to six; reservations required; call our "Texas Outdoor Family" customer service representatives Monday through Friday |  |
| 22-24 Apr full day |
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During Nature Quest you'll enjoy learning from experts about birds, bluebirds, bats, hummingbirds, butterflies, insects, big trees, natural history, native & medicinal plants, invasive plants, Texas wildflowers, horned lizards, reptiles, making your own backyard a wildlife habitat. Enjoy field trips, workshops and a variety of programs. Diverse vegetation and wildlife, monumental trees on the National Registry of Big Trees, the world's second largest Mexican Free-tailed Bat population, Many species of birds including the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped Vireo are just a few reasons why the Hill Country River Region is a perfect backdrop for your Nature Quest Adventure! |  |
| 3-8 May; go one to three days all day |
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Become a citizen scientist! Are you interested in mammals, insects, reptiles, birds, grasses, trees, fishes or aquatic invertebrates? Volunteers receive training and hands-on experience doing surveys that monitor our land stewardship practices. Join the research team of your choice for one to three days. Attend the Friday evening Citizen Science Research Seminar and dinner. Free. Registration required. CNC membership encouraged. | |
| 14-15 May |
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Ranch biologist, Steven Fulton, will lead this overnight workshop on the birds of Selah. More than 210 species of birds have been documented year-round at the ranch, including many endangered species. Arrive Friday evening for a nice meal and overview of bird physiology and an introduction to bird calls. Night hike to find screech owls and other nocturnal critters. Lodging will be at the Center. Rise early on Saturday for a birding tour that will cover several important habitat types. Known nesting sites of the Golden Cheeked Warblers and Black-capped Vireos will be visited, and specific land management techniques of these areas will be covered. Space is limited to 20 participants, so register early |  |
| third Saturday every month 8:30 to 12 pm |
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Below Canyon Dam, the beautiful canyon gorge that was created in the 2002 flood is being prepared for public use as a park. Master Naturalists are at work clearing and building trails, developing plans for docent training, and leading selected visitors through the gorge. If you are interested in trail building or serving as docent, you will be welcome as a member of the team that is working in the gorge. If you have questions about the work we are doing, feel free to contact Sasha Kodet or visit their Web site www.canyongorge.org. The docent training portion is approved for advanced training and once trained, participation as a docent is approved for volunteer hours. Trail building is also approved for volunteer hours. |  |
| 23 May 8:30 am to 4:30 pm |
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Leroy Petri and other ranch personnel will show and explain Selah water development projects.
Visit our lakes and dams and learn about their design and function, and how they were constructed. Identify soils, and learn their potential use in dam and pond construction, and also how to identify sites on your land that can hold water when ponds are properly constructed. Inexpensive projects, some that you can do yourself, to help you develop hidden water resources:
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| 23 Jun 9 am to 12:30 pm |
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On this 3 1/2 hour tour of the ranch you will see the results of 37 years of habitat restoration. We will show you projects which demonstrate principles of good stewardship. You may also see dinosaur tracks, fossil beds, a herd of endangered Scimitar-horned Oryx, the "Chiroptorium" which is a man made bat cave designed to hold a million Mexican Free-tailed bats. You'll walk the nature trail and then enjoy Madrone Lake as you watch "The Rain Machine". Transportation is on the Bluebonnet, an open air trailer with a shade bonnet, so dress for the weather; and don't forget a hat! |  |