Recent Chapter Events

 2011 Training Class, May 2 Graduation

 On May 2, the Gideon Lincecum Chapter welcomed 14 new members.  This class had a hectic last week with two field trips in addition to their regular Monday evening class.  The field trips took them from Charlotte van Rosenberg’s prairie north of Brenham to Oak Thicket Park near Fayetteville.  They learned about grasses and trees during this daylong adventure.  The training and field trips form the foundation for becoming a Master Naturalist. 

2011 Graduation Class

Graduation night was festive with table decorations by Carol Corliss, Luann Yarnold and Janet Jarrell.  Healthy was the unofficial theme for the buffet spread as members brought a variety of salads to accompany the pork loin prepared by the chapter.  Approximately 40 members greeted and welcomed the 2011 class.

 Outreach Activities, April 16, 2011

The Gideon Lincecum chapter was invited to participate the Burton Cotton Gin Festival and the Open House at the Antique Rose Emporium.  The exhibits included native grasses, animal bones and pelts, bluebird boxes, and oak leaf identification.  Visitors to the booth learned about the restoration of native grasses and how to install bluebird houses.  In addition, visitors were encouraged to take a stroll along the nature trail at Indian Creek.

Cheryl Karr showing how rain is absorbed in different soils

The focus at the Antique Rose Emporium was rainwater harvesting and building bird feeders.  Visitors were offered the opportunity to assemble a simple bird feeder kit.  They also enjoyed the interactive model that illustrated rainfall on different ground surfaces demonstrating runoff and groundwater.  For the children, there was a display of different animal scat.  Finally, there was a very timely display on how to minimize the effects of wild fires around the house by using “firewise” landscaping ideas. 

Invaders of Texas Workshop, March 26, 2011

Mike Murphy with the U.S. Forest Service and Blake Eikenhorst, owner of Frontier Land and Wildlife Management, explained how invasive species compete with native species and eventually diminish the soil. Workshop participants were able to look at a large variety of invasive species including grasses, forbs, vines and trees. 

Murphy and Eikenhorst presenting invasive species

 Perhaps one of the bigger disappointments was that some of our “pretty” plants, such as the Chinaberry tree, are on the list of invasive species.  Murphy and Eikenhorst pointed out several times that just because an ornamental looks good doesn’t mean that it’s harmless to the native ecosystem.  As part of the workshop, participants walked around the Winedale grounds and practiced their visual identification of invasive plants and observed firsthand the effect of invasive species on the soil. 

 Top Ten Presentations, February 19, 2011  

Monterey Whiteshowed photos of birds who visited her backyard.  The list included the barred owl, the red bellied woodpecker, the American goldfinch, the pine siskin and the fascinating American woodcock.  

Cheryl Kerr followed with scat identification.  The presence of scat is evidence of life and an excellent way to learn which mammals are in the area.  Cheryl’s exhibit included scat from fox, cougar, skunk, possum, deer, coyote and more.      

Elisa Hendersonpresented a list of invasive plants photographed in the Round Top area.  She pointed out that humans introduced most of these for aesthetic reasons not realizing that they would spread rapidly.  Some of the invasives she discussed are the Chinese Tallow Tree, the Mimosa, Red Tipped Photinia, Chinese privet and Japanese honeysuckle.    

By this time, we had covered birds, mammals and plants.  What was next?  Venomous insects, of course!  Art Wammel showed photos of black widows, asp, centipede, blister bug and red wasps to name a few.  He ended the presentation by sharing that neural toxins found in scorpion venom may be beneficial in the treatment of brain tumors, multiple sclerosis and arthritis.         

Nails Creek State Park, October 8, 2010

Outdoor education is fun.  Master naturalists, Judy Deaton, Cindy Rodibaugh, Carol Montgomery, Cecil Rives, Dave Redden and Jan Redden, greeted visitors and answered questions about native grasses, nature artifacts and scat.      

The dawn-to-dark event at Nails Creek included canoeing, fishing, a nature scavenger hunt and a camp fire cooking demonstration.  The event was organized by Partners at Nails Creek and Texas Parks and Wildlife.  Our chapter member, Gary Fritcher, participated in planning this family day in the park.        

Soil and Seed Program, September 18, 2010

Dr. Patricia Richardson made soil come alive!  Mr. Wally Ward distributed wildflower seeds!  More than 40 people attended this program.       

  Highlights from the program:      

• Soil is a civilization of its own.
• The temperature difference between covered and barren soil can exceed 10 degrees.
• 1 tablespoon of soil contains over a million bacteria.
• Don’t underestimate the importance of the dung beetle.
• 50% seed starter with 50% perlite is an excellent mix for starting wildflower seeds.
• Native seeds sprout in the Fall, harden over winter and are ready to grow in the Spring.
• Use window screen to protect your outside flats from heavy rains.

Gideon Lincecum Cabin Dedication, September 4, 2010

 Gideon Lincecum’s log cabin was welcomed back to Long Point with great cheer and fanfare.  Attending the event were several members of the Lincecum family, members of our chapter, Long Point neighbors and many others.       

However, our surprise visitor was Gideon Lincecum who shared with the crowd how he came to live in Long Point, Texas.  Jerry Lincecum and his wife, Peggy Redshaw created this delightful portrayal of Gideon.      

Mark Lincecum, speaking on behalf of the family, offered special thanks to Larry Joe and Joanne Doherty, Dave and Jan Redden, Lenore Prudhomme and Danny Riebeling, Mariquita and Harry Masterson and the Gideon Lincecum Master Naturalist Society.      Our next step is determining how we can work with the Lincecum family to continue Gideon Lincecum’s love of nature. For tours or additional information about the Gideon Lincecum Cabin, contact Mark Lincecum at 281-961-3350.