AT: It’s A Wild, Wild Life On The Mid-Texas Coast

The Cradle of Texas Chapter is pleased to offer an opportunity to get up to 6 hours of AT in a day of Advanced Training that we are offering for free on Saturday, January 20th. We had such a great response to our presentation at the state meeting in October that we decided to offer it again for those who were unable to attend. This is a great chance to get most of the AT hours needed for recertification right at the beginning of the year!

We will meet at 8:30am for fellowship and breakfast, followed by the presentions beginning at 9am. Lunch will be provided by the chapter. Advance registration is required, with a deadline of January 13th. Seats are limited, so please register now if you would like to attend: http://evite.me/9tkPsPAe85.

It’s a Wild Wild Life on the Mid-Texas Coast Part 1: Ecology of the Coastline

9-11am

This session will take an in-depth look at the unique coastline environment of our Mid-Texas Coast, from the tides and wrack line, to the function of the dunes, and the importance of the estuaries and bays. It will also include a review of some of the plants and vegetation of the coastal shoreline and dunes, and a discussion about “beach finds” – items deposited on the beach by storm surges and flooding, as well as man-made trash and pollution. Participants will have the opportunity to examine vegetation samples firsthand in break-out groups, and will also learn about specific volunteer opportunities related to the topics discussed.

It’s a Wild Wild Life on the Mid-Texas Coast Part 2: Shorebirds

11:15am-12:15pm

Not every bird found at the shore is a shorebird, and not every shorebird is found at the shore! This session will review lifestyle, behavior, and identification techniques of common Mid-Texas Coast species within the avian taxonomical group known as shorebirds, which can often present a challenge in identification even for experienced birders. Participants will have the opportunity to practice their newly-learned identification skills using their own field guides, as well as comparing them with those used by other participants. In addition, participants wll learn about specific volunteer opportunities related to the topic.

It’s a Wild Wild Life on the Mid-Texas Coast Part 3: Beach Invertebrates

12:45-1:45pm

This session will cover the amazing variety of fascinating invertebrates that live along our Mid-Texas Coast beaches, including crustaceans (hermit crabs, fiddler crabs, barnacles, and shrimp); gastropods (Atlantic moon snails, our official State Shell the lightning whelk, pearwhelks, and lettered olives); bivalves (angelwings, disk dosinia, coquina, and oysters); and many others (jellyfish, plumed worms, Portuguese Man O’ War, anemones, and sand dollars.) Participants will have the opportunity to examine samples firsthand in break-out groups, and will also learn about specific volunteer opportunities related to the topics discussed.

It’s a Wild Wild Life on the Mid-Texas Coast Part 4: Snakes & Alligators

2-4pm

This session will discuss some of the special reptiles that can be found along the Mid-Texas Coast, with an emphasis on the various species of snakes that live in our dunes, and the many alligators which are present in our area. Participants will have the opportunity to handle live animals, including non-venomous snakes and alligators, and will also learn about specific volunteer opportunities related to the topics discussed.

Kristine Rivers, President

Cradle of Texas Chapter