11th Annual Earth Day Paddling Flotilla Slated For April 22, 2023
The Cypress Basin Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists is holding their 11th Annual Earth Day Paddling Flotilla on Caddo Lake, Saturday, April 22nd. More information coming! Breakfast snacks will be provided, fishing education table, corn hole games, raffle, silent auction. Food available for purchase: hot dogs, burgers and Frito chili pie.
Launch is either at Shady Glade Marina or Johnson’s Ranch.
Registration fees:
Early Bird: 2/04/2023 at 12:01am until Saturday 4/8/2023 at 12:01 am. Tickets are $30.00. T-shirt included (be SURE to add your size!)
Regular Tickets: $35.00 No guarantee of t-shirt
Adult Event Day: $35.00 No guarantee of t-shirt.
Paddlers 13 and under: $10.00 The $10.00 fee for paddlers under 13 will be honored on the day of the event. No guarantee of a t-shirt.
Your ticket includes a t-shirt (If registered on time), one raffle ticket, boat launch fees and breakfast foods .
Tickets are available via Eventbrite https://tinyurl.com/2023Flotilla
Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Trail-of-the-Month
Celebrate spring by visiting Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge! CLNWR (former Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant at Karnack, TX) has over 8000 acres of beauty, diversity and historic interest. There are 5 established trails varying in lengths and habitats. You will see both how nature restores itself and how humans can help with restoring natural habitats. The auto tour route takes you to the various trailheads where you can see some of the historic structures from LHAAP and signage discussing both the history and interesting biology of the refuge. The auto tour route is also a great option for bicycling. Paddlers can access Goose Prairie from the dock at Starr Ranch.
The Cypress Basin Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists (CBTMN) invites you to enjoy a different featured trail March – April. Volunteers will be available at the Visitor Center deck and at the trailhead of the featured trail for one Saturday morning each month. They will help you get oriented to the Refuge, help you locate the trails and even walk the featured trail with you if you so request.
On March 18 the featured trail is the 1/2 mile Magazine Trail. CBTMN will be hosting visitors on March 18th from 9am – noon. Hikers should wear sturdy walking shoes. Volunteers will be also available for an 8-10 mile bicycle ride that explores the refuge. Riders should be prepared to ride on some gravel roads and bring their own water.
Other featured trails (time to be determined) will be April 29th—Hope Cemetery Trail and May 20th—Starr Ranch trail.
You can contact Cypress Basin TMN at cypressbasintmn@gmail.com or http://txmn.org/cypress/ or https://www.facebook.com/CypressBasinChapterTMN/
Master Naturalists Training Class – Taking applications for Fall 2023
2021 Class with training staff and Heidi Bailey at Lake O’ the Pines Corps Headquarters
It’s time to expand our membership again. Susan and Caroline are working on recruiting new members and organizing our fall training classes. They need chapter members to spread the word about our group and to contact one of them with the name and email of anyone who might be interested in joining Cypress Basin Master Naturalists.
Dates are set for the new class beginning in August. Mark your calendars and please join us for some of the interesting-to-you classes for AT. All classes will be at the Refuge this year, and we are putting a strong emphasis on longer outdoor field time for each class. The dates are:
August 18-19
September 15-16
October 6-7
November 4-5
Cost:
The application fees are $40 for one person and $55 for a couple.
Dates:
For more information contact Training Directors:
Susan: wssedberry@sbcglobal.net; Caroline: cahughes8@gmail.com
What is a Master Naturalist?
Someone who’s NOT afraid of digging in the dirt and slogging through the mud while giving back to the community. Volunteers with the interest and desire to give back to their community and willingness to attend the training. Volunteers must complete a training course on the area’s natural features and the impact that people have on nature. The course includes presentations by biologists, geologists, naturalists, and others from local, state, and federal agencies and universities. You must complete a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service and 8 hours of advanced training during the first 12 months following your completion of the course (to be completed before your course’s graduation anniversary date).
Come join the fun.