New Class Training
On April 3rd, training was hosted by Sheryl Smith-Rodgers, James Hearn, and Prima (their car) in their native plant gardens. They learned more about using iNaturalist and picnicked for lunch. The day started with Sheryl presenting her “Spiders of Central Texas” program.
Photo by Sheryl Smith-Rodgers, James Hearn, and MJ Hansen
Forest Bathing for Trainees
by Claudia Machell, 2025 Training class member
Forest bathing. I knew the concept. What I didn’t know is how much it would affect me.
It was the fourth week of our Master Naturalist training class and we were at Candlelight Ranch. Lynnete Holtz was describing the different activities they do at the Ranch for the children that come there and, rather than just describing this particular activity, she wanted us to experience it ourselves. She told us to walk outside for a minute or two, find something that attracts our attention, and then just “sit” for four or five minutes, in silence. I walked up a short hill, and my eyes were drawn to a large, multi-trunked live oak tree. Birds were singing nearby, the sun was shining through the branches, and leaves were scattered on the ground surrounding its’ huge base. I found my “happy place”, and sat down.
As I listened to the birds, and felt the breeze on my face, I suddenly had a flash back to my childhood. There was a huge weeping willow tree on a small hill in my backyard where I grew up in Pennsylvania. I spent days lying under that tree, watching clouds float by, listening to bird songs, and looking for bugs and butterflies. I was enthralled by nature then, and I still am. The simple act of just sitting by a tree brought back wonderful memories of spending time outdoors, and how much I loved, and missed, this type of experience.
I moved to the Hill Country with my husband almost four years ago and relish being outside. Whether I am chopping over-abundant cedar trees, working in the garden, or adding more bird seed to our feeders, I am always outside doing something. This experience made me realize that I need to spend more time outdoors, just being; not doing.
To really experience forest bathing, and let it transform you, you can’t be doing anything else. I learned my lesson that day during training. Forest bathing is not just for kids – it’s for all of us.
Colorado River Watch Network Training
Article and Photos by Karen Stewart
HLMNers Betty Secrest, Larry Secrest, Karen Stewart, Dannielle Clayton, Charlotte Willis, and veteran Jerry Stacy attended the CRWN—Colorado River Watch Network— LCRA water testing on March 26. We learned what Jerry has been doing for years: testing lake/river water for nitrates, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO) and turbidity. We recieved our certificates, and now we wait, hoping to be assigned a spot on the lakes and rivers to test. We would be responsible for testing once per month and entering the data remotely.
Adopt-a-Highway
The Friends of Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery (FOIDNFH) teamed up with Friends of Inks Lake State Park group (FOIL) to clean up Park Road 4 in front of the Hatchery and entry to Inks Lake State Park.
Photos by Linda O’Nan
Leave No Trace
By Karen Stewart
On March 1-2, I attended a free Leave No Trace Seminar led by Haylan Teel at Buescher State Park. Haylan is a volunteer with TPWD and lives with her husband at Buescher State Park, where he is a Park police officer. He is also a LNT instructor. They, together, have worked at several state parks including Balmorhea, which, unfortunately, was not as nice as it sounds.
We learned the 7 principles and participated in some games to teach LNT. Pictured here Becky (Goodwater MN) and I digging “cat holes” and our fellow teammates have to keep a stick “poo” between their legs and drop it in the “Cat hole” 20 ft away as a relay game. We had to adjust the game by digging in a tub, because we couldn’t dig in a State Park. We only had plastic forks to dig. My team won!
Also pictured, Haylan brought a chocolate cake and had a toy pig destroy the “landscape” of the cake frosting. The pig represented not only damage done by wild pigs, but humans who are “pigs” by littering etc.
Several Master Naturalists chapters were represented, as well as Park Volunteers like at Brazos Bend. Some participants were either hike leaders, or just citizens that wanted to know more. I really appreciated the diversity of the group, from Austin to Houston to Lake Buchanan.
Halan has extensive experience in back country hiking and camping. She has previously worked at Medicine Mountain National Park, Wyoming, and was set to return this summer, but unfortunately, has lost her job. She has applied all the LNT principles when hiking the back country and as a National Parks employee.
Haylan hopes to offer the class again. Other instructors charge for the class, so it is awesome she is volunteering her time. She is very committed to LNT. I hope to make a LNT kit for others to use, and Haylan provided me with some slide shows. Bill Nabors has created a small kit we have used in different programs at Inks Lake SP, as it is an important concept to convey to park visitors and other groups. I will be going over LNT at the next FOIL meeting on April 8th.
Texas Mussel Research @ Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery
Article and Photo by Reed Armstrong
Jacqualyn Halmbacher, Hatchery Biologist and Friends of Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery
Native Texas freshwater mussel populations could really use a boost, which is why the Friends of Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery asked so many detailed questions during Hatchery biologist Jacqualyn Halmbacher’s February 12th presentation to the Friends group.
You may know that the Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery does a lot more than raise fish to fulfill agreements with Ft. Cavazos and Native American tribes in the southwest.
But, unbeknownst to many of us, native freshwater mussels play a critical role in the development of many important fish species, including crappie and bass. Native freshwater mussels may not boast the abundant charisma of popular game species, but without them, fishing in Texas would really suffer.
As you may remember from your initial Master Naturalist training, freshwater mussels are an important part of the biodiversity of our lakes and rivers. They are not only a part of the food chain, but help filter toxins from the water, improving water quality not only for the animals living in the water, but for humans, too.
Over the past two years, the Fish Hatchery has produced more than 10,000 glochidia (the microscopic larval form of freshwater mussels and clams) for release into the San Antonio River, where they support the growth and development of healthy ecosystems in some of the state’s most challenging environments.
Next time you tour the hatchery, look for new information about the good work Jacqualyn’s team does boosting our Texas native freshwater populations.
Friends of Inks Lake State Park – Watershed Model Training
Article and Photo by Reed Armstrong
Krista Paul knows there are plenty of volunteers who have an interest in the water cycle. Now, thanks to her willingness to share what she has learned, FOIL and HLMN have six more members who are qualified to demonstrate the watershed model.
This group of FOIL and HLMN volunteers learned how to set up, operate and tell engaging stories to children about how the water cycle impacts our daily lives. Everyone learned which parts of the kit are used to simulate herbicides, pesticides, oil spills, agricultural run off, industrial waste and road side litter.
Typically the watershed model is demonstrated to groups of 4th, 5th, and 6thgraders who visit Inks Lake State Park for a day of outdoor discovery in one of Texas Parks & Wildlife’s most popular sites.
Our group is always looking for more interested and qualified volunteers to engage with the public, often using props like the watershed model for support. If you think this sounds like fun, you are correct. You can work with FOIL and or Highland Lakes Chapter where they make it easy for you to share what you know with the next generation of naturalists.
Left to Right, Larry Secrest, DJ Sanders, Karen Stewart, Krista Paul, Margaret Scheffe, Cris Northrup, and Kaye Barr
Blanco State Park – Educational Fishing Event
Photos by Al Lillis
Jerry Stacy Awarded 10,000 Volunteer Hour Milestone
Jerry Stacy’s dedication to volunteer service is truly remarkable. His journey began in 2006 when he joined the Highland Lakes Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist Program. By 2014, he had already accumulated 4,000 volunteer service hours, a feat achieved by only four other members. His commitment didn’t stop there. In 2016, he reached the 5,000-hour mark.
As of March 2024, Jerry has amassed an impressive 10,057 volunteer service hours and 683 advanced training hours. This achievement earned him an emerald-studded dragonfly pin, making him the first member of the Highland Lakes Chapter to reach the 10,000-hour volunteer milestone.
Jerry’s path to this milestone was paved with diversity. He led interpretive hikes at Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery, emphasizing edible plants. He also contributed to outreach education and maintained trails and pollinator gardens at the hatchery. Jerry played a crucial role in building the Wildlife Viewing Stations at Inks Lake State Park and Granite Shoals, and his expertise has been sought by other organizations for similar projects.
Jerry’s volunteer efforts extend to several other locations, including Balcones Canyonlands Wildlife Refuge, Blanco State Park, and Upper Highland Lakes Nature Center. His activities range from Wood Duck Box monitoring and LCRA water quality monitoring to conducting surveys of Quillwort, Quail, and Golden-cheeked Warblers. He also works with the Land Management Assistance Program team, providing landowners with assessments of their property’s plant life and land management goals. Furthermore, Jerry leads and trains for Fishing Events and the Great Outdoor Project and Hatchery Outdoor Project for local school children.
If you find yourself at one of these events or parks, you’ll likely see Jerry, hard at work. And who knows? He might just be working towards his next milestone: 15,000 volunteer service hours.