AT23-200 New Class: Exploring a Pristine Riparian Habitat: Honey Creek SNA, Spring Branch

Event Title: Exploring a Pristine Riparian Habitat: Honey Creek SNA

VMS-AT: AT: Texas Parks and Wildlife (Enter AT#, Class Title as posted, Location, and Presenter)
Comments: AT23-200 New Class: Exploring a Pristine Riparian Habitat: Honey Creek SNA, Spring Branch, Presenter: Charlene Moore (AT=3h)

Event Date: 10/07/2023
Event Time: 9:00a-12:00p  & 1:00p-4:00p

Event Summary:
To further trainee understanding of the role of riparian areas and preservation, students will tour Honey Creek SNA and learn to identify critical components of a healthy riparin system.

Event Description:
The traineees will be divided into morning (9:00-noon) and afternoon (1:00-4:00) groups and will be accompanied by a photographer, NCC members, and mentors. There is a 20 person cap for each session.

Using a journal and a cell phone camera participants will take notes, sketch, and photograph their experience.

The group will hike from the historic Rust House though an oak savannah to the creek area. Instructors will explain and answer questions about features and critical attributes of a healthy riparian area, it’s key species, the presence of both old and young growth, and species diversity.

After retiring from a career in cryogenics UT Medical School, Houston and UT Health Science Center, Austin in 2017, Charlene Moore immediately sought certification from the Hill Country Master Naturalist Chapter. Since then she has volunteered at Guadalupe River SP as an interpretive guide for the Honey Creek State SNA. She also server as the co-historian of the Friends of Honey Creek, along with her husband, McKenzie Brown. He will be joining as a co-interpreter on our trip. Also likely to join us is Friends of Honey Creek president, Bob Morris. Bob is a retired forester and a Bear County native. He certified with the TMN Alamo Chapter in 2020. He specializes in land stewardship, native ecosystems, and water resources.

Honey Creek SNA is adjacent to Guadalupe River State Park Follow TX State Highway 46 to the park entrance. Stop at he Entrance Kiosk and report you are with the Master Naturalist group touring Honey Creek (fee has been waived). Proceed about a mile, look for the Rust House sign on the right to the adjacent parking lot.

Cost: no cost

Register @: All New Class members, leaders, and mentors must register by email at newclassdirectors@hillcountrytmn.org

Event Location:
Honey Creek State Natural Area (adjacent to Guadalupe Rive State Park)
3350 Park Road 31
Spring Branch, TX 78070

Instructor/Presenter:
Charlene Moore

Contact Information:
David Matthews
davtex@outlook.com
(830) 232-4530

Organization Website:
https://txmn.org/hillcountry/

Sponsoring Organization:
Hill Country Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists