Armand Bayou
Nature Center
Volunteers
Bayou Foliage
V o l u m e
2 6 ,
N u m b e r
4
A p r i l
2 0 0 7
Volunteer Spotlight
Look Ahead
MARCH
31 Trash Bash, 8:30 a.m.
@ Bay Area Park
APRIL
7
Stewardship Saturday, 8:30 a.m.
12 Volunteer Board Mtg.,
5:30 p.m. CR3
12 Volunteer Meeting,
6:30 p.m.
14 HAS Bird Survey,
7 a.m.
21 Earth Day 10—4
Tuesdays & Fridays, Stewardship Chainsaw Days
MAY
5
Stewardship Saturday, 8:30 a.m.
12 Volunteer Board Mtg.
5:30 p.m. CR3
12 Volunteer Meeting
6:30 p.m.
14 HAS Bird Survey,
7 a.m.
19 Stewardship Saturday, 8:30 a.m.
19
Bayou Boil
Tuesdays & Fridays, Stewardship Chainsaw Days
When you are
finished with
this publication
please recycle it.
Thanks!
Before there was the Kaneka Building, before
there was the re-created
Martyn Farm, before there
was the Interpretive/
Education Building and
even before there was
staff at Armand Bayou
Nature Center, there was
Mary Ann Tucker. Over 35
years ago an enthusiastic
group of people known as
BIGS (Bayou Interpretive
Guides) guided people
from Bay Area Park into
the area now known as
Armand Bayou Nature
Center. At this time citizens committed to preserving the land helped to
purchase as much property as possible to prevent
it from being developed.
In order to educate the
public about this special
Since that time Mary Ann
has been a faithful volunteer through good times
and bad. Her many talents have been evident
while teaching classes,
leading tours, giving
Mary Ann, after presenting
George Regmund a plaque
honoring his 26 years at
ABNC (2002)
piece of real estate, volunteers led weekend
tours. The first group of
volunteers was trained in
1973 and Mary Ann was
among the group, along
with George Regmund.
weekend demos, planning
and chairing events,
weaving baskets and
painting faces at special
events. She also served
as a Trustee on the ABNC
Board of Directors. Her
(Continued on page 11)
Staff Spotlight
Candy Donahue, Armand
Bayou Nature Center Associate Director, began
her tenure with the nature
center in February, 2000
as a volunteer. She had
previously volunteered at
Houston Arboretum, but
after completing the Mas-
ter Naturalist program,
she “followed John Jacob”
to ABNC. Taking inspiration from John and Marissa Sipocz, Candy decided to return to school.
After 25 years as a Certified Public Accountant,
Candy enrolled at Rice
University and completed
a Masters in Ecology and
Evolutionary Biology in
May of 2004.
This career shift will seem
less surprising once you
(Continued on page 10)
Page 2
From the Rocking Chair
Our Volunteer Spotlight this
month is a special lady. Mary
Ann Tucker and I have spent
the last couple of years together on the first Sunday of
each month at the farmhouse. I as an interpreter,
she showing kids how to
weave baskets. In between,
we “set a spell” and talked.
Even during the hot summer
months, it was very pleasant,
with every now and then a
breeze off the prairie.
Polly Swerdlin
Chair 2007
Armand Bayou
Nature Center
Volunteer Board
2007
Staff
Roster
moved away. Our expert volunteer ranks are dwindling, so
we hope our recent classes
will be able to fill the gaps
soon. I have seen several examples of this happening already from September’s group
(5 of which are on this year’s
board!) and February’s class
has also made their impact.
Her patience with the little
fingers was a delight to
watch and learn from. I miss
your company, Mary Ann. We
hope you can return for Fall
Festival to sell your excellent
products and reminisce.
Since Jessalyn Ballard has
moved on to her dream job,
we are facing several challenges of “what to do” now
that she doesn’t handle a
number of things for us. Although she was staff, I feel
she was a liaison between
staff and volunteers. Like supplying the candies in the Volunteer Office...
Recently, not only Mary Ann,
but Pat Bates has also
By the way, if you need to
make a correction to the
Chair
Vice-Chair
Treasurer
Secretary
Stewardship
Greeters/Interpreters
Admissions
Weekend Demos
Weekend Trail
Weekday Farm
Weekday Outdoor Ed
Outreach
Facilities
Webmaster
Bayou Foliage Editor
Bayou Foliage Editor
BF Distribution
Front Desk
Susan Brown
Candy Donahue
Lew Hornung
Mark Kramer
Christine Mattox
weekend schedule after it has
gone to “press”, please call
the Front Desk to make those
pencil notations.
Lew Hornung tells me he
hopes to have the farmhouse
ready for a Volunteer Paint
Day early in April. Stay tuned
for an all points bulletin!
April 21 is our Earth Day celebration. We want to have lots
of cookies and such to sell, so
get out your favorite recipes.
To repeat my promise last
month, I am going to give out
awards for the three best
home-made.
Polly
“To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious
Persian rug.” HELEN KELLER
Polly Swerdlin
Bob Paxton
Eleanor Stanley
Laura Bradley
Ian Kress
Jarita Sepulvado
Dottie Evans
Jane Bingel
Martha Hood
281-814-4606
281-990-7968
713-455-1502
281-992-2604
281-333-9066
281-532-1273
281-532-1273
281-554-5069
281-286-6746
Gaye Batiz
Nancy Benko
J.T. Chapman
Amy Corron Power
Mary Alice Trumble
Mary McCarthy
Odie Asscherick
281-538-0592
281-538-2569
281-486-7466
832-651-3985
281-435-5788
281-216-1159
832-721-8094
Ext 10
Ext 21
Ext 18
Ext 16
Ext 15
Ext 32
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Megan McInnis
Heather Millar
Sandy Peck
Dick Phelps
George Regmund
Shauna Trevino
Ext 17
Ext 14
Ext 11
Ext 10
Ext 31
Ext 13
Email addresses are ‘firstname’@abnc.org. Example: [email protected]
Bayou Foliage
Volume 26, Number 4
Page 3
ABNC Volunteer Meeting Minutes March 8, 2007
Program: Ed Adams, one of our
own, gave a talk and demonstration on edible plants. The talk
was good, the demonstration was
even better. It was delicious.
nounced in the meeting. It is a secret. See the article in the newsletter.
Old Business:
Bylaws – The revision is completed and ready for approval.
The proposed revisions will be
available on the website. The revisions will be voted upon next
month.
Animals – If you use the animals
for demos on the weekends try to
finish with them by 4pm.
Events - April 21 is Earth Day. A
signup sheet is now available.
The Boy Scouts had an “ordeal” at
the center. This involved sleeping
without a tent on Friday night and
Secretary’s report – The February working all day Saturday with minireport was approved.
mal food. They were not allowed
cell phones or any music. They did
Treasurer‘s report - The February a lot of work.
treasury report was approved. We
have $2729 in the treasury.
March 27 is a Fuddruckers fund
raiser. The money raised will be
New Business:
used to fund scholarships for chilStaff Report - Jessalyn is leaving dren staying at the Bridge (a
the center for a great job on Gal- women’s shelter) to attend Eco
veston Bay. We wish her our best. Camp. Bring a coupon that day to
If you sign up for a Continuing
the Fuddruckers on NASA Rd 1.
Education class please show up.
Our attendance has not been
Bylaws – The revision is completed
and ready for approval. The progood. We had 24 people at the
posed revisions will be available on
new volunteer session. Fifteen
signed up for a name tag. Volun- the website. The revisions will be
voted upon next month.
teer of the month was not an-
$2725.17
Expenditures:
Bank Service Charges
$2.00
Speaker’s Gift—February
$29.07
Total Expenditures
$31.07
$35.00
Total Income
$35.00
Current Balance
Windmill Fund
$2729.10
$1210 included
Continuing Education. - April 7 or 8
will be our wildflower tour. The
mushrooms tour is still waiting on
a date to be determined by the
availability of the subject matter.
Chris LaChance will do a Water
Smart talk on March 24. Canoe
101 will be held on April 7 or May
5 for volunteers who want to work
with canoe activities but do not
know how to canoe. April 27 will be
the first Prairie Schooner ride.
Area Reports:
Admission - Dottie – No report
Greeters/Interpreters – Jarita – No
report
Weekend Trails - Martha — 10 slots
open for Earth Day
Outreach - Nancy - Need volunteers for March 31 at Dickinson
ISD from 9 to noon. We will not be
doing Strawberry Festival as it is
the same weekend as Bayou Boil
as Bayou Boil.
Income:
Eleanor Stanley—crafts
Vice Chair Report
Meeting topics: Kathy and Gary
Clarke will be our April speakers.
Andy Sipocz will discuss Armand
Bayou hydro ecology in May.
Weekend Demos - Jane – need
volunteers for Sunday
Treasurer’s Report
Beginning Balance
Newsletter - The deadline for material to the editors will be the second Saturday following the volunteer meeting. Email Mary Alice or
leave hard copies in the Volunteer
Office.
Facilities - J. T. - The windmill is up
and working!!!!!!!!!!
Stewardship - Ian – No report
Page 4
Hazardous Beasties and Plants of the
Northeast Texas Coast
Training
Hands on History
Monday, March 26, 2007 or Saturday,
April 28, 2007 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
$35.00 non members/ FREE ABNC
members. 3 SBEC hours
Upcoming Teacher
Workshops
Call Heather or
Shauna for
reservations at
281-474-2551
x 14 or x 13.
This class will take you through life in
the 1895 era at the Martyn Farm and
Hanson House. By comparing and contrasting a day in the life of a family in
the 1890’s and a family in the 2000’s
we can ask important questions about
the direction of our current society and
stewardship of the environment. Some
topic areas discussed are: organizing
tasks and chores, education, communication among others, entertainment,
recreation and holidays, healthcare,
religion, justice and legislation. TEKS
correlated 3-5th grades. Call Heather or
Shauna for reservations at 281-4742551x14 or x13.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007 6-7:30 p.m.
$10.00 non members/FREE ABNC members 2 SBEC hours
Everyone is concerned about what they
will find in the wild and this helps you to
identify some of the most common animals and plants in our area that might be
hazardous. A compliment to any outdoor
activities. Call Heather or Shauna for reservations at 281-474-2551x14 or x13.
Beginning Insect Investigations
Saturday, April 28, 2007 1-3 p.m.
$35.00 non members/ FREE ABNC members. 3 SBEC hours
Learn the basics of what makes an insect
an insect and take a peek into the largest
group of animals on Earth. Play games,
construct your own insects, do field collection and identification and view specimens. Call Heather or Shauna for reservations at 281-474-2551x14 or x13.
“We believe that appreciation and understanding of the
Creator’s world of nature, the love of its creatures, and
the inspiration we derive from its beauty and perfection
constitute a vital phase of life.”
...Armand Yramategui
If you think you might be
interested in learning more
about either one of these
opportunities, please contact
me at 281-725-3339, or by
email at
[email protected]. I would
be glad to set up a time with
you to give you more
information and provide you
with training in these areas.
Thank you.
Jarita
Take a Second Look
Would you like to be the
smiling face of Armand
Bayou Nature Center? My
name is Jarita and I am the
Greeter and Farm Interpretation Coordinator. Greeter
and Farm Interpreter positions are for Saturday and
Sunday afternoons from 1 4 p.m. and they both give
you the opportunity to interact directly with visitors
and really represent and
Bayou Foliage
promote the nature center to them.
The Volunteer Greeter
reports to the Front Office
and gives directions and
information to visitors.
You can go over the map
with them, give them information about the trails
and any events or demos
on that day, and help
them in the gift shop.
Volunteers for Farm Interpretation report to the
Martyn farm and share
information with visitors
about the history of the
Martyn Farm and late
1800s/early 1900s farm
life. You can direct them
around the farm house
and to places of interest
in that area, such as the
garden, pond, etc.
See box on left for more information
Page 5
Continuing Education
Mushroom Identification
and Tasting
TBA
Continuing Education
is free for
ABNC volunteers
Volunteer Meetings
2nd Thursday of each
month @ 7 p.m.
Come along on a morning
hike led by mushroom expert
Jim Crabb as we search for,
identify and then possibly
taste local mushrooms you
can find right here at the
nature center. Sign up and
provide us with an email or
phone number and we will
let you know when in March
the class will be held. This
CE is highly dependent on
the right conditions, i.e. no
rain, no mushrooms.
WaterSmart Gardening
March 24, 9—11 a.m.
Chris LaChance teaches you
to become a WaterSmart
gardener and learn how to
create beautiful, low maintenance landscapes that protect your back, wallet AND
the environment. An hour of
class is followed by a tour of
the WaterSmart gardens at
ABNC where you’ll see these
concepts in action. Included
is a discussion of site and
soil preparation along with
choosing the right plant for
the right place. WaterSmart
is a program is funded by
Houston Endowment and
administered through Texas
A&M Cooperative Extension
and Texas Sea Grant.
Spring Wildflower Tour
April 7 or 8
Join Kathleen Crabb on a
vibrant tour through North
Houston, as she searches
for and identifies our beautiful gulf coast wildflowers.
Canoe 101
April 7 or May 5
Upcoming Programs
April 12
May 10
June
Texas Gulf Coast
Impressions by Kathy
and Gary Clark
Eco-hydrology of the Ar- No volunteer meetmand Bayou Watershed ing in June. See you
by Andy Sipocz, Texas
in September!
Parks and Wildlife
The Long Stand by Gaye Batiz
Why a prairie burn should conjure
images from my childhood is not
difficult to understand when you
know that, as a child, I had a passion for playing in mud, especially
mud covered in water. Also, like
many children, I was fascinated by
fire and loved watching the embers
of the bonfires my father used to
light to get rid of yard trash. So a
prescribed prairie burn was appealing in more ways than just
helping with this important prairie
management procedure.
Bayou Foliage
Each year ABNC plans to burn
units of the prairie to keep it
healthy; grasslands are considered
to be a fire dependent ecosystem;
burning reduces the numbers of
invasive species, encourages
healthy bacteria in the soil, assists
with the nitrogen process and with
seed germination. This last burn
would bring the total burned in the
2007 season to 266 acres over 11
units meeting the goals set by the
team last year.
The unit to be burned.
(Continued on page 6)
Volume 26, Number 4
(Continued from page 5)
After taking the training (which is held annually in December) I couldn’t wait for my first burn. Unfortunately
due to other commitments this didn’t happen until
February 22nd, the last burn of the season. It was a
perfect day, light breeze, reasonable humidity and
sunny. The planned unit was on the east bank and
was primarily sugarcane plumegrass so a good blaze
was almost guaranteed.
The burn season runs from January 1st to approx
March 15th. A minimum of 8 people need to be present for each burn, including staff from the Stewardship Department. The main duty of volunteers present is to watch for embers and any signs of the fire
jumping the fire break. Mark estimates that in the
2007 season, some 60 volunteers showed up for
the burns – so a BIG THANK YOU to those people.
Initially the fire
is lit on the side
of the unit
against the wind
direction. As
this fire burns
slowly it creates
a blackened
area along the
unit that widens
George starts the black line.
the fire break.
Once this area is complete, a fire is lit on the side of
the unit into the wind and this fire can burn fast; volunteers need to be alert watching for anything that
may cause the fire to jump the break.
Page 6
I was posted, complete with flapper, on the corner
where the initial fire was set and stayed there throughout the whole process. As expected, parts of the unit
burned fast and furiously with a very satisfying
crackle.
Smoke and
embers were
not a problem thanks to
the wind carrying them
high. The
total process
took around
3 hours but
even when
The fire takes hold.
the fire had
died in my area there were things to see. I was fortunate to be on the main escape route for fleeting birds
and insects and got a close look as they flew past.
The gaps in between setting the blackened area and
starting the head fire also allowed for some pleasant
day dreaming, reliving some memories of my childhood, my father and Glastonbury music festival. I got
to see and hear the grasses burning, I spent 3 hours
up to my ankles in lovely squelchy mud and the wildlife I saw made this a great experience, one that I
hope to repeat more than once in the 2008 season.
Oh, and how did this article get its name? Well during
the mulling time I recalled the apprentice at my place
of work being sent out to get “a long stand”! I finally
found out what it was!
Summary of Proposed Changes to the 2002 Volunteer Bylaws
March 9, 2007
Outlined below is a summary of changes being proposed for the 2002 volunteer bylaws. A number of the changes are
self explanatory and include efforts to streamline wording, eliminate outmoded ideas, factor in experience, and reflect
the way we do business. They were reviewed with the volunteer board at their March 8 meeting and the board will
ask for a vote of approval at the April volunteer meeting. If you have questions feel free to contact a member of the
bylaws committee (Bill Cooke, Gaye Batiz, or Ken Russell). A copy of the current bylaws with these changes "redlined"
in is being made available on the volunteer website and in the volunteer office.
Article I - in general replace the term "member/membership" throughout the bylaws with "active volunteer(s). This will
eliminate the confusion with some new volunteers that as a volunteer they are also an ABNC member.
Article III, section 2 - simplify wording and reduce the yearly service to "contribution of a minimum of 28 hours of approved service over a one (1) year period. Four (4) of the hours must be approved training or continuing education."
(Continued on page 9)
Don’t Miss Our Benefit Day on March 27!
Join us at Fuddruckers for lunch or dinner and help Armand Bayou Nature
Center help the children of The Bridge Over Troubled Waters. A percentage
of your purchase will be donated to these worthy causes*.
What:
Benefit Day for Armand Bayou Nature Center and The Bridge Over
Troubled Water
When:
Tuesday March 27, 2007 11 am – 1 pm and 5 – 8 pm
Where:
Fuddruckers, 2040 NASA Parkway, Nassau Bay
How:
Simply present your “ticket” when ordering. Tickets on reverse
side of page
For tickets or more information, call 281-474-2551, 281-486-1943
or 713-472--0753.
*Proceeds will purchase scholarships to ABNC’s summer EcoCamp.
Scholarships will be awarded to children of TBOTW.
Proceeds will be used to purchase
scholarships to ABNC’s summer
“EcoCamp”. Scholarships will be
awarded to children of The Bridge
Over Troubled Water in Pasadena.
2040 NASA Parkway, Nassau
Bay, 281-333-1598
Tuesday March 27, 2007
281-474-2551
Armand Bayou Nature Center,
Proceeds will be used to purchase
scholarships to ABNC’s summer
“EcoCamp”. Scholarships will be
awarded to children of The Bridge
Over Troubled Water in Pasadena.
2040 NASA Parkway, Nassau
Bay, 281-333-1598
Proceeds will be used to purchase
scholarships to ABNC’s summer
“EcoCamp”. Scholarships will be
awarded to children of The Bridge
Over Troubled Water in Pasadena.
2040 NASA Parkway, Nassau
Bay, 281-333-1598
Tuesday March 27, 2007
281-474-2551
281-474-2551
Tuesday March 27, 2007
Armand Bayou Nature Center,
Armand Bayou Nature Center,
Page 9
(Continued from page 6)
This reduction is based on input from some new volunteers who work plus the curtailment of activity in the summer.
Article III, section 3 - modify for consistency with section 2 change. "Specific training will be offered by the ABNC staff
throughout the year on a needs basis. Continuing education is also offered as a benefit. Four (4) hours of training or
continuing education will count towards the minimum of twenty-eight (28) hours required annually for active duty
status."
Article III, section 4 - modify for new minimum hours "twenty-eight (28) hours of service per year".
Article III, section 6 - modify the last sentence to "a fee may be charged for volunteer training materials and nametags
as determined by the ABNC staff."
Article III, section 7 - modify as follows "an active volunteer may terminate his/her membership of the organization at
any time and is requested to do so in writing. A person who has voluntarily terminated membership may apply to the
volunteer board in writing for reinstatement. In such cases a majority vote of the volunteer board is required for reinstatement."
Article III, section 8 - modify as follows "Armand Bayou Nature Center staff reserves the right to involuntarily terminate
the membership of any active volunteer should just cause be given. The active volunteer shall have the right to appeal
to the volunteer board."
Article IV, section 1 - update to reflect current board makeup and streamline wording "the officers of the organization
shall consist of the following twelve (12) elected officers: chair, vice-chair, secretary, treasurer, and the coordinators
for: admissions, weekend demonstrations, greeters/interpretation, weekend trails, weekday farm/outdoor education,
outreach, facilities, and stewardship. The board shall appoint one officer, the volunteer newsletter editor."
Article IV, section 2 - add a first sentence to read as follows "confirmed active volunteer status is required for the positions of chair, vice-chair, secretary, and treasurer."
Article V, section 4 - remove the following from the third sentence "including assurance that inactive volunteers have
paid their fee if they wish to continue to receive the newsletter"
Article V, section 5 - modify first sentence as follows "the eight (8) volunteer coordinators"
Article VI, section 1 - modify and streamline wording as follows "the volunteer board shall consist of the twelve (12)
elected officers, the volunteer newsletter editor, the ABNC staff volunteer coordinator, and any other designated ABNC
staff personnel."
Article VI, section 2 - modify the first sentence as follows to allow flexibility in number of board meetings "the volunteer
board will meet on a schedule determined by the board but no less than eight (8) times a year."
Article VII, section 1 - modify the first sentence as follows to allow for eliminating or reinstating summer meetings "at
least eight (8) monthly meetings"
Article VII, section 2 - modify as follows "the annual meeting, for the purpose of electing officers and approving the annual budget, shall be the general meeting held in December."
Article VII, section 4 - modify as follows "a quorum for the meeting shall consist of a minimum of 10 active volunteers
present and voting at the meeting."
Bayou Foliage
Volume 26, Number 4
Candy’s great
love is burning
and mowing the
prairie.
Page 10
know a little about Candy’s family history.
Born at Houston’s Hermann Hospital,
Candy traces her roots from a line of native
Texans starting with her Great-Great-GreatGreat-Great-Grand-father who arrived in
Texas with Stephan F.
Austin. On a more current
note, and in keeping with
the Austin theme, her son
is currently a freshman at
the University of Texas at
Austin.
After graduating, Candy
accepted a summer position as a Field Ecologist.
In October of 2004 Candy joined the ABNC
staff as Director, a position she held until
December 2005. With the restructuring of
the nature center, Candy became the Associate Director in January of 2006. In this
new position, Candy was able to focus her
attention on the operational aspects of the
nature center, including duties as Volunteer
Coordinator.
Candy’s great love is burning and mowing
the prairie. She spent numerous hours
mapping the ABNC prairies with a GPS to
record where our prairie management transect lines are and to map our several mitigation areas. Candy is
able to use her ecology
background in her role as
a member of the Galveston Bay Foundation Wetland Permit Review Committee. This committee
makes recommendations
to the Army Corp of Engineers regarding impacts
to wetland areas and the
mitigation plans for remediation.
Candy’s love of the nature center is evident
in her actions and in the way she describes
her feelings for the prairie. By sharing her
passion for ABNC with the Volunteers and
all she meets, we all benefit.
Thanks, Jessalyn
Many thanks to Jessalyn
and Bayou Foliage, she
weren’t all of Jessalyn’s
Ballard who ,until recently,
found time to send out
responsibilities.
served as Visitor Services
countless emails to the
Coordinator. In addition to
volunteer organization,
Jessalyn, we wish you
greeting visitors, answer-
tally hours and help plan
well in your new job with
ing questions, manning
Volunteer Appreciation.
Artist Boat and look for-
the phone, giving direc-
As all staff members
ward to having you re-
tions, scheduling classes
know, there are always
turn as a volunteer.
and birthday parties, edit-
many other duties to ad-
Thanks for a job well
ing both Along the Bayou
dress, so these certainly
done.
Bayou Foliage
Page 11
Edible Plants
For those who were unable
to attend the Volunteer
Meeting, Thursday March
8, you really missed an
awesome spread of delectable goodies. I am sure all
who attended were quite
surprised at the presentation, quantity, variety and
wonderful taste of the
many dishes served. Believe me, this was not just
a bunch of wild greens
thrown in a pot or dish and
served as a substitute
for spinach, rather it was
a complex menu of many
locally growing flowers,
grasses, tree fruit, and
greens you would not think
were edible. I think I tried
them all, from pecan trail
mix, water cress soup, duck
weed spinach with ham to
wild berry pie, and enjoyed
them all. One really didn't
need to eat before they arrived.
Many thanks to Chef Ed
Adams and his very able
assistants Odie and Marie
for all of their hard work. I
am sure they will be asked
to do a repeat next year.
See below for a list of the
Edible Plants of ABNC,
most of which were served
at the meeting.
Bob Paxton
Persimmon—farm site & yard
Poke Salad—everywhere
Pecan—several
Grape (Possum grape) - front
walk
Blackberry—tall cane front
walk
Dewberry—fence rows and
meadow
Greenbriar (tips and root)
Dock (springtime greens)
Dandelion (springtime
greens)
Wild Onions—plentiful
Mulberry tree—chicken coop
Hickory nuts—Martin Road
Cattail (tuber root)
Wood Sorrel—plentiful
Chic-weed
May-Pop (passion vine seed
pod)
Redbud flowers
Red Leaf Maple (seed pods)
Duck Weed
Wild Lettuce (young tender
leaves)
Wild Violet (leaf, flower)
Arrowhead (root only)
Plantain (young leaves)
Pickerel Weed (young leaves)
Sow-Thistle (trim stickers)
Elderberry—along bayou
Acorns
Showy Evening Primrose
(flower)
Turks Cap
Violets (blue flowers only)
Muscadine Grape—along
trails
See page 14 for pictures of the
meeting
Thank You, Mary Ann!
(Continued from page 1)
ready smile, easy-going manner
and willingness to help have made
her a much respected and admired
lady. It is difficult to imagine the
volunteer group without Mary Ann,
but we all wish her well as she embarks on a new chapter in her life.
She and husband Sheldon have
moved from Clear Lake to the Hill
Country. As she put it herself reBayou Foliage
cently, “Mary Ann and Sheldon
have moved to the Hill Country...small house, small yard and
great expectations.”
Mary Ann, words can not express
the gratitude for all you have done
through the years for ABNC. You
have been a constant here, a
source of knowledge and inspiration and a dear friend to many. We
will miss you greatly and hope to
see you as often as you can make
your way back to the coast to visit.
For those of you who wish to write
Mary Ann, her address is 1913
Weston Loop, Kerrville, TX 78028.
Page 12
Volunteer Job Descriptions
Each month a description of a volunteer
position will be highlighted. The following information is from the Volunteer
Manual.
FARM EXHIBIT INTERPRETER *
This job’s for you!
* See page 4 for
more
information
about Farm
Exhibit
Interpreters
from our
Greeter and
Farm
Interpretation
Coordinator.
From the ABNC
Volunteer Manual
Bayou Foliage
Responsibilities:
1. Arrive at ABNC 15 minutes before
designated time. Make sure nothing
inappropriate is in sight.
2. Welcome visitors to Martyn Farm
and interpret 18951910 era to them.
3. Promote ABNC’s
purposes and benefits of membership.
4. Interpret basic
ecological concepts
to visitors as related
to farm life.
5. Give participants
a chance to ask
questions.
6. Direct visitors to
features of interest
such as the garden or pond.
7. Refrain from using ethnic comments or sexist remarks.
8. Maintain professional attitude and
conduct. Refrain from eating, drinking, chewing gum or smoking while
on duty.
9. Know location of First Aid Kit and
Fire Extinguisher.
10. Promptly report accident or injury
to a staff member and fill out accident
form.
11. Log hours in volunteer logbook in a
prompt, up-to-date fashion.
12. Notify volunteer coordinator ASAP
if you are unable to do your assigned
job.
Support and Resources:
1. ABNC staff and volunteers
2. Volunteer training
3. Volunteer manual
Qualifications:
1. Enjoy interacting with
people.
2. Be knowledgeable of
ABNC regulations and
membership information.
3. Be familiar with the
layout of the farm and
its history.
Training:
1. Attend orientation.
2. Complete appropriate volunteer
training.
3. Watch and listen to an experienced
volunteer at least once.
Hanson Farmhouse
Clarence Roberts and his
family from Minnesota built
the Hanson House in 1895.
The house was originally located on Galveston Bay in
Kemah, but the storm of
1900 blew it off its foundation blocks. The family moved
the house farther inland near
the intersection of present
Highway 146 and FM 518.
Clarence Roberts was killed in
an accident involving a run-
away team in 1905; his
mother, who visited at times
from Minnesota, ran the farm
until her death. The estate
was divided in 1913; a
daughter, Addie Roberts
Weekes, inherited the sturdy
cypress-sided house. She and
her children continued to
farm in Texas during the season, but returned to Minnesota during winters for the
children's schooling. In 1919,
Addie Weekes died and willed
her house over to her newly
married daughter, Isabel, and
her husband, Everett A. Hanson, Sr., who owned the house
until 1978. Everett A. Hanson,
Jr. inherited his greatgrandmother's dwelling, and in
1982 gave it to Armand Bayou
Nature Center. From Kemah,
the house was barged across
Clear Lake to its present location on the Jimmy Martyn Farm.
Page 13
ABNC Volunteer Duty Roster
9:30 Trails
2:00 Trails
Greeters
Farm
Interpretation
Martha Hood
Martha Hood
Jarita Sepulvado
Jarita Sepulvado
281-532-1273
Marie
Asscherick
Ken Russell
Polly Swerdlin
OPEN
OPEN
Ray Parker
OPEN
Jane Bingel
Susan Hesley
Yarn Dolls
Jane Bingel
Adaptations
OPEN
OPEN
OPEN
OPEN
OPEN
Karen Sutera
OPEN
OPEN
Jane Bingel
Cheese
Creepy Crawlers
Cris Santiago
Judy
Schaefer
OPEN
Paula Thorsen
Stereoscope
Zel Arbuckle
Snakes
EARTH DAY *
Paul
Brunkow
Joan
Brunkow
Jack Chandler
Rope
Ed Adams
Adaptations
DATE 281-286-6746 281-286-6746 281-532-1273
If you have to
cancel, please do
your best to find
your own
replacement. If
you can cover for
any open slots,
please call the
coordinator for
that event. When
you arrive at
ABNC for your
duty, please
check in at the
front desk.
4/1
4/7
Jim Crabb
4/8
4/14
OPEN
4/15
4/21
EARTH DAY *
Farm Demos
Natural History
Jane Bingel
Jane Bingel
281-554-5069 281-554-5069
Ruby Dilgren
Eleanor
Stanley
4/22
4/28
OPEN
Stan Krauhs
4/29
OPEN
OPEN
OPEN
Snakes
Jane Bingel
Adaptations
Joanna Moody
Arachnids
OPEN
Mary Garrett
Joyce Sens
Frank Sens
Rope
Liz
VanOrstrand
OPEN
OPEN
Ray Parker
Rope
* Earth Day: 10-12—Gaye Batiz; 12-2—Anne Tincher; 2-4—Pat Doerr
Volunteer Orientation
We had a wonderful turnout for New Volunteer Orientation this February. Thank you to those listed below for coming out and showing an
interest in ABNC! Many have already taken Front Desk, Pond Life,
Trail/Owl Prowl/Night Hike or Animal Handling training and signed up
for more. Nametags for those who ordered them are in the volunteer
office ready to be picked up. Thanks again, and I look forward to
working with you throughout the year.
--Candy
Photo by Mary McCarthy
Bayou Foliage
Joana Aldaco, Rick Browning, James Buchta, Dorothy Cooney, Robert Cooney, AJ
Delhomme, Lauren Delhomme, Nina Duron, Pat Hill, Fran Hosch, Judy Huber,
Diane Humes, Ted Kell, Salyajit Kosure, Barbara Kress, Ann Lyon, Valerie Magyar,
Araka McCarthy, John McCarthy, Britney Mencori and Ellen Price
Armand Bayou Nature Center
Volunteers
P.O. Box 58828
Houston, TX 77258
Phone: 281-474-2551
Fax: 281-474-2552
www.abnc.org
Reconnecting People With Nature
We’re on the Web!
www.abncvols.org
March Volunteer Meeting
March 8, 2007
Ed Adams presented a delicious program on Edible Plants of Armand
Bayou. Cris Santiago and Odie and
Marie Asscherick seem to be enjoying
it, but Tom Scarsella looks a little
skeptical. All reports were that it was
a culinary success! See page 11 for a
list of plants.
Photos by
Mary McCarthy
Chef Ed Adams
Marie & Odie Asscherick
and Cris Santiago
Ed and Tom
Scarsella