Intern Class of 2014 Graduation

ANGLETON, TEXAS -- May 14, 2014.   At its regular chapter meeting held today at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, all 22 members of the Texas Master Naturalist Cradle of Texas Chapter's Intern Training Class graduated and were certified as Texas Master Naturalists.  Each graduate received a Certificate, a Texas Master Naturalist Polo Shirt, and an engraved nametag.

The graduation ceremony was following lunch featuring The Great Gumbo Cookoff.  All chapter members, including interns, were invited to prepare a 6-quart pot of gumbo.  Ten chapter members entered the contest.

Judging the contest were three staff members from the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service Brazoria County office:

• Jami Geserick, 4-H and Administration Office Secretary
• John Gordy, County Extension Agent, Ag and Natural Resources
• Michaele Gregory, Family and Consumer Sciences.

Pam Peltier's entry was judged the winner, with Chris Kneupper's entry judged "runnerup."

Congratulations to the Class of 2014!

The Class of 2014
Photo: Neal McLain

BLUE BIRDS OF BRAZORIA COUNTY
Ken Sluis, Linda Sluis, Cindy Goodrum, Dawn Logan,
Michelle Hague, Denice Apgar, Hope Cepak
Photo: Neal McLain

RiverRats: ANATOMY OF A RIVER
Lorna Witt, Larry Kirby, Garry Ellis, Janet Jackson-Ellis,
Joycelynn Grigson, Breana Kitchen
Photo: Neal McLain

Joycelynn Grigson, Anatomy of River Team Captain
Photo: Neal McLain

Mudderman's Mud Hogs: LIVE OAK BAYOU UNIT OF SAND BERNARD NWR
David Plunkett, Sherri Wilson, John Minkert,
Sheree Muzny, Mel McKey, Lou Golish
Photo: Neal McLain

URBAN PRAIRIE
Christina Hartman, Kim Richardson, Gretchen Minor
Photo: Neal McLain

Graduated and Certified: Michelle Hague, Cindy Goodrum
Photo: Neal McLain

Gumbo Contest Winners: Pam Peltier (Winner);
Barbara Burkhardt (Contest Administrator); Chris Kneupper (Runnerup)
Pam's winning Gumbo recipe is available here. Photo: Neal McLain

Food line
Photo: Neal McLain

Gretchen Minor, Christina Hartman
Photo: Neal McLain

Ken Sluis, Linda Sluis
Photo: Neal McLain

Justina Dent, Chris Kneupper
Photo: Neal McLain

Dawn Logan
Photo: Neal McLain  

Daughter and Mother: Michelle Hague, Mickey Dufilho
Photo: Neal McLain

Gumbo! Gumbo! Gumbo!
Photo: Pete Romfh

Joycelynn Grigson, Sheree Muzny
Photo: Pete Romfh

Roy Morgan, Training Director, Class of 2014
Photo: Pete Romfh

Birds of Prey Program at O.W. Roberts Elementary School - March 2014

Lake Jackson, Texas -- March 28, 2014. Under the auspices of Friends of brazoria Wildlife Refuges, EarthQuest presented a Birds of Prey Program at O.W. Roberts Elementary School today.

Birds of Prey programs are a regular feature of Migration Celebration.   In addition to BOP programs presented during Migration Celebration, volunteers from Friends of Brazoria Wildlife Refuges (FOBWR) present Birds of Prey programs at local K-12 schools.   The 2014 schedule includes 29 schools, with additional programs scheduled at:

• Brazos Bend State Park (park visitors)
• McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge (school group)
• Brazoria Lions Club (members)
• Danbury Rotary Club (members)
• Sweeny Rotary club (members)

Birds of Prey programs are produced by EarthQuest, a non-profit corporation based in, Georgia, and presented by Steve Hoddy, founder and president of EarthQuest. FOBWR (and TMN-COT) member Phil Huxford administers the program on behalf of FOBWR. Working with school officials, Phil schedules shows during the two months preceding Migration Celebration, raises funds to pay for the programs, and serves as a sort of Master of Ceremonies during BOP presentations.

Phil obtains funding from a variety of sources: corporations, service clubs, and individual donors. Several TMN-COT members have contributed funds.

The following photos were taken on March 28, 2014, during a Birds of Prey Presentation at BISD O.W. Roberts Elementary school in Lake Jackson

Ok everybody -- sit  on your bottoms!

Steve Hoddy's truck after unloading the birds. 

Phil Huxford welcomes the students and explains the Birds of Prey program.

The entire student body, and their teachers, attend the Birds of Prey program

Laredo, female Harris hawk

Steve Hoddy tells the students about Laredo

Laredo gets a snack

Phil Huxford with Laredo

Steve Hoddy with Storm, a female Andean Condor

Storm is kept on leash

Steve with Storm

Storm gets a snack

Storm shows off her white wing feathers

Still working on that snack

Students return to class

Four TMN-COT members earn President's Call to Service Award

ANGLETON, TEXAS -- March 12, 2014.  At its regular chapter meeting held today at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, four Chapter members were awarded the President's Call to Service Award.  This award recognizes Americans who have dedicated at least two years, or 4,000 hours over the course of their lives, to serve others.   The award includes of lapel pin, a certificate, and a letter of congratulations signed by the President of the United States.

The Texas Master Naturalist State Office was the Certifying Organization for these awards.

Members receiving the award :

• Ed Barrios, Class of 2004.  Ed serves on our Chapter's Board of Directors as State Representative, conducts advanced training classes, and participates in our Environmental Education programs.  He volunteers with Friends of Brazoria Wildlife Refuges and serves on its Board of Directors as President and as a member of its Migration Celebration Planning Committee.  He is a member of Brazoria County Master Gardeners Association and has served as its President.  Between February and April of each year, Ed volunteers for the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide programming provided free tax-preparation assistance to taxpayers with low or moderate incomes.
  
• Justina Dent, Class of 2001.  Justina was a founding member of our chapter and has been an active volunteer since its founding.  Justina is an active participant in our Environmental Education and outreach efforts.
  
• Sandy Henderson, Class of 2007.  Sandy has served on our Chapter's Board of Directors as Treasurer.  She volunteers with Gulf Coast Wildlife Rescue and serves on its Board of Directors and as Treasurer. She is a member of Friends of Brazoria Wildlife Refuges and has served on its Board of Directors and on its Migration Celebration Planning Committee.
  
• Neal McLain, Class of 2004.  Neal serves on our Chapter's Board of Directors as newsletter editor and webmaster for our Chapter's website.  He volunteers with Friends of Brazoria Wildlife Refuges and serves on its Board of Directors as a member of its Migration Celebration Planning Committee, and as webmaster for the organization's website.  He volunteers with the Brazoria County Historical Museum cataloging maps, and serves on the Brazoria County Historical Commission as Secretary.  He is a member of the Brazos Valley Railroad Society and manages its website.

            TMN-COT President Mike Mullins presents the awards to recipients Sandy 
            Henderson, Justina Dent, Ed Barrios, and Neal McLain.

 

The cake

Jerry Eppner Earns President's Call to Service Award

LAKE JACKSON, TEXAS -- January 27, 2014.   At its annual volunteer recognition banquet, Sea Center Texas announced that Jerry Eppner, of Lake Jackson, received the President's Call to Service Award from the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.  This award was created to recognize those Americans who have dedicated at least two years, or 4,000 hours over the course of their lives, to serve others.

Jerry qualified for this award though his combined service to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as a Sea Center Texas volunteer and as a member Texas Master Naturalist Cradle of Texas Chapter.  He began his volunteer service at SCT in February 2005. Since then he has contributed over 2,175 hours of service as a tour guide, photographer, naturalist, birder, and volunteer advisory board member.
 
Since 2004, Jerry has also contributed over 2000 hours volunteering as member of the Texas Master Naturalist Cradle of Texas Chapter assisting with the Xtreme Hummingbird Xtravaganza, Migration Celebration, Bird and Butterfly Counts, and many other activities including serving as the membership chair for the organization.

The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and the Texas Master Naturalist State Office were the Certifying Organizations for this awards.

             Ross Melinchuk (TPWD), Jerry Eppner (award recipient),  John Blaha
            (Coastal Conservation Association), Johnny Chavez (The Dow Chemical
             Company)

Marty Cornell recognized for 5000 VT hours; receives PCTSA

ANGLETON, TEXAS ― September 11, 2013.   The Texas Master Naturalists Cradle of Texas Chapter has announced that member Marty Cornell has been awarded the highest volunteer service award offered by the state-wide Texas Master Naturalists Program.   He was recognized for contributing over 5000 hours of service to our community.

Marty was a member of the Class of 2004.   He qualified for certification in December 2004 and has recertified every year since.
 
In further recognition of Marty's accomplishments he was awarded the President's Call to Service Award in a subsequent meeting.   The Texas Master Naturalist Program was the Certifying Organization for this award.

Members Emeriti Induction Ceremony

     In 2012, the Board of Directors of the Cradle of Texas Chapter created a new class of membership known as Chapter Member Emeritus
     A Chapter Member Emeritus is a previous chapter member who has made significant contributions to the chapter but is no longer active. Candidates for Member Emeritus status are nominated by an active member and elected by the Chapter membership.
     Members Emeriti are entitled to the privileges of a Chapter membership including the right to vote, but they are exempt from paying dues.
     Two chapter members have been nominated for Emeritus status: Gardner Campbell and Oliver Osborn.  Their nominations were approved by the Chapter membership at the March 13, 2013 General Meeting, and they were formally inducted at the general meeting on May 8, 2013.

---

GARDNER CAMPBELL Nominated by Jerry Eppner
    I would like to nominate Cradle of Texas Chapter member.     Gardner was a member of the class of 2002.  He was very active in chapter volunteer activities up to 2009 having accrued 1389 hours of volunteer time. Gardner helped construct  the Bobcat Woods trail at SBNWR and was part of the team to establish trails at Hudson Woods.
Gardner participated in a number of flora/fauna surveys of local properties including USFWS Halls Bayou and Betty Brown units.  He helped conduct wildlife surveys at the Levi Jordan and Varner Hogg plantation sites.

    Gardner provided leadership in organizing numerous mucking trips to help TMN members learn more about what flora and fauna are in our area. He has been an active participant in bird banding projects in our area, including grassland species on USFWS properties.  He has also been active as a GCBO volunteer and with Brazosport Birders.
     In 2009, Gardner’s deteriorating health began to limit his ability to continue volunteer activities as a TMN.
     Nevertheless, he still has that drive to always learn more.  He still loves to get out and observe Nature when possible, but mainly from the comfort and convenience of an automobile.

    Gardner is a man of high character and pleasing personality.  He has been a good role model for master naturalists coming behind him, and I believe he deserves the recognition that elevation to Member Emeritus status would bestow on him.

Presentation of the certificate. From left: Jerry Eppner, Gardner Campbell, Mike Mullins

---

OLIVER OSBORNNominated by Tom Morris and Jim Renfro
    We would like to nominate Cradle of Texas Chapter member Oliver Osborn for the status of Member Emeritus.
    Oliver is a charter member of the class of 2001.  His credited 83 hrs of volunteer time does not reflect the time and effort he devoted to Texas Master Naturalists.   Oliver was active in the early years of the Chapter and attended meetings and outings regularly.
He contributed often in discussions using his lifetime of naturalist experience to mentor others. He seemed genuinely pleased to find others had joined him to enjoy the  natural world.
    Oliver provided the meal for chapter/intern meetings on more than one occasion. He put together pretty fine fare. He gave at least one presentation to the chapter on wildflowers — one of his passions.
    Though not a chapter function, he hosted the Muckers in an exploring/wildlife inventory of his ranch, outside Fairfield in Freestone County. He put some of the party up in a cabin and fed us some good meals. Several chapter members were on the outing.
    Oliver had a stellar career at Dow Chemical, becoming a lab director and was awarded a Life Time Achievement award from Texas A&M University for his support of the University and achievements at Dow.  Oliver promoted Texas A&M in many ways and was influential in recruitment and scholarships.
    In 2005, Oliver’s deteriorating health began to limit his ability to continue volunteer activities, but he attended meetings periodically.
    We believe Oliver deserves and would be appreciative of the recognition that Member Emeritus status would bestow on him.

Presentation of the award.  From left: Oliver Osborn, Jim Renfro, Tom Morris, Mike Mullins

Roy Morgan and Tom Morris earn President's Call to Service Award

Roy (left) and Tom at Class of 2004 Graduation ceremony, Extension Office, December 2004

LAKE JACKSON, TEXAS ― January 28, 2013.   Sea Center Texas, a unit of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, has announced that volunteers Roy Morgan and Tom Morris have been awarded the President's Call to Service Award.   These awards were presented at SCT's annual volunteer recognition banquet, held today at the Center, on behalf of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.
Both Roy and Tom are active volunteers at Sea Center Texas where they serve as tour guides.   In addition to leading tours for members of the general public, they provide special Fish Adaptation programs for school children.   Roy occasionally dons scuba gear to go "Swimming with the Fishes," and Tom leads special tours for school children.
Tom and Roy assist several of our other partner organizations including the Brazosport College ALLP;, the Brazosport Planetarium and Nature Center; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Brazoria County Parks Department; and Gulf Coast Bird Observatory.
Tom and Roy are Certified Texas Master Naturalists and were members of the TMN-COT Class of 2004.
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and the Texas Master Naturalist State Office were the Certifying Organizations for these awards.

From left: John Blaha (CCA Assistant Director), Scott Boruff (TPWD Deputy Executive Director), Dick Huntington (SCT volunteer), Tom Morris, Trish Thompson (The Dow Chemical Company Public Affairs Manager).   Roy Morgan was not able to attend the ceremony.

TMN-COT Chapter Receives Award at 2010 State TMN Meeting

NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS ― October 25, 2010.   The Cradle of Texas Chapter was recognized at the 2010 Texas Master Naturalists State Meeting for its efforts in support of the Chocolate Bayou Wildlife Education Program.   The program was awarded Second Place by judges in competition with other TMN chapters throughout Texas.   The Chocolate Bayou Wildlife Education Program is sponsored by INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA and supported by the Cradle of Texas Chapter.   Field trips are targeted at elementary-school students, primarily from Angleton Intermediate School District.   Field trips are hosted at the Chocolate Bayou Wildlife Conservation Center located at the INEOS Chocolate Bayou Chemicals Complex.   TMN-COT member Marty Cornell organized the exhibit on behalf of the Chapter.

Marty Cornell with the exhibit
 

 

COT member Jerry Eppner wins Best of Show in Migration Celebration Photo Contest

FREEPORT TEXAS ― April 16, 2010. The Migration Celebration Photo Contest Chair has announced that Jerry Eppner, a member of the Cradle of Texas Chapter, received the Best of Show award for the 2010 Migration Celebration Photo Contest. Eppner's entry, a photograph of a Cuban Tody titled Nature's Palette, was judged Best of Show by Contest Judges Kathy Adams Clark and Larry Ditto. The award was presented at the Migration Celebration Kickoff Dinner held today at RiverPlace.
Eppner took the photo in February 2010 in the Cuban province of Camagüey while participating in Cuban bird survey sponsored by Gulf Coast Bird Observatory and licensed by the U.S. Department of State. The visit was organized by Connecticut-based Caribbean Conservation Trust.

Jim Renfro earns President's Call to Service Award

ANGLETON, TEXAS ― April 12, 2010. The Texas Master Naturalists Cradle of Texas Chapter has announced that Jim Renfro, a founding member of the Chapter, has received a President's Call to Service Award. This award is awarded annually by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service. Jim has accumulated a lifetime total exceeding 5000 hours.

The Texas Master Naturalist State Office was the Certifying Organization for this award.

Dave Brandes, Chapter President; Jim Renfro

Jim Renfro recognized for 5000 volunteer service hours

ANGLETON, TEXAS ― December 9, 2009. The Texas Master Naturalists Cradle of Texas Chapter has announced that member Jim Renfro has been awarded the highest volunteer service award offered by the state-wide Texas Master Naturalists Program. He was recognized for contributing over 5000 hours of service to our community. Jim was a member of the Class of 2001, the first intern training class offered by our chapter. He qualified for certification in December 2001 and has recertified every year since.
Jim's volunteer activities have included Chapter Training Chair (2002-03), team instructor of the "Birds & Birding" class at Brazosport College's Adult Life and Learning Program (2006-09), team instructor of "Introduction to Ornithology & Bird Identification" for Chapter Interns (2006-09), and field trip leader and bird bander at Migration Celebration (1995-2009).
Jim has served as team leader for several data-collection projects including bird censuses for USFWS (collecting data used to determine wildlife populations in the Columbia Bottomlands), Breeding Bird Surveys (collecting data used by USGS and USFWS in determining North American bird population distribution), winter bird population surveys (measuring winter bird population dynamics), and several year-round bird banding studies on private properties.
Jim notes that:

Bird banding is a method of biological research where wild birds are trapped and marked with a metal leg band having a unique 9-digit number. The band number and other identifying information are recorded and kept in a database administered by the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Bird Banding Laboratory in Patuxent, Maryland. Subsequent encounters with previously banded birds provide data on population distributions, migration timing, breeding success, life span, health and other important information.

Jerry Eppner, Membership Chair; Renfro; Dave Brandes, Chapter President