Key Purchase Expands Beloved Texas Park	Scientists Search for Spot-Tailed Earless Lizards	Prescribed Fire Serves as International Model	Texan Wins International Photo Contest
Poll Reveals Texans Support Conservation	Mexican Free-Tailed Bats Return to Texas	Conservation Partners Save Rare Trees	Outdoor Activities Abound For Families

From a conservation standpoint, 2009 has already been a tremendous success. The past six months have been a busy and fruitful time for the Conservancy and its partners. From expanding Texas' beloved Big Bend Ranch State Park to combing the dusty countryside in search of a rare lizard to helping move threatened palm trees out of the path of the United States-Mexico border fence, we have dilligently continued our work protecting the important lands, waters and wildlife that make Texas unique. The stories belowrepresent just a sampling of that work, and the achievements spotlighted here are only possible thanks to the hard work of our dedicated staff, volunteers and trustees, and, most importantly, our more than 30,000 members in Texas.

Enjoy reading about the success you have helped create, and we hope you will continue to support us as we conserve the Texas of today for the generations of tomorrow.

Laura Huffman
Director, The Nature Conservancy of Texas  

            

 
The first significant conservation success of the year occurred when the Conservancy transferred the 7,000-acre Fresno Ranch in far West Texas to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to expand Big Bend Ranch State Park. Culminating 20 years of work, the deal will help expand public access, and protects desert springs, Rio Grande river frontage, diverse wildlife and rich cultural resources within one of Texas’ most beloved state parks. In addition, the addition creates 8.5 miles of unbroken, public river frontage—which lies in stark contrast to the rest of the park’s beautiful but rugged Chihuahuan Desert terrain. Read more

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Beginning in February, scientists from the Conservancy and five universities began an intensive search for the spot-tailed earless lizard (Holbrookia lacerata). Once fairly common throughout a wide swath of Texas from Pecos, east to Austin and south to Corpus Christi and Laredo, this small, unassuming lizard has all but vanished from its historic range. By searching more than 207 sites—many with the help of amateur naturalists and volunteers—the Conservancy-led team hopes to answer some very basic questions that will help shape and guide our conservation work in Texas. The project is being funded through a grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Texas Horned Lizard License Plate Fund. Read More 

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The Conservancy’s incredible prescribed fire crew followed its busy winter with numerous burns on preserves and private lands this spring. One such prescribed fire, conducted in March on a 220-acre pasture at the Conservancy’s Clive Runnells Family Mad Island Marsh Preserve, also served as an international learning exchange. Visitors from academic institutions and other conservation organizations in the United States, Mexico and China observed the burn from start to finish and—in the case of trained personnel—assisted in fire operations. By sharing information and best practices, the Conservancy's work in Texas is helping to promote the careful use of this effective stewardship tool throughout the world. Read more

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When Hill Country photographer Howard Cheek wants to capture nature in his lens, he doesn’t have far to travel. His six-acre property outside Kempner contains an amazing backyard, one that Howard has tirelessly crafted to attract songbirds, insects and native wildlife. All the time Howard has spent honing his craft paid off when “Waterhole Landing,” his stunning photo of a female cardinal with wings outstretched for landing, won the Conservancy’s 2008 international photo contest. The photo was chosen out of 14,000 submissions sent from around the world, and is a testament to one photographer’s patience, skill and dedication. Read more

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In April, the Conservancy announced the results of a statewide poll that contained some surprising—and inspiring results. Conducted by two independent research firms, the poll surveyed more than 800 randomly selected registered voters from rural areas, small towns and big cities. The findings revealed that Texans from all walks of life understand the importance of protecting nature and proved that conservation isn’t a political issue—it’s a people issue. In fact, 99 percent of respondents agreed that “we each have a personal responsibility” to protect the state’s land, water and wildlife and 78 percent said a clean environment and strong economy can be achieved without having to choose one over the other. Read More 

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As they do each spring, Mexican free-tailed bats returned this past May to the Conservancy’s Eckert James River Bat Cave Preserve. Consisting of more than 1.5 million females, the cave’s maternal bat colony is one of the largest in the state. Each evening, the colony emerges from the mouth of the cave to feed. The resulting spectacle—a “living tornado” of animals—is available for public viewing and provides a fun and educational experience for adults and children. Mexican free-tailed bats are vital to the Texas ecology and economy. In addition to feeding on insects that harm agriculture, the hard-working bats are also critical crop pollinators. Read more

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The Nature Conservancy of Texas and Audubon Texas are working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Border and Customs Protection to save hundreds of rare sabal palm trees that would otherwise be felled by continued construction of the U.S.-Mexico border fence. The trees, some over 100 years old, belong to one of the last remaining tracts of sabal palm forests in the country. The palms are currently located in the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge and on private lands upon which the fence will be built. Throughout the summer they will be carefully extracted and transported to safe ground on the Lennox Foundation Southmost Preserve a short distance away. Read more

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The Conservancy, in partnership with leading experts in family recreation, has launched Nature Rocks, an interactive online tool for parents looking for ways to engage their families in nature. An increasing number of studies illustrate that kids who spend time outdoors are happier, healthier and smarter. The Conservancy has a number of open preserves in Texas, and Nature Rocks gives busy parents and caregivers the tools, instructions and tips for countless more quick, easy, inexpensive (or free) nature-themed activities. Nature Rocks provides more than 100 fun and interesting activities, inspiring and enabling families to enjoy nature together. Read more

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Nature picture credits (left to right, top to bottom and repeated below): Fresno Ranch © John Karges/TNC (Frio River); Spot-tailed earless lizard ©Wayne Van Devender; Fire drip torch © Clay Carrington/TNC; 'Waterhole Landing" © Howard Cheek; Girls playing in the river © Paul Barwick; Bats © Rick Eason/TNC; Sabal palm © Paco Felici/TNC; Nature Rocks graphic © TNC