2010 Events Schedule - Big Thicket Association

2010 BTA Event Schedule

A variety of events take place each year related to the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI). Scientists are involved with projects using trained volunteers, including photographers, artists, teachers, and students. Many researchers take the results of their ATBI research far and wide to various scientific meetings and educational workshops. In the space below we try to keep you up-to-date on our latest schedule of events as we develop them.
The Big Thicket Association coordinates many volunteer projects, and educational programs. Of course the Preserve is the site for the very popular bioblitzes, but many other opportunities to serve for volunteers are ongoing, relatively more behind the scenes, but no less important.
If you would like to become involved, and take advantage of this fascinating time of discovery, please contact our office at 936-274-5898.

* How small can a frog be?! Join us May 22nd and find out. *

2010 Activities Quick View
(Last Update 4/13/10)

MONTH	DAY(s)	PLANNED ACTIVITY
January		Special events not planned due to uncooperative weather.
February	27th	Black Bears of East Texas Educators Workshop
March		Special Events Not Yet Planned
April	24th 24th to 26th 23rd to 26th	Junior Ranger Day - a National Park Week Children's Activity Lichen Days Events Neches River Canoe Trip - Exploring Fishes and their Habitat
May	22nd 22nd to 23rd	Frogs and Toads of the Thicket-- Seminar and Workshop Introduction to Myxomycetes
June	5th to 15th 10th 12th	Eastfield College NSF Summer Institute at the Big Thicket Science Cafe - featuring Dr. Tinnerella on True Bugs Biodiversity Days Events
July		Special Events Not Yet Planned
August	1st 7th 8th 14th	Skins and Skulls - See, Touch, and Learn! Cardinal Cruise - Neches River History, ... or ... "Pitcher Plants and Pine Trees" - Plant Biodiversity A Walk in the Woods - Woods Ecology Village Creek Canoe Trip - Float Trip with Park Rangers down Village Creek
September		Special Events Not Yet Planned
October	?	Mosses (Bryophytes) of the Big Thicket with Dale Kruse - details yet to come.
November	?	Mushroom Walk with David Lewis - details yet to come.
December	?	All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory Conference in Gatlinburg, TN Sponsored by Discover Life in America

2010 Activities Detailed View

DATE

ACTIVITY DETAILS

Feb 27

THE BEAR NECESSITIES

Location: Big Thicket National Preserve Visitors Center
Time: 9:00 am � 12:00 pm
Content: Black Bears of East Texas FREE Educators Workshop
Topic #1: General overview of black bear biology and ecology
Topic #2: History and current status in Texas
Topic #3: Conservation efforts
Topic #4: Using the Educators Guide to Black Bears in the classroom & info on the Bear Trunk Loan program
Topic #5: Nature walk in the Big Thicket National Preserve
Topic #6: Tasty bear treats!

More Info: See Workshop Details
Contact: Email Rachel Rommel for reservations and info at rrommel@houstonzoo.org
Note: Target Audience is educators and teachers, but others may attend depending on available space.
More on Bears: Visit www.easttexasblackbear.org

April 24

JUNIOR RANGER DAY IN BIG THICKET NATIONAL PARK

Content: Junior Ranger Day in Big Thicket National Preserve as part of the National Park Week
Time: 9 am
Location: Sundew Trail (approximately 14 miles north of Kountze on US 69, then west on FM 2827) See Map
Who: Children 6 years old and up with an adult
Contact: Mary Kay Manning Phone: 409-951-6700 or Email Mary_Kay_Manning@nps.gov at the Visitors Center
More Info: Come enjoy a short hike and craft activity. The ranger will lead a 1-mile walk and share the secrets of the plants and animals of the savannah. Afterwards, make your own insect-eating pitcher plants to take home. Every child who participates in these activities will become an official Big Thicket Junior Ranger and receive a Junior Ranger badge, sticker, and certificate.


Apr 23-26

CANOE TRIP and WORKSHOP: Exploring fishes & habitat on the Neches River

Location: Big Thicket Field Research Station, Saratoga, TX / Neches River
Content: As part of the Thicket of Diversity, All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI), we will embark upon a "float" trip along the Neches River to explore types of fish and habitats, and will be lead by Dr. Chad Hargrave.
Contact: 936-274-5898 or director@bigthicket.org
Note: This is open to the public, so please RSVP ASAP by April 9, 2010.
What to Bring: Bring camping gear, rain gear, and rubber boots. Other items will be on a list made available to those reserving a place for this event.
More Info: Cost TBD - there will be a fee to cover groceries, canoe rental and shuttle service.

Apr 24-26

Cryptothecia rubrocincta

LICHEN DAYS EVENTS

Content:	Presentations, workshop and field outings featuring East Texas Lichens. These will be presented in 3 levels of study. The first being more of a general, overall survey, and then the following days will become more advanced and concentrated, building on day 1. You may select any or all levels to attend.
Leader:	Dr. Robert Egan
Day #1: Apr 24th	The Level 1 powerpoint presentation on general lichen biology with lots of demonstrations of various lichen growth forms, reproductive features, diversity, etc.. In the afternoon, a 1+ hour field trip to point out common species and re-group at the FRS for summary.
Day #2: Apr 25th	This Level 2 advanced workshop concentrates on learning how to collect specimens for serious taxonomic study and work on identification of lichen species. It includes a field trip into Lance Rosier unit for actual hands on collecting.
Day #3: Apr 26th	Advanced Level 3 lichen workshop. This will be the most advanced and a more concentrated event with details to come.

May 22

FROGS AND TOADS OF THE THICKET

Content: Seminar and Workshop
Lead By: Paul Crump and Rachel Rommel
More Info: Seminar on Frog calls, workshop to identify, and possible field trip. We can only handle a limited number of participants.

May 22-23

INTRODUCTION TO MYXOMYCETES

Content: Introduction to Myxomycetes (slime molds)
Lead By: Katie Winsett
More Info: Workshop consisting of field collecting, and then lab work - to take a closer look and to identify these facinating organisms.
Times: First Day 9 am to 3 pm, and then Second Day 9 am to 2 pm

June 10

SCIENCE CAFE

Content: Beaumont�s first Science Cafe Presentation
Location: Sertinos Caf�, 5657 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont, TX
Presentation By: Dr. Paul Tinerella, University of Illinois
Topic: Aquatic True Bugs
Time: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
More Details: A 5-minute Powerpoint presentation will be followed by a 5-10 minute talk and closing with a 20-minute group discussion. This is a relaxed forum; no reservation is required.
Contact: 936-274-5898 or director@bigthicket.org
Introducing the 'Science Cafe': Science Cafes were started in Europe in the early 1990�s to offer a relaxed public forum for the exchange of scientific ideas over coffee, beer, and food in a friendly setting where anyone could come and sharpen their knowledge of the modern sciences.

June 12

BIODIVERSITY DAYS

Content: General public: field trips, displays and demonstrations
Lead By: Big Thicket National Preserve and the BTA
More Info: Click Here for more details.

Black Bear

Neches

August Fun!

F. grandifolia

Water Lillies

AUGUST FUN ACTIVITIES: Free and Open to All

August 1:
�Skins and Skulls�, 2 pm: See, touch, and learn about Big Thicket animals. Meet at the Big Thicket National Preserve Visitor Center.
August 7:
1) Cardinal Cruise, 10:00 am. Learn about the natural and cultural history of the Neches River on this scenic 2-hour pontoon boat tour. Meet at Riverfront Park in Beaumont. Fee required. Call 409-880-8907 or go to www.lulearn.net for more information.
2) �Pitcher Plants and Pine Trees�, 10 am. Join a ranger to explore the diversity of plants along the Sundew Trail, from insect-eating sundews and pitcher plants to magnificent stands of longleaf pines. Meet at the Sundew Trailhead on FM 1910, about 15 miles north of Kountze. Bring water and insect repellent. 1 mile, about 1 hour.
August 8:
�A Walk in the Woods�, 9 am. The Kirby Nature Trail connects a series of diverse ecosystems: forests, baygalls, cypress sloughs, and river floodplain. Meet the ranger at the Kirby Trailhead on FM 420, about 2 miles east of the Preserve visitor center, to learn more about the ecology along this trail. Bring water and insect repellent. 2 miles, 1.5 hours.
August 14:
Village Creek Canoe Trip, 10 am: Join park rangers for an easy float trip down Village Creek, Texas� newest official paddling trail. Meet at the boat launch on Hwy 327; take out at Baby Galvez, 3.3 miles downstream. Participants must provide their own boats

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