Big Thicket Reporter - 2008-02-11

BROWN FOUNDATION GRANT FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORY

The Brown Foundation once again honored BTA with a second year grant-- this time for $40,000 to underwrite the Thicket of Diversity (All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory).  The grant was contingent upon the BTA raising $10,000, which was resolved in cooperation with the Big Thicket National Preserve when word arrived that Western National Parks Association pledged $7,500 to support the inventory of bryophyte flora for the Taxa Working Group led by Dr. Dale Kruse and Dr. Paul Davison (TxA&MU).  Another $500 came from the Jacob & Therese Hershey Foundation. The John Hancock Timber Management Group contributed $1,000 to support an arthropod inventory on Hancock managed lands, and. BTA pledged $1,000 from member gifts.   

The Board of Directors and the Executive Council of the ToD earnestly believe that the project is a significant and worthwhile resource project with enormous potential that has invaluable long-term benefits.  We are profoundly grateful to all of the foundations and to all of the scientists and volunteers who are contributing their time and knowledge. 

WILDERNESS POW WOW COMES BIG THICKET, APR.25-27 

The 29th annual Texas Wilderness Pow Wow  will be held in Big Thicket country April 25-27.   Pow Wow headquarters is Village Creek State Park in Lumberton. Further information is available on the TCA website (www.TCAtexas.org) and the BTA website.  

Registration is on site Friday and Saturday.  BTA has reserved blocks of campsites (walk-in, group and hook-up), and reservations should be made through BTA. Fields trips will explore the Big Thicket National Preserve, including areas proposed for expansion.  There will be canoe trips on the Neches and Village Creek as well as a boat trip on the Neches, thanks to Lamar's Environmental Learning Center.  Trails in Village Creek State Park can be hiked between events. The Saturday afternoon program focuses on establishment of a Neches Scenic River and other Neches concerns. Following the program the Village Creek Dutch Oven group will provide dinner for a donation after the program. 

Don't miss this one!  Bring the kids!  

LEGISLATION / APPROPRIATIONS PENDING 

At the request of Cong. Kevin Brady, NPS drafted legislation to add up to 100,000 acres from willing sellers to the Big Thicket National Preserve.  A map has been prepared of potential areas to be considered.  We've asked Cong. Brady to give us a report on legislation at the Pow Wow.  Other pending concerns include:

1. 2008 Land and Water Conservation Fund for the Big Thicket at the Senate markup of $2.5M. This is for ongoing land acquisition in the Big Thicket National Preserve for the Addition Act of 1993.

2. 2008 Forest Legacy in the President's budget at $1.5M. This is Phase Two of a Forest Legacy easement on the east side of the Turkey Creek Unit of the BTNP.

3. Support for acquisition projects being included in the President's Centennial Challenge for the NPS. Specifically for the BTNP as TCF will provide a 1:1 match for up to $7M. This is for land acquisition projects pulled from the Centennial Challenge list.  

ASK OUR TEXAS DELEGATION TO SUPPORT BOTH EXPANSION LEGISLATION AND APPROPRIATIONS 
 

EAST TEXAS MISCELLANY 

HARDIN COUNTY SESQUICENTENNIAL 

On January 22, 1858 the celebration of Hardin County's Sesquicentennial will kickoff.  Linda Hale and Floyd Boyett of the Hardin County Historical Commission are planning the events.  Hale asks that Hardin County businesses post event s on their marquees and ask their employees to dress like pioneers.  County schools will join in observance of the year's events.  Among other events will be a Sesquicentennial History Conference, Oct. 10, followed by BTA's Big Thicket Day, Oct. 11.  The last event will be "History Come Alive," on October 25 on the grounds of Kirby-Hill House and the Kountze Library. 

The county was part of the territory received by Lorenzo de Zavala as part of a colonization grant in 1829.  The Mexican government made more than 50 land grants subsequently.  After the 1836 revolution, the area was split between Liberty and Jefferson Counties.  According to the Handbook of Texas Online, the "first session of the county court convened outdoors under an enormous dogwood tree" in 1858.

BIG THICKET PEOPLE 

We just received a "preview" copy of Big Thicket People:  Larry Jene Fisher's Photographs of the Last Southern Frontier, published by the University of Texas Press.  The book is the superb work of Thad Sitton and Charles E. Hunt, and publication date is in March.  Hunt provided the brief biography, and Sitton furnished comments on the photographs. The book retails for $29.95.  BTA will have copies on sale with member discounts. 

Fisher spent a decade in the 1930s and 1940s photographing a way of life -- people, dogs, deer hunts, hogs, syrup mills, railroad tie making, chimney "daubin',", logging, turpentining, funerals and weddings.  His "sidekick" was Lance Rosier, and together they hunted flora and wildlife. Fisher also wrote and historical plays ("Keyser Burnout" and "Gusher: So Lived an Oil Town"). Mary Lasswell called him a "East Texas Renaissance Man." 

B.T.A. LEGACY FUND RECEIVES ENDOWMENT 

Paul Holmes taught music theory and composition at Lamar University from 1953 until his retirement in 1985.  As a practitioner of what he taught, his compositions were diverse and appreciated, winning for his the Texas Music Composers Award and a number of commissions to write for specific events, such as “Fable”, premiered by the famed conductor Leopold Stokowski and the Houston Symphony.   His many and varied works were an inspiration to his students and are still in demand today. 

Upon Professor Holmes’ death in August 2007 his surviving children asked that the royalties from his published works by dedicated to the Big Thicket as a living memorial.  Although the royalty checks are not large, they will help the Big Thicket Association protect and preserve the Big Thicket, just as professor Holmes protected and preserved good music.  He appreciated diversity in music and saw that same diversity reflected in the Thicket.  We are grateful for his life, his music, and his gift. 

With the Holmes gift, the Legacy Fund begins. To continue support for BTA's expanding programs, a permanent endowment is needed. At the annual meeting, the board approved a motion to place all life memberships in the Legacy Fund in the future.   

PRESERVE OVERVIEW

By Ann Roberts 

Once again St. Michael's College in Vermont brought a group of volunteers to Big Thicket for service projects.  Ten delightful and highly-motivated young people performed tasks like "uncovering" the Voth mill site.  As a break from chores, the group floated Village Creek and visited Ghost Road. 

Robert Craig was welcomed to the Preserve staff recently as the new Information Technology Specialist. Arriving Nov. 25, and one of his first assignments was to attend an IT training Conference at the Inter-Mountain Region, Dec. 3-7.  Robert, an East Texas native, graduated from Hemphill High School in Sabine County, joined the Marine Corps in 1999 and served for eight years.  He was stationed first four years at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC, then served at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC four years.  He served three combat tours in Iraq.  Robert will enroll for a degree in Business and Information Systems Management  at Lamar University . He and wife Audrey they have two children, Andrew - 2 years and Timothy - 10 months.   The Craigs live in Silsbee. 

Supt. Todd Brindle gave the BTA board and update reporting the imminent groundbreaking for the new fire facility in Woodville, the Core Operations report due in February, and the third effort to prepare a General Management Plan beginning this summer.  He reported on recent acquisitions and indicated that another $7 million would be needed to complete acquiring land authorized by the 1993 Addition Act. 

Tom and Erma Lubbert

Christmas brought visitors to Big Thicket:  Tom and Erma Lubbert from Lakewood, Colorado.  Tom was BTNP's first superintendent, and he checked out the exhibits and film at the Visitor Center and visited with a few of the staff.  Your editors were privileged to enjoy a great visit with them with much talk about "back when." 

The White House folks invited national park units to submit Christmas ornaments for their tree, representing the 391 parks in the National Park System.  Judith Haney, president of the Tyler County Art League, responded for Big Thicket.  She chose to represent Big Thicket with a pitcher plant design.  Haney attended the White House reception hosted by the First Lady on Nov. 28. 

Kelson Transmission Company applied to the Texas Public Utilities Commission for a permit to install, operate and maintain an electrical transmission line within Big Thicket National Preserve.  The EA offered four alternatives:  no action, proposed route utilizing steel monopole towers, alternate route with steel poles, and alternative construction placing the line underground.  Scoping closed Dec. 27. 

CONSERVATION OUTLOOK 

T.C.F. / N.P.S ACQUIRE VILLAGE CREEK LAND

(Excerpts from news releases) 

The Conservation Fund, in partnership with the National Park Service, the Texas Congressional delegation and International Paper, recently added 1,080 acres to the Big Thicket National Preserve (formerly owned by Champion International).  Title passed to the NPS on Nov. 14.  Another 2800 acres must be acquired to complete the 1993 Addition Act.  This new addition extends Village Creek Corridor Unit, providing a permanent haven for hundreds of plants and animals, plus premier canoeing for visitors. 

Last year, The Conservation Fund acquired the lands from International Paper and provided bridge financing until federal funds were approved for this project.  With strong support from the Texas Congressional delegation, Congress tapped the Land and Water Conservation Fund for the necessary federal funds to complete this important acquisition. U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady have provided key leadership. 

“Thanks to Congressional leadership, and the support of our partners, we are demonstrating the extraordinary results that can be achieved when conservation groups, leading corporations and public agencies work together to find balanced conservation solutions," said National Park Service Director, Mary A. Bomar. 

“I applaud the hard work of The Conservation Fund and International Paper in supporting the growth of Big Thicket and the East Texas community,” said Congressman Kevin Brady.  “I look forward to continuing to work with the Fund, the National Park Service, East Texas communities and willing local landowners, and my colleagues in Congress to expand and enhance the Big Thicket even more, so that a greater number of Texans and visitors are able to enjoy this remarkable habitat.” 

T.C.F. & USF&W Add 1,600 Acres to Trinity River NWR

The Conservation Fund and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced Dec. 12 the protection of 1,600 acres of bottomland hardwood forest in East Texas. The recently acquired lands will be added to the Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge.  Funds from the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, supported by revenue collected from Federal Duck Stamp sales, import duties collected on arms and ammunition, right-of-way payments to the refuge system and receipts from national wildlife refuge entry fees also helped make this acquisition possible. 

Located 45 miles east of Houston along the Trinity River, the 22,500-acre refuge is a broad flat floodplain made up of numerous sloughs, oxbow lakes, artesian wells and tributaries.  It boasts more than 275 species of birds, 640 plant species and more than 400 vertebrate species and provides important breeding, wintering and stopover habitat for a variety of migratory wildlife, including waterfowl and numerous neotropical songbirds. 
 

NATURE CONSERVANCY NEWS 

PLANTING TRAILING PHLOX :  Volunteers form Nature Conservancy, Stephen F. Austin State University Native Plant Center, Big Thicket National Preserve, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Big Thicket Association and others gathered at Woodpecker Hill in Tyler county to transplant trailing phlox.  John Hancock Forest Management Company manages Woodpecker Hill  for the endangered  for red-cockaded woodpecker.  The project was led by Wendy Ledbetter, TNC's Southeast Texas Project Director.  The Conservancy also manages a 2,138-acre tract of longleaf pine habitat in that area under an easement from Temple-Inland, now managed by the Campbell Group. Ledbetter noted that since the 1990s several groups have joined forces to promote propagation of the plants.

Big Thicket National Preserve and Nature Conservancy Personnel at Woodpecker Hill planting Texas Trailing Phlox among Longleaf Pines

LIVING LEGACY SITES:  TNC has been invited to work with Hancock Forestry on recommendations for the former Louisiana-Pacific Living Legacy Sites, that include sites in the following counties:  Hardin: Steepbank Creek Palmetto Oak Flats; Jasper: Mill Creek Waterfall,  Myrtle Prairie; Newton: Burkville Blackland, Cow Creek Sandylands & Bogs, Pocket Pine Savannah, Sabine Swamp; San Augustine: Attoyac Bottomlands, San Augustine Ridge; Tyler: Clear Fork Baygall (one of the original "string of pearls"), Dogwood Trail, Neches Bluffs, Rush Creek Ravines, Woodpecker Hill; LaSalle Parish, LA  Lloyd P. Blackwell Forest. 

Depending on the site, recommendations could include assessment hurricane damage, monitor for forest pests, prescribed burning where appropriate, reforestation with longleaf pine and other native sp. where appropriate, using natural firebreaks, non-native flora and fauna control, using regional sources of native seed and seedlings where appropriate,  uneven-aged timber management where appropriate, widening of SMZ's, protection of watershed and hydrology of area, hardwood bottomland protection, development of interpretive trails/exhibits/signage on appropriate sites for the public, consideration of donation or conservation easements on selected sites.  

HANCOCK TOUR OF SABINE PROPERTIES:  David Bezanson, North/East Texas Program Manager, and Hancock Forest Management offered a tour on Hancock properties along the Sabine River on Dec. 17.  Hancock owns many areas of unfragmented bottomland forest.  Hancock wants to gather information about resources on these lands and will consider partnering with conservation groups for the in future.

David Bezanzon, second from left, and the Hancock Properties Tour

FLOOD OF TAXES

By Maxine Johnston 

In 1998 Troubador Bill Oliver wrote a song to help oppose an election to create a Pine Island Bayou Storm Water Control District with taxing authority, and he called it "Flood of Taxes."  Well, Bill, you need to add another verse. 

Although that election was soundly defeated, the present "Flood of Taxes" came from another route.  Federal programs provided the funds.  Hardin County received $10 million and Silsbee and Lumberton have each received $5 million to clean up Hurricane Rita debris.  Recently, Sour Lake received $210,000 to clear ditches and debris and purchase a generator.   

New Home Construction in the Pine Island Bayou Watershed

Public officials are busily planning and contracting to clean out drainage ditches and tributaries in order to move the water downstream where it can be someone else's problem. The BTNP is being pressured to clean out Little Pine Island, although we hear that a subsequent flood has already disposed of most of the Rita debris.   

In December 2004, the Beaumont Enterprise reported that a local businesswoman said Pinewood's flooding problems stem from "man-made stupidity."  Reality check:  Yep, there's a lot of that going around.  But there's also "developer cupidity."  Caveat emptor.

EVENTS 

Jan. 22 - Thicket of Diversity, Executive Council, FRS, Saratoga, 1:00 PM

Jan. 22 - Kickoff for Hardin CountySesquicentennial, Contact Linda Hale

Jan. 26 - Trail Between the Lakes work day. Contact Bill Tetley 409-722-8974

Feb. 9  - Operation Green Streets distribution day.  Contact:  Kathryn Walker @ 409-782-3486.

Feb. 9 - Old Wagon Road Trail, Jack Gore Baygall, Houston Sierra Forestry Group and BTA;

              936-262-8522

Apr. 12 - BTA Board of Directors, FRS, Saratoga

Apr. 17-20 Thicket of Diversity EntoBlitz

Oct. 10 - Hardin County Sesquicentennial History Conference, Courthouse

Oct. 11 -  Big Thicket Day, Saratoga

Oct. 25 - History Comes Alive, Sesquicentennial Finale