Gathering the Adder s-tongue

Transcription

1 preservation restoration education research A quarterly publication of the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area Spring, 2014 Director Dr. Ken Steigman, steigman@unt.edu Restoration Manager Richard Freiheit, freiheit@unt.edu Education Coordinator Lisa Cole, lisacole@unt.edu Educators Brigid Corbett Morgan Larson Cindy Schlaht Erin Taylor Diane Wetherbee Gate Hosts Virginia Griffith Sue Southworth Mailing address: Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area 1801 N. Mill Street, Suite A Lewisville, TX Like LLELA on Facebook! Go to LLELALewisvilleLake Gathering the Adder s-tongue Nearly 200 Adder s-tongues have recently joined the Green Dragons, Bladderworts, and other plant oddities which add richness and diversity to the native ecosystems represented at LLELA. Never heard of an adder s-tongue? That s not too surprising. Limestone Adder s-tongue (Ophioglossum engelmannii) belongs to an obscure group of uncommon small ferns that are rarely seen, except by those who make it a point to search them out in appropriate habitat. LLELA staff visited a population of these unusual ferns a few weeks ago, thanks to an invite from local naturalists Jim Varnum and Carol Clark. Contrary to the plant s name, the site was not on limestone soil at all, but on very sandy Eastern Cross Timbers soil. Standing under a canopy of post oaks with the ground covered in fallen leaves, we could not see any adder s-tongues until we swept away some of the post oak leaf litter. After some searching, a few leaves were found barely protruding from the ground. Once the search image solidified in our brains we found several more plants. As we began to carefully dig in the loose sandy soil literally hundreds of these tiny ferns were evident, just under the surface of the soil. Many of them had developed horizontal root systems that routinely budded vertically from the nodes. Ferns are unlike most of the plants we grow in our gardens. They make no flowers, and no seeds. Instead, a mature fern produces spores which blow away on the wind. When they reach a spot in which to germinate, each spore will produce an intermediate stage called a gametophyte. Gametophytes produce both sperm and egg cells, and can be self-fertilized or cross with other gametophytes. Once fertilized, the gametophyte produces the fern we recognize, which is the sporophyte (mature) stage. But the adder s-tongue does not look very familiar even in its sporophyte stage. It is basically a small elliptical leaf which grows a little spore-producing stalk. continued At left, you can see why most people never notice adder stongue at all. At right, notice the horizontally creeping root system of this fern, and one of its growth nodes

2 We were originally summoned to this site for a plant rescue, as we were told the immediate area was going to become a road and these secretive little plants would be lost. However, before our departure we learned that the development plans had changed and they were in no danger after all. Great news! Since we found that there were thousands of the plants in the area, we were granted permission to remove a small number for relocation in appropriate habitat at LLELA. Currently some have been planted in like soils, while the remainder are growing in the LLELA propagation nursery. One more native plant has found a home at LLELA, as we work to rebuild our ecosystems sometimes one diminutive species at a time. At left, a newly-dug adder s-tongue is cradled in LLELA Director Ken Steigman s hands. At right, a few of the adder s-tongues are settled into pots in LLELA s greenhouse. Did You Know? Species in the Adder s-tongue family (Ophioglossaceae) have the highest chromosome numbers of any known vascular plant species...as high as 600+ pairs. Humans have only 23 pairs. Spring Kayak Tours on McWhorter Creek Would you like to see yourself in this picture? LLELA staff is leading a number of kayak tours on McWhorter Creek this spring. All skill levels are welcome; paddlers receive an introduction to kayaking on dry land before pushing off into the water. All equipment is provided. Don t delay in registering; these trips fill up quickly. March 2, 2:00 4:00 p.m. March 23, 9:00 11:00 a.m. March 29, 2:00 4:00 p.m. April 13, 3:00 5:00 p.m. $15/paddler plus $5 LLELA gate fee. Ages 7 years and up. Contact lisacole@unt.edu or to register. Registration is required.

3 Follow Friends of LELLA on Friends of LLELA members enjoyed food, fun, and prizes at our 2014 kick-off meeting on a recent cold February evening. A poll taken at the meeting indicated that a majority of members preferred to hold quarterly meetings, so watch for our next gathering in May. Please plan to attend our Greenhouse Warming on March 8 (see below). Although we will be having chocolate and champagne (or wine) we invite you to dress in your warmest woolies and wellies (boots) and come out to celebrate this wonderful addition to LLELA. Woolies and Wellies Champagne and Chocolate Tasting Celebrating the Opening of the LLELA Greenhouse And Honoring LLELA Friends, Volunteers & Donors March 8, to 9 pm Special Presentation at 8 pm Put on your warm clothes and wellies and join us at the greenhouse for a beautiful outdoor evening at LLELA! It s upscale gone back to nature. For more info or to RSVP: or LLELAFriends@gmail.com Before the greenhouse warming event, we would like to ask our friends and volunteers to come out and help us spiff up the greenhouse grounds on Saturday, February 15, from 10:00-Noon (there will be coffee & donuts!). March and April will be busy months for LLELA. Ambassador training will be held on March 19 and 22. This training will equip volunteers with the information and tools they need to spread the word about LLELA as we move into manning booths at local fairs and celebrations and making presentations to various groups. Please contact Scott Kiester (skiester2@gmail.com) for more Ambassador information. Scott will announce exact times for training after conferring with our soon-to-be LLELA Ambassadors!

4 On April 26, 2014 LLELA will host the One Ale of a Trail Run. Proceeds from this event will benefit LLELA operations and programs. This will be a huge fundraiser that will require lots of volunteers to direct people, hand out water and snacks to runners, etc. The Friends of LLELA will be a key part of the Run s success. Please contact Kristy (kristymccorkle@yahoo.com) or Elaine (elainetakacs@verizon.net) to volunteer to help that day with the run. Please also let them know of any possible corporate donors you think may be interested in being a sponsor for this event. Generous sponsors will be the key to realizing great success for LLELA. Please check out this link to learn more: Special Classes Coming Soon at LLELA Edible Wild Plants: March 23 1:00--5:00 pm $50 Survival Mini-Trip: April 25 at 9:00 am to April 27 at 5:00 pm $200 To register, contact Mark Suter marksuter@primitivetexas.com We are excited to welcome Mark Suter of Primitive Texas back to LLELA! Mark is an accomplished survivalist whose knowledge, environmental ethic, and personality make his classes popular all over Texas. Edible Wild Plants The class will consist of wild plant identification walks through the natural habitats at LLELA. Emphasis will be placed on physical plant characteristics, edible plant parts, proper plant preparation, and available season of harvest. Some poisonous wild plants will also be covered, since these often grow right with the edible ones. Come join us as we explore the world of edible wild plants and expand your diet to include these nutritious wild resources! Wilderness Survival Mini Trip You'll have fun and feel more confident after spending three days and two nights in the field. Skills covered may include creating shelter, purifying water, finding edible wild plants, primitive hunting, and trapping (no animals will be harmed). Maximum 10 students - sign up soon!

5 Spring Break Eco Adventure Camp at the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area March 10 14, year-olds 8:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Monday Friday $190/child; Registration deadline: March 3, 2014 Five full days of exploration! Campers will enjoy a wide variety of activities: Animals Aquatics Bird watch and more! Go fishing and more! Investigate insects Explore a pond Track animals Kayak Forestry Survival Meet (and climb) a tree Discover woodland wildlife Learn orienteering Blaze trails Identify plants and more! and more! Play Games Questing Nature art and more! For registration information contact: Lisa Cole (LLELA Education Coordinator) at or lisacole@unt.edu or visit LLELA.org

6 What s Happening at LLELA? ** Schedules are subject to change. Call the LLELA Gatehouse at to confirm.** Homestead Open House February 15, 12 3 p.m. March 15, 12 3 p.m. April 19, 12 3 p.m. May 17, 12 3 p.m. Walk through LLELA s restored 1870 s log home and smokehouse, a replica dugout, and an unrestored barn. Friendly and knowledgeable staff and/or volunteers will be available to answer questions. There is no fee for this program, but LLELA s admission is $5/person without an annual pass. Bird Walks. February 8, 7:30 a.m. March 8, 7:30 a.m. April 12, 7:30 a.m. May 10, 7:30 a.m. Accompany a master birder on a guided hike. Over 280 species of birds have been documented at LLELA, so there s no telling what you might find! Birders of all ages and skill levels are welcome, $2 program fee required per person (annual pass holders). Reservations are not required. Bring your own binoculars. River Trips by KayakPower.com February 15, 9 a.m. 2 p.m. March 15, 9 a.m. 2 p.m. April 19, 9 a.m. 2 p.m. May 17, 9 a.m. 2 p.m. Whether you re got lots of river time under your belt or have never set foot in a kayak, you re welcome here! Kayak Power will provide equipment and instruction followed by a six-mile trip down the Elm Fork to a shuttle vehicle. Contact info@kayakpower.com or for information. Reservation required. for details. Nature Walks February 8, 10:00 a.m. March 8, 10:00 a.m. April 12, 10:00 a.m. May 10, 10:00 a.m. Gather at our Campfire March 7, 6:30 8:30 p.m. April 12, 7:30 9:30 p.m. **Last campfires of the season! Explore LLELA s trails with a Texas Master Naturalist in this guided search for animal tracks and signs, and learn more about the natural history of LLELA. $2 program fee required per person (annual pass holders). All ages are welcome. Reservations are not required. Meet us in the campground, where a cozy campfire will be waiting for us. People of all ages will enjoy traditional campfire fun, which may include stories, songs, and more, plus of course toasted marshmallows. $5/person (annual pass holders). Registration is required at or Erin.Taylor@unt.edu. Night Hikes February 15, 6:00 8:00 p.m. March 22, 7:30 9:30 p.m. April 18, 8:00 10:00 p.m. May 10, 8:30 10:30 p.m. Follow our trail guides on a moonlit stroll down the nature trails. Coyotes howling, owls hooting, and other nocturnal sounds will provide an out-of-the-ordinary hiking experience. Ages 5 years and up. Registration required at or lisacole@unt.edu. $2/person for LLELA annual pass holders. Stars on the Prairie February 22, 6:30 8:30 p.m. March 29, 7:30 9:30 p.m. April 25, 8:00 10:00 p.m. May 30, 8:30 10:30 p.m. Join us for a fascinating evening as we explore the wonders of the night sky with Clyde Camp, Master Naturalist and amateur astronomer (over 30 years of experience). Ages 5 and up. $2 program fee per person (season pass holders). Reservations are required at or lisacole@unt.edu.

7 LLELA Weekends-at-a-Glance: MARCH 1 2 1st to 2nd 10:00 a.m. Kids Fishing Day 1:00 p.m. Log House Volunteer Training 2:00 p.m. Kayak Tour on McWhorter Creek :30 p.m. Campfire 7:30 a.m. Bird Walk 7th to 9th 8:00 a.m. Trail Guide training 10:00a.m. Nature Walk No RSVP for either walk th to 16th 12:00 p.m. Log House Open House. No RSVP 21st to 23rd :30 p.m. Night Hike 9:00 a.m. Kayak Tour on McWhorter Creek 1:00 p.m. Edible Plants with Mark Suter 28th to 30th :00 a.m. Girl Scout Animal Habitats badge 2:00 p.m. Kayak Tour on McWhorter Creek 7:30 p.m. Stars on Prairie ***ALL EVENTS REQUIRE A RESERVATION UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED!!! *** Also this month: Spring Break Eco Adventure Camp for 9 12 year-olds: March More information at LLELA.org. Ongoing enrollment for Home School Natural Science Classes. Class dates are April 3, April 24, May 8, and May 29. More information is at LLELA.org.

8 LLELA Weekends-at-a-Glance: APRIL th to 6th 10:00 a.m. Kids Fishing Day th to 13th 7:30 a.m. Bird Walk 10:00a.m. Nature Walk 3:00 p.m. Kayak Tour on McWhorter Creek No RSVP for either walk 6:30 p.m. Campfire RSVP th to 20th 8:00 p.m. Night Hike 12:00 p.m. Log House Open House. No RSVP th to 27th 8:00 p.m. Stars on Prairie Mark Suter Wilderness Survival class all weekend 8:00 a.m. One Ale of a Trail Run at LLELA 10:00 a.m. Girl Scout Bugs badge 8:00 p.m. Girl Scout Night Owl badge ***ALL EVENTS REQUIRE A RESERVATION UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED!!! *** Contact Lisa Cole at or lisacole@unt.edu Event details at LLELA.org

9 LLELA Weekends-at-a-Glance: MAY nd to 4th 10:00 a.m. Kids Fishing Day :30 a.m. Bird Walk 9th to 11th 10:00a.m. Nature Walk No RSVP for either walk 8:30 p.m. Night Hike RSVP required 16th to 18th :00 p.m. Log House Open House. No RSVP rd to 25th :30 p.m. Stars on Prarie 30th to June 1 ***ALL EVENTS REQUIRE A RESERVATION UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED!!! *** Contact Lisa Cole at or lisacole@unt.edu Event details at LLELA.org

10 Texas Amphibian Watch volunteer training at LLELA March 17, 6:00 9:00 p.m. Contact Lisa Cole at or to register It s not easy being green. At an international conference in 1989, scientists all over the world for the first time became alarmed at what appeared to be dramatic declines in some amphibian populations. Then, in 1995, a group of school children in Minnesota were the first to notice an alarming rate of malformed limbs in some frog populations. Because amphibians use wetland habitats during at least part of their life cycle and because they have permeable skin, ecologists believe that declines in amphibian populations and malformations may serve as early warning indicators of broader changes in ecosystems. Participants in Texas Amphibian Watch have an opportunity to contribute data which can help scientists monitor and understand amphibian populations in our state. Master Naturalist Scott Keister will give a presentation to acquaint volunteers with the monitoring program and frog identification, then take the group onto LLELA s Bittern Marsh Trail for a bit of on-the-job training. There is no fee for this program, but we encourage people who attend the training to make a commitment to participate in a new, ongoing amphibian monitoring project at LLELA. In other words...if you show up, we are going to sign you up! Please contact Lisa Cole at or lisacole@unt.edu to register. Calling male Woodhouse s Toad (Bufo woodhousii) Photo by Diane Wetherbee Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala)