Texas A&M Forest Service

Getting kids outdoors and actively engaged in learning is a tough task in a day where TV and video games seem to come first. But that is exactly what Project Learning Tree's Walk in the Forest aims to do - starting with teachers.

Throughout the school year, hundreds of teachers and pre-service - or student - teachers converge at forests across the state for Walk in the Forest, a PLT initiative aimed at getting environmental education implemented in classrooms across the state and nation.

"We like to say that we use PLT as a window to the world. It's a program that's based on environmental education but it doesn't teach students what to think, it teaches students how to think, how to discover and how to come to their own conclusions about the environment and about other things in life," Jordan Herrin, Texas A&M Forest Service district forester and Sam Houston State University Walk in the Forest coordinator, said.

A premier environmental education program, PLT uses hands-on, interdisciplinary activities to get prekindergarten through 12th-grade students reconnected with the outdoors while teaching them lessons that correspond with state curriculum standards. Teachers and pre-service teachers become certified to teach the curriculum through Walk in the Forest workshops.

PLT co-coordinator and Texas A&M Forest Service District Forester John Boyette has been involved with Walk in the Forest for almost five years. "It's a very worthwhile program. It teaches environmental science, it teaches forestry and it teaches teachers and students that forestry is a sustainable, earth-friendly type of business. You have to open your eyes and find out things for yourself."

Boyette recently led a Walk in the Forest in Longview at Eastman Chemical's Nature Center. The center hosts nine outdoor classrooms and a demonstration forest that provides examples of different forest management concepts and techniques that they allow TFS to use throughout the year.

Eastman Chemical's continued commitment to the community, educators and students shows through their ten-year partnership with PLT, and that's something they want to pass on.

"We want our future decision makers (the students) to also have this same commitment in their lives and understand the importance of taking care of the environment," Michelle Holyfield, training and responsible care coordinator for Eastman, said.

During the workshops, teachers rotate through six different stations, each focusing on a hands-on sample activity they could plan for their classrooms.

Mance Park Middle School teacher Sandra Bounds is a co-leader at the Huntsville State Park Walk in the Forest which is designed to help future teachers navigate through the program guide.

Though any teacher can become involved with PLT, Bounds said it's particularly successful to catch the student teachers while they're still in college. Doing so allows them to accumulate a ready base of information - potential classroom lessons and a bank of natural resource professionals and forestry experts who can help them - before they get entrenched in the daily grind.

"Nowhere else can you educate close to 200 people in one day with these kinds of resources," said Bounds, who has been involved with PLT for most of her 17-year career. "As a teacher I have really appreciated the forest industry and the commitment to education that we have from these dedicated ladies and gentlemen that spend so much time making education priority."

Other important partnerships that make these Walks possible include Georgia Pacific, Resource Management Service, Hancock Forest Management and with colleges and universities like Sam Houston State, Stephen F. Austin and LeTourneau.

Walk in the Forest workshops take place once each semester in different parts of the state. A national program, PLT is provided by the American Forest Foundation. In Texas, it's sponsored by Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Forestry Association. If you or an educator you know would be interested in joining the PLT program, check out www.plttexas.org.  

Texas A&M Forest Service

Firewood is an important commodity to Texans, whether it is used for firing up the barbecue pit or for warming up on a chilly winter morning. And with cooler temperatures arriving, now is the time to pay close attention to the firewood you are picking up and storing for use in winter. Transporting and storing diseased wood can actually spread the devastating oak wilt fungus.

By selecting well-seasoned, disease-free firewood and by following other disease prevention guidelines, homeowners can take the following steps to prevent a new oak wilt disease outbreak in their neighborhood.

Select well-seasoned firewood. Well-seasoned wood is cut before the summer and is typically dry with loose bark and cracked ends. Avoid oak wood that appears unseasoned, that may have tight bark and cut ends which show no cracks or signs of aging. The extreme heat and drying of a full Texas summer effectively destroys the fungus in cut firewood.

Safely store unknown sources of firewood. If the oak wood comes from an unknown source and it is not well seasoned, cover the woodpile with a clear piece of plastic. Burying the edges of the plastic will prevent the entry or exit of insects that might have been attracted to diseased wood and fungal mats.

Destroy diseased red oaks. A knowledgeable arborist or forester should diagnose red oaks (i.e., Texas red, blackjack or shumard oak) that die rapidly (2-3 weeks) or in groups (2 or more trees over several years) for oak wilt. Trees suspected to have died recently from oak wilt should be destroyed by burning, burying or chipping. The heat of a fire destroys the fungus and the smoke emitted poses no threat to healthy trees. When planning to do any outdoor burning, be sure to check with local officials to see if an outdoor burning ban is in place for your county and take care not to burn on windy days with low humidity.

Avoid wounding oaks during vulnerable seasons. The general recommendation is to avoid injuries to oaks from February through June. The best times for pruning of oaks are during the heat of summer (minimal spore production) or the cold of winter (minimal insect activity).

Paint all oak wounds including pruning cuts. Throughout the year, immediately apply a thin coat of latex or pruning paint to all fresh wounds and other injuries that expose the inner bark or sapwood of oaks. This prevents contaminated sap beetles from infecting the wound with oak wilt spores.

Hunters, especially west of IH 35, should be especially careful in not transporting recently killed oak trees off of ranch land. The probability exists of moving red oaks that have died of oak wilt and having these trees produce disease spores while being stored. If in doubt, again always cover the wood with clear plastic and seal the edges with rocks or soil.

Oak wilt is one of the most destructive tree diseases in the United States, and has been known to kill oak trees in Central Texas at epidemic proportions.  

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

One out of every three bites of food in the U.S. is dependent on pollinators such as honey bees, which provide a billion-dollar ecologic service through pollination.

Since 2006, about 30 percent of honey bee hives in the U.S. have been lost each winter to diseases, parasites, poor nutrition, pesticide exposure, and other issues.

Honey bees pollinate crops such as clover and alfalfa upon which cattle feed, making honey bees important to our production and consumption of meat and dairy products.

Round Rock: The Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock, presents "The Best Trees for the Texas Landscape," from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 6. One of the most valuable plants of the urban landscape, trees add value, create shade, impart seasonal beauty and provide a habitat for our native wildlife. Join a discussion of how to select, plant and care for the best tree choices for Central Texas. The program will be conducted by Jeff Ferris, a gardener in Austin for more than 25 years, staff horticulturist and diagnostician at The Natural Gardener, certified Permaculturist, and instructor in the ACC Landscape and Horticulture program since 2008. Through Neighborhood Harvest Project, he co-founded the first public community garden in Round Rock - Unity Park Community Garden. Jeff is a frequent guest and occasional host of "John Dromgoole's Gardening Naturally" program on KLBJ radio, the longest running organic gardening show in the country. For more information, please contact Julie Chapa, 512-218-7014.

Seguin: The Guadalupe County Master Gardeners present their brown bag luncheon at the Seguin Public Library, 707 E. College, Seguin, on Friday, November 7, from noon to 1:30 p.m. featuring Nancy Masterson, Master Gardener and member of the Guadalupe Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas. She will be recommending plants with outstanding blooms and berries for Seguin. This program about native plants will provide free handouts.According to Nancy Masterson, "The program is NICE: Natives Instead of Common Exotics. Learn how to save money, save water and save the natural legacy of our beautiful state. Fall is a great time to add new plants to the landscape and some native plants put on their best show in autumn. Admission is free and feel free to bring your lunch.

Hempstead: Peckerwood Garden, 20559 FM 359 Rd, Hempstead, offers Fall 2014 Open Weekends, November 8 and 9 - First tour 10 a.m., Second tour 1 p.m.., Plant sale hours 10-3 p.m.., and November 22 and 23 - First tour 10 a.m., Second tour 1 p.m.., Plant sale hours 10-3 pm. Tour admission is $10 per person, members free. No advanced reservation required. Pay at the gate (cash, check, credit cards). Students (12 and older) admitted free to the garden. Unfortunately, small children, baby strollers, and pets are not allowed in the garden due to the delicate and sharp plants. We also offer private tours of the garden." Visit www.peckerwoodgarden.org for more information.  

Rosenberg: Saturday, November 8 - "Jams & Jellies," presented by Anne Ondrusek, Owner, Honeys Homemade Jams & Jellies, for the Fort Bend Master Gardeners' "Backyard Basics" series. Demonstration included. 9 a.m. Agriculture Center, 1402 Band Rd, Rosenberg. $15 ($25 couple). Details: Call 281-342-3034 or visit www.fbmg.com.

Austin: David Kraemer will demonstrate seed starting for spring veggies and Tim Miller of Millberg Farm will discuss growing tomatoes in the winter at the Austin Organic Gardeners' Club meeting on November 10. The club meets at the Austin Area Garden Center, 2220 Barton Springs Rd, in Zilker Botanical Gardens. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the opportunity to meet and mingle with local gardeners; club business begins at 7 p.m., followed by the guest speakers' presentation. For more information, visit www.austinorganicgardeners.org.

Canyon Lake: The Lindheimer Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas will meet at: 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 11, at the GVTC Auditorium, 36101 FM 3159, Canyon Lake. Jessican Alderson, urban wildlife biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife Deptartment, will present a program on Texas Wildscapes. Enhancing your own natural resources in town is just a possible and enjoyable as in the country. Discover what kind of a garden is right for you. The meeting is open to the public, and we welcome new members. For more information contact Sharon Thomas, President, at 830-885-2555, or visit npsot.org/wp/lindheimer .  

Austin: A lecture presentation on the "Science of Soil" by Chuck Ware of the Austin Bonsai Society will be presented at 7 p.m., Wednesday, November 12, at the Zilker Garden Center, 2200 Barton Springs Road, Austin. Free presentation, guests are welcome. Visit www.austinbonsaisociety.com for further information or call Deborah Van Cleaf at 512-694-6590.  

Humble: Herb Gardening for Home Use will be presented Wednesday, November 12, noon-2 p.m. at the Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble. Join Marilyn O'Conner, "The Herb Lady," to learn about the wide variety of herbs and their uses in homes and gardens. For additional information or to make reservations, call Mercer Botanic Gardens at 281-443-8731.

Pearland: Michael Mayfield will present "Daylilies & Amaryllises," at 7 p.m., Thursday, November 13. at Busy Bee Café, 4009 W. Broadway, Pearland. Free. Brazoria County Master Gardeners. For more details, call John at 713-818-8806.

Nacogdoches: SFA Gardens at Stephen F. Austin State University will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, in the Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St., Nacogdoches. Horticulturist Jenny Wegley will present "If I Hear Color One More Time, I'm Changing My Profession." Wegley graduated with a Bachelor of Science in horticulture from SFA and, after a short stint in retail, started at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden in 2009. She is now director of horticulture there. The Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series is held the second Thursday of each month at the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture's SFA Pineywoods Native Plant Center. A rare plant raffle will be held after the program. The lecture is free and open to the public, but donations to the Theresa and Les Reeves lecture series fund always are appreciated. Parking is available at the nearby Raguet Elementary School, 2428 Raguet St., with continual shuttle service to the Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building. For more information, call Elyce Rodewald at 936-468-1832 or email grantdamon@sfasu.edu .   

San Antonio: Cris Goloby, Adjunct Professor at St. Phillip's College Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts, and Continued Education Instructor will speak on herbs for holiday cooking and when to use dry/wet form the San Antonio Herb Society's November meeting. Demonstration and tasting. Meeting will be Thursday, November 13 starting at 6:30 p.m. at the San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels, San Antonio. Free and open to the public. For additional information, call 210-826-6860 or email mbelisle@satx.rr.com.

Genoa: Monday, November 17, is Open Garden Day with Harris County Master Gardeners at Precinct 2, 8:30-11 a.m., at the Genoa Friendship Garden, 1202 Genoa Red Bluff Rd., Genoa. 9:30 a.m.: Educational Programs and Master Gardeners Q&A. Note: Gardens open and plants available for purchase every Monday, May-October. Free, children welcome. For more information, visit https://hcmga.tamu.edu.  

San Antonio: Numa Laiche and Jamie Daily will discuss Heritage, Heirloom and Passalong Plants at the November 20 meeting of the Bexar County Master Gardeners. The meeting begins with a social at 6 p.m., followed by the 6 p.m.-8 p.m. presentation, at Colonies House Meeting Room, 3511 Colony Dr., San Antonio. For additional information, call 210-467-6575.

Seguin: The Guadalupe Master Gardeners will meet on Thursday, November 20, at the Justice Center on 211 Court Street in Seguin. Dr. Kelly Lyons, assistant professor of biology at Trinity University, will be the guest speaker. Her research was on and she will be talking about native species plants, invasive plants and their impact on ecosystems. As new additions to ecosystems, many of these species become invasive, dramatically altering natural and managed ecosystems and homogenizing communities. Recently she was awarded a USDA grant to study links between invasive weeds and diverse native grasslands. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. after a social function starting at 6:30. For further information, visit www.guadalupecountymastergardeners.org or call 830-303-3889.  

Round Rock: The Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock, presents "Seed Starting for Those with a Brown Thumb," from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 4. Many people are intimidated by the thought of having to start their own seeds for the garden or the landscape. Learn why starting your own seeds is easier, less costly and provides you with a wider choice of plants. The program will be conducted by Jeff Ferris, a gardener in Austin for more than 25 years, staff horticulturist and diagnostician at The Natural Gardener, certified Permaculturist, and instructor in the ACC Landscape and Horticulture program since 2008. Through Neighborhood Harvest Project, he co-founded the first public community garden in Round Rock - Unity Park Community Garden. Jeff is a frequent guest and occasional host of "John Dromgoole's Gardening Naturally" program on KLBJ radio, the longest running organic gardening show in the country. For more information, please contact Julie Chapa, 512-218-7014.  

Bryan: Future use of water and its impact on agriculture will be the focus of the 2014 Texas Plant Protection Association conference scheduled Dec. 10-11 at the Brazos Center, 3232 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan. Dr. Travis Miller, interim director for state operations with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, will be one of the featured speakers during the opening general session Dec. 10. Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas state climatologist, and Carlos Rubinstein, chairman of the Texas Water Development Board, will also be general session featured speakers. Nielsen-Gammon will discuss climate variability and Rubinstein will give a Texas water outlook. Other presentations during the general session will focus on water conservation, comparative irrigation methods, agricultural innovations from industry in dealing with climate change, and a Texas farmer's perspective on dealing with water management. Afternoon sessions on Dec. 10 will include a look at the Texas drought's impact on wildlife, unmanned aerial vehicles in agriculture, and decision and precision applications of nitrogen. The second day of the conference will feature sessions on grain, cotton, horticulture/turf, and pasture and rangeland. A student poster contest will be held as well as an awards luncheon. For registration information, visit http://bit.ly/ZwpjOD.

Humble: Succulentarriums will be presented Wednesday, December 10, noon-2 p.m.

at the Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble.

Learn how to combine remarkable succulents, moss, and cacti with recycled glassware to create fun and fanciful display items for your home or office. These unique items also make great holiday gifts! For additional information or to make reservations, call Mercer Botanic Gardens at 281-443-8731.

Pearland: Ed Barrios will present "Gardening & Insects" at 7 p.m., Thursday, December 11 at Busy Bee Café, 4009 W. Broadway, Pearland. Free. Brazoria County Master Gardeners. For more details, call John at 713-818-8806.

• Many, many practical and timely garden tips that are for Texas - not Maine or California!
• Organic, earth friendly tips to make your garden grow and prosper
• Lots of space to record your own activities for future reference
• Planting dates and tips for vegetables, flowers, herbs, fruit and lawns

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