Dear Readers,
This will be my next to last Hill Country Naturalist column. My final column will appear next week.
I assume if you are a regular reader you have some interest in our natural world and our existence in it. My column today is to help residents of the Hill Country find sources of help with information about our Hill Country land, animals, plants, and water, and where they can go for information and help.
Government Agencies
The specialists working for various agencies are in general educated in biology and agriculture and have many years of experience, which makes them the most reliable experts in the area on most aspects of land management.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, http://tpwd.texas.gov/
State Offices
Texas AgriLife Extension Service, http://texasextension. tamu.edu There is an office in every county and they are most knowledgeable about plant diseases, how to grow crops and raise animals which pesticides and herbicides to use. They frequently organize seminars and classes and field days.
Texas Forest Service
- http://txforestservice.tamu. edu/main/default.aspx In the Hill Country, the agents spend most of their time on oak wilt and other tree diseases.
US Department of agriculture.
Natural Resources Conservation Service - www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov USDA/Natural Resources Conservation Service, http:// offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/ app.
NRCS provides farmers and ranchers with financial and technical assistance to voluntarily put conservation in the ground.
For many folks interested in learning more and spending time with nature, I would suggest becoming involved in local nature-related organizations. As an original member and past president of the Hill Country chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist, I have to admit a certain bias in favor of this organization. It has provided me with a great deal of enjoyment, satisfaction, and education. The Hill Country has a chapter that spans much of the hill country. - http://masternaturalist. tamu/edu Hill Country Master Naturalist, http:// txmn. org/ hillcountry/.
The Native Plant Society of Texas Native Plant Society of Texas, http://npsot.org/wp/ The purpose of The Native Plant Society of Texas is to promote the conservation, research and utilization of native plants and plant habitats. There are many NPSOT chapters through out the state and most have monthly meetings open to the public.
Nature Centers and related places to learn about nature and also where meetings and seminars are frequently held for the public.
Cibolo Center for Conservation, Boerne, 830-249-4616, www.cibolo.org.
Friends if the Fredericksburg Nature Center, www.fredericksburgnaturecenter. org.
Riverside Nature Center, Kerrville, 830-257-4837, I have been incolved with this organization for over 20 years. www.riversidenaturecenter.org Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Austin, 512292-4100, www.wildflower .org Bamberger Ranch Preserve, Johnson City, www.bambergerranch. org.
Jim Stanley