CER Events May 2017

Austin Water Center for Environmental Research

Austin Water – The University of Texas – Texas A&M University

A Partnership for Urban Ecology and Sustainability: Community, Ecology, Research

located at the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant

2210 South FM 973, Austin, Texas 78725

Facebook CER Human Events and Activities:  click here for CER on Facebook

May 6  Saturday 8am meet at the CER

• Austin-Bastrop River Corridor Partnership - River Monitoring Trip
• Join Claude Morris and the Travis County Colorado River Monitoring trip for a day on the river monitoring birds and more, and help the Austin-Bastrop River Corridor Partnership learn more about the ecology of the Colorado River.
• Meet at the CER parking lot at 8:00AM
• A river trip to monitor birds and vegetation along the river and you MUST provide your own boat.
• Contact Claude Morris at cgmorris@flash.net to participate
• More about the Austin-Bastrop River Corridor Partnership at the CER website Research, Programs, Partnerships page http://www.austintexas.gov/page/research-projects-partnerships-and-programs
• Check out the Austin-Bastrop River Corridor Partnership Facebook Page for updates and photos from the river monitoring trips www.facebook.com/austinbastroprivercorridor
   
  May 10  Wednesday NOON to 1pm at The PARD Senior Activity Center-Lamar 29^th St + 2874 Shoal Crest Ave, South Room

• Center for Environmental Research Lunchtime Lecture by Kevin M. Anderson
• 2017 Lunchtime Lectures – Understanding Urban Nature: Ecology, Culture, and the American City
• May 2017 Lunchtime Lecture - Nature in the City: Urban Habitats and the Degradation Myth
• Since the 19th century, books about urban natural history have documented the richness of habitats and diversity of species to be found in American cities. However, traditionally in America, biologists and ecologists study nature in “wildlands” and so view urban nature as degraded and disturbed in comparison. Urban nature worthy of professional study and protection is whatever remnant habitats remain from before the city was built, and the rest is a problem to correct. However, in recent decades, the rapid growth of urban ecology in America has begun to rewrite this simplistic degradation myth into a more complex story of urban biodiversity across a wide range of urban habitats and to rediscover historical books of urban natural history that add more texture to the story.  Join us for a lecture about the past, present, and future of urban natural history.
   
  May 13 Saturday 7am-11am and 4pm to dark meet at the CER
• Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory Program Monthly Bird Survey – International Migratory Bird Day!
• The HBBO Bird Survey is open to all levels of birder interested in intensive monitoring, although this is not a field trip.  In the morning, we have teams covering different areas of the Hornsby Bend facility, and they count numbers of all birds seen. It is 4 hours of hiking and counting, but lots of fun along the way. We meet again around 11am to tally up the species.  The afternoon involves looking around for species missed that morning, and we go until sundown. More information about the CER HBBO program at www.hornsbybend.org
   
  May 16  Tuesday NOON to 1pm at the Center for Environmental Research – Hornsby Bend
• Center for Environmental Research Lunchtime Lecture by Kevin M. Anderson
• 2017 Lunchtime Lectures – Understanding Urban Nature: Ecology, Culture, and the American City
• May 2017 Lunchtime Lecture - Nature in the City: Urban Habitats and the Degradation Myth
• Since the 19th century, books about urban natural history have documented the richness of habitats and diversity of species to be found in American cities. However, traditionally in America, biologists and ecologists study nature in “wildlands” and so view urban nature as degraded and disturbed in comparison. Urban nature worthy of professional study and protection is whatever remnant habitats remain from before the city was built, and the rest is a problem to correct. However, in recent decades, the rapid growth of urban ecology in America has begun to rewrite this simplistic degradation myth into a more complex story of urban biodiversity across a wide range of urban habitats and to rediscover historical books of urban natural history that add more texture to the story.  Join us for a lecture about the past, present, and future of urban natural history.
   
  May 18  Thursday NOON to 1pm at One Texas Center 505 Barton Springs Road + South First Street, Room 325
• Center for Environmental Research Lunchtime Lecture by Kevin M. Anderson
• 2016 Lunchtime Lectures – The Unity of Nature: The Creation, Discovery, and End of Nature
• May 2017 Lunchtime Lecture - Nature in the City: Urban Habitats and the Degradation Myth
• Since the 19th century, books about urban natural history have documented the richness of habitats and diversity of species to be found in American cities. However, traditionally in America, biologists and ecologists study nature in “wildlands” and so view urban nature as degraded and disturbed in comparison. Urban nature worthy of professional study and protection is whatever remnant habitats remain from before the city was built, and the rest is a problem to correct. However, in recent decades, the rapid growth of urban ecology in America has begun to rewrite this simplistic degradation myth into a more complex story of urban biodiversity across a wide range of urban habitats and to rediscover historical books of urban natural history that add more texture to the story.  Join us for a lecture about the past, present, and future of urban natural history.
   
   May 20   Saturday 730am – 11am at the CER
• HBBO/Travis Audubon Society - Hornsby Bend Monthly Birdwatching Fieldtrip – FREE!
• Meet at the CER 730am, no registration needed – all levels of birder welcomed, an easy morning of walking and learning the birds of Hornsby Bend. Bring binoculars and some water if the weather is warm. More information at www.travisaudubon.org and www.hornsbybend.org
   
  May 27  Saturday 9am – 1pm at the CER
• Ecological Literacy Volunteer Day – Help maintain Hornsby Bend! Did you know that all the Hornsby Bend trails, habitat gardens, and kiosks were built and are maintained by volunteers? If you enjoy birding or walking along the Colorado River here, please join us in maintaining these amenities and supporting public access at Hornsby Bend.
  • Wear work clothes [long pants], hat for shade, and sturdy shoes; bring water and binoculars if interested in birds.