__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Nature Park News—October, November, December 2006 1 Desert Experience Mini Desert Experience Mini Desert Experience Mini Desert Experience Mini-Trail Now Open! Trail Now Open! Trail Now Open! Trail Now Open! The Nature Park News October November December 2006 Volume 15, Issue 4 A publication of the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park In This Issue: 2 Notes from the Director Upcoming Event 3 Are We Out of the Drought? 4 Site Development Corner Butterfly Flutterby 5 Buffet in the Desert Real World - Real Science Education Programs 6 Many Thanks H & R Block Fundraiser Other Ways to Support the Park 7 New and Renewing Members Membership Form 8 Map to the Park The Nature Park News is published quarterly by the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing scientific literacy by fostering an understanding of the Chihuahuan Desert. Please direct all inquiries to: Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park P.O. Box 891 Las Cruces, NM 88004 505-524-3334 (Voice) 505-523-2866 (Fax) E-mail: [email protected]Web site: www.cdnp.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brian Harper, President Justin Van Zee, Vice President Kimmarie Hartley, Secretary Mark Sechrist, Treasurer Steven Bennett, Board Member Michael Ferguson, Board Member Mary Beth Harper, Board Member Donna Yargosz, Board Member STAFF Stephanie Bestelmeyer, Ph.D., Director Rink Somerday, Program Coordinator Paul Harper, Education Specialist After three years of planning, more than 1,000 hours of volunteer and staff time, and the placement of 600,000 pounds of rocks, the newest area at the Nature Park officially opened on October 14, 2006. More than 40 Nature Park supporters braved the rainy weather to attend the grand opening of the Desert Experience Mini- Trail, a series of short paths that allow visitors of all ages to learn about the desert. Located adjacent to the parking lot, this new area is perfect for people who lack the time or physical ability to take the longer trails at the Park. There are 24 x 36 inch interpretive signs as well as plant identification signs along the paths, each highlighting a different aspect of desert ecology - geology, archaeology, local mountain ranges, plants, and animals. The Desert Experience Mini-Trail also features a separate Xeriscape Memorial Garden showcasing some of the beautiful local plants that can be used to create a low-water-use landscape. The staff and Board members of the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park are grateful to everyone who helped turn the dream of the Desert Experience Mini-Trail into a reality. Special thanks go to the Greater Federated Women’s Club Progress Club of Las Cruces and the Doña Ana County External Agency Grant Program for funding. In the next year, we will add to the Desert Experience Mini-Trail. Hands- on exhibits will help people learn more about the desert. We will also add displays showcasing long-term research projects conducted by students during field trips to the Nature Park. Like everything else at the Nature Park, the Desert Experience Mini-Trail will continue to grow and improve. Children from all over the area have already used the Desert Experience Mini-Trail to learn about the desert on field trips in the past few months. We now invite you to come see this new display area and learn more about our fascinating Chihuahuan Desert. TM Interpretive signs along the Desert Experience Mini-Trail allow visitors to learn about the desert.
The Nature Park News—October, November, December 2006 1
Desert Experience MiniDesert Experience MiniDesert Experience MiniDesert Experience Mini----Trail Now Open!Trail Now Open!Trail Now Open!Trail Now Open!
The Nature Park News October November December 2006 Volume 15, Issue 4 A publication of the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park
In This Issue: 2 Notes from the Director Upcoming Event 3 Are We Out of the Drought? 4 Site Development Corner Butterfly Flutterby 5 Buffet in the Desert Real World - Real Science Education Programs 6 Many Thanks H & R Block Fundraiser Other Ways to Support the Park 7 New and Renewing Members Membership Form 8 Map to the Park The Nature Park News is published quarterly by the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing scientific literacy by fostering an understanding of the Chihuahuan Desert. Please direct all inquiries to: Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park P.O. Box 891 Las Cruces, NM 88004 505-524-3334 (Voice) 505-523-2866 (Fax) E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.cdnp.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brian Harper, President Justin Van Zee, Vice President Kimmarie Hartley, Secretary Mark Sechrist, Treasurer Steven Bennett, Board Member Michael Ferguson, Board Member Mary Beth Harper, Board Member Donna Yargosz, Board Member
STAFF Stephanie Bestelmeyer, Ph.D., Director Rink Somerday, Program Coordinator Paul Harper, Education Specialist
After three years of planning, more than 1,000 hours of volunteer and staff time, and the placement of 600,000 pounds of rocks, the newest area at the Nature Park officially opened on October 14, 2006. More than 40 Nature Park supporters braved the rainy weather to attend the grand opening of the Desert Experience Mini-Trail, a series of short paths that allow visitors of all ages to learn about the desert. Located adjacent to the parking lot, this new area is perfect for people who lack the time or physical ability to take the longer trails at the Park. There are 24 x 36 inch interpretive signs as well as plant identification signs along the paths, each highlighting a different aspect of desert ecology - geology, archaeology, local mountain ranges, plants, and animals. The Desert Experience Mini-Trail also features a separate Xeriscape Memorial Garden showcasing some of the beautiful local plants that can be used to create a low-water-use landscape. The staff and Board members of the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park are grateful to everyone who helped turn the dream of the Desert Experience Mini-Trail into a reality. Special thanks go to the Greater Federated
Women’s Club Progress Club of Las Cruces and the Doña Ana County External Agency Grant Program for funding. In the next year, we will add to the Desert Experience Mini-Trail. Hands-on exhibits will help people learn more about the desert. We will also
add displays showcasing long-term research projects conducted by students during field trips to the Nature Park. Like everything else at the Nature Park, the Desert Experience Mini-Trail will continue to grow and improve. Children from all over the area have already used the Desert Experience Mini-Trail to learn about the desert on field trips in the past few months. We now invite you to come see this new display area and learn more about our fascinating Chihuahuan Desert.
TM
Interpretive signs along the Desert Experience Mini-Trail allow visitors to learn about the desert.
2 The Nature Park News—October, November, December 2006
Notes from the Director New Grants Bring New Opportunities for 2007
By Stephanie Bestelmeyer, Ph.D.
We received great news last month - the Nature Park received two grants which will bring exciting developments in 2007. The first grant came from the National Science Foundation. In cooperation with Susan Brown from the Education Department at New Mexico State University, we received funding for the “Academies for Young Scientists Program.” This new NSF program supports projects that create, implement, evaluate, and disseminate effective models to attract young students to science, leading to an increase in the pool of students continuing in these fields. Our project’s theme is “Stone Age to Space Age.” Through innovative, out-of-school time science opportunities (after school, Saturday, and summer programs), 5th - 7th grade students and their families will learn about everything from archaeology to desert animals to space travel. All topic areas will focus on ways that humans and other animals adapt to their environments. The Nature Park will help develop curriculum for after-school science programs and
teacher trainings. We will also provide enhanced Saturday programs and summer programs that can be enjoyed by students participating in the Academy for Young Scientists Program as well as other members of the community. The second grant came from the Doña Ana County External Agency Grant Program. We received funding to turn a soil pit dug in 1996 as part of a scientific study into a new educational display area. We will also install an interpretive sign and create education materials to help students learn about soil profiles, calcium carbonate (“caliche”) layers in desert soil, soil erosion, and desert plant root structure. Saturday science programs and a soil pit? I admit that at first glance, the grants and the projects they support seem quite different. However, on closer inspection, you will see that the projects fit perfectly into the overall mission of the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park. They both support the issue at the very heart of all that we do here - increasing children’s and adults’ understanding of science and the Chihuahuan Desert. This is why we look forward to the launch of both projects early in 2007.
Upcoming Event
The Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park is teaming up with Walk Doña Ana Walk of Las Cruces on December 16, 2006 to host a walk at the Nature Park. The walk begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Desert Discovery Trailhead, near the Nature Park parking area. By taking the 1.2-mile loop that circles a low hill, participants will be able to enjoy amazing views of the Organ Mountains and Doña Ana Mountains. For the more adventurous, there is a more difficult 0.3-mile spur trail to the top of the hill for a spectacular view of the Jornada Basin. Participants
can also try a quick jaunt around our Desert Experience Mini-Trail. Come out and enjoy a beautiful Saturday morning, breathe some fresh air, and “Walk, Doña Ana, Walk.”
Your Suggestions Wanted!
We are ready to plan our 2007 event schedule, and we want your help. What events would you like to see at the Park? More on archaeology? More guided nature walks? Storytime or puppet shows for kids? We open to all suggestions, so please let us know your ideas. This is your chance to be the programmer for the Nature Park. Give us a call (505-524-3334) or email Education Specialist Paul Harper ([email protected]) with you ideas. We look forward to hearing from you!
The Nature Park News—October, November, December 2006 3
It Finally Rained. Are We Out of the Drought?It Finally Rained. Are We Out of the Drought?It Finally Rained. Are We Out of the Drought?It Finally Rained. Are We Out of the Drought?
By Deborah Bathke, Ph.D.
New Mexico State University
Assistant State Climatologist
The 2006 summer monsoon season was one for the record books. An early and active monsoon thunderstorm season brought intense rains, frequent flash flooding, and heavy runoff to many parts of the state. During July, August, and September Las Cruces received 10.65 inches of rain (compared to the average amount of 4.60 inches) making it the second wettest such period on record in 120 years of climate data. Statewide, that same three month period also ranked as the second wettest in the past 112 years. Despite all the rain, lingering drought conditions still exist in the northern part of the state. Not surprisingly the question on everyone’s lips is, “Was this heavy rainfall enough to end drought conditions in New Mexico?” The answer depends, in part, on how you define drought. Unfortunately, no single definition exists for drought. It means different things for different areas and for different groups of people. That makes it difficult to explain. However, there are four commonly used definitions of drought which typically occur in stages. The first stage that we notice is meteorological drought which results from precipitation that is below what is considered a “normal” or average amount based on historical data. If these
conditions continue, soil moisture is affected and plants become stressed. This stage is known as agricultural drought and can be measured by reduced crop yields. The next stage is hydrologic drought, which is a more long-term condition and is associated with the effects of longer periods of precipitation shortfalls on water supplies. Hydrologic drought lags agricultural drought because it takes longer for
precipitation deficiencies to show up in stream flows, reservoir and lake levels, and ground water supplies. Elephant Butte Reservoir provides a prime example of hydrologic drought conditions. Storage at Elephant Butte was 132 percent of normal in early 2000 when the long-term drought was young. Storage dropped to about 10 percent of normal during the peak drought periods from 2003 into 2006. After the recent wet period,
Elephant Butte storage reached 29 percent of normal storage by the end of September, 2006. Lastly as water shortages begin to impact the health, well being, and quality of life, socioeconomic drought occurs. Here, the drought also begins to affect the supply and demand of an economic product. Drought is by no means an unusual or unnatural event. It is a normal and recurrent feature of our climate system. In fact, severe to extreme drought has affected at least a portion of New Mexico 56 percent of the time over the period 1896-2005. For the current drought, which we have been in since at least 1999, we would have to have significant winter precipitation followed by a significant spring snow melt runoff to completely ameliorate the lingering drought conditions. So, while a wetter than average monsoon season helped to reduce the severity of the drought across much of the state, below average reservoirs and other longer term hydrological effects remain.
About the Author
Dr. Bathke is the Assistant State Climatologist for New Mexico and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University. She also is the State Coordinator for the New Mexico Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (www.cocorahs.org) and chairs the Drought Monitoring Work Group of the Governor’s Drought Task Force. She has been in her current position since May of 2005.
4 The Nature Park News—October, November, December 2006
Site Development CornerSite Development CornerSite Development CornerSite Development Corner
By Justin Van Zee
Chair, Site Development Committee
What would the Nature Park be without volunteers? This question often arises when we think about the number of projects that have been accomplished at the Nature Park site. Considering the thousands of people the Nature Park’s educational programs reach each year, it’s amazing that there is enough time for maintenance and development of the Park site at all. With only three staff members at the Park to perform the myriad tasks required to keep the Nature Park functioning, we rely heavily upon volunteers to perform essential duties out at the Park site. Most of the time, these are behind-the-scenes jobs that most people don’t think about, like cleaning restrooms, replacing rocks kicked into the trail, cutting overgrown vegetation, repairing damaged signs, and removing trash. Occasionally, we organize volunteer work days to complete really large projects. An excellent example
of this was an October 7 work day at the Park site. More than 20 people came to help spruce up the new Desert Discovery Mini-Trail for its grand opening the following week. This summer’s heavy rains caused considerable damage to trails at the Park, including the Mini-Trail. To repair this damage, volunteers spread
12 tons of crusher fines along the trail and lined the whole trail system with almost 12 tons of cobbles. Others worked on repairing washed-out areas further up the trail. Eddie Garcia also graded the access road. At the end of that day, more than 80 person-hours were worked, and immense improvements were made.
Even though we schedule volunteer work days, these are not the only times the Park site needs attention. There is always work to do, and you do not need special training or skills in order to help. After donating time working in a beautiful setting, you’ll feel good knowing that you’ve helped support science education in our community. Please contact the Nature Park office to find out how you can help today!
Rain Did Not Deter the Butterfly Flutterby
The rain started late in July and continued through the rest of the summer. So it wasn’t surprising that it rained during the Butterfly Flutterby at the Nature Park on August 19. A fine mist settled over the event, but that didn’t dampen spirits. Adults and children alike visited ten education stations that taught them about butterflies and their habitat. We had several favorite stations from past years like face painting and the Pollination Station, where people get the chance to “pollinate” flowers just like butterflies do. There were also several new booths this year such as Butterfly Jeopardy, which asked participants
questions like, “What is a baby butterfly called?” Magic Water Painting gave artists the chance to paint butterfly creations with “magic water” - when the water evaporated, their creations sparkled.
Of course, Butterfly Flutterby would not be the success it is without our volunteers! Special thanks to the Las Cruces Master Gardeners, GFWC Progress Club of Las Cruces, World Wildlife Fund, and scientists from the Jornada Experimental Range. Keep your calendar open on August 18, 2007 for the 4th Annual Butterfly Flutterby! Master Gardener Lisa Rivera (center) gives
Butterfly Flutterby attendees seeds of butterfly-attracting plants.
The Nature Park News—October, November, December 2006 5
Education Programs Here are the programs your donations helped us provide since the last newsletter.
9/6/2006 Central Elementary - scientific process 9/7/2006 Columbia Elementary - scientific process 9/8/2006 Sierra Middle School - field trip 9/11/2006 Doña Ana Elementary - scientific process 9/13/2006 Las Cruces Schools - CDNP Meet & Greet 9/14/2006 MacArthur Elementary - scientific process 9/14/2006 Vista Middle School - field trip 9/16/2006 New Mexico Wildlife Symbols 9/19/2006 Jornada Elementary - pitfall traps / arthropods 9/20/2006 Hermosa Heights Elem. - scientific process 9/21/2006 T or C Elementary - water festival 9/22/2006 Desert Hills Elementary - field trip 9/23/2006 Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta 9/26/2006 Alameda Elementary - scientific process 9/28/2006 Valley View Elementary - scientific process 9/29/2006 Lynn Middle School - field trip 10/4/2006 Central Elementary - desert plants 10/5/2006 Columbia Elementary - desert plants 10/6/2006 Columbia Elementary - field trip 10/6/2006 Environment, Health, & Science Fair - Deming 10/10/2006 Jornada Elementary - scientific method 10/11/2006 GS Troop 350 Chihuahuan Desert badge
10/12/2006 Jornada Elementary - pitfall traps / arthropods 10/12/2006 Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium - CDNP 10/14/2006 Desert Experience Mini-Trail Opening 10/16/2006 Doña Ana Elementary - desert plants 10/18/2006 Hermosa Heights Elementary - desert plants 10/19/2006 MacArthur Desert Elementary - desert plants 10/19/2006 Valley View Desert Elementary - desert plants 10/23/2006 Jornada Elementary - weather 10/24/2006 Alameda Elementary - desert plants 10/26/2006 Sunrise Elementary - field trip 10/27/2006 GS Troop 56 Chihuahuan Desert badge 10/27/2006 Sunrise Elementary - field trip 10/30/2006 Hermosa Heights Elementary - biomes 10/31/2006 Vista Middle School - field trip 11/1/2006 Central Elementary - animal adaptations 11/2/2006 Columbia Elementary - animal adaptations 11/4 & 5/2006 Ren. Faire "What Else Lives In A Castle?" 11/6/2006 Jornada Elementary - field trip 11/8/2006 Hermosa Heights Elem. - animal adaptations 11/9/2006 Jornada Elementary - bears 11/9/2006 Jornada Elementary - Math & Science Night 11/11/2006 Real World - Real Science Teacher Workshop
Buffet in the Desert Thirty-eight Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park benefactor members (those who give $100 or more each year) and special supporters received a special treat on October 14. They attended the “Buffet in the Desert” prior to the grand opening of the Desert Experience Mini-Trail. Buffet attendees enjoyed coffee, juices, champagne, pastries, and fruit, as well as breakfast burritos cooked in Program Coordinator Rink Somerday’s Dutch ovens. They also enjoyed the serenity of an early morning at the Nature Park. Even a light rain did not diminish the spirits of those in attendance, proving once again what a dedicated, enthusiastic group of supporters we have at the Nature Park. Become a benefactor member today and join us for future special events!
REAL WORLD REAL WORLD REAL WORLD REAL WORLD ---- REAL SCIENCE WORKSHOP REAL SCIENCE WORKSHOP REAL SCIENCE WORKSHOP REAL SCIENCE WORKSHOP
Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park staff members love working with teachers. We are especially impressed by teachers who choose to spend Saturdays learning so they can bring new information and opportunities to their students. On Saturday November 11, we had the opportunity to work with six dedicated teachers from Las Cruces and El Paso who attended a workshop for the Real World - Real Science Project. This project is supported by a grant to the Nature Park from the National Science Foundation. During the workshop, teachers learned about soil, arthropods, and vertebrates. They then each chose a topic to bring to their students. For the rest of the school year, students will complete pre-field trip activities, take a special field trip to the Nature Park, and then conduct post-field trip experiments in their schoolyards. All activities will allow students to experience the full process of science by completing several studies at the Nature Park and at their schools. Several of these student projects will be highlighted in display cases on the new Desert Experience Mini-Trail in upcoming months. Real World - Real Science teachers: Mary Lessman,
Aida Castorena, Carleen Burns, Melly Locke, Larissa Gibbs, and Victor Lopez.
6 The Nature Park News—October, November, December 2006
MANY THANKS!MANY THANKS!MANY THANKS!MANY THANKS!
Our thanks go to the following individuals and businesses for their donations of silent supplies and time in the last quarter.
Other Ways to Support the Park
Six years ago, we heard about a great fundraising possibility with Albertsons grocery store: Nature Park supporters could do their normal grocery shopping, and Albertsons would donate between 2% and 5% of their purchases to the Nature Park each quarter. That program has brought in more than $30,000 (including $1,176 last quarter)! Because we are so careful with every dollar that comes to the Park, that money has been used to educate thousands of local children and build wonderful facilities at the Park. Many thanks to all of you who participate in this program. Keep shopping! In the past year, we have also signed up with three other great fundraisers: 1) If you have old cell phones or printer ink jet cartridges, we can recycle them and receive valuable
funding for the Nature Park through EcoPhones. They pay the Nature Park up to $300 for each cell phone (even non-working phones) and up to $5 for ink cartridges.
2) Use GoodSearch.com (powered by Yahoo) as your search engine, and the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park receives a donation for every search you run. It’s really that easy! Sign up at GoodSearch.com today.
3) Do your online holiday shopping through iGive.com, and the Nature Park receives a percentage of your total purchases. One member ordered his Dell computer through this program (he simply got to the Dell website by first going to iGive.com), and netted a big donation for the Nature Park. Check iGive.com first when you shop; they are adding more online retailers each week.
These seemingly small efforts help the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park a lot. Please take just a few moments to become part of these wonderful, easy fundraisers. Call the Nature Park office (505-524-3334) and our staff will be happy to answer any questions and help you get signed up. Thanks for your ongoing support!
Supplies
Mike Gilman - used cell phones Susan Vantress - film canisters Justin Van Zee - ink cartridges
Silent Auction Items for Benefactor Breakfast
Ronald & Ruby Aaltonen Angelica’s Heavenly Delights
Enchanted Gardens Lisa Rivera
Rink Somerday Justin Van Zee
H&R Block Makes Fundraising
for the Nature Park Easy!
One of the simplest ways to help raise money for the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park is to have your taxes done. Starting January 1, H & R Block will donate $25 for each new client referred. It’s as easy as 1 -2 -3! 1. Contact or stop by the Nature Park office for
your referral form. 2. Take your referral form to an H & R Block
office near you anywhere in the US. 3. Have your taxes prepared, and the Nature
Park receives $25! What could be easier? You need to have your taxes prepared anyway, and now doing your taxes passes along some extra benefit to the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park. For questions or to pick up a form, call the office at 505-524-3334 or email [email protected]
Renaissance Faire Volunteers
Laura Burkett Cynthia Campo Patrick Campo Kristie Drexler Judy Grossklaus Brian Harper Mynell Harper Mary Beth Harper
Susana Harper Sally Hunt Douglas Jackson Susan Killingbeck Lynn Mulholland Sally Thomas Donna Yargosz
The Nature Park News—October, November, December 2006 7
New and Renewing MembersNew and Renewing MembersNew and Renewing MembersNew and Renewing Members Many thanks to all of our new members, renewing members, and those who gave additional gifts last quarter.
Family Members
Anonymous (2) Lehman & Marianne Barnes Elizabeth & Bill Blohm Sophie Evitt Michael Gilman Bill & Joanne Kersting Masashi & Sandra Nakamura Deb and Stacey & Allie Peters Mark Sechrist Laurie Shade-Neff
Janet Sherbondy Rink Somerday & John Holloway Robert Tafanelli J. Paul Taylor Jim & Kathy Vorenberg John Welch & Gayle Trantham Kathy Whelen Naida Zucker & Rich Spellenberg
Individual Members
Benefactors
Steph & Brandon Bestelmeyer Joel & Peg Brown Ed Fredrickson Leland H. Gile Sally Hunt & Dawn Tschabrun
Kathleen Huttlinger Paul Hyder Andrew Rosenthal VFW Post #6917
Anonymous (1) Vickie S. Avery John Bunn Pete David Beverly Denney Joanne Foster Bob & Sharon Glazier Sergio Gonzalez Judy Kirschner Becca & John Kungis Larry Leranski
Mary Lessman Samantha Lish Karen Melvin Lori Musgrave Heather Pollard Dr. Robert Severance A.D. Thomas R. Vance William & Ann Wilson Heidi Ziegler
