MARBLE FALLS — During the September meeting, Highland Lakes Birding & Wildflower Society members learned the history of and the reasons behind the creation of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve in southwest Austin and the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Burnet and western Travis and Williamson counties.
During the next meeting, which is Thursday, Oct. 5, they’ll dig deeper into the importance of the two protected areas, particularly in regard to the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.
Bill Reiner, a city of Austin biologist, who works with the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, will discuss the preserve and its role in protecting the golden-cheeked warbler as well as the black-capped vireo.
The meeting is at the Marble Falls Public Library, 101 Main St. The social gathering starts at 9:30 a.m. with Reiner’s presentation beginning at about 10 a.m. The event is free to attend, and the public is welcome.
People interested in warming up for the meeting can enjoy a bird walk starting at 8:30 a.m. in front of the library.
Recently, there has been an effort, led by the Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, to get the federal government to remove the golden-cheeked warbler from the endangered species list because of the listing’s perceived negative effects on land values.
Many conservationists still believe the golden-cheeked warbler needs protection.
Reiner has participated in intensive studies regarding the golden-cheeked warbler and the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, but his knowledge extends well beyond the preserve. For many years, he helped map the territory of both the golden-cheek warbler and the black-capped vireo in the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge.
He has extensive knowledge of how the area habitat affects the two species.
Reiner enjoys studying how plants and animals fill niches in their environment as well as form communities. He’s an experienced birder and leads birding trips and talks at the national refuge.
Go to www.yantislakesidegardens.com for more information on this meeting or other Highland Lakes gardening events.
daniel@thepicayune.com
Learn About Efforts to Protect Golden-cheeked Warbler at Marble Falls Meeting and Program
Bill Reiner, a city of Austin biologist who works with the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, will discuss the preserve and the golden-cheeked warbler during the Thursday, Oct. 5, meeting of the Highland Lakes Birding & Wildflower Society at the Marble Falls Public Library, 101 Main St. The meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. It’s free to attend, and the public is invited. Photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service