On June 29, new recruits Mary Raymond and Vivian Kirkbridge joined the loyal group of FRRP volunteers who staff the RRCP Interpretive Center. Long-time hiking buddies and outdoor enthusiasts, they look forward to sharing their love for RRCP with visitors. During their one-hour orientation session, Mary and Vivian reviewed the basic guidelines for welcoming visitors, distributing park information and answering questions about the educational exhibits. For information on assisting with this vitally important visitor service, email us at friendsofriverranch@gmail.com.

When visiting the park this summer, check out a FRRCP project currently underway to construct a Bird Blind in a grove across from the Interpretive Center. Funded entirely by donations, the 8’ x 12’ wood blind will feature viewing windows on the front and sides as well as a solar-powered recirculating water feature to attract wildlife. FRRCP Board Member Wayne Collins and member John Kendall are coordinating the effort in collaboration with River Ranch staff.

Humans aren’t the only visitors to enjoy the water feature and feeding stations visible through the glass-walled exhibit room in the Interpretive Center. Not only are many varieties of birds “flocking” to the feeding area, other inhabitants of River Ranch CP have also discovered this special wildlife oasis. Funded entirely by donations, the two feeder areas (one in front and one behind the IC) were installed through the efforts of member John Kendall and are proving to be immensely popular with all species!

To join the team which refills and monitors birding stations near the Interpretive Center, email us at friendsofriverranch@gmail.com.

Over the course of two grueling work sessions (one in February and one in April), volunteers cleared fence line crossings along 80% of the Long Loop trail of dangerous barbed wire and rotting fence posts. A park crew assisted the Friends volunteers by collecting and disposing of the material. Project coordinator and FRRCP member Scott Korcz plans to resume work on this important safety project in the Fall.

Use a text section to describe your values, show more info, summarize a topic, or tell a story.

Use a text section to describe your values, show more info, summarize a topic, or tell a story.

After reaching the South San Gabriel River, hikers on TB #3 explored the

unmarked, secluded “discovery trail” that parallels the river near Long

Loop.

When hikers on TB #4 arrived at Bat House Pond, they found that,

although the pond itself was dry, hundreds of Devil’s Claw plants were

thriving in its sandy loam soil.

20-Miler Challenge “hopefuls” arrived at their designated River Ranch trailhead on Saturday, August 24, ready to brave the summer heat! Mother Nature was kind that day, however, and the two groups enjoyed mild temperatures (in the low 80s) and a steady breeze throughout the morning. One group (led by Bill Corbett) explored Trailblazer Route #4, while a second group (led by Don Shawhan) hiked Route #3. These represented the third and fourth in a series of ten Guided Hikes offered by FRRCP to assist Challenge participants in meeting the November 30 deadline. Routes #5 and #1 will be offered on Saturday, September 21.

Heather Dykstra, LNT Trainer for the Williamson County Conservation

Foundation, introduced 25 local outdoor lovers to the “Seven Principles” of Leave No Trace at the Interpretive Center classroom on Saturday, August 10. Through this customized course, attendees such as FRRCP member Scott Korcz, also earned the special Pass required for entry into Wilco’s protected preserves – including Twin Springs Preserve at Lake

Georgetown.

Patrol Leaders with Scout Troop #3451 in Round Rock learned the importance of water conservation in Williamson County through hands-on activities sponsored by FRRCP and presented by Texas A&M AgriLife agent Shelley Franklin on August 3 at the Interpretive Center. A highlight was the experiment with an Environscape model which demonstrated the effect of pollution on aquifers.

During a Native Plants of Williamson County activity at the Interpretive Center on July 20, FRRCP members participated in several hands-on projects involving plant materials. With assistance from Shelley Franklin, FRRCP Board Member and Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Natural Resources agent, the group learned to craft "living necklaces" and explored the composition of leaf litter.

At the Introduction to Nature Journaling workshop held July 13th at the Interpretive Center, Texas Master Naturalist Betsy Murphy explained strategies and purposes for creating a personal nature journal. Nature journaling is a pathway to exploring the natural world and discovering your connection to the environment. This was the first in a series of free workshops to be conducted on a quarterly basis.

Taking advantage of River Ranch’s extensive trail system and convenient Day Use Area Pavilion, 100 members of the Sun City Hiking Club gathered at the park on April 27th to celebrate the club’s Annual Spring Fling. Although hikers followed four routes of differing configurations and mileages, many of them ended up unexpectedly congregating at the majestic Bell Oak on the Highland Trail.

Joining thousands of viewers throughout Central Texas, visitors to River Ranch CP shared the total Solar Eclipse experience on April 8 from various vantages points within the park. At the Interpretive Center, FRRCP hosted an event coordinated by the Good Water Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists, on official Friends group Sponsor, whose volunteers provided eclipse-themed craft activities as well as brief presentations describing the cosmic phenomenon.

After a lively introduction to the “wonders of birds” presented at the Interpretive Center on February 29 by FRRCP member Jim Hailey (President of Williamson Audubon Group), enthusiastic FRRCP members participated in a Saturday field trip designed to put into practice the techniques they had learned in the birding class. The group was delighted to report that during their outing they sighted 17 varieties of birdlife.

Participants in Nature Walks led on March 23 and April 13 by FRRCP Board Member and Native Plant Society of Texas guru Sue Wiseman learned all about the flora emerging at the park this Spring. Sue not only regularly donates flower and plant reference materials to enhance the IC Library but also devotes personal time to sharing her expertise on flowers and plants through guided nature walks.

Native opossum Murphy Brown, a popular Animal Ambassador from the All Things Wild Rehabilitation Center near Georgetown, charmed twenty-two members of FRRCP at a presentation made by ATW volunteers Roger Rucker and Sharon Dunning at the Interpretive Center on February 10. Watch the website for future critter meet-and-greets.

Braving strong winds and bitter cold temperatures, six hardy FRRCP members joined hike leader Mark Moen in a three-mile guided hike along park trails on Saturday, February 17. The route included stops at the Canyon Overlook and the 500-year-old Bell Oak. Check the website for details on upcoming FRRCP guided hikes and nature walks.