HIGHLIGHTS OF 2025 ACTIVITIES
Raptors & Their Trainers Captivate Crowd
At the September 27th "Raptor Talk" hosted by FRRCP at the Interpretive Center amphitheater, adults and children alike found presentations by wildlife rehabilitators Ed Sones (Cedar Park), Desiree Lavigne (Marble Falls) and Gerrie McCall (Okalla) to be both engaging and informative.
The experience became interactive when the trainers introduced the attendees to eight “education” hawks and owls and then walked among the audience, allowing everyone to have an "up close" and personal encounter with the magnificent birds.
FRRCP made a donation to Austin Wildlife Rescue in appreciation for the time devoted by these volunteer rehabilitators. As part of the birds of prey program, Friends members coordinated a raptor-themed, hands-on activity and served light refreshments.
IC Library Receives Donation from Travis Audubon Society
Thanks to a generous donation made in Julyu to FRRCP by the Travis Audubon Society during the relocation of its headquarters this summer, the River Ranch Interpretive Center’s reference library has a new infusion of nature-themed books. TAS Land Manager and Educator Chris Murray personally selected thirty-three books of interest to nature lovers on topics ranging from birds and butterflies to flowers, insects and conservation. During your next visit to the park, check out the TAS donation as well as the other excellent resource materials available in the park’s Library. Many thanks to FRRCP Secretary Karen Shawhan for creating a master list to document the TAS collection. The Interpretive Center Library was established in 2021 through the donation of the personal collection of Sue Wiseman, a founding member of the Friends of River Ranch Board of Directors.
PHOTO: TAS staff member Chris Murray worked with the Friends group to select reference books which will enhance the Interpretive Center’s growing collection.
Porcupine Pick-Up Project
Buckets full of scrap metal, trash and a miscellaneous assortment of man-made debris were collected along the trails of River Ranch County Park on Saturday morning, May 31, by an enthusiastic group of park advocates. Activities were based at the Homestead Pavilion in the park’s Day Use Area.
This spring-cleaning campaign was supervised by the park’s metallic mascot, “Pokey the Porcupine,” and coordinated by volunteers with the Friends of River Ranch County Park in collaboration with park staff. Event organizer Scott Korcz and FRRCP Board Member Mike Chaffin provided information on park trails, while other Friends volunteers provided trail snacks and shared details on surprise rewards to be won by observant participants.
As part of the “Porcupine Pick-Up Project,” volunteers scouring the trails in search of Pokey Plunder were also on the look-out for specially marked bottlecaps scattered along the way. Keen-eyed hikers later redeemed these metal caps at the Friends Welcome Table for $10 Gift Certificates to Academy.
Many thanks to event participants for their efforts to beautify River Ranch trails for the enjoyment of all park visitors!
2025 Nature Social
In spite of unseasonably chilly and blustery weather, near 90 hardy outdoor lovers made new friends and learned more about nature at FRRCP’s inaugural “Nature Social” held on Saturday, April 5, from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM at the Day Use Area at River Ranch.
Volunteers devoted more than 276 cumulative hours to ensure that the event would be an enjoyable and worthwhile experience for all of the individuals, couples and families who took part. Highlights of the various activities are featured in the accompanying photo gallery.
At the TRAILS station, outdoor lovers could obtain information on the park’s extensive trail system and sign up for GUIDED HIKES and GUIDED WALKS offered by Hike Leaders with the Sun City Hiking Club and GWMN. Visitors were especially honored to learn about River Ranch first-hand from Park Supervisor Robert Moss.
At nature-themed stations located at the Interpretive Center and Bird Blind, knowledgeable specialists shared with visitors their passion for BIRDS, PLANTS and WILDLIFE. Many attendees were eager to socialize, ask questions and exchange information with experienced nature enthusiasts, such as:
- Members of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT)
- Members of the Good Water Master Naturalists (GWMN)
- Birders with the Sun City Nature Club
- Trainers with All Things Wild Rehabilitation Center
At the INTERPRETIVE CENTER, volunteers introduced adults and children to the interactive educational exhibits, showed them the Library and Classroom and provided information on the Friends group. Other FRRCP volunteers engaged visitors in unique hands-on activities, revealing the secret process of Seed Dispersal at one station and the secret Habits of Owls at another.
A trainer and trail steward with the Williamson County Conservation Foundation was on hand to explain the county’s LEAVE NO TRACE PROGRAM, with some surprise assistance from the LNT mascot (Big Foot).
River Ranch mascot “Pokey the Porcupine” remained on duty at the Interpretive Center entrance, where snacks and beverages were provided by the Friends group.
Trail Station and Hike Leaders
NPSOT Plant Station
Birding Station
Guided Hike registration
Guided Hike registration
Membership Table
Seed Dispersal Station
All Things Wild & Sam
Leave No Trace Station
Owl Pellet Activity
Bird Blind
Hikers on Overlook Trail
Classroom and Owl
LNT Bigfoot Mascot
Birders on the Lawn
FRRCP Volunteers
Pokey the Park Mascot
Sam the Screech Owl
Nature Journaling: Part 3
The third in a series of workshops sponsored by FRRCP, this Nature Journaling session was presented by Texas Master Naturalist and art educator Betsy Murphy at the Interpretive Center and Bird Blind on March 29. After learning a few tips on sketching, the group moved outside to observe and sketch plants and other natural materials found in the park.
