HIGHLIGHTS OF 2025 ACTIVITIES
IC Library Receives Donation from Travis Audubon Society
Thanks to a generous donation made 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!
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.
