Wildlife of Phil Hardberger Park

The focus of this month's event is wildlife. Our presenter, Christine Westerman, is the lead project manager in the local office of a national environmental consulting firm. She was involved in the studies leading to the park's Master Plan. Christine will highlight the common park wildlife, show wildlife photos mostly taken at night and often on the Land Bridge. She will also have the park's collection of pelts and skulls of most park wildlife to pass around . After her talk in the small classroom we head out on nearby trails for a nature walk looking for "signs" of wildlife.

Please arrive by 8:50 am SHARP at the small classroom of the UEC to sign up for an 9:00 am start. First, enjoy the heavily illustrated introductory talk focusing on the park's wildlife, supplemented by the parks collection of pelts and skulls, and then find signs of wildlife along the nearby trails. Participants will be encouraged to observe nature and ask about what they see.

Minors must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian. This presentation is not appropriate for dogs. DIFFICULTY: Easy--it is definitely suitable for families, with flat terrain, and a slow pace. This will be about a mile walk, and the event will last about two hours, ending back at the Urban Ecology Center around 11:00 am.

The trail is a natural surface so be sure to wear sturdy shoes and, dependent on the weather, bring water, insect repellent, sun protection, and dress appropriate for the day and season. $3 individual or $5 family donations to the PHP Conservancy are suggested to support the activities in the park.

This event's sponsors are the Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy, the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department's Natural Areas Office, the Alamo Area Master Naturalists, and the Alamo Group of the Sierra Club.

Contact Stan Drezek ([email protected]) for additional information or questions.