Girl Scout Silver Award BringS Recycling to Clean-ups

Nora Egan and Grace Lindsay are now 8th graders at Hogg Middle School working on their Girl Scout Silver Award, the second highest achievement in Girl Scouting. The Silver Award requires the identification a problem in the community, partnering with a community agency and creating a sustainable solution.  Each Girl Scout must put a minimum of 50 hours towards their chosen project.

At Hogg, Nora and Grace were horrified by the amount of paper, including textbooks, which were thrown away and not recycled so they vowed to find a solution. Additionally, they were concerned about the lack of recycling at Woodland Park Clean-up Events.

To address these issues, they have created a Recycling Club at Hogg and meet weekly during the Friday afternoon advocacy period, creating recycling boxes for the classrooms they identified as producing the most paper waste.

They have also participated in clean-ups in Woodland Park and have separated materials which they have then brought home for recycling. The young woman had a wonderful table at the FWP Happy Trails and Hot Dogs event which explained the problem and their work to-date

Soon, they will submit their project for approval by the San Jacinto Girl Scout Council with the idea that the Recycling Club will continue and expand going forward.

Nora and Grace are very grateful for all of the neighborhood support they have received.       

Tree Removals Near Community Center.

Have you wondered what is going on with the disturbed area on the near the community center?

Several months ago, after a lightning strike fatally damaged two pine trees near the Woodland Community Center, the FWP board requested that HPARD remove those trees and also consider allowing FWP to commission a chainsaw artist to create a sculpture from the lower trunk. The tree sculpture idea gained support from HPARD and the Forestry Department was engaged to remove the trees with a special request to preserve the lower 14 feet of the tree upon removal. As we awaited the scheduling of the tree removal, preliminary steps were taken to pre-qualify the artist with HPARD. The tree removal commenced on Thursday, April 11th, and an FWP board member briefed the contractors on-site about the 14-foot stump preservation and the need to avoid damaging the surrounding pollinator garden.

The initial, smaller tree was swiftly cut down, segmented, and prepared for removal. Subsequently, the lead chainsaw operator began pruning the larger tree's side branches from his elevated platform. Intermittently, he captured photos and made calls engaging FWP and HPARD. Soon after, a ground supervisor showed a board member from the FWP the decayed core of the downed tree, voicing concerns about the second tree's similar condition and its unsuitability for use as a sculpture. FWP soon received a message from the forestry manager stating the remaining tree's trunk was extensively damaged, posing a risk to the crew, necessitating its felling at the base—a course of action that was ultimately executed.

Unfortunately, the butterfly garden was significantly impacted. FWP is monitoring completion of the work in the area and will then seek to restore the jewel of a garden back to beauty! If you or your group would like to help, please contact louise@friendsofwoodlandpark.org.

 



 



 



 



 



 

 

Birding in Woodland Park: A Springtime Adventure

Woodland Park, a haven for bird enthusiasts, hosted a delightful Saturday morning of birding. With ten birders in attendance, the group identified an impressive array of 32 different species. The next survey is eagerly anticipated for April 20, 2024, at 7:30 am, promising another opportunity to engage with nature's symphony.

The recent bird list (see below, and click each for more info) from March 23, 2024, reflects the vibrant bird life in Woodland Park. Highlights include the graceful Snowy Egret, the majestic Great Blue Heron, and a remarkable gathering of 50 Cedar Waxwings. Each species observed has been thoughtfully linked to further information on the park's website, inviting visitors to explore and deepen their understanding of these feathered friends.

As spring migration continues, the next six weeks are prime for birdwatching. Enthusiasts are encouraged to venture outdoors and witness the seasonal spectacle.

However, the joy of birding is shadowed by a significant challenge: the perilous journey migratory birds face each year. As they traverse the Texas skies, the allure of artificial lights can lead to fatal collisions with buildings, a tragic fate for up to one billion birds annually in the US. The solution is simple yet impactful – turning off lights during peak migration hours can safeguard these winged travelers. Learn more here for some simple steps you can take to help

Happy birding to all, and may the skies remain a safe passage for our avian companions.

 

Bird List March 23. 2024

#GivingTuesday Kicks off FWP End of Year Campaign

#GivingTuesday reimagines a world built upon shared humanity and generosity. It is touted as a "global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world"

Let's unleash our power to preserve the natural beauty our community! Woodland Park, a place for recreation and a sanctuary of biodiversity and serenity, needs your support! Your sustaining membership and/or one-time donation can make a lasting impact, ensuring the park thrives for generations to come. Our end of the year campaign will bring much needed support to the park we all love.

Increase Your Impact with Membership!

Every Giving Tuesday dollar counts towards sustaining Woodland Park's ecosystems and recreational value. The best way to give is to join as a subscribing member, as membership provides for 60% of our annual operating costs.

Already a Member? You can still donate to enable our next steps for the park. We have bold visions to address some of the toughest problems in the park and and create greater access for all.

Can’t donate today? Subscribing is free! Keep abreast of the latest news and events, open to all!

In 2023, FWP again earned the Gold Seal of Transparency from Candid/Guidestar. Every year, millions of nonprofits spend trillions of dollars around the world. Candid finds out where that money comes from, where it goes, and why it matters.

November Audubon Bird Survey Results!

Dispatch from our Bird Guru, Mary Goldsby, on the November 18 Bird Survey!

“It was a beautiful autumn day for our final monthly bird survey of the year! All typical birds seen at this time of year in Houston as well. 

Birders: 9

Species: 25 + 2 other taxa

Next monthly survey: January 20, 2024 7:30am

In December the Christmas Bird Count will be Monday December 18, 2023 and it begins at Woodland Park but also covers several more parks/stops in the Heights area. I'll send out an email in a few weeks with contact information for anyone interested in participating.  

Today:
White-winged Dove  13
Mourning Dove  2
Double-crested/Neotropic Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  2
new world vulture sp.  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  2
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  2
Eastern Phoebe  2
Blue Jay  10
Carolina Chickadee  3
Red-vented Bulbul  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
House Wren  2
Carolina Wren  4
European Starling  10
American Robin  3
Scaly-breasted Munia  4
House Finch  4
American Goldfinch  2
White-throated Sparrow  2
Great-tailed Grackle  9
Orange-crowned Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler  2
Northern Cardinal  8