FREDERICKSBURG — Nearly 50 years of data tells us that bird populations are declining at an alarming rate, but with thoughtful practices, the trend can be reversed. “What you do on your property can restore and enhance bird habitats to produce the cover, food and water needed for thriving bird populations,” said Deborah Simmons, president of the Fredericksburg Chapter of Native Plant Society of Texas. “Birds are an essential part of our local ecosystem.
They pollinate our plants and crops, disperse native plant seeds and help control pests by feeding on a variety of insects, rodents and other small animals, naturally keeping those populations in check and ensuring a proper balance in our ecosystem.” The Fredericksburg group will host author W. Rufus Stephens, co-author of the book, “Land Stewardship for Birds: A Guide for Central Texas,” at its August meeting.
Stephens will speak about conserving and enhancing local habitats — live oak savannahs, grasslands and residential yards. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 27, at St. Joseph’s Halle, 212 W.
San Antonio St., Fredericksburg. “Land stewardship can be profoundly satisfying as you marvel at the beauty and complexity of the ecosystems around you,” said Stephens, a retired Texas Parks & Wildlife district leader.
“I’m really looking forward to sharing tips about attracting birds to your property, regardless if it’s a city lot, a large ranch or something in between.” Stephens co-authored “Land Stewardship for Birds: A Guide for Central Texas” with Jan Wrede, the author of “Trees, Shrubs and Vines of the Texas Hill Country.” Together, they have more than 75 years of practical land stewardship experience.
Signed copies of “Land Stewardship for Birds: A Guide for Central Texas” will be available at the meeting. Stephens retired in 2017 from Texas Parks & Wildlife Department after a 23-year career, where he worked as an urban wildlife biologist, a district wildlife biologist and most recently as the district leader for the 25-county Edwards Plateau Wildlife District. Over the years he has developed and conducted numerous workshops for landowners on how to write their own plans for wildlife tax valuation.
He has a special interest and expertise in helping smaller-acreage landowners manage for a variety of wildlife. The Fredericksburg NPSOT chapter hosts its meetings on the fourth Tuesday of the month at St. Joseph’s Halle.
There is a social time with snacks at 6:30 p.m., and the meeting starts at 7 p.
m. Meetings are free and open to the public. The public is invited to attend in person and via online streaming, www.
youtube.com/ @fredericksburgtexasnativeg4884. More information is available on Facebook, @fbgtxnpsot; Instagram,@npsot_fredericksburg_chapter; and the chapter’s website, https://npsot.
org/chapters/fredericksburg/.
