Holiday Newsletter, 2007

DECK THE HALLS WITH BOUGHS OF HOLLY…

By Janis Merritt, Crew Leader

We are all familiar with the popular Christmas carol of decking the halls with boughs of holly, but this is Texas. Finding native plants to fill the halls is a bit more challenging, but there are still some excellent native plants available to decorate our homes for the holiday season and also give it that special Texas touch. Two relatives in the Holly Family that are native to central, east and south central Texas are Deciduous Holly and Yaupon Holly. Deciduous Holly, also called Possumhaw, has bright orange or red berries in the winter. Yaupon Holly is evergreen but also striking with its beautiful red fruits. Cut some branches to bring indoors to decorate fireplace mantles and tabletops. Wildlife is also attracted to the fruits, which provide an important food source in the winter months.

HOLIDAY GREETINGS TO NEW AND LONGTIME FRIENDS

By Francine Romero, President, Friends of Friedrich Wilderness Park

The FFWP Board of Directors is happy to share these highlights from the past year.

• FFWP has grown to 267members. We continue to collect e-mail addresses and soon will be able to communicate more promptly with our membership on issues of immediate concern, such as pending development close to Park borders.
• Since the attention of commercial developers has lately turned to the Traylor subdivision, the small neighborhood directly in front of Friedrich, we have tried to work constructively with applicants for zoning changes. As the area transitions to more intense uses, we are actively working to uphold our Master Plan, and help retain the rural nature and quietness of the area to every extent possible. Naturally, some developers have been more cooperative than others! We look forward to working with District 8 Councilwoman Dianne Cibrian in our mission of advocacy and protection.
• FFWP continues to support Natural Areas education programs, which reached 7,782 individuals for a total of 13,015 hours of programming time in the last year. This summer, FFWP donated a projector/screen/sound system and soundproofing for the renovated classroom. We also funded staff conference attendance in support of continuing professional education.
• We are the primary source of funds for volunteer appreciation, contributing to the recruiting and retention of this crucial human resource. In this last fiscal year, Oct.1, 2006 - Sept. 29, 2007, 719 volunteer participants performed 2,925 hours of service.
• City Council recently approved funds for fencing an additional 327 acres of Friedrich Park, a project strongly supported by FFWP. This acreage could be open for public use as soon as 2009.

Please remember to renew your membership (your renewal date shown on the address label).

Name………………………….. ………………….EMAIL……………………………………

Address………………………………………………….. Tel…………………………………..

(Level of membership: ….. adult $25; ……senior $15; ……family $30; …….contributing $50).

FoF WP is a non-profit, charitable organization; and all contributions are tax-deductible. Please mail to FoFWP, 21395 Milsa Drive, San Antonio, TX 78256-9610

Friends of Friedrich Wilderness Park
21395 Milsa Drive
San Antonio, Texas 78256