Summer Newsletter, 2007

Summer 2007 Newsletter

Message from the President

Greetings to our many new members and to our long-time stalwarts. The last three months has been eventful for San Antonio parks. On May 12, voters approved a parks and athletic facilities bond package, which will provide for new purchases and necessary upgrades. Two particular purchases of note are the 200+ acres of the Voelker tract, near the Wurzbach Parkway/Northwest Military intersection, and 13 + acres of the beautiful Denman estate, near Callahan and IH-10. Excitement in “our own” parks came with the temporary July closure, as outlined below. Please contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions for Friends of Friedrich, at Francine.romero@utsa.edu.

A Treasure of the San Antonio Natural Areas: Bracted twistflower

It flowers pink to violet purple, the leaf shape changes from stem tip to base, and its fruit bears the enchanting name “silique.” This rare, annual treasure, the bracted twistflower (Streptanthus bracteatus - photo) remains in many ways a mystery. Almost nothing is known of its requirements for soil, water, or pollination, and it is found in only a handful of sites in the central Texas Balcones Canyonlands. The colony surviving in a San Antonio Natural Areas preserve is the only known population in Bexar County. Many believe the bracted twistflower should be federally listed. For more information on this rare plant watch for an essay at http://www.fofriedrichpark.org/.

Natural Areas News

The puma (also known as mountain lion and cougar) is a native animal of Bexar County.  Puma have always been here and continue to survive in reduced numbers.  As our communities expand and wild areas become more rare, these large cats are increasingly being forced into areas they would not normally inhabit.  Due to several reported sightings of puma in the parks, Friedrich Wilderness Park and Crownridge Canyon Natural Area were closed to the public on July 3.  Continued reports led to the closure of Eisenhower Park on July 12th.  The preserves will re-open when the City determines it safe to do so. The Natural Areas are nature preserves.  Our goal is to preserve the natural landscape and its native flora and fauna, including mountain lions.  However, human safety comes first.  Mountain lions have a natural aversion to humans.  They are shy and secretive and it is extremely rare in Texas for humans to come into contact with these cats.  Their primary food is deer and wild pigs.  Under abnormal conditions these cats may eat other animals, including pets, or lose their fear of and attack humans.  Please review the Texas Parks and Wildlife publication "Mountain Lions in Texas" for more information and how best to react if you have the rare occurrence of a meeting a puma.

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