It’s just one week until I begin Habitat Steward training, 2009 class, and I’m very excited. This four-week training program is a volunteer opportunity for the National Wildlife Federation, and in Austin it is co-partnered by the Travis Audubon Society. Habit Stewards work with the community to educate adults and children about wildlife habitats, as well as help remove invasives and plant habitat gardens. There are similar training classes all over the nation, and you can learn more at NWF’s volunteer page or for Austin at the city’s volunteer page. I just finished my first “homework” assignment, and class hasn’t even started!
The berries of this Yaupon, Ilex vomitoria, are in the process of changing color. During winter, the bright red berries are a favorite source of food for mockingbirds, cedar waxwings, robins, and several other bird species. The berries are only on the female trees — there must be a male tree nearby in order for berries to appear on the female. Cooler seasons can bring food hardships for birds and other wildlife, so planting year-round food sources is a major part of creating a wildlife habitat.
Do hope you will share your training with us. I envy you the opportunity!
What a nice blog you’ve got here. My favorite post is on the ladybugs. You got such great shots of them. And the vinegar information is news to me. I’ve been using hydrogen peroxide, but I can vinegar does even better cleaning that the HP.
Diana, thanks — it’s a class I’ve been looking forward to, and I’m sure I’ll be talking about it in the weeks to come.
Mary Delle, thank you for your kind words and for visiting my blog. I’m still enjoying the ladybugs every day. I had so many aphids that the ladybugs have set up camp! Vinegar is wonderful, and so is hydrogen peroxide. They each have their uses in an organic home!
Great program. Kudos to you!
Berries are looking wonderful. Never heard of ’em though.
The berries will turn a beautiful bright red color. Birds love them, but to humans they are considered mildly toxic (hence the species name, Ilex vomitoria). Apparently they are high in caffeine, but you won’t catch me eating them on a drowsy day!
That’s really exciting Meredith! Was the post on the berries of the Yaupon your homework assignment? Great stuff and a beautiful photo! Good luck with your future assignments. Sounds fun.
No, that was just a photo from me. My homework was something else entirely.