ANNUAL REPORT 20191WELCOME FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 2PROGRAMS CONSERVATION & RESTORATION 3 EDUCATION 5 RESEARCH 7 ADVOCACY 8TRAVIS AUDUBON BY THE NUMBERS 10PEOPLE 11FINANCES FINANCIAL STATEMENT 12 OUR GENEROUS MEMBERS & DONORS 13 OUR GENEROUS PROGRAM PARTNERS 18TRAVIS AUDUBON TIMELINE 19ONWARD 20JOIN US! 21CONTENTSOUR VISION is to inspire conservation through birding. OUR MISSION is to promote the enjoyment, understanding, and conservation of native birds and their habitats through land conservation, habitat restoration and management, environmental education, and conservation advocacy.DEAR MEMBERS & FRIENDSBirders tend to be a practical bunch. Though there’s value in simply wandering around outside, a little preparation can make an average birding experience extraordinary. We look up directions, carpool, fill our pockets with snacks, carry sunscreen, water, and perhaps an extra layer, load up eBird and prepare for who we might see and hear. We may feel inspired and enlightened in nature, but the path to these high-minded ideals starts with the right shoes, headed on a walk in the woods, on the prairie, to the shore.It’s the most humble and practical considerations that sometimes make the difference.So many of you have helped Travis Audubon be more successful in very practical ways this year. You’ve enjoyed Georgean’s excellent cooking at Chaetura Canyon (and ensured a sustainable future for the Sanctuary in the process). You’ve volunteered for Family Nature Days at Blair Woods, helping kids build with sticks and learn about pollinators. You’ve honored conservation heroes at the Victor Emanuel Conservation Award Luncheon. You’ve secured a donation match from your employer or given a year-end distribution from your IRA. You’ve shared a word of encouragement with our small but mighty staff. You’ve hauled brush and spread mulch and citizen science-d. You’ve renewed your membership and volunteered your time. These practical actions have a huge impact for our organization.What are the practical ways you can help us as we go forward? What are the metaphorical shoes you’ll tie on to support Travis Audubon this year? We are growing because of your commitment and support. And we’re so glad that you’re a part of our flock.With appreciation and best wishes,Nicole NethertonExecutive Director, Travis Audubon2CONSERVATION & RESTORATIONCentral to our mission, conservation is not only about protecting birds and their habitats—it’s about helping people of all backgrounds understand the importance of this crucial work. All over Central Texas, Travis Audubon members and friends have been improving and restoring natural spaces for birds and bird watchers. GOLDEN-CHEEKED WARBLER HABITAT AT BAKER SANCTUARYWe continue our efforts to protect the Golden-cheeked warbler and the mature Juniper-Oak woodlands it needs from rapid development. Our top conservation priority at Baker Sanctuary is to support a healthy, productive population of the endangered warbler, while maintaining the specific habitat in which these birds can breed and thrive, now and into the future. There are two major conservation strategies used at Baker Sanctuary: to remove non-native, invasive plants, and to protect desirable hardwoods, such as Spanish Oak, Shin Oak, Texas Ash, and Escarpment Black Cherry, from deer browse. Wildfire is also a concern at Baker Sanctuary, especially since we share a boundary with a subdivision. Wildfires typically originate at the Wildland/Urban Interface, sometimes caused by homeowner activities which spread into the woodlands. To mitigate the possibility of a wildfire at Baker, we have begun installation of a shaded fuel break between the preserve and the neighborhood. This break will keep the canopy intact, so Golden-cheeked Warblers have ample space to forage and nest, but it will remove fuels that could contribute to a crown fire. This balanced conservation approach helps these 715 acres provide food and nesting opportunities for this incredibly special bird.NATIVE SPECIES AT BLAIR WOODS Blair Woods habitat restoration continued in 2019 with 61 volunteers investing 163 hours in preserve management, which included the removal of approximately 18 cubic yards of non-native plants, chipping and mulching, and planting of native species in designated areas. The restoration effort was aided by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services grant, which allowed Travis Audubon to hire American Youth Works to assist in non-native plant removal. The Austin Fire Department also contributed to this effort by donating a crew for a week. This grant also provided funds to construct a viewing pavilion for a pollinator garden in the pocket prairie, to be planted in the winter of 2019-2020. Making this urban greenspace more robust for birds and pollinators will increase biodiversity—and visitor enjoyment—for years to come.BIRD BLIND AT THE COMMONS FORD PRAIRIE Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park in West Austin is the site of a spectacularly successful prairie restoration, which draws birds and birdwatchers alike. A partnership between the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department and Travis Audubon’s Commons Ford Prairie Restoration Committee has transformed a once barren area into a thriving grassland full of native plants, pollinators, and birds. The Prairie Restoration Committee, with planning and design help from PARD, built a bird blind and water drip feature known as “Rusty’s Perch,” given in honor of Rusty Osbourne by his family. In spring of 2019, the water collection system was completed and the feature was dedicated in June. This quiet and beautiful spot will now allow for even more birds and people to enjoy restorative time in nature.33“WINDOWS ON NATURE” AT CHAETURA CANYONAn updated observation feature at Chaetura Canyon gives visitors a closer glimpse of birds in their natural habitat. This bird blind was originally constructed in 2016, using mostly recycled and re-purposed materials, and quickly became a favorite resting spot on the trail for both curious humans and more than 50 avian species. Several upgrades were planned, including a water feature, funded by the Audubon Foundation of Texas, and improved function and accessible design, funded by a generous grant from The Burdine Johnson Foundation. 4Construction of the permanent structure began in early 2019, again focusing on long-term conservation impact and using recycled, re-purposed, locally harvested, natural materials and donated labor. The new permanent facility features an ADA compliant concrete walkway and an eco-friendly restroom with a solar / propane-powered, waterless toilet. There are many magical spots at Chaetura Canyon, but the “Windows on Nature” is now at the top of that list for both visitors and wildlife.EDUCATIONStrong education programming is foundational for Travis Audubon. Our investment in future environmental stewardship ensures that birds and the places they need have knowledgeable advocates, committed observers, and confident citizen scientists ready to stand up and make change for birds.BAKER SANCTUARY2019 marked a banner year for education and outreach activities at Baker Sanctuary. More than 500 birders of all ages and abilities participated in 18 guided hikes, a Great Backyard Bird Count, and Baker Day. The annual Golden-cheeked Warbler-themed Youth Nature Camp taught local students about the endangered warbler, and presentations by Baker’s Land Manager educated more than 475 elementary students and teachers on local wildlife and the importance of conservation in their community.BLAIR WOODSBoth humans and wildlife are thriving at Blair Woods in East Austin! Travis Audubon hosted six free Family Nature Days that drew nearly 350 attendees; an after-school program in partnership with Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center that resulted in more than 700 interactions between children and nature; and guided hikes for groups including the Thinkery, Master Birders, and members of the adjacent neighborhoods. Thanks to dedicated volunteer Al Morgan, a registration box at the parking lot trailhead aids us in tracking the number of visitors to the preserve. As interest in Blair Woods continues to grow, we hope to increase visitor rates, program reach, and community outreach about this urban oasis.5COMMONS FORD PRAIRIEMonthly Bird walks at the prairie engaged more than 150 people throughout the year and resulted in well-attended spring and fall plant walks. Quarterly bird surveys organized by the Commons Ford Prairie Restoration Committee continue to provide valuable information about birdlife that is used to educate the public. The Committee looks forward to the opportunity to educate others about the beauty and wonders of Commons Ford’s native prairie and the enjoyment this diversity of wildlife, grassland, and birds brings to its visitors.CHAETURA CANYONIn 2019, Chaetura Canyon hosted four Morning Canyon Crawls showcasing the unique history, habitat restoration, and wildlife at the canyon; six evening Swift Watches where guests observed cavorting Chimney Swifts; and four Birding By Ear classes. We also hosted five Stewardship Days throughout the year, during which volunteers removed non-native plants, maintained trails, and provided assurance that the canyon will remain a haven for Chimney Swifts and hikers alike. A special Texas Parks and Wildlife video about the Kyles’ work with Chimney Swifts over the past three decades was an exciting addition this year. A “premiere party” attended by more than 70 guests highlighted the outreach made possible by this collaboration, and was the largest group ever to convene at the Canyon. CLASSESTravis Audubon offered 18 classes encompassing a variety of topics related to birds and other wildlife, including the ever popular Intro to Birding, Raptor Identification, and Shorebirds Classes. New classes included Woodpecker workshops led by North American Woodpecker expert Stephen Shunk; an interactive workshop focused on educating children about birds; and a field workshop on learning to identify birds by call. Our third class of Master Birders also graduated in 2019, growing the group of future leaders and educators we’re equipping to bring the love of birding to every community in Central Texas.PURPLE MARTIN PARTIESOne of our most successful education programs involves simply drawing attention to an incredible spectacle of nature in a shopping center parking lot. The Purple Martins made their Central Texas roost a little farther north this year in Round Rock, and despite finding the birds later than usual, our Purple Martin Parties drew more than 1,000 guests over three weekends. Our volunteers educated children and adults alike about the migration patterns and breeding habits of these charming insectivores. We saw again that Central Texans will brave the summer heat to watch hundreds of thousands of acrobat-birds swirl across the skies.67RESEARCHIt’s a simple premise, but we can be most effective in achieving our mission if we can apply what we learn to every facet of our work. This constant evolution in knowledge and best practices helps us do our work more effectively and more efficiently every day.BAKER SANCTUARY2019 marked the second year of an effort to systematically count Golden-cheeked Warblers at Baker Sanctuary in the most accurate way possible, by banding adults and delineating their territories. Over the next eight years, we hope to survey the entire sanctuary with multiple surveys per plot. At the same time, point counts will continue to be performed to correlate data with known territory densities. We are excited to learn more about the complexities of Golden-cheeked Warbler territories and how to best use our conservation tools to help them thrive. BLAIR WOODSLocated in a part of Austin with little green space left, Blair Woods is a natural oasis to be shared with the surrounding community. In partnership with Dell Medical School’s Center for Place-Based Initiatives, Travis Audubon conducted walking focus groups and built environment assessments with people who work, play, and live in East Austin to understand barriers to access for the preserve. These studies will be used to inform the master planning process for Blair Woods, and will help us ensure that our goals will serve the community members for whom the Sanctuary will be an asset. COMMONS FORD PRAIRIEAcross the United States, native prairie has been depleted to less than 1% of its historic acreage. Today, the 40-acre restored native prairie at Commons Ford Metropolitan Park supports an amazing diversity of wildlife and grassland birds. Travis Audubon has taken a leadership role in the long-term care and restoration of this incredible site. The prairie is a model for habitat restoration and is bordered by woodlands and the Colorado River. Research projects such as the native vegetation surveys by Dr. Amy Concilio from St. Edward’s University continue, with data analysis expected by the end of 2019.CHAETURA CANYONThe Kyles continue to monitor Chimney Swift behavior in the 18 towers on the sanctuary and collaborate with Sanatorium Lac-Édouard and the Granby Zoo, both in Québec, Canada, gathering data on the birds. In addition to the Swifts, the 169th avian species found at the Sanctuary (Acadian Flycatcher) was recorded this year. Additionally, an ongoing plant survey by botanist Bill Carr identified more than 325 species of plants present in 2019, including a comparatively impressive number of endemics. Chaetura Canyon also recently partnered with the Lower Colorado River Authority as part of their River Watch program. Monthly tests and reporting on water quality for the springs that feed into the Colorado helps to monitor the health of the watershed, which benefits the ecological health of Chaetura Canyon.ADVOCACYTravis Audubon’s Advocacy Committee helps ensure continued protections of native bird species and wildlife habitat, while advancing values that support sustainable ecosystems in our community. Each news cycle brings new environmental issues to the forefront, and we will continue our commitment to speak up for Texas wildlife. GOLDEN-CHEEKED WARBLER DELISTINGIn 2017, Travis Audubon’s Advocacy Committee joined a lawsuit in opposition to an effort by the Texas Public Policy Foundation and the Texas General Land Office to remove the Golden-cheeked Warbler from the endangered species list. In February of 2019, a Federal judge in Austin ruled that the Golden-cheeked Warbler should remain listed as an endangered species. This decision was appealed in April 2019. The Advocacy Committee will continue to monitor the situation and advocate for the protection of the Golden-cheeked Warbler and its habitat.BORDER WALLThe original trajectory of the US-Mexico Border Wall was slated to pass through a series of state parks and natural areas, including Bentsen State Park and the National Butterfly Center. Travis Audubon joined Frontera Audubon and a group of other like-minded organizations in protesting the route. As of printing there is Wall construction and associated destruction taking place in some parts of the Lower Rio Grande National Wildlife Refuge system, but no moves (yet) on Bentsen, the Butterfly Center, or La Lomita, locations in which construction was prohibited by legislation. In February 2019 President Trump declared a state of emergency in order to acquire more money for the construction of the Border Wall, and in July the Supreme Court ruled to allow the Border Wall Construction to proceed while legal battles continue. The committee will be ready to act if Texas state parks and natural areas are threatened again.88Next >