I-20 Wildlife Preserve & Jenna Welch Nature Study Center

TO ENSURE CONSERVATION, RESTORATION, EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND OUTDOOR ENJOYMENT OF MIDLAND'S URBAN PLAYA FOR PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.

EDUCATION: TRENDING IN THE STATE ARE CONSERVATION JOB CORPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. A REVIEW OF THE BARRIERS LED TO A FACE-TO-FACE MEETING IN DALLAS WITH ORGANIZERS OF THE MODEL WE ARE USING. THE OUTCOME OF THE MEETING RESULTED IN SHARED DOCUMENTS, AND DISCUSSIONS ON INSURANCE, CURRICULUM, PAYROLL, AND TRANSPORTATION. LAST YEAR, AN INTERVIEW WITH THE COORDINATOR OF THE PROJECT RESULTED IN ACCESS TO THE APPLICATION PROCESS, BUDGETS, AND LOGISTICS OF THE DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES. CONTACTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS IN MIDLAND, AND POTENTIAL PARTICIPATING NONPROFIT CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS AND CORPORATIONS ARE IDENTIFIED AND ON BOARD. FUNDING IS COMPLETE FOR THE JOB CORE. CHAMPION X, IDEA CHARTER SCHOOLS, AND THE PRESERVE COORDINATED EFFORTS ON A PROJECT TO TRAIN DOCENTS AND TEACH 2 DAYS FOR 220 FIFTH AND SIXTH GRADERS AT THE PRESERVE. PROJECT WILD WILL BUILD ON LAST YEARS SUCCESS BY CHARGING A SMALL FEE TO GAIN BUY-IN FROM THE PARTICIPANTS. ALL ROSTERED CLASSES WERE FULL AND WE HAVE A WAITING LIST. THE ATTENDANCE WAS CONSISTENTLY HIGHER DUE TO SOCIAL MEDIA ADVERTISING AND MARKETING OF THE PROGRAM. A NEW PROGRAM, PLAYTIME AT THE PLAYA PROVIDES MORE EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH TO FAMILIES. PLAYA WETLANDS RESEARCH INSTITUTE: THE PRESERVE CONTINUES TO PROVIDE BIOLOGY PROFESSORS WITH A PLACE TO INSTRUCT THEIR STUDENTS IN THE FIELD. THIS YEAR UTPB PROFESSOR, DAVID HEMBRY BRINGS HIS CLASS FOR SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION ON IDENTIFICATION, CLASSIFICATION, AND TAKING FIELD NOTES. ADDITIONALLY, HE HAS OVERSIGHT OF 1 STUDENT DOING POLLINATOR RESEARCH AT THE PRESERVE. ANOTHER UTPB PROFESSOR BRINGS HIS CLASS IN NATURE WRITING, PROVIDING THE STUDENTS WITH FIELD EXPERIENCE.

CONSERVATION AND LAND MANAGEMENT: THIS PAST YEAR A CONSERVATION INTERN WAS HIRED AND GIVEN THE CHARGE TO CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THE NEW PLANS FOR THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN AND MEADOW. PLANTS GROWN BY THE FORMER SUL ROSS PROFESSOR WERE PLANTED IN THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN AND THE INVASIVE WEEDS ARE BEING REMOVED FROM THE BUTTERFLY MEADOW FOR PLANTING THIS SPRING. INVASIVE PLANT REMOVAL IS AN ONGOING FUNCTION OF LAND MANAGEMENT. A DRONE EXPERT AND THE INTERN ARE PHOTOGRAPHING THE PRESERVE TO UPDATE THE INVASIVE CATTAIL CONTROL PLAN. ADDITIONALLY, THREE CORPORATIONS AND A TOTAL OF 82 VOLUNTEERS ARE DOING TRAIL MAINTENANCE, TRASH PICKUP, AND WORKING IN THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN. WELLNESS: LAST YEAR THE WELLNESS PROGRAM LAUNCHED HOLDING SATURDAY MORNING CLASSES AT THE PRESERVE. THE INSTRUCTORS FOR EXERCISE, YOGA, AND MEDITATIVE WALKS ARE OUTSOURCED. ASSESSMENTS PROVIDE INFORMATION FROM INDIVIDUALS MEETING THEIR HEALTH GOALS. ADDITIONALLY, MOST VISITORS USE THE TRAILS FOR HEALTH BENEFITS EITHER WALKING OR RUNNING. THE NEW MOBILE APP WILL HELP GATHER MORE SUPPORTING DATA FROM THE VISITORS PURSUING WELLNESS.