Learn to identify birds, teach kids with a Nature Box, harvest rainwater or improve grazing for cattle during August workshops at the Cibolo Nature Center & Farm.
Elementary school teachers will have an opportunity to bring nature into the classroom during a Nature Box Workshop from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 7. Presenters are Nature Box founders and professional educators Kathy Wilson and Kathy Ward and their team of retired teachers, Master Naturalists and Cibolo Nature Center trail guides.
Teachers will learn to present Nature Box activities with TEKS-related lesson plans. Professional continuing education credits will be available for school teachers. The workshop costs $15.
Landowners and land managers will have an opportunity to become better land stewards while boosting animal performance and net income during a two-day workshop on The Fundamentals of Planned Grazing from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 15 and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 16.
The workshop will cover proper stocking rates and calculation of graze and rest/recovery periods to boost forage production and improve animal performance. Participants will learn to maximize forage production by getting the right number of animals to the right place for the right amount of time.
Presented by Texas Planned Grazing, the workshop costs $400 per person, with discounts provided for team members from the same ranch. Fees include one set of instructional materials per ranch. Details are available at www.cibolo.org/calendar.
John Kight, an engineer and owner of home rainwater-catchment and solar-energy systems, will offer the latest technological information and practical advice for using water- and energy-saving technology during Harvesting Rainwater and Solar Energy from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 17.
Participants will hear a presentation in the CNC library then carpool to Kight’s home to see his systems in action. Kight’s rainwater-catchment system supplies all the water for his family’s household and landscape needs. His grid-connected solar energy panel is also tied to a battery backup and sufficient energy to power all of his appliances with the exception of air conditioning. The workshop costs $35, $25 for CNC members.
Avid birders and Master Naturalists Tom and Patsy Inglet will share tools, tips and techniques that get beginning birders off the ground during a Basic Birding Workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 24. Participants will learn to find birds and the clues for identifying them through a presentation and field practice. Attendees also will learn to use a field guide and how to choose a good pair of binoculars.
The workshop will prepare new birders to help with the CNC’s Fall Bird Count In September and October. Attendance costs $25, $20 for CNC members.
Register in advance for these Cibolo Nature Center workshops at www.cibolo.org or learn more by calling (830) 49-4616.
Celebrating its 25th year, the Cibolo Nature Center & Farm is located on 162 acres of natural lands at Boerne City Park off Highway 46 just west of the Kendall County Fairgrounds. The mission of the CNC is conservation of natural resources through education and stewardship. Call (830) 249-4616 or visit www.cibolo.org.
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