acc nl mar 2011 of trees – brilliant! asian jasmine was the hardest hit ground cover – right,...

w o r k i n g t o c o n s e r v e a r l i n g t o n ’ s n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e sw o r k i n g t o c o n s e r v e a r l i n g t o n ’ s n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e sw o r k i n g t o c o n s e r v e a r l i n g t o n ’ s n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e sw o r k i n g t o c o n s e r v e a r l i n g t o n ’ s n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e sw o r k i n g t o c o n s e r v e a r l i n g t o n ’ s n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s

Ar l ing tonArl ing tonArl ing tonArl ing tonArl ing ton

C o n s e r v a t i o nC o n s e r v a t i o nC o n s e r v a t i o nC o n s e r v a t i o nC o n s e r v a t i o n

C o u n c i lC o u n c i lC o u n c i lC o u n c i lC o u n c i l

Ar l ing tonArl ing tonArl ing tonArl ing tonArl ing ton

C o n s e r v a t i o nC o n s e r v a t i o nC o n s e r v a t i o nC o n s e r v a t i o nC o n s e r v a t i o n

C o u n c i lC o u n c i lC o u n c i lC o u n c i lC o u n c i loak

w o r k i n g t o c o n s e r v e a r l i n g t o n ’ s n a tw o r k i n g t o c o n s e r v e a r l i n g t o n ’ s n a tw o r k i n g t o c o n s e r v e a r l i n g t o n ’ s n a tw o r k i n g t o c o n s e r v e a r l i n g t o n ’ s n a tw o r k i n g t o c o n s e r v e a r l i n g t o n ’ s n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e su r a l r e s o u r c e su r a l r e s o u r c e su r a l r e s o u r c e su r a l r e s o u r c e s

volume 12, number 3volume 12, number 3volume 12, number 3volume 12, number 3volume 12, number 3

march 2011

JanuarJanuarJanuarJanuarJanuary Meetingy Meetingy Meetingy Meetingy MeetingGrowing Our MembershipGrowing Our MembershipGrowing Our MembershipGrowing Our MembershipGrowing Our Membership

Bits & PiecesBits & PiecesBits & PiecesBits & PiecesBits & Pieces

POPOPOPOPOSSSSSTTTTTPOPOPOPOPOSSSSSTTTTT

www.arlingtonconservationcouncil.orgwww.arlingtonconservationcouncil.orgwww.arlingtonconservationcouncil.orgwww.arlingtonconservationcouncil.orgwww.arlingtonconservationcouncil.org

Early spring, and the sap is risingEarly spring, and the sap is risingEarly spring, and the sap is risingEarly spring, and the sap is risingEarly spring, and the sap is rising

Today’s inspirational momentToday’s inspirational momentToday’s inspirational momentToday’s inspirational momentToday’s inspirational moment

Program:Program:Program:Program:Program: Who we are, what we do, and how much Who we are, what we do, and how much Who we are, what we do, and how much Who we are, what we do, and how much Who we are, what we do, and how much

your friend(s) would enjoy joining usyour friend(s) would enjoy joining usyour friend(s) would enjoy joining usyour friend(s) would enjoy joining usyour friend(s) would enjoy joining us

Don’t forget to bringsomething for the raffle

JanuarJanuarJanuarJanuarJanuary Meetingy Meetingy Meetingy Meetingy MeetingGrowing Our MembershipGrowing Our MembershipGrowing Our MembershipGrowing Our MembershipGrowing Our Membership

March MeetingMarch MeetingMarch MeetingMarch MeetingMarch MeetingCamouflage: Predators and PreyCamouflage: Predators and PreyCamouflage: Predators and PreyCamouflage: Predators and PreyCamouflage: Predators and Prey

Troy and Martha MullensTroy and Martha MullensTroy and Martha MullensTroy and Martha MullensTroy and Martha Mullens

Wednesday, March 9, 7 pmWednesday, March 9, 7 pmWednesday, March 9, 7 pmWednesday, March 9, 7 pmWednesday, March 9, 7 pmFielder MuseumFielder MuseumFielder MuseumFielder MuseumFielder Museum

1616 W. Abram St1616 W. Abram St1616 W. Abram St1616 W. Abram St1616 W. Abram St(corner of Fielder and Abram)(corner of Fielder and Abram)(corner of Fielder and Abram)(corner of Fielder and Abram)(corner of Fielder and Abram)

Remember to bringRemember to bringRemember to bringRemember to bringRemember to bringsomething for the rafflesomething for the rafflesomething for the rafflesomething for the rafflesomething for the raffle

Martha and Troy bring big credentialsMartha and Troy bring big credentialsMartha and Troy bring big credentialsMartha and Troy bring big credentialsMartha and Troy bring big credentialswith them: They’re nature photographers,with them: They’re nature photographers,with them: They’re nature photographers,with them: They’re nature photographers,with them: They’re nature photographers,

Master Naturalists, and members ofMaster Naturalists, and members ofMaster Naturalists, and members ofMaster Naturalists, and members ofMaster Naturalists, and members ofNPSoT, BRIT, the Audubon Society, andNPSoT, BRIT, the Audubon Society, andNPSoT, BRIT, the Audubon Society, andNPSoT, BRIT, the Audubon Society, andNPSoT, BRIT, the Audubon Society, andthe Wilderness Society. Get ready forthe Wilderness Society. Get ready forthe Wilderness Society. Get ready forthe Wilderness Society. Get ready forthe Wilderness Society. Get ready for

another fine presentation.another fine presentation.another fine presentation.another fine presentation.another fine presentation.

Sperry SpringSperry SpringSperry SpringSperry SpringSperry Spring

And so are the insects, eventhe tiny ones we overlook soeasily. The spectacularcandy-striped leafhopperwould be stopping traffic allover town if it weren’t only 5or 6 mm long. Alas, it packsa punch in terms of adisease it transmits whilesucking plant sap.

Our Garden Guru, Neil Sperry, gets us going for spring inhis March 5th Star-Telegram column. Now pay closeattention; some of it even makes sense. Scalp your lawnand use the clippings as mulch or compost – kind of okayso far. Apply pre-emergent weedkiller – not so good. If yourshade trees have freeze damage, you planted the wrongtype of trees – brilliant! Asian jasmine was the hardest hitground cover – right, stop planting it. Pampas grass shouldbe trimmed at once. You’ll need a machete, gloves,goggles – and a flame thrower.

Listen to ThisListen to ThisListen to ThisListen to ThisListen to This

the earth laughs in flowers.e.e. cummings

You’ve already got plenty ofInternet stuff to eat up your time,but forget that long enough togoogle “BBC One Planet” andhear just how remarkable anenvironmental program can be.You’ll hear everything fromwonderful to appalling, beautifullypresented week after week.

Azerbaijan artist who paintswith crude oil.

Post Oak mARCH 2011 2Post Oak mARCH 2011 2Post Oak mARCH 2011 2Post Oak mARCH 2011 2Post Oak mARCH 2011 2

Published 10 times a year by theArlington Conservation CouncilP.O. Box 216, Arlington TX 76004-0216.www.arlingtonconservationcouncil.org

John Darling, Editor1316 S. Pecan St., Arlington TX [email protected]

Contr ibutorsContr ibutorsContr ibutorsContr ibutorsContr ibutorsGrace Darling, Molly Hollar,Danny Kocurek, Jan Miller

Proofreaders Proofreaders Proofreaders Proofreaders Proofreaders Grace Darling,Marian Hiler

PostPostPostPostPostoakThe

NeighborsNeighborsNeighborsNeighborsNeighbors

Destruction as usualand something newand constructive inArlington: It’s allhappening at thecorner of UTABoulevard and SouthDavis Drive.

Despite earlypromises, every treehas been cleared fromthe site of theMaverick VillageApartments site (left).

Meanwhile cityand UTA staff andnumerous volunteershave just aboutfinished work on ourfirst big communitygarden (right). Foryour plot application,contact Bill Gilmoreat 817-459-5499.

Post Oak MARCH 2011 3Post Oak MARCH 2011 3Post Oak MARCH 2011 3Post Oak MARCH 2011 3Post Oak MARCH 2011 3

New YNew YNew YNew YNew York Avenue Blackland Pork Avenue Blackland Pork Avenue Blackland Pork Avenue Blackland Pork Avenue Blackland Prairie Prairie Prairie Prairie Prairie Park ark ark ark ark Jan MillerJan MillerJan MillerJan MillerJan Miller. Photos by Bonnie Bilodeau. Photos by Bonnie Bilodeau. Photos by Bonnie Bilodeau. Photos by Bonnie Bilodeau. Photos by Bonnie Bilodeau

Tempus fugit…even more so Last month, we marked the sixth anniversary of restoration efforts at NYABP. Well, a double-check showsthat it’s actually been 7 years. Yes, 7, as in 2004. Amazing, and even more reason to join us for renewed effortson March 19, and on 3rd Saturdays thereafter. A walkabout at NYABP shows lots of trees just waiting for us. And soft green things. And birds. Should beearly signs of spring on the prairie: groundsel, prairie celestials anyone? But way too many tree sprouts, so bringyour hand saws, loppers, cameras, bird/plant guides, maybe even a friend. Please wear sturdy-soled shoes/bootsand long pants. An RSVP is appreciated (in case of inclement weather, etc.) but not required: 817/988-9341.

For map and directions:http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&near=arlington+texas&ie=UTF8&hq=hotels&hnear=Arlington,+TX&msa=0&msid=113301949787667296180.000468092dca894c34cbb&z=14

Prairie StewardsRestoration Workday

SaturdayMarch 19, 2011

9 am – noon


Wildscape UpdateWildscape UpdateWildscape UpdateWildscape UpdateWildscape Update

On February 11, Fort Worth Country Day School students and two of their teachersplanted 25 trees in the Wildscape. In addition, they loaded and spread the very heavydecomposed granite on some of the trails. These young men weregreat. They worked hard and dug lots of big deep holes for burr and chinquapin oaksto add more diversity to our post oak woodland.

We just had another fine privet party in honor of Molly Hollar’s birthday on February16. A big group gathered to beat up on wildscape privet, our best Molly present. Andof course, they ended up at Mijo’s for lunch, with Kocurek Cake and even balloons.


TTTTToxic Spill of Hydraulic Foxic Spill of Hydraulic Foxic Spill of Hydraulic Foxic Spill of Hydraulic Foxic Spill of Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid at Lakracturing Fluid at Lakracturing Fluid at Lakracturing Fluid at Lakracturing Fluid at Lake Arlington e Arlington e Arlington e Arlington e Arlington Jan MillerJan MillerJan MillerJan MillerJan Miller

When I first heard this story, I couldn’thelp but think of the old saying, “If atree falls in the forest, will anybodyhear?” Report of a toxic spill of fractur-ing fluid that reached Lake Arlingtonmade its way to public notice recently,almost eight months after the event.The Star-Telegram noted on March 2,2011, that a Quicksilver gas productionsite on the west side of Lake Arlingtonhad noted and reported the leak on July15, 2010. The total volume of fluid leaked isunknown, but 3990 gallons werevacuumed up at the site. Becausethere was no containment berm, fluidtraveled 450 feet and reached thelake. It is unknown how much fluidreached the lake but the estimate is

210 gallons. The measure of environmen-tal impact used in the assessment wasvisible fish killed. No study of the actualenvironmental impact was done. Fluidtraveled 75 feet in another direction anddamaged plants covering 700 squarefeet. The gas company failed to notifythe city until 8 hours after the spill wasdiscovered, in violation of city ordinance.Arsenic and carbon tetrachloride levelswere above normal in water samplesfrom the lake. The Star-Telegram noted that thespill is “a perfect example of why cityofficials are drafting a Lake ArlingtonMaster Plan and other ordinances aimedat protecting the lake.” As the drinkingwater source for a reported 500,000Arlington-area residents, additional

safeguards for Lake Arlington areneeded. Unfortunately, numerous gaswells already dot the west side of thelake, a large compressor station sits atthe west end of its dam and more wellsare rapidly appearing. Along the eastside, residential areas are pushing thedrilling sites farther away from the lake,but into neighborhoods. Wneh gas drilling operations arenext to our water supply they present abig risk that residents will face fordecades. Will gas operators do the rightthing by meeting and exceeding safetyand operational requirements ahead ofregulations? Will city, state and nationalleaders step up to enact impartialscientific evaluations and rapidly imple-ment effective protections for publichealth and safety?

Have you ever wondered what they are,those strange things around drilling rigsand other natural gas-related installa-tions? Would you like a quick educationon what is involved in natural gasdrilling in the Barnett Shale?

If your answer is yes, you will havean opportunity to satisfy your curiosityon Saturday, March 26, when AlisaRich, MPH, PhDc, president of WolfEagle Environmental, will lead us on atour of gas drilling sites.

We will meet at 9:30 am at theFielder Museum, l6l6 W. Abram St., fora short orientation and then carpool tothe sites.

In preparation we will view a videoof the operation of a drilling rig, whichis extremely good, and a Powerpointpresentation that we will send to you bye-mail. The tour lasts until noon, andafterwards we will go to lunch at Mijo’sfor further conversation.

The ACC Membership Task Force isofficially up and running. Despite a chairof questionable competence, the taskforce members have hit the streetrunning. Our first priority is retention ofour current members, so if you have notrejoined ACC this year, we hope you willmail us your check without delay.

Our next project will be recruiting newmembers, and that is where we would likeyour help. If you have a friend, relative,neighbor, spouse, ex-spouse, barber,mechanic, accountant, manicurist, dogstylist, gardener, preacher, rabbi, churchmember, or anyone you like, pleaseconsider telling them about ACC. You canrefer them to our website, our Facebookpage, or me for more information.

If you have ideas on how to expandour membership or would like to join ourtask force, please contact me also.Mostly, however, I want to thank youvery much for your continued member-ship and support.

Danny KocurekChair, Membership Task Force

Gas WGas WGas WGas WGas Well Tell Tell Tell Tell Tourourourourour Membership TMembership TMembership TMembership TMembership Task Forceask Forceask Forceask Forceask ForceUpdateUpdateUpdateUpdateUpdate

Gas Well TourSaturday,March 26

9:30 - noon


Leadership NorLeadership NorLeadership NorLeadership NorLeadership North Tth Tth Tth Tth Texas Visits Austin exas Visits Austin exas Visits Austin exas Visits Austin exas Visits Austin Danny KocurekDanny KocurekDanny KocurekDanny KocurekDanny Kocurek

I have been participating inLeadership North Texas(LNT) this year as a repre-sentative of ACC. LNT islikened to a graduateprogram for programs likeLeadership Arlington, whereparticipants learn aboutregional issues. Last monthwe had a session in Austin tolearn about our Legislativeprocess. We spent the daylistening to legislators,administrators and staffersdiscussing the problems weare facing this session. Insummary, it is a nightmarefor everyone, with anenormous deficit and lots ofpolitical games being playedby clueless elected officials.

I was fascinated by apresentation from Clay Reed, the leadattorney in the Attorney General’s officefighting the EPA on behalf of our state.For those of you who have not beenfollowing this closely, despite a ruling byour conservative-dominated SupremeCourt that the EPA is required to regulategreenhouse gases, Governor Perry has

warming, but the majority of Texanssupport it.” I honestly do not think hereally meant what he said, but I foundthe statement most enlightening.

It is hard for sentient beings to followthe legislative process without giving uphope on the future of our species, but Idid learn one thing that I would like topass on as a ray of hope. A legislativeaide was asked what citizens can do toinfluence the legislative process and heresponded, “contact your legislators and,perhaps more importantly, their chief ofstaff.” He said they really do listen toconstituents.

If you have not contacted yourlegislator yet this session, you really haveno right to complain about all the insanethings they are doing. It takes less than aminute to call and leave a message thatyou are in support of or opposed tosomething. If you do not know whatnumber to call, go to http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/. You can findyour representatives, their phone num-bers, how they voted on bills and allkinds of information. Please considercalling your senator and representativetoday and let them know how you wouldlike them to represent you.

spent millions of dollars arguing that wecannot do this because it is bad forbusiness in Texas. I think the presenta-tion was best summed up by an inadvert-ent quote Mr. Clay made to what hethought was a completely sympatheticgroup. He said, “There are a few envirosin Texas who want to prevent global

Gratuitous Flowering TGratuitous Flowering TGratuitous Flowering TGratuitous Flowering TGratuitous Flowering Treesreesreesreesrees


Around TAround TAround TAround TAround Town own own own own Grace DarlingGrace DarlingGrace DarlingGrace DarlingGrace Darling

Community Garden Takes RootCommunity Garden Takes RootCommunity Garden Takes RootCommunity Garden Takes RootCommunity Garden Takes RootFor 3 days last week, volunteers toiled inthe soil – well, not really – near thecorner of Summit and UTA Boulevard(Border St) by building 80+ raisedplanting beds, filling them with good dirt,and topping paths with mulch. Theywould have finished on the third day butfor running out of cardboard, which islaid down on the ground to block weeds.(Pizza boxes are ideal because they arenot recyclable, but strangely for a collegesetting they weren’t available at thetime.) Applications for plot rentals arenow accessible through the godfather ofthe garden, Bill Gilmore of ArlingtonParks and Recreation Department, 817-459-5499. The fee will be $25 throughDecember 31, rising to $35 next year. The fees collected will go to fundimprovements to the garden.

A Gem of aA Gem of aA Gem of aA Gem of aA Gem of aBuildingBuildingBuildingBuildingBuildingLast Friday UTAofficially cut theribbon on themagnificentEngineeringResearch Build-ing, the site ofbiomedicalengineering andcomputer scienceresearch oncampus. After alovely ceremonystudded withspeeches by local

dignitaries, visitors went on self-guidedtours of the great-looking building andpeeked into various laboratories wherefaculty and graduate students explainedtheir work. The ERB facility is hoping toqualify for LEED Gold status, meaning itis a green structure designed withsustainability in mind and filled withnatural light, energy- and water-savingfeatures, and recycled materials – notethe beautiful Enviroglas floors in stair-wells, my personal favorite. Keep yourfingers crossed that the ERB marks thestart of a trend in public building con-struction in Arlington, and hooray toUTA for leading the way.

Green Cement Is Here to StayGreen Cement Is Here to StayGreen Cement Is Here to StayGreen Cement Is Here to StayGreen Cement Is Here to StayIt now seems that the lawsuit brought bythe Ash Grove cement manufacturingplant against Arlington and Dallas willhave a happy resolution. The terms ofthe court-mandated settlement have beenrewritten and are expected to beaccepted by the cities’ respective citycouncils when the issue comes up for avote – March 22 in Arlington. The newagreement maintains reasonable caps ontoxic emissions while allowing 3 years forthe manufacturer to ramp up thetechnology in its kilns to meet newstandards expected to be issued by EPAin the near future. Hats off to Arlingtonand Dallas officials who stood firmagainst the bully from Midlothian.

Photo: Arlington Parks & Recreation Department

Preserve Plans Sail ForthPreserve Plans Sail ForthPreserve Plans Sail ForthPreserve Plans Sail ForthPreserve Plans Sail ForthEven as the gas drilling rig on thenortheast corner bores away and thepipeline hub going on across the streetcreates a scene of loud devastation,the Southwest Nature Preserve dreammoves another step closer to reality.At a recent meeting of neighbors, theMaster Plan was well received anddrew no opposition, clearing the wayfor a successful journey through theArlington city council. Our thanks andcongratulations to everyone who heldon to the vision and participated inthe process.


The Post OakThe Post OakThe Post OakThe Post OakThe Post OakArlington Conservation CouncilPO Box 216Arlington, TX 76004-0216

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Make checks payable to Arlington Conservation Council. Mail to ACC, Box 216, Arlington, TX 76004-0216. Contributions anddues are not tax-deductible. Please add $5.00 if you want a paper copy of the newsletter mailed to you.Please add $5.00 if you want a paper copy of the newsletter mailed to you.Please add $5.00 if you want a paper copy of the newsletter mailed to you.Please add $5.00 if you want a paper copy of the newsletter mailed to you.Please add $5.00 if you want a paper copy of the newsletter mailed to you.

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President President President President President Jo Ann Duman516-7453 [email protected]

Vice President Vice President Vice President Vice President Vice President Danny KocurekTreasurer Treasurer Treasurer Treasurer Treasurer Marian Hiler 277-3998

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Don’t Forget!Don’t Forget!Don’t Forget!Don’t Forget!Don’t Forget!Wednesday, March 9

7 pm

Troy & Martha MullensCamouflage:

Predators & Prey

Board MembersBoard MembersBoard MembersBoard MembersBoard MembersMarianne HerrmannJan MillerRoy MilinerCallie Mitchell

acc nl mar 2011 of trees – brilliant! asian jasmine was the hardest hit ground cover – right,...

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