Brackenridge Field Laboratory
The University of Texas at Austin
2907 Lake Austin Blvd
Austin, TX 78703
Google Map directions
Date: 11/9/2019
Start time: 9:00 am
End time: 4:00 pm
Class Coordinators
Mary Ann Baker – mabaker@austin.rr.com
Andrew Harrod – azharrod@gmail.com
About the Brackenridge Field Laboratory
The Brackenridge Field Laboratory is part of the University of Texas at Austin’s Biodiversity Center. An 82-acre biological research site, it is part of an almost 400-acre tract of land originally donated to the University in 1910 by George W. Brackenridge, a former University of Texas regent. Here, UT undergraduates extend their life sciences education and researchers, including faculty and graduate students, make discoveries that contribute to UT Austin’s top-10 ranked program in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior. Research is facilitated through the use of six greenhouses and an 18,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art lab space all located 3 miles from the main campus.
Directions to Brackenridge Field Laboratory:
From UT Austin campus:
Drive west on 24th St. (24th Street becomes Windsor Road after it crosses Lamar) Turn left on Exposition and proceed for about a mile. Turn right on Lake Austin Blvd. Drive 100 yards and turn left into the BFL parking lot.
From South Austin (Via Mo-Pac):
Drive north on Mo- Pac. Take the 5th St. / Lake Austin Blvd. / 1st St. exit. Take the W 5th Street / Lake Austin Blvd ramp. Merge onto Lake Austin Blvd. Drive for about a mile. Proceed through intersection at Exposition Blvd. Drive 100 yards and turn left into BFL parking lot.
From North Austin (Via Mo-Pac):
Drive south on Mo-Pac. Take the exit toward Lake Austin Blvd. Stay straight to go onto Winsted Ln. Winsted Ln. becomes Atlanta St. Turn right onto lake Austin Blvd. Drive for about a mile. Proceed through intersection at Exposition Blvd. Drive 100 yards and turn left into BFL parking lot.
Parking
Parking says UT permit only, but please disregard since the CAMN class has permission to be there on Saturday.
Agenda
8:30 – 8:45 Meet and greet
8:45 – 8:55 Announcements & day’s agenda
8:55 – 9:00 Mini Interpretations; speaker Introduction
9:00 – 10:30 Observation & Nature Journaling – Val Bugh
10:30 – 10:55 Outdoor Observations
10:55 – 11:10 Break
11:10 – 11:25 BFL history & CAMN projects – Emily Hansen, CAMN President
11:25 – 12:30 Urban Habitat – Mary Ann Baker, CAMN class of 2018, Andrew Harrod, CAMN class of 2019
12:30 – 1:15 Lunch
1:15 – 1:50 Outdoor hike to observe BFL Habitats – John Barr
1:50 – 3:20 Interpretation – Clark Hancock, Heritage Interpretive Consultant and Trainer
3:20 – 3:45 Outdoor Interpretation
3:45 – 4:00 Closing announcements, Clean up, Adjourn
How to Prepare
- Dress for the weather including comfortable walking shoes or boots. We will have 20-30 minutes outdoors with each of the three speakers. Bring bug repellent and sunscreen, if you would use them in a park situation. If stairs are a problem for you, call Mary Ann Baker (512-626-9027 ) to discuss how you can get to the facility.
- Be sure to bring:
- Paper, pen, tools for observing (hand lens, camera, binoculars, etc.), something for Show and Tell.
- Sack lunch
- Water bottle–water fountain is in the main building
- Notebook & pen/pencil
- Curriculum Units to Read:
- Urban Ecosystems
- Volunteers as Teachers
Speaker 1: Val Bugh larvalbug@att.net
Val is a local naturalist specializing in the arthropods of the Austin area, with interests in taxonomy and photography. She runs the Fauna Project at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, leads insect discovery walks, teaches entomology courses, provides insect/spider identifications, gives talks to local organizations, and is the author of pocket guides to “Butterflies of Central Texas” and “Spiders of Texas.” Website: http://www.austinbug.com/index.html
Speaker 2: TBD
TBD
Speaker 3: Clark Hancock clktemhan@me.com
Clark Hancock has been working as a Heritage Interpretive Consultant and Trainer since 2009. He worked with the City of Austin 26 years, serving as Exhibit Coordinator at ANSC, exhibits for the Beverly Sheffield Education Center at Barton Springs, and the Splash! Into the Edwards Aquifer Exhibit. He is presently serving as president of the Save Barton Creek Association.