“Institution”

Institution – A significant practice, relationship or organization in a society or culture. That’s Webster’s dictionary definition, but I’ve always thought that to be an institution it had to have been around for a long time and perhaps be identified by a building, such as a university or bank, or even a long established restaurant. When I built Hes’ Country Store in 1980, I never thought it would play a role in “Building an Institution.” Photograph taken by J. David.

The “store” has nothing to sell. It’s a gathering place here on the ranch, used more for teaching children about conservation of their families’ history and culture. It houses all of my inheritance, that’s the material things from an era long past. It’s become a “gathering place” for groups that come here for workshops and tours. It’s a rest stop that truly contributes to your experience here. I never dreamed of it becoming so much a part of our lives as it has. Photograph taken by J. David.

The definition also states a “significant practice in a society or culture.” What follows began 55 years ago by my brother, Tom, and me . . . an Annual Poker Game held on the second Saturday after hunting season opens. We were young with families and not much money, so we played for nickels and dimes and quarters. Over the years, it grew to bigger and sometimes serious money.

The poker players assemble early in the day to tell stories of games past, drink a few beers and catch up with one another. For most, they see one another only once a year – they may have met at this game in years past. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Fred Meandro on the left is one of the original players from 1954. That’s me on the right. We’re both 81 years old and are able to play quite a few hands, but not endure the all night game. My son, David, in between us is listening to the same old stories. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

The game gets started around 2 o’clock in the afternoon. There are so many eager players that a second table is sometimes set up. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Seven players at a table. The younger players come into our “world” with a bunch of new fangled games with odd names and wild cards. Us older players soon cuss them out enough that we soon settle on real poker using only a joker as wild. I believe Texas Hold ‘Em is the only “new” game we have accepted. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

There are some fairly respectable pots. It’s a $5.00, three raise limit game and by the following morning a thousand or more has changed hands. In our halcyon days, I’ve seen many thousands won and lost. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

There’s more: The definition of an institution also says a “significant relationship or organization in a society or culture” and for 29 years in conjunction with the Poker Game we put on the Deer Hunters’ Barbecue. It’s a tradition that our lease hunters and some friends look forward to. On the right, my son-in-law Ernie Sessums and a long time friend Jim Sims along with my dog Cory enjoy the affair. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Colleen Gardner and Joanna Rees chatting it up a bit. Yes, “girls” are included. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Left to right – Jack, David my oldest son, me and Joanna Rees. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Scott Grote, Ranch Operation Manager seated, handles the barbecue and food preparations. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

I always enjoy visiting with the hunters. These men have been with us over 20 years. Their hunting camp is an old time hunting camp - a big tent that they have outfitted with gas stove for cooking, a wood stove for heat and a shower! They also have an outside campfire pit and an outdoor privy! Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

There’s always plenty to eat. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

This is the Savarino group that leases the Recycle Cabin along with 900 acres. They have been with us as hunters and friends for many years. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

We have had only one bad weather day since we began the Hunters’ Barbecue and Poker Game. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Anxious to get the game started, the “players” help Scott clean up. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

During the game, someone has to keep dishes, coffee cups and silverware clean. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

In the past ten months of writing this blog, you have seen the many education programs we do for kids and adults. I couldn’t possibly win enough in the annual poker game to cover our expenses, so won’t you please help support our programs with a yearend tax deductible contribution? We are a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation. You can send your contributions to: Bamberger Ranch Preserve, 2341 Blue Ridge Drive, Johnson City, TX 78636.

Volunteers – Selah’s Invaluable Asset

Volunteer – A person who undertakes some task of service of his own free will . . . to offer oneself willingly.

To me, this Webster Dictionary definition doesn’t go far enough to define a volunteer. It doesn’t mention they work without financial reward, nor the fact that personal expense usually is involved, and that time for family is given up. It doesn’t describe the person’s qualities, their personality and character. It doesn’t do justice to the volunteers I’ve known. It doesn’t say they are America’s unsung heroes.

I contend that America cannot function successfully without volunteers! So much is given to our society by volunteers, that is accepted by our society, but not recognized by our society.

We see organizations functioning, serving us: such as hospitals, hospice, Salvation Army, parks, conservation and environmental groups, Boy and Girl Scouts, schools and many, many more. All of which could not do what they do, what we respect them for – without volunteers.

Here at Selah, our volunteers range from 18 to 80! We could not function successfully without them. They serve as teachers, trail guides, food servers, Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, Native Plant specialists, engineers, carpenters, animal rehabilitators, first aid givers, truck and trailer drivers, tree and flower planters, interpreters, rock and stone movers, trail builders, dish washers, house cleaners and on and on and frankly, just about anything that needs doing.

These are members of an Austin organization called The Trailtamers. We’re just one of the places they give time to. Sometimes turning out twenty-five members. They, at their own expense, spend a week in some national park across America. Photograph taken by J. David.

Joanna Rees, volunteer, a gardener at her own home near Austin, spent the day “stepping up” seedlings from four inch to one gallon containers. Photograph taken by J. David.

Steven Fulton, Ranch Biologist, with volunteers, Joanna Rees, Sarah Pierce, Tyler Porterfield. They had spent the day working around the greenhouse. Photograph taken by J. David.

On a Sunday evening in November we had a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner party at my ranch house arranged by Colleen Gardner, our Executive Director. Every volunteer got a big hug from Colleen! Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Lynda and Dave DeGroot, long time volunteers. They exchanged their wedding vows here on Selah a number of years ago. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Three volunteers with diverse skills were at the party. Kathy Wilson, Linda Vincent and Susan Hamm. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Marsha May, a full time biologist at Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, has volunteered here for many years organizing birders from all parts of Texas to do our three annual bird counts. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

David Matthews, a teacher at Small Middle School in Austin, with his wife Rita. David volunteers at Selah and has brought hundreds of his students to Selah for overnight learning. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

We have a tendency to think that members of a Board of Directors are big mucky mucks that live in big houses and are a part of our economic system isolated from the masses ~ not true, as you see here at a board meeting held at the ranch house, Sunday November 15, 2009. Board members, too, are unpaid volunteers who give their personal time and particular expertise to give direction and oversight to the Preserve. It is required by law to have a Board of Directors, a majority of whom cannot be related to me. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

After our meeting, the Board visited the homes of Preserve employees to get familiar with these assets that are on the Preserve’s balance sheet and to meet the families who carry out our mission. This is the home of our Ranch Operations Manager Scott and Melissa Grote and their two children Grey and Willow. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Another view of the Grote house. Photograph taken by J. David.

The newest home was built in 2009 for Justin and Stephanie Duke. Justin Duke is our Ranch Steward. This is the only house on Selah equipped with a rainwater collection system. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Another view of the Duke house. Photograph taken by J. David.

Our Ranch Biologist Steven and Amanda Fulton and their son Aiden live here. This location gives Steven access to the greenhouse and the shop. Steven is not only a biologist, but also a horticulturist and a skilled carpenter. Amanda teaches biology in the Blanco Schools. Photograph taken by J. David.

In the past ten months of writing this blog, you have seen the many education programs we do for kids and adults. Won’t you please support this with a yearend tax deductible contribution? We are a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation. You can send your contributions to: Bamberger Ranch Preserve, 2341 Blue Ridge Drive, Johnson City, TX 78636.

The Observatory

Four hundred years ago Galileo, for the first time ever, looked at the sky through a telescope. Now in 2009 the world is celebrating the International Year of Astronomy. Here at Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve, we too are celebrating the opening of our own observatory looking at the night sky with an instrument so much more powerful than Galileo could ever have imagined.

Pictured are long time personal friends and supporters of the Preserve, Kerby and Judy Confer. They donated the observatory which was originally constructed on their Blanco County ranch. The Confers live in Baltimore, Maryland. After witnessing our school program with volunteers from the Austin Astronomical Society, the Confers saw that the observatory would serve a much better service to society here at Selah than on their ranch where it was used by them infrequently. Now because of their generosity we have added the night sky as an additional classroom. Thus, Awakening and Nourishing a Passion for Learning. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Here on “Majic Springs”, the Confer’s Blanco County ranch, is Justin Duke of BRP, Arlyn Cook, one of our volunteers, Steven Fulton our Ranch Biologist inside the dome and Ken Voss, Majic Springs Ranch Manager. Photograph taken by Colleen Gardner.

The observatory has been unbolted from the cement slab and the telescope removed. Steven Fulton guides the dome onto our trailer. Photograph taken by Colleen Gardner.

Arlyn Cook, one of our volunteers, who is a retired industrial engineer, handled the disconnection of the solar powered electrical system. Photograph taken by Colleen Gardner.

The solar panel keeps two batteries charged. It supplies enough energy to open the dome and operate the Celestron 1400 telescope which is computer programmed to track various planets and stars. Arlyn, Justin and Steven along with, back to camera, volunteer Dana Spontak. Photograph taken by Colleen Gardner.

I’m sure that passing cars wondered just what was Steven hauling on State Highway 290. The dome was securely strapped to our trailer and no mishaps occurred. Majic Springs is only 15 miles from Selah. Photograph taken by Colleen Gardner.

It’s arrival at the ranch created a lot of curiousity. Photograph taken by Colleen Gardner.

There was a lot of time and construction involved in preparation for the dome’s arrival. The PVC tube had to be perfectly level as it would support the telescope. Here, Steven and Scott Grote, Ranch Operations Manger, are adjusting the PVC tube. The metal box holds the batteries which power the scope. It will be anchored into the cement. Photograph taken by Colleen Gardner.

Here on the ranch, I have a reputation for insisting that gates and posts, tree corrals and such be level. Sometimes walking up to a project during construction and eye balling something and commenting – “It’s not level.” Here Steven and I are “eye balling” whether it’s level or not. Photograph taken by Colleen Gardner.

“Eye balling” is not enough. So here I am using a level. Photograph taken by Colleen Gardner.

The site was chosen by the Astronomy Club volunteers which required some leveling and tree removal. Selah is ideal for sky watching as we are far from the light pollution of Austin and San Antonio. Futhermore, the hills shield any local light. Pictured are volunteer Arlyn Cook, Scott Grote, volunteer Dana Spontak and Justin Duke of BRP. Photograph taken by Colleen Gardner.

The cement arrives. Leroy Petri, Ranch Engineer, directs the cement while seasonal ranch employees, Raul and Maestro, spread the mix while Steven Fulton and Scott Grote level the cement out. Photograph taken by Colleen Gardner.

The solar panel has to be adjusted so that it receives the most sunlight. Here, Steven Fulton and Scott Grote check it out. Photograph taken by J. David.

Dana Spontak, a volunteer, helped build the cedar post steps that provide easy and safe access to the observatory. Photograph taken by Colleen Gardner.

Herve LaPuente, a member the Austin Astronomy Club who has been volunteering here by providing night sky education programs for our overnight students. Herve (pronounced Err-vey) is excited and so enthusiastic about the observatory and the powerful Celestron 1400 scope. The telescope has to be programmed. It must be in a certain alignment with the North Star and once this is accomplished just a push of programmed buttons will turn the scope to Jupiter, the Moon, Saturn or any number of things in the night sky. Photograph taken by Colleen Gardner.

Chris Johnson took this long exposure picture by the light of the full moon, November 1, 2009, during our yearly volunteer appreciation party. Notice the sky, the stars and the streak of the meteor/satellite/airplane at the lower right of center. Chris has been volunteering with us for years, both as a photographer and computer expert. He’s invaluable. Photograph taken by Chris Johnson.

It’s confession time for me. I don’t know how to turn a computer on. I write this blog, Lois Sturm, my right arm, types it and also takes pictures and sends it to Chris who posts it each Sunday night. Here’s my testimony. Most non-profits cannot survive without volunteers. The good work and good deeds in America don’t get done by government. It’s the hundreds of thousands of people, who are givers not takers that contribute their individual talents and time to causes they believe in that make organizations like ours successful. All the money in the world cannot buy passion.

Selah Bamberger Ranch Preserve receiving our observatory coincides with 2009 being celebrated as the International Year of Astronomy. The International Year of Astronomy 2009 has a website where you can find more information and pictures of the universe. Selah Bamberger Ranch Preserve will continue in Galileo’s steps opening other’s eyes to what is a part of their world.

In the past ten months of writing this blog, you have seen the many education programs we do for kids and adults. Won’t you please support this with a yearend tax deductible contribution? We are a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation. You can send your contributions to: Bamberger Ranch Preserve, 2341 Blue Ridge Drive, Johnson City, TX 78636.

“Water Workshop – How to Have Water Without Drilling a Well!”

The story of the restoration of Selah, Bamberger Ranch is a story about the most pressing issue facing Texans as well as the world - WATER!

Forty years ago I was fortunate to have met and hired Leroy Petri to help me. He was born here in the Hill Country where his German father taught him how to do just about everything necessary on a ranch. Little did I know at the time about the geology of the ranch, about the fact that the entire ranch was straddled by a “perched or local” aquifer that had gone dry. I had no plan back then to use the ranch for education, for what we now call People Ranching. Leroy’s work and advice proved invaluable and most dramatic was the return of seeps, springs and even creeks. There are many of the practices we put into place that are shown in detail in this week’s blog that anyone can do, some without any cost at all – just your own labor!

The workshop begins with Ranch Biologist, Steven Fulton, pointing out specific soils that will hold water. You will need to identify these if you’re going to build a pond or dam for a lake. Notice the rain machine in the back left of the picture that demonstrates the necessity to have good grass cover. Without good grass cover, none of the water projects that follow are possible. Once again, note that all workshops are outside and site specific. Photograph taken by Colleen Gardner.

Leroy Petri, Ranch Engineer, on the dam at Madrone Lake, explaining dam construction. He has a unique draw down tube that maintains a constant level in the lake. The exception to this is of course during a drought which continues on today. Photograph taken by Colleen Gardner.

Here Leroy discusses how to construct and where to use concrete to build a pond. Leroy and my youngest son, Doug, built this in the early 1970’s. It was our first swimming pool! You don’t see it, but the dam is eight foot deep. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

To move around to the various sites we use the Blue Bonnet. Justin Duke drives so that Steven and Leroy can talk and answer questions while on the way to the next site. There are coffee and restroom stops along the way. Photograph taken by J. David.

Here Colleen Gardner leads a discussion about rainwater collection. Colleen Gardner is the Preserve’s Executive Director. Her new home has no water well and all their needs are met through rainwater collection. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Here Leroy shows off his “Aggie Roof.” A 400 square foot guzzler that collects 220 gallons of water in a one inch rain and delivers it into a 500 gallon concrete storage tank. The guzzler is made of 100 percent recycled materials! Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

The concrete storage tank delivers the water to a watering trough that has a float valve to keep the trough at a constant level. There are big rocks and bare limbs sticking out of the trough for birds to land on. Supplemental water for wildlife is one very good practice for achieving the wildlife exemption. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Here is another example of Leroy’s ingenuity – a ground guzzler. Notice the depression or grass covered ditch. These ditches come in from both directions and collect water from eight acres. In the right foreground is a black water trough which sends the water a hundred yards to a collection cistern. I’ve seen, in a heavy rain, thousands of gallons collected. The fencing keeps livestock from the immediate area and thus the water cleaner. This all can be built for very little expense. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

It’s not real clear, but coming out from the stones notice a one inch PVC pipe. This comes from a 100 foot French drain and except during drought it delivers a quart every two minutes. This is 7.5 gallons an hour or 180 gallons in a 24 hour period. Enough to support a family! The drain also goes under the road shown in the next picture and into a water trough for wildlife and in our case domestic livestock. How is this possible? Check the next picture. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Here Leroy is standing in front of the area under which he has installed the French drain. Notice there are no trees or shrubs. This tells you that the area is too damp for them to grow there. Also, notice the grasses, mostly Lindheimer Muly and Bushy Blue Stem. Both are good indicators of water near the surface. I remember when I was involved with this workshop when at the site an older lady, I’d guess 65 or more, commented, “Why this is falling off a log simple. I can’t wait to get home to do it!” Once again, not much expense. The water is potable. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Here Leroy is showing a very low volume spring where water seeps out of a rock shelf about five foot wide. It doesn’t look like much water until he makes a small clay berm that makes all the seep gather together and is measured just a bit shy of one gallon per minute. That’s 1400 gallons every 24 hours! If you put up storage tanks, you’ll have all the water you need. Leroy shows you how to build a casement around this seep. Another very easy and very low cost way to have water without drilling a well! Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

I read a very interesting and enlightening book, When The Rivers Run Dry by Fred Pierce. You should get it $12.00 at Amazon. From reading this book, my mind wondered if some of that things former civilizations did thousands of years ago might not be something we could do today. Forty years ago there was no water on this ranch. Seven wells drilled 500 foot to o avail – dry holes. Today on Selah’s 5,500 acres there are no functioning water wells. All our water coming from the various practices you’ve witnessed on this blog . . . taking a tip from those people from our past, we initiated a program called “A Plan for the Future – Maximizing Rainfall Retention on Bamberger Ranch.” It calls for 28 miles of stone berms on the slopes of the hills and 12 miles of “Water Pans.” A former Texas Water Board official after hearing my plan said, “David, anything you do to slow down the runoff of water is good.”

Leroy on the slope of the hill showing the stone berms to Water Workshop guests. One said, “This is equivalent to the great Wall of China!” We only have one and a half mile completed, but follow on and witness the results. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

We did use our bulldozer to scrape the 6 to 8 inch deep “pans.” Because the grades were uneven, we constructed stone berms across the pan every 30 foot. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

When we finally got some rain, the pans performed preventing runoff. Photograph taken by J. David.

On the very flat hilltops we dozed this ditch in a great circle. Photograph taken by Susan Sander.

Even though we have good grass cover on the flat hilltops a typical Hill Country rain can drop 2 or 3 inches very quickly. You will have runoff. This “pan” collected 15 inches of water. It held the water until it ever so slowly leaked into our “perched aquifer.” In 48 hours it was all absorbed. Photograph taken by J. David.

Now look at what happens 125 feet below the Water Pans. Here Justin Duke demonstrates our water feature. He has opened a spigot which comes from Leroy’s cased off spring. Forty-eight hours after the rain captured by the pans and berms, one and a half gallon per minute was produced. When our cisterns are full this water shifts to the stone water feature which then waters livestock and wildlife. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

The next session of our Texas legislature will be dominated by water issues. They will be trying to reconcile water needs of the various stakeholders. This has been debated and studied for years and years to no avail. Now it has become evident to all that water must be shared and conserved. There will be some serious adapting for everyone when these issues are settled. We ranch land owners doing some of the practices you have just witnessed can contribute so very much to the solutions, all the while insuring better and adequate water for ourselves and the natural world.

If you would like to join in helping us to continue our projects, you can send your contribution which is tax deductible to the extent of the law. We are a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation. Please share your year end giving with us. You can send your contributions to: Bamberger Ranch Preserve, 2341 Blue Ridge Drive, Johnson City, TX 78636.