Amarillo's Wildcat Bluff Nature Center has been in hibernation since Fall of 2010 but springs back to life in 2011 as Spring weather arrived on the Texas High Plains.
The lack of rain on the Texas High Plains region may have stunted the growth of many native plants but that hasn't stopped annual wildflowers from adding a much welcomed splash of color along the hiking trails at Wildcat Bluff Nature Center. The extremely dry conditions have also affected insects and other critters too. While there have been many baby birds chirping for food from their nests, the parents are having a rough time foraging for enough insects to feed them.
Speaking of Insects, there is a summer-long insect study being conducted along a section of the Prairie Dog Trail. Should you spot some small blue flags along the trail, stop and notice how the traps have been laid out but please do not disturb them. The study is being conducted by the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Amarillo and is an indication of how more serious research is being conducted using our facilities.
Many have asked why the nature center has reduced services and the Visitor's Center is no longer open during regular hours. The reason is not much different than what we currently observe with the native flora and fauna here during this year's drought period. The economy has been like a drought to our bank account. Annual funding from several institutions has been either cut or pulled altogether forcing the center to lay off staff. With less staff, it is impossible to continue with the same level of activities we have previously enjoyed.
Just like you, we have had to tighten our economic belts this year as it seems nearly everything has increased in price by 30% or more. Just like the native flora and fauna you can observe and learn from on our grounds, we just have to work harder and do as much as we can to continue to survive under harsh conditions.
The Center had to rely on the generous efforts of donors and volunteers when it was first established in 1992. Now, it has become necessary to return to those roots of the organization where your support is needed more than ever.
Many loyal members have renewed memberships for 2011 and we need are going to need more memberships this year just to keep basic expenses paid. We have a perfect opportunity to draw more wildlife to our facilities simply by providing water and feed for them during the drought. But we are going to need donations of feed and funds in order to provide for them.
Membership dues have been reduced this year. $30.00 for the whole family, $15.00 for singles and senior couples. We are planning additional incentives for members this year. Be sure to register for an account on this web site, then tell us you are a WBNC member. We will extend you additional user privileges to your account on this site not available to non-members of the organization.
Work on the grounds that was done by full-time staff in the past will now have to be done by volunteers. We have always had a volunteer workday on the second Saturday of each month but there are chores that can be done nearly every day that can make a difference.
Thanks for the volunteer help we have received already this year and some special donations of bird feed and feeders have made a real difference in the level of wild activity around the Visitor's Center. We also appreciate your feedback via this site and our accounts on Twitter and Facebook and we look forward to you sharing comments, photos and even video of the things you observe and learn about at our facilities.
