Author Archives: invasivehunter

December 27, 2011 · 7:04 pm

The Relentless March of the Soapberry Borer in Texas

Dr. Ronald F. Billings talks about the expanding range of the Soapberry Borer and how this invasive pest attacks native Western Soapberry trees in Texas. Also, learn how not moving firewood can help prevent the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer, another invasive species in the same genus. Dr. Billings is a Forest Health Manager with the Texas Forest Service.

This video is part of Commander Ben’s “Invasive Species: Secrets Revealed” series of interviews from the 2011 Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Conference.

Commander Ben signing off…

Leave a comment

Filed under 2011 Texas Invasive Plant Conference, Emerald Ash Borer, Invasive Species: Secrets Revealed, Ronald Billings, Soapberry Borer, Texas Forest Service

Tagged as , , , , ,

December 24, 2011 · 1:10 pm

Merry Christmas with Luminarias at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Earlier this month, I had a great time walking through the luminarias at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Luminarias are a New Mexican tradition where people put candles or lights inside a brown bag weighted with sand, and they place these bags along their driveways and walkways to help illuminate the way for the Christ child to visit their home.

I enjoyed climbing the wildflower tower and watching everyone walking among the luminarias throughout the center. It was great that many held real candles inside sturdy brown plastic bags with a protective layer of water at the bottom. It was great to enjoy hot chocolate on that chilly December night.

Here’s the Ghost of Christmas Present from my Christmas video, “An Invasive Carol”, wishing you, your family, and your native plants a Merry Christmas!

Commander Ben signing off…

Leave a comment

Filed under A Christmas Carol, Christmas, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Tagged as , ,

December 18, 2011 · 9:16 pm

Turn the Tide Against Zebra Mussels with Texas Parks and Wildlife

Ms. Darcy Bontempo talks about the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s continuing campaign against invasives with their spotlight on the Zebra Mussel, a species that presents an insidious danger with their millions of microscopic larva. She talks about the mussels’ economic and environmental impact and key steps boaters can take to stop their spread. Ms. Bontempo is the Marketing Director for the Communications Division of Texas Parks and Wildlife.

This video is part of Commander Ben’s “Invasive Species: Secrets Revealed” series of interviews from the 2011 Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Conference.

Our state parks need help

Texas Parks and Wildlife needs our help! This year’s drought, heat, and terrible wildfires has led to a drop in park attendance, and park visitor’s fees provide about half of the funding for our state parks.

If you can, please join me in making a donation to help our wonderful natural treasures, our state parks.

Commander Ben signing off…

Leave a comment

Filed under 2011 Texas Invasive Plant Conference, Darcy Bontempo, Invasive Species: Secrets Revealed, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Zebra Mussel

Tagged as , , , ,

December 18, 2011 · 9:14 pm

Rare Texas Plants Struggle Against Invasive Species

Dr. Karen Clary describes the threat that invasive species pose to our rare Texas plants and recounts the ground-running, native Prostrate Milkweed’s struggle against the tall, invasive King Ranch Bluestem. She also talks about her two most disliked invasive plants, Giant Salvania and Heavenly Bamboo. Dr. Clary is a biologist with the Wildlife Habitat Assessment Program for the Wildlife Division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

This video is part of Commander Ben’s “Invasive Species: Secrets Revealed” series of interviews from the 2011 Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Conference.

Learn more about our Central Texas ecosystem

Dr. Clary is also an instructor with Go Native U, which provides a great set of classes to learn more about our native environment. The classes on the flora and fauna of central Texas look really neat, especially those on our native wildflowers, plants, insects, mammals, birds, and reptiles. I look forward to attending these classes in the future!

Commander Ben signing off…

Leave a comment

Filed under 2011 Texas Invasive Plant Conference, Giant Salvinia, Go Native U, Heavenly Bamboo, Invasive Species: Secrets Revealed, Karen Clary, King Ranch Bluestem, KR Bluestem, Prostrate Milkweed, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , ,

December 11, 2011 · 8:24 pm

An Invasive Carol (Battles with Invasive Species Video Series – Christmas Special)

This Christmas Carol tale begins on Christmas Eve with Ebenezer Scrooge, a man with a stingy heart, a disdain of native plants, and a phobia of dirty feet. His former business partner, Jacob Marley warns Scrooge of visits by three spirits. Overnight, the ghosts lead Scrooge through his innocent past, misguided present, and possible dire future overrun by invasive species. They help to transform him into a man of joy and compassion, both with the family of his impoverished clerk, Bob Cratchit, and his diverse ecosystem.

This video is part of my “Battles with Invasive Species” series to give kids of all ages a fun and humorous way to learn about invasive species. Here are other videos that you may enjoy too! 🙂

Commander Ben signing off…

3 Comments

Filed under A Christmas Carol, Ashe juniper, Battles with Invasive Species, Chinese Privet, Giant Reed, Redtip Photinia, Texas Live Oak, Video

Tagged as , ,