New SMGA Video

Here's a video that illustrates SMGA's recent trail building efforts created by Texas State students Devin Crutcher and Callie Currier for Ray Niekamp's Mass Communications class.


San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance PSA from Devin Crutcher on Vimeo.

Thanks Devin and Callie!

Hays County Master Parks Plan Draft for Public Review through January 11

From Jeff Hauff, Grants Administrator, Hays County:
The draft of the new Hays County Parks, Open Space and Natural Areas Master Plan has been completed and is available for public review through 5 p.m. January 11, 2012. It has not yet been endorsed or adopted by the Hays County Commissioners Court.

The plan lists priorities and goals for the parks and open space system over the next 10 years and was developed through information and ideas garnered from public meetings, public surveys, the Hays County Parks and Open Space Advisory Board and other resources.

Planning began in early 2011 when a consultant hired to help guide the process held five public meetings throughout the County to receive comments from residents on desires and expectations for future parks and open space opportunities.

Hays County’s first Parks and Open Space Master Plan was completed in 2002 and updates to that plan were done in 2006. The current plan draws on those opportunities identified in the original plan, as well as those needs voiced during the current planning process.

The plan is available at www.co.hays.tx.us/parksmasterplan and a copy is also available for review in the Hays County Grants Administration Office during normal business hours. Written comments may be sent through January 11 to Jeff Hauff, Grants Administrator, at Jeff.Hauff@co.hays.tx.us or Hays County Grants, Hays County Government Center, 712 South Stagecoach Trail, Suite 1204, San Marcos, Texas, 78666.

Feral Hog Sightings?

Have you seen a feral hog at or near Spring Lake Natural Area? If so, please let Melani Howard in Parks and Recreation know ASAP. You can email her at mhoward@sanmarcostx.gov or 512.738.7313. Click for previous articles on feral hogs.

Bag Ban Public Meeting - Wednesday 1/4

From our ECO friends at Texas State:
Hope you are enjoying the holiday season. I hope it's not too early to inform you about the 2nd public input meeting regarding the plastic bag ban in San Marcos. This is a goal that many of us have been working hard towards. If you did not get the opportunity to go to the 1st public input meeting, you are definitely encouraged to attend:
Wednesday, January 04
6:30pm-8:30pm
Activity Center, Room 2
501 East Hopkins Road San Marcos, TX
We're getting closer and closer to a bag ban in San Marcos. Let's make it happen!!

SMGA FUNdraiser Really Was

SMGA’s Harvest Moon FUNdraiser, held at Prospect Park/Purgatory Creek Natural Area on November 12, was a splendid success. Even before the almost-full moon rose, a small crowd had begun to gather in the grassy meadow and prepare for Professor Russell Doescher’s astronomy hike. The calm, mellow weather couldn’t have been more cooperative, and revelers of all ages continued to meander down the moon-dappled trail throughout the evening.

Plenty of tasty food and beverages kept everyone fueled up for fun amidst the ground-level twinkling of solar lights and glow-stick jewelry, while telescopes and volunteers from the Texas State Physics Department provided deluxe views of the twinkling sights above. Under the Learning Tree it was standing room only once the bluegrass commenced. A combination of musicians from the Crystal Creek Boys & the Bluegrass Outfit had folks hootin’, hollerin’, applauding, tapping their toes, and calling for more until it was time for the raffle drawing near the end of the evening.

Our thanks to all who joined us (and all who helped us!) at our first-ever fundraising event. We hope you enjoyed yourselves as much as we did—we’ll have to do it again sometime!

- by Jeanine Wilder, Outreach Committee

Shop Cypress Sun Jewelry & Support SMGA


SMGA supporter Amy Friend with Cypress Sun Jewelry is continuing her generous offered to donate 5% of her online and local (San Marcos) sales to SMGA through 2011. Be sure to check out Amy’s beautiful and unique earrings, bracelets, and lariat necklaces at http://www.etsy.com/shop/cypresssun. Her work is both earthy and feminine, and definitely eye-catching!

Plastic Bag Ban Survey - Closes 12/15

Here's a link to a survey that the city of San Marcos has put out asking what citizens think about a possible city-wide plastic bag ban.
http://www.ci.san-marcos.tx.us/index.html
The survey only takes about 30 seconds so please take time to fill it out and let the city know what you think. The survey will be available through 12/15.