Fieldtrip to Bastrop State Park and Lake Summerville Dam

Transcription

1 PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY MODEL FOR ENTRY INTO TEACHING SCIENCE A professional learning community of STEM educators, scientists, and engineers Fieldtrip to Bastrop State Park and Lake Summerville Dam Description WewillbevisitingtwoparksonSaturday,Oct.3.ThefirstparkisBastropStatePark,thesiteofthelostpines. Wewillbeparticipatinginaninterpretivehikeledbyaparkrangerthatstartsat10AMattheconcession stand.onthehike,wewilldiscusstherelationshipbetweenthegeologyandplantcommunitiesalongthe trail.seetheinterpretivetrailmapinthispackage. BastropStateParkInterpretiveHikes Ongoing,Saturdaymornings,10:00AM. DiscovertheLostPines interpretivehikesatbastropstatepark. OursecondstopafterlunchinBastropwillbeatthedamatLakeSomerville.ArangeofEocenegeologic strataisexposedatthesite.atthisstopwewilltalkaboutthewaysthatgeologiststudyancientclimatesand environmentsoftexas. Ifaproblemoccurs,youcancontactmeonmycellat ordrbruceherbert@gmail.com. Teks ThesetwostopsrelatetoanumberofTEKSinthenewstandards,butinparticularwewillemphasizethe followingteks: Thestudentsknowthatlivingthingshaveneedsthattheymeetthroughinteractionwiththeir environment. Thestudentknowsthatthenaturalworldincludesearthmaterialsandobjectsinthesky Thestudentknowsthatcertainpasteventsaffectpresentandfutureevents. Wewilldiscussduringourtripboththescientificconceptsandwaysyoucouldbringthatsciencetoyour classroom.thenationalacademyofsciencereportonk8scienceeducationstatesthatstudentswho understandscience: 1. know,use,andinterpretscientificexplanationsofthenaturalworld; 2. generateandevaluatescientificevidenceandexplanations; 3. understandthenatureanddevelopmentofscientificknowledge;and 4. participateproductivelyinscientificpracticesanddiscourse. Schedule WeneedtomeetatBastropStateParkat9:30AMsowearereadytojointheinterpretivehikeat10AM. PleasemeetattheParkHeadquartersbuilding.IhaveawhiteNissanpickuptruck.Callifyouarelate ( ).Thehikeisapproximatelyonehour.WewillhavelunchinBastropandthendrivetoLake Summerville.IexpectwemaybeatLakeSomervillefor1 2hours,sowewilllikelyleavetheLakearound3:30 PM. Pleasebringcomfortablewalkingshoesaswemaygoofftrail.Also,pleasebringwaterthroughwewillhave theopportunitytostopatconveniencestores. 1

2 PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY MODEL FOR ENTRY INTO TEACHING SCIENCE A professional learning community of STEM educators, scientists, and engineers Directions LinktoGoogleMapforBastropStatePark. BastropStateParkisoffofHwy21andHwy71,eastofBastropTexas.ProceedintothePark(theentrancefee is4$).wewillmeetattheparkheadquartersthatshouldbeonyourrightasyoudriveinthemaindrive. Pleasearriveby9:30AM. DrivingdirectionstoSomerville,TexasfromBastropTX.(64.4mi about1hour37mins) 1. HeadeastonLoop150E/TX 21EtowardPittSt.ContinuetofollowTX 21E(12.4mi) 2. SlightrighttomergeontoTX 290/US 290.ContinuetofollowUS 290(34.1mi) 3. TurnlefttowardWWashingtonSt(236ft) 4. TurnrightatWWashingtonSt(0.6mi) 5. TurnleftatFM390RdW/NMainSt.ContinuetofollowFM390RdW(10.9mi) 6. TurnleftatHwy 36N/36thDivisionMemorialHwy/TX 36.ContinuetofollowTX TurnleftonFM1948andthenrightonLBJDrive.Continuepasttheparkandupthehilloverlooking thedam.lookfortheparkinglotonyourright. Asyoudriveup Startingonpage80oftheRoadsideGeologyofTexas,thereisanicedescriptionofthegeologyalongHwy 290,asyoutravelfromHoustontoBastropStatePark. 2

3 PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY MODEL FOR ENTRY INTO TEACHING SCIENCE A professional learning community of STEM educators, scientists, and engineers Bastrop State Park 3

4 PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY MODEL FOR ENTRY INTO TEACHING SCIENCE A professional learning community of STEM educators, scientists, and engineers Bastrop State Park 4

5 PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY MODEL FOR ENTRY INTO TEACHING SCIENCE Somerville Lake A professional learning community of STEM educators, scientists, and engineers 5

6 PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY MODEL FOR ENTRY INTO TEACHING SCIENCE Somerville Lake A professional learning community of STEM educators, scientists, and engineers 6

7 PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY MODEL FOR ENTRY INTO TEACHING SCIENCE Somerville Lake A professional learning community of STEM educators, scientists, and engineers 7

8 PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY MODEL FOR ENTRY INTO TEACHING SCIENCE Somerville Lake A professional learning community of STEM educators, scientists, and engineers 8

9 PARK Please Note: Bastrop State Park CHECK OUT time is 2 p.m. or renew permit by 9 a.m. CHECK OUT time for cabins and group barracks is 11 a.m. Public consumption or display of an open container of any alcoholic beverage is prohibited. A maximum of eight people are allowed per campsite. Day Use guests must leave the park by 10 p.m. Quiet hours are enforced from 10 p.m. 6 a.m. or at anytime a disturbance is created. Valid permit required on windshield of each vehicle in park. All vehicles must remain on pavement to avoid erosion. Excess parking fee is required at campsites with more than two vehicles (including trailers). Campsite must be kept clean; all trash must picked up before you leave. Dumpsters are conveniently located in all camping loops. Gray Water (dishwater and shower) and Black Water must be discharged only at dump station. This water carries bacteria that can spread serious illness and food particles that can attract undesirable animals, including ants. 21 TEXAS Only one unit per site is permitted to hook up to utilities. Pets must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and must not be left unattended or cause a disturbance. Pets are not allowed inside any building or in Cabin Area. Numbered sites are for overnight camping only. Picnicking is allowed with permit only in Day Use areas. To Bastrop ROAD 1A Golf Course 14 Pioneer Village Cabin Area PARK ROAD 1B Lost Pines Lodge Golf Pro Shop Golf Course Gathering of firewood is prohibited. If county BURN BANS are not in effect, campfires are permitted only in fire rings provided at each site. No ground fires are permitted. Please, use extreme caution with any burning materials during the high-fire danger season. 12 PARK ROAD 1A 3 Group Barracks 4 LOOP 150 PARK ROAD 1A Lake Spur (.19 mi.) Farkleberry Spur (.21 mi.) Bracken Fern Trace (.41 mi.) Pine Warbler Trail (.25 mi.) Deer Run Camping Area 71 TEXAS Scenic Overlook Trail (1.14 mi.) Scenic Overlook Trail Piney Hill Spur (.15 mi.) Piney Hill Camping Area PARK ROAD 1C Post Oak Spur (.43 mi.) To Buescher State Park 10 miles Only hike trails that are marked Creekside Camping Area Lost Pines Trail.35 mi. PARK ROAD 1A Mileage between s is to nearest tenth Copperas Creek Camping Area Carrizo Interpretive Trail Houston Toad Because of erosive soils, no bicycles on trails. Pets must be on a six foot leash at all times. Scout Camping Area Friends of the Lost Pines State Parks.6 mi. Roosevelt s Cutoff.13 mi. Please join us as a member of this support organization. Your contribution of professional services, volunteer services or financial contributions can help protect and preserve these resources for future generations. To find out more, ask the Park Headquarters or visit mi. To Park Road 1C Pond.1 mi..42 mi..51 mi. Fehr s Overlook Shelter Pond Old Road Bed Lost Pines Trail Primitive camping allowed with permit east of Old Road Bed. Lost Pines Trail To Smithville Boundary Fence Texas State Parks Store Ice, firewood, T-shirts, caps and oneof-a-kind gift items are available at the Texas State Park Store located in our park headquarters building. Park Reservations (512) Legend: 1 Headquarters State Parks Store Rest Rooms Showers Tent Sites Water/Electric Full Hook-Ups Dump Station Residence Cabin Scenic Overlook Hiking Trail Interpretive Trail Picnic Area Group Picnic Swimming Playground Parking Maintenance Dining Hall Wheelchair Accessible Wildife Viewing P.O. Box 518 Bastrop, TX (512) In accordance with Texas State Depository Law, this publication is available at the Texas State Publications Clearinghouse and/or Texas Depository Libraries Texas Parks and Wildlife Department PWD MP P L (7/07) Proud Sponsor of Texas Parks and Wildlife Programs

10 THE LOST PINES ARE IN YOUR HANDS The Lost Pines area continues to draw people and has become a major tourist destination. You can help TPWD conserve the resources of Bastrop and Buescher State Parks. Here s how: Protect the integrity of historic CCC structures, they are part of our heritage, please use them respectfully. Learn more about both parks with available literature at the park headquarters. Tread lightly on the natural resources by staying on the trails and not littering. Take advantage of the interpretive activities including historic tours of the CCC structures, evening presentations and guided nature hikes. Become an active supporter by joining the Friends of the Lost Pines, or make a donation to the park. Respecting the resources of the Lost Pines is necessary for your grandchildren to experience the natural beauty you enjoy today. Please join us in this effort. Bastrop State Park Box 518, Bastrop, TX (512) Proud Sponsor of Texas Parks and Wildlife Programs In accordance with Texas State Depository Law, this publication is available at the Texas State Publications Clearinghouse and/or Texas Depository Libraries TPWD. PWD BR P P (7/04) Printed on recycled paper. texas parks and wildlife Interpretive Guide to: BASTROP AND BUESCHER STATE PARKS L O S T TH E PI N E S WEL C OME T O THE LOST PINES O F TEXAS, THE H O M E O F BA S T R O P A N D B U E S C H E R STATE PARKS. THE U N IQ U E SETTING OF BOTH PARKS EVOKES A SENSE OF MYSTERY, AS THE ISOLATED FOREST OF LOBLOLLY PINES SEEMS TO BE OUT OF PLACE. BEAUTIFUL STRUCTURES BUILT BY THE CCC SEE M T O GRO W FROM THE SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE. STONE CABINS, BRIDGES AND STUNNING CRAFT SMANSHIP MAKE THESE PARKS AN HISTORIC TREASURE. Bastrop and Buescher State Parks were acquired from the cities of Bastrop and Smithville and from private land donations. In the 1930s the Buescher family gave 636 acres for a state park. Since its dedication in 1937, Bastrop State Park has grown to approximately 5,800 acres of pine laden rolling hills while Buescher compliments this preserve with an additional 1,017 acres. Through time people have recognized the value of this abundant natural resource. In addition to the presence of critical resources, a convenient river crossing made this a likely place for early settlement. The important Spanish travel route known as El Camino Real traversed through the area and aided in the early colonization of Texas. The town of Bastrop, formerly known as Mina when established in 1832, is believed to be one of the oldest towns in Texas. The natural resources of the area were important to regional development; timber harvest of the loblolly pines fueled construction in nearby Austin and San Antonio. Some of the Bastrop timber was exported as far as northern Mexico. Later, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) came and constructed Bastrop and Buescher State Parks.

11 B A S T R O P A N D B U E S C H E R S T A T E P A R K S ROOSEVELT S FOREST ARMY Imagine being 20 years old and without enough money to buy your next meal. This was the case for many young men in the early 1930s during the Great Depression. President Franklin D. Roosevelt created a public works organization known as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in an effort to put young men to work, to conserve the nation s natural resources, create public recreational areas and to help boost the economy. In 1933 companies #1805 and #1811 arrived at Bastrop and Buescher State Parks to transform the over-cut pine forest into a scenic wonder by seeding, transplanting and clearing the tangle of brush and fallen timber. These recruits enrolled for a six-month period and were paid $30 per month, with $25 of the monthly wage being sent back home to the CCC worker s family. GROW I N G F RO M T HE G RO U ND In 1933, the National Park Service (NPS), the CCC and the Texas State Parks Board (now the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department) joined hands to design and construct buildings and facilities in many Texas parks. The architect of Bastrop State Park, Arthur Fehr, followed National Park Service design principles that suggested harmony with the surrounding landscape of rolling hills and pine forests and use of native materials for construction. The stone cabins at Bastrop appear to grow out of the ground like a natural outcrop. The same non-intrusive design elements were followed for dams, culverts, bridges and fences. Similar design concepts can be seen in other parks around the nation. Bastrop s refectory is a showplace of CCC craftsmanship. Cedar, oak, walnut and pine indigenous to the park and red sandstone quarried nearby come together in an attractive stone structure featuring carved mantles, roof beams and handmade furniture. In 1997, Bastrop State Park was awarded National Historic Landmark status, due largely to the enduring craftsmanship and landscape work done in the park by the CCC. It is one of only five CCC parks in the nation with this recognition. ARE THE LOST PINES REALLY LOST? People have long wondered why the pines are here. The stark contrast of the deep sandy soils and pine trees, compared with the surrounding oak savanna and grassland prairie, begs the question: Are the Pines really lost? Legend has it that American Indians traveled here from East Texas and planted seedlings to remind them of the home they left behind. Other myths claim that the pines got lost or that they were once part of a continuous stretch of loblolly forest from the east. The Lost Pines are significant in that they represent the westernmost stand of loblolly pine trees in the PINEY WOODS United States. Separated LOST from the East Texas Pineywoods PINES by nearly 100 miles, pollen records indicate the pines have persisted in this area for over 18,000 years. Sandy and gravely soils with a sub-surface layer of water preserving clay help to create an environment where loblolly pines can flourish. Over time the climate became drier but the local sandy aquifer-laced soils provided conditions for them to thrive. The pines have become genetically unique, having adapted to 30% less rainfall than loblollies from East Texas and adjacent states. Over 75,000 acres of loblolly pines, known as the Lost Pines ecosystem, lie scattered across sections of five counties on the Texas Coastal Plain. A portion of this magnificent pine forest is located in Bastrop and Buescher State Parks. An Island of Diversity Bastrop and Buescher State Parks lie within the ecological region known as Post Oak Savannah. A mosaic of pine, oaks, shrubs, grassland and mixed flowering plants create a diverse environment important to many species of wildlife including the pileated woodpecker, the largest of the woodpeckers. The seasonally moist sandy soils of the Lost Pines provide critical habitat for the largest remaining population of the endangered Houston toad. The Houston toad was recognized as an endangered species in Loss of habitat in its historic range, largely due to urbanization, has caused a marked decline in populations of this species in recent decades. Protecting the Lost Pines Over the past 150 years, human activities such as logging, farming and fire suppression have changed the natural environment. In recent years, population growth and economic development have further fragmented the Lost Pines ecosystem. TPWD has developed new strategies to protect this unique resource. These include land acquisition, public education and prescribed fire. Prescribed burning is necessary to reduce large fuel loads that can cause wildfires. These purposefully set and monitored fires increase the diversity of native plants and grasses thus improving the overall health and viability of the Lost Pines ecosystem.

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14 AGE (Ma) MAGNETIC POLARITY HIST. ANOM. CHRON. 1 C1 2 C2 2A C2A 3 C3 3A C3A 4 C4 4A C4A 5 C5 5A 5B 5C 5D 5E 6 6A 6B 6C 7 7A C5A C5B C5C C5D C5E C6 C6A C6B C6C C7 C7A C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13 C15 C16 C17 C18 C19 C20 C21 C22 C23 C24 C25 C26 C27 C28 C29 30 C30 CENOZOIC PERIOD Terreneuvian QUATER- NARY TERTIARY PALEOGENE NEOGENE EPOCH HOLOCENE PLEISTOCENE PLIOCENE MIOCENE OLIGOCENE EOCENE PALEOCENE L M E L E L M E L M E AGE CALABRIAN GELASIAN PIACENZIAN ZANCLEAN MESSINIAN TORTONIAN SERRAVALLIAN LANGHIAN BURDIGALIAN AQUITANIAN CHATTIAN RUPELIAN PRIABONIAN BARTONIAN LUTETIAN YPRESIAN THANETIAN SELANDIAN DANIAN 2009 GEOLOGIC TIME SCALE PICKS (Ma) AGE (Ma) MAGNETIC POLARITY HIST. ANOM M0r M1 M3 M5 M10 M12 M14 M16 M18 M20 M22 M25 M29 MESOZOIC CHRON. 30 C30 34 C31 C32 C33 C34 RAPID POLARITY CHANGES PERIOD EPOCH TRIASSIC JURASSIC CRETACEOUS LATE EARLY LATE MIDDLE EARLY LATE MIDDLE EARLY AGE MAASTRICHTIAN CAMPANIAN SANTONIAN CONIACIAN TURONIAN CENOMANIAN ALBIAN APTIAN BARREMIAN HAUTERIVIAN VALANGINIAN BERRIASIAN TITHONIAN KIMMERIDGIAN OXFORDIAN CALLOVIAN BATHONIAN BAJOCIAN AALENIAN TOARCIAN PLIENSBACHIAN SINEMURIAN HETTANGIAN RHAETIAN NORIAN CARNIAN LADINIAN ANISIAN OLENEKIAN INDUAN PICKS (Ma) AGE (Ma) PALEOZOIC PERIOD EPOCH PERMIAN CAMBRIAN* ORDOVICIAN SILURIAN DEVONIAN CARBONIFEROUS L M E PENNSYL- VANIAN MISSIS- SIPPIAN L M E L M E L M E Series 3 Series 2 Furongian AGE CHANGHSINGIAN WUCHIAPINGIAN CAPITANIAN WORDIAN ROADIAN KUNGURIAN ARTINSKIAN SAKMARIAN ASSELIAN GZELIAN KASIMOVIAN MOSCOVIAN BASHKIRIAN SERPUKHOVIAN VISEAN TOURNAISIAN FAMENNIAN FRASNIAN GIVETIAN EIFELIAN EMSIAN PRAGHIAN LOCKHOVIAN PRIDOLIAN LUDFORDIAN GORSTIAN HOMERIAN SHEINWOODIAN TELYCHIAN AERONIAN RHUDDANIAN HIRNANTIAN KATIAN SANDBIAN DARRIWILIAN DAPINGIAN FLOIAN TREMADOCIAN STAGE 10 STAGE 9 PAIBIAN GUZHANGIAN DRUMIAN STAGE 5 STAGE 4 STAGE 3 STAGE 2 FORTUNIAN PICKS (Ma) AGE (Ma) PRECAMBRIAN EON PROTEROZOIC ARCHEAN HADEAN ERA NEOPRO- TEROZOIC MESOPRO- TEROZOIC PALEOPRO- TEROZOIC NEOARCHEAN MESO- ARCHEAN PALEO- ARCHEAN EOARCHEAN PERIOD EDIACARAN CRYOGENIAN TONIAN STENIAN ECTASIAN CALYMMIAN STATHERIAN OROSIRIAN RHYACIAN SIDERIAN BDY. AGES (Ma) *International ages have not been fully established. These are current names as reported by the International Commission on Stratigraphy. Walker, J.D., and Geissman, J.W., compilers, 2009, Geologic Time Scale: Geological Society of America, doi: /2009.CTS004R2C The Geological Society of America. Sources for nomenclature and ages are primarily from Gradstein, F., Ogg, J., Smith, A., et al., 2004, A Geologic Time Scale 2004: Cambridge University Press, 589 p. Modifications to the Triassic after: Furin, S., Preto, N., Rigo, M., Roghi, G., Gianolla, P., Crowley, J.L., and Bowring, S.A., 2006, High-precision U-Pb zircon age from the Triassic of Italy: Implications for the Triassic time scale and the Carnian origin of calcareous nannoplankton and dinosaurs: Geology, v. 34, p , doi: /G22967A.1; and Kent, D.V., and Olsen, P.E., 2008, Early Jurassic magnetostratigraphy and paleolatitudes from the Hartford continental rift basin (eastern North America): Testing for polarity bias and abrupt polar wander in association with the central Atlantic magmatic province: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 113, B06105, doi: /2007JB

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