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Texas Master Naturalist program -
Texas Master Naturalist Trans-Pecos Chapter
will host a 14-week course 6 to 9 p.m. weekly
February through May, 2015 at El Paso Garden
Center, 3105 Grant. The program is aimed at
developing a well-informed corps of volunteers
to provide education, outreach and service
dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and areas within the El Paso
region. Application deadline is Feb. 1. Cost:
$125 (includes all materials). Information, applications: 860-2515 or txmn.org/trans_pecos.
El Paso Zoo — 4001 E. Paisano. Zoo sum-
mer entrance hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
daily. Zoo admission is $12 for ages 13 to 59;
$9 for ages 60 and older and active duty military (including spouse) with ID; $7.50 ages 3 to
12; and free for ages 2 and under. Zoo members admitted free. Information: 532-8156,
521-1850 or elpasozoo.org.
The inaugural Brew at the Zoo is 6 to 10 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 28, with samplings of more than
20 craft brews, barbecue “pub grub,” a dessert
truck, pub style games, animal presentations,
live music and a commemorative souvenir.
Ages 21 and older only. Tickets: $30 in
advance, $35 day of event. Designated drivers
$20. VIP tickets are $85 (includes entrance to
special VIP event 5 to 6 p.m. Six-pack of tickets: $160.
“African Star” Train ride tickets are $2 plus
tax ($1.50 for children and society members).
Asian Elephant Training Encounters scheduled
at noon daily.
The zoo now includes the Foster Tree House
Playground, five tree houses blended into a natural setting for kids of all ages.
The El Paso Zoo is a 35-acre home to 228
species of animals. About 420 mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds, 106 fish and 294
invertebrates live in a variety of natural habitat
exhibits including a Reptile House, South
American Pavilion, Americas Aviary, Cisneros
Paraje, Birds of Prey Exhibit, Forest Atrium,
Asian Grasslands and an Elephant Complex,
and the Kalahari Research Station energy exhibit.
Franklin Mountains State Park — Most
hiking and mountain-biking trails begin in the
Tom Mays area, off Transmountain Road on
the west side of the park (east of I-10).
Entry fee is $5 per person, free for age 12 and
under (with family). Correct cash or check
only. Group rates available. Hours are 8 a.m. to
5 p.m. daily. Information: 566-6441 or on
Facebook at FranklinMountainsSP.
Yoga on the Rocks is planned for January; call
for date and time.
Guided hikes and bike rides are $3 additional
fee ($1 ages 5-12; under 5 free). Bring water,
snacks, sturdy shoe/boots, hiking stick, maps
and binoculars. Dogs welcome on leash on
some hikes. Reservations required: 566-6441
ext. 221, 224 or
[email protected].
• A Sweetheart Mine Tour is 10 a.m. Saturday,
Feb. 7.
• Nature Walk Trail hike is 9 a.m. Sunday,
Feb. 8.
• Women’s Only hike is 9 a.m. Sunday, Feb.
22, at Schaeffer Shuffle Trail.
Mountain Bike rides:
• Beginner’s Ride, 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21
(guided ride).
A Birding 101 Valentine birding program is 1
February 2015
p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14.
The 24,000-acre park extends north from the
heart of El Paso to the New Mexico state line.
The highest point is North Mt. Franklin, 7,192
feet above sea level.
Hueco Climber Clean Up — The
Climbers of Hueco Tanks Coalition hosts its
annual Climber Clean Up 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 7, at Hueco Tanks State Park
and Historic Site. Meet at the front gate at 9
a.m. Ten organized guided hikes of ten persons
each will be organized, with last clean up tour
departing at 1 p.m. Climbers may stay and
climb after the clean up, and a dinner for participants is 6:30 p.m. at Rock Ranch. Admission
is free for participants. Information: 667-2205
or huecoclimbers.org.
To get there: Take Montana Avenue (U.S.
Highway 62-180) all the way into the Hueco
Mountains then turn left on Ranch Road 2775.
El Paso/Trans-Pecos Audubon Society
— The annual awards dinner and program is
6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Holiday Inn
Sunland Park, 900 Sunland Park Drive. Lansing
Community College Adjunct Professor of
Photography Wayne Pope will present “How
to Get Better Pictures.” Space is limited; reservations required. Reservations: Janet Perkins,
637-5269.
Conservation Award goes to Oscar Mestas,
Regional Urban Forester of Mountain West
Region of Texas A&M Forest Service.
Meritorious Service Award goes to Richard
Hermosillo.
Nonmembers and beginners welcome on all
field trips Information: Mark Perkins, 637-3521.
• Phoenix Weekend Trip is Feb. 13-16, to
visit Valley of the Sun, Boyce Thompson
Arboretum, Gilbert’s Water Ranch and other
locations. Call for reservations.
• An Elephant Butte birding begins at 6:30 a.m.
Saturday, March 14, departing from the
Southwest corner of Outlet Shoppes of El
Paso’s parking lot, off I-10 at Transmountain
(Talbot Road entrance). Bring a sack lunch.
Rio Bosque Wetlands Park — UTEP’s
Center for Environmental Resource
Management offers free guided walking tours
and other activities at Rio Bosque Wetlands
Park in El Paso’s Mission Valley. Tours last
about two hours. Information: 747-8663 or riobosque.org.
• Bird tour is 8 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 8.
• Introductory tour is 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb.
14.
Meeting place is a bridge crossing Riverside
Canal. Take Americas Ave. (Loop 375) to Pan
American Drive, turn left and travel 1.5 miles.
Other events:
• A Community Workday is 9 a.m. Saturday,
Feb, 21 (meet at bridge).
• Bird Survey is 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24
(meet at visitor center).
• Friends of the Rio Bosque monthly meeting is
6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at 209-A Burges
Hall, UTEP.
Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic
Site — The site is famed for many Native
American rock paintings and unique geology.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission: $7
(free for children 12 and younger). Additional
activity cost for tours (including morning hike):
Please see Page 30
El Paso Scene
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