Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Bayland Community Center by Natalie Wiest, Commodore. Officers in attendance and introduced were by Natalie were Bob Naeger, Purser; Alice Nissen, Recorder; Bruce Bodson, Fleet Captain; Tim Brooking, Boatswain. Also present was Ann Derby, Sargent at Arms, and, via Zoom, Tom Douglas, Conservation Chairman. The last meeting minutes were unanimously approved.
Tim Brooking gave the boatswain report and stated that this month there are two new members, 10 renewals, for a total membership of 142, and 827 Facebook followers. Natalie introduced visitors Penn Williamson, who stated he is interested in canoeing and kayaking, and Dario Loft and his wife, Magdalen, who just moved here from Las Vegas.
Bob Naeger gave the purser report: Year-to-date income $1075, all from membership dues, is less than our budget of $1250. Y-T-D total expense is $945. Checking account balance is up at $124.
Tom Douglas gave the conservation report. Watershed-based plans will protect our bayous. There are 23 watershed-based plans in our area. Three different plans: Clear Creek watershed protection plan, Cotton Bayou, and East Fork of San Jacinto River. These projects are in their early stages and need public input and he encouraged us to get involved. The contact person is Rachel Windham, our speaker last month. Further information is posted on the conservation forum.
Bruce Bodson gave the fleet captain’s report. Since the last meeting, there were seven events with 24 participants (21 members and 3 nonmembers) for a total of 84.81 miles. As of this year, 2022, there have been 32 mileage events for a total of 417 miles that included 37 member participants and 17 non-members. Top participants are Bruce Bodson, 11 trips; David Portz, 9 trips; Karen Suggs, 8 trips; Christy Long and Kent Walters, 7 trips each; and Tom Douglas and Joe Coker, 6 trips each. Trips since last meeting: On May 19, Kent Walters lead a trip from DeGray Lake Dam to Arkadelphia for 11 miles. On May 21, Bruce Bodson’s trip on the Brazos River from Tony Becerra Park to Sugar Land Memorial Park for 19 miles. On May 23, Old River Paddling Trail Recon trip from FM1409 to Joe Matthews Park for 7.2 miles. On May 27, Lil Mo to Caddo River in Arkansas lead by Kent Walters for 8.9 miles. Kent stated the Caddo was beautiful, green and full of wildlife. On June 4, Garwood to Glen Flora for 28 miles, led by Bruce Bodson. There were 42 sightings of eagles, as well as lots of kingfishers, hogs, and deer. On June 5, Cypress Wonderland lead by Tom Douglas for 9.9 miles. There were 14 paddlers. Beautiful scenery and lots of shade.
Natalie mentioned that we are going to have new tee-shirts made for the club.
The speaker for this evening was Amber Leung, a Texas Master Naturalist with the Coastal Prairie Chapter. Her presentation was titled “Sharing Space with Snakes: Safely Coexisting On and Off the Water.” She has a BS in Marine Science from Texas A&M at Galveston. Her presentation slides are on the General Forum of the HCC website, “Coexisting with Snakes,” for more thorough information. Texas has approximately 100 snake species, of which approximately 30 are in the Houston area. The few snakes in our area that are venomous are cottonmouth, copperhead, and coral snakes. Snakes have simple brains, not complex. Snakes are defensive and are looking for escape routes when threatened, not chasing. They are naturally curious. If one lands in your kayak, don’t panic, make yourself seem bigger, make movements such as waving your arms and nudge the snake away with a paddle. Venomous snakes have a triangular head shape. Northern cottonmouths are very venomous; they have a bright white mouth. Copperheads have “Hershey Kisses” markings, heads are box like, and lots of variation in color. The Western diamondback has more serious venom. The Timber rattlesnakes are responsible for most deaths. Texas coral snakes, related to the cobra, don’t want to bite. Their venom is neurotoxic. There are no recorded deaths from their bite, just pain and less tissue damage. Dead snakes can still envenomate. It’s hard to replace myths: Benadryl is not helpful for snake bites and snake bite kits do not do anything either; mothballs do nothing to deter snakes and are illegal. Most water snakes are nonvenomous and often confused with cottonmouths. Amber’s safety minute for us is to watch where you step on the shore, keep your distance when you see a snake, and give the snake an escape route. The presentation was fascinating as well as very informative. We especially liked seeing and touching the well-behaved and beautiful snakes that she brought to the meeting. Amber’s presentation was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:45.
Houston Canoe Club
Board Meeting
June 1, 2021