BIG BEND NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION
Last modified 9/18/06

2007 Schedule

Hot, Tired and Dusty
The story of Big Bend Ranching New!
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2007
W e’ll travel by Jeeps into the remote areas of Big Bend to learn about the struggles and lifestyles of the pioneer men and women of the Big Bend. A great seminar for those interested in the human history of the region!
Difficulty: Easy
Price: 5/person (BBNHA Members 9.50)

Sketches and Blooms
An exercise in desert art New!
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2007
Join the Artist-in-the-Park for a great program on the illustration of desert plants and wildflowers. All levels of artists are encouraged to participate – although no drawing experience is required. You’ll see the beauty of the desert from a different perspective!
Difficulty: Easy
Price: .00/person (BBNHA Members )

3600 Feet of Botany
A study of desert plants New!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2007
New! Starting in the higher elevations of the Chisos Mountain Complex (5400 feet), this seminar will descend onto the desert floor (1800 feet) and cover a wide variety of the national park’s plant life. Presenters will emphasize the various edible and medicinal plants of the Big Bend.
Difficulty: Moderate
Price: /person (BBNHA Members )

Birding for Dummies
The basics of birding
SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 2007
This workshop is all about the beginning birder. Your instructor will focus on the basics – from binoculars to field guides – and prepare you for future birding adventures. A must for those always wanting to get started in bird watching!
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Price: /person (BBNHA Members )

Backpacking for Women
Overnight in the Chisos Mountains
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2006
Ladies, this seminar is just for you! Seminar leaders will focus on gear (what you really need!) and how to pack that gear for maximum comfort. Our travels will take us to the spectacular South Rim of the Chisos Mountains where we’ll bivouac under the spectacular Big Bend sky.
Difficulty: Moderate to Demanding
Price: 5/person (BBNHA Members 5). Price includes food for dinner and breakfast.

The Big Ditch; Canyon Country
Overnight float trip on the Rio Grande New!
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, APRIL 14-15, 2007
Join the leadership staff of Far Flung Outdoor Center for an overnight trip on the Rio Grande! You’ll learn some of the “ins and outs” of canoe paddling, camp set-up and maintenance, river safety, wilderness first aid and interpretation skills. In addition, seminar leaders will focus on the wide natural diversity of the river canyons.
Difficulty: Moderate
Price:

Saddles and Hooves
Exploring Big Bend by Horseback New!
SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2007
Returning for another season, this popular seminar combines the best of natural history and the cowboy culture of the west. We’ll spend the day on horseback going “off the beaten path” to visit the remains of early ranches and Native Americans. Lunch included.
Difficulty: Moderate
Price: 5/person (BBNHA Members 0)


Snakes, Lizards and Cold-Blooded Creatures
A study in herpetology
SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2007
Big Bend is one of the most extraordinary herpetological regions in the country! Join the seminar leader for an introductory presentation on reptiles and then prepare to spend the evening searching for the “hide-outs” of our cold-blooded friends.
Difficulty: Easy
Price: /person (BBNHA Members )

Search for the Silver
Overnight by Jeep to Mariscal Mine New!
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, APRIL 21-22, 2007
The weather is great! Wish you were here! Join the BBNHA for a 51-mile overnight journey down the River Road with a stopover at the Mariscal Mine. We’ll furnish the vehicles, all meals, tents and interpretive guides to make this a great adventure. Cameras Required!
Difficulty: Moderate
Price:

Feathered Friends of the Big Bend
A three day birding affair
FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, APRIL 27-29, 2007
With more bird species identified in Big Bend than any other national park, serious birders don’t want to pass on this one! April and early May represents spring migration at its peak - with Colima warblers singing in the Chisos Mountains, Gray Vireos nesting in the desert and Lucifer’s hummingbirds feeding in the lowlands. Starting packing your spotting scope!
Difficulty: Demanding
Price: 0.00/person (BBNHA Members 6)

Feathers and Beaks
A two day birding affair
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22-23, 2007
Similar to the spring birding programs, but less demanding, this two day seminar focuses on the migratory and breeding birds of the desert lowlands and Rio Grande corridor. We’ll travel throughout the park in search of the fall birding patterns.
Difficulty: Moderate
Price: 5/person (BBNHA Members 6)

10,000 Years of Bodies
An exploration of Big Bend archeology New!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2007
Ten thousand years of human occupation … some say it is closer to fourteen thousand years. Big Bend National park abounds with archeological sites. We’ll visit a variety of sites, discuss the facts as they are known today and take a imaginary walk back in time. Difficulty: Moderate
Price: /person (BBNHA Members )


Digging for Dinos
Hands-on at a dinosaur dig New!
FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28-29, 2007
Hands-on paleontology at a real dinosaur dig, and you don’t even have to camp! We’ll be excavating at the Ten Bits Ranch guest ranch - a premier, private paleontology site. Dig into 65 million years of history – or just enjoy the magnificent views from the shaded porch – either way it will be a terrific day! Lodging and meals included.
Difficulty: Moderate
Price:

Lost! How do I ...?
A desert survival workshop
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2007
Ever wonder how you would handle the unexpected in the desert? What gear should you have? What’s just catalog hype? When should you leave your car and hike out? How to get the attention of a rescue team? How to find food and water? Build shelter? Navigate by map and compass?
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Price: /person (BBNHA Member)


That GPS You Got for Your Birthday...

A lesson in electronic navigation New!
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2007
Want to spend some time really getting to know how to use your new GPS system? Join BBNHA as we cover the basics – how, when and why to use a GPS and how they are most effective with topo maps. Don’t have a GPS unit? No worries, we’ll have a few extra on hand.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Price: /person (BBNHA Member )


Over the Border
A visit to Northern Mexico New!
FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12 -14, 2007
South of the Big Bend there is an oasis named San Carlos, Mexico. Just outside of town is the LaGloria bed & breakfast. Join the BBNHA for two nights and three days of great food, American style lodging and a spectacular view of the mountains of Northern Mexico. Each day there will be opportunities to explore the countryside. Lodging and meals included.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Price:

Packsaddles and Hooves
An overnight horseback to the Buena Suerte Ghosttown New!
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20-21, 2007
Saddle up and let’s ride into some of the most spectacular country you have ever seen! We’ll spend the night at the Good Luck mine with plenty of time to learn about and explore the ruins of a past generation. Meals included. Difficulty: Moderate
Pricing:

More Than A Path
Hiking with a trail crew boss New!
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2007
You’ll never look at your favorite trail in the same way after spending the day with one of the best trail crew bosses in the National Park system. He’ll detail the creation and maintenance of a “good” trail, give you a sense of the issues and bring the history of the national park to life.
Price: /person (BBNHA Member )

North and South in the Big Bend
A Geology Jeep adventure on Old Ore Road New Itinerary!
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2007
We’ve revised this favorite in order to spend time on one of the more scenic backcountry paths in Big Bend National Park –Old Ore Road. Join the park’s geology expert for a day of fun and education.
Price: 5/person (BBNHA Member 9)