Central Texas, Golden-cheeked Warbler, Eco-anxiety, & More
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A Rocha USA Conservation Interns with Verónica Godoy and volunteers at the Stenis Tract
Dear friend of A Rocha USA,
Thank you for your support and investment in this community of caretakers.
As this Spring turns to summer, I and the other A Rocha USA interns will soon be heading our separate ways to continue living out God’s call to care for creation.
Since the beginning of March, the three of us have been living and working in Austin, Texas under the direction of the Central Texas Conservation Director Verónica Godoy. We have been removing invasive plant species, surveying threatened plant species, and engaging with the community through tabling events, volunteer days, and Picnics en el Arroyo – a program designed to facilitate access to nature for Hispanic families. One park where we recently hosted a Picnic is a known nesting area of the endangered Golden Cheeked Warbler, which you can read more about in this month’s “Creature Feature.”
In any environmental work, it can be easy to get wrapped up in the various ways things aren’t as they should be. Especially in work that involves removing invasive species, it can be discouraging to see how far we still have to go to restore creation to a healthy balance. But in the work we have been doing with A Rocha, a foundation of hope and joy always exists. Having the opportunity to participate in the reconciliatory work that God calls us to always contains both lament and celebration. As May is mental health awareness month, I look forward to reading this month’s story on mental health to learn more about easing feelings of “eco-anxiety”.
I feel incredibly blessed to have been a part of this internship program and the A Rocha family. Blessings to all in this new month.
Sincerely,
Michaela Stenerson
Intern Lead, Conservation and Community Engagement A Rocha USA
Act Locally
Song of Springtime: Golden-cheeked Warbler
Known for its distinctive black-and-gold plumage and beautiful calls, the arrival of the Golden-cheeked Warbler signifies springtime in Central Texas. In late March, male Golden-cheeked Warblers are first to arrive at their nesting grounds in the Texas Hill Country, establishing territories while perched underneath the canopy cover provided by old-growth juniper-oak woodlands.
Think Globally
Climate in Crisis: Finding Hope & Taking Action
If you are anything like me, you start your day by checking your email. You receive the latest headlines in those emails – some good, some bad. But the bad news sticks with you. Like this one from Environment by Impact, stating that February 2024 “was the hottest February in recorded history, making it the 9th month in a row we’ve seen record-breaking temperatures”. A feeling of doom takes over, and looking at the clock, you realize you’ve only been awake for five minutes.
Get Involved: A Rocha opportunities
Pilot Opportunity: Wild Wonder Year 1 in Spanish!
Wild Wonder invites children to delight in God as creator, redeemer, and sustainer of all things by immersing them in the wonders of the created world.
We are excited to offer Creación Maravillosa (Wild Wonder in Spanish)! We're currently looking for Spanish-speaking groups and churches who are interested in implementing the curriculum and giving us feedback. The best part is that they will receive the curriculum for free! Are you or a church you know eager to take part? Email veronica.godoy@arocha.org to learn more.
Join Us For No Mow May / No Mow Month
Do more for creation by doing less!
Pledge to take a month off of mowing your lawn (or a part of it) this year. Or simply reduce your mowing frequency. Your effort to do less will benefit the butterflies, bees, and other wildlife that live near you. Learn more about how to get involved in Love Your Place!
Texas Conservation Project: Upcoming Events
Picnics en el Arroyo: May 18 @ 11 AM CST at Palmetto State Park
Learn more about these events or sign up to volunteer by emailing veronica.godoy@arocha.org.
