Document canopy gaps in the relict bigtooth maple stand, site 1, the maintained East Trail through the relict bigtooth maple stand, Lost Maples State Natural Area (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, public state natural area), Vanderpool, TX 78885, Bandera and Real Counties (2026-08-04)

This disjunct relict stand of bigtooth maple, an Ice Age holdover surviving in the Sabinal Canyon's cool moist microclimate hundreds of miles from its main range, has canopy gaps with no photo record to prioritize them for regeneration planting. Standard: USDA NRCS conservation practice standard 612 tree/shrub establishment plus Texas Parks and Wildlife Department relict-forest and canyon-microclimate stewardship guidance, applied here to the disjunct relict bigtooth maple stand along the Sabinal Canyon East Trail, Lost Maples State Natural Area, Bandera and Real Counties, TX, an Ice Age holdover surviving hundreds of miles from its main range. SDG 15.1 and 15.5. Proof: document only observation log plus canopy gap note plus GPS plus ranked follow on note Method (USDA NRCS conservation practice standard 612 tree/shrub establishment plus Texas Parks and Wildlife Department relict-forest and canyon-microclimate stewardship guidance, applied here to the disjunct relict bigtooth maple stand along the Sabinal Canyon East Trail, Lost Maples State Natural Area, Bandera and Real Counties, TX, an Ice Age holdover surviving hundreds of miles from its main range. SDG 15.1 and 15.5.): 1. 1. From the maintained East Trail, photograph a stretch of the relict bigtooth maple stand's canopy, noting mature maple crowns and any young maple seedlings, without leaving the trail. 2. 2. Note whether canopy gaps show bare soil with no visible maple seedling regeneration. 3. 3. Photograph the site from a fixed reference point for future comparison, and check the sky for building storm clouds before continuing. 4. 4. Record a ranked follow on note naming the gap for the regeneration planting crew. Done when: Photo of the maple stand canopy taken from the maintained trail; Note of any canopy gap and whether maple seedling regeneration is visible; Confirmation the maintained trail was never left during the survey; Ranked follow on note naming the gap for the regeneration planting crew; GPS waypoint of the surveyed stretch

Where

the maintained East Trail through the relict bigtooth maple stand, Lost Maples State Natural Area (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, public state natural area), Vanderpool, TX 78885, Bandera and Real Counties

Pay

$90 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

document only observation log plus canopy gap note plus GPS plus ranked follow on note

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

entry

Open until

2026-11-03

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 45–120 minutes. Method of record: Point-count / transect species survey (Breeding Bird Survey + Xerces pollinator-count protocols)

Bring

• binoculars
• field ID guide or app
• GPS phone
• data sheet / recorder
• timer
• camera

Steps

1. 1. Navigate to the first survey point; record GPS; note start time, weather, and wind (surveys pause in rain/high wind).
2. 2. Wait a settling minute, then run a fixed-duration count (e.g., 5 min) within a fixed radius; record every species seen/heard and the count of each.
3. 3. Photograph the habitat and any species you can; note any threatened/target or invasive species.
4. 4. Move to the next point along the transect (keep points >=200 m apart) and repeat the count.
5. 5. Record total effort (points, duration) and observer.
6. 6. Enter the per-point species lists + counts, GPS, weather, effort, and photos into the proof record; sign.

If it does not match the plan

• Threatened/at-risk or target species observed -> flag for the land steward (with location) for protection planning.
• Invasive species dominant / native diversity very low -> flag for a management plan.
• Rain or high wind -> pause/reschedule; counts under poor conditions are not valid.

What counts as done

• Photo of the maple stand canopy taken from the maintained trail
• Note of any canopy gap and whether maple seedling regeneration is visible
• Confirmation the maintained trail was never left during the survey
• Ranked follow on note naming the gap for the regeneration planting crew
• GPS waypoint of the surveyed stretch

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.