Document oak-juniper canopy structure for golden-cheeked warbler habitat, 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 oak-juniper woodland is prime golden-cheeked warbler breeding habitat with no recent canopy-structure record to guide habitat-conscious management before the next season. Standard: US Fish and Wildlife Service golden-cheeked warbler recovery habitat guidance plus USDA NRCS conservation practice standard 666 forest stand improvement, applied here to oak-juniper woodland canopy structure and mature Ashe juniper nesting-bark habitat, Lost Maples State Natural Area, Bandera and Real Counties, TX, observation and management of habitat structure only, never nest search. SDG 15.5. Proof: document only observation log plus canopy composition note plus GPS plus ranked follow on note Method (US Fish and Wildlife Service golden-cheeked warbler recovery habitat guidance plus USDA NRCS conservation practice standard 666 forest stand improvement, applied here to oak-juniper woodland canopy structure and mature Ashe juniper nesting-bark habitat, Lost Maples State Natural Area, Bandera and Real Counties, TX, observation and management of habitat structure only, never nest search. SDG 15.5.): 1. 1. From the maintained trail, photograph the oak-juniper woodland canopy composition and closure, without leaving the trail. This is observation of habitat structure only, never a search for, approach to, or attempt to locate an active nest at any point; do not use playback or calls, and do not leave the maintained trail. 2. 2. Note the approximate ratio of oak to juniper cover and canopy closure in the stretch observed. 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 describing the canopy structure for the habitat-management crew. Done when: Photo of the oak-juniper canopy taken from the maintained trail; Note of the approximate oak to juniper ratio and canopy closure; Confirmation this was habitat-structure observation only, never a nest search, no playback or calls used; Ranked follow on note describing canopy structure for the habitat-management 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

$95 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 composition 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 oak-juniper canopy taken from the maintained trail
• Note of the approximate oak to juniper ratio and canopy closure
• Confirmation this was habitat-structure observation only, never a nest search, no playback or calls used
• Ranked follow on note describing canopy structure for the habitat-management crew
• GPS waypoint of the surveyed stretch

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.