What are the fire risks for the Preserve at Walnut Springs and how do we best mitigate these risks?  According to the Texas A&M Forest service, eighty percent of Texas Wildfires occur within two miles of a community (2011 Texas Wildfires 9). The varied terrain of the PWS requires a combination of management practices. While the longhorns and horses help to control overgrowth of our grass lands, and the ranch hands use manual equipment to help clear cedar, prune trees and manage overgrowth. There are steep, hilly and rocky areas that are not amendable to these practices. The DEW committee is researching alternative methods to reduce the overgrowth and fire risk in these more challenging terrains; flash mob goat grazing and prescribed burns can be effective management practices.  
A prescribed burn is the controlled application of fire to reduce naturally occurring fuels. With proper implementation it can be an effective and sustainable approach to mitigating the fire risk at the preserve, while also enhancing the health and beauty of our plant and animal wildlife.
The DEW Committee will be hosting Wesley Evans October 23 at 10am. Wesley is Fire Coordinator of Region 3, for Texas Parks and Wildlife. He has an extensive background and knowledge in the use of Prescribed Burns in Wildland Fire Management.
Members are welcome to attend the conversation in person at the Clubhouse or for those not able to attend in person a zoom invite link will be located on the pwshoa.com calendar.

Steven Fulton, our Staff Biologist who oversees the whitetail deer management will be conducting two spotlight censuses this month in accordance with our Wildlife Management requirements.  The first will be held this Saturday, September 11th and the second will be held next Saturday night, September 18th. If you or your family would like to participate in either census please let us know. They'll meet at the clubhouse at 8pm and slowly drive through the community. 

2021-2022 Whitetail Deer Season Timeline:

• 10/2-10/3 Bow weekend
• 11/6 - 11/30 Hunting on North side of ranch
• 12/1 - 12/31 Hunting on South side of ranch 
• 1/3 - 1/16 Hunting on both sides of ranch for late season
•  1/1 Collect harvest data for WMP submission (due to County by 1/31/2021)

Trail closures on each designated side of the ranch take place morning and evening. Trails are always open from 9am - 4 pm each day.

Join us Saturday, August 21st at 1pm in the Clubhouse for a snake identification and awareness presentation. All ages are welcome to attend as Tim Cole of Austin Reptile Service will bring around 24 indigenous snakes & 4 venomous species (locked in display cages) for show. 
The Non-venomous snakes are taken out and carried around during his monologue and presentation time is expected to last 60-90 minutes.
Tim will cover identification, urban myths, snake behavior, and snake habitat. The presentation is geared for all ages!

This meeting schedule is a general guideline and subject to change. Please visit the pwshoa.com website for any changes and zoom dial-in information. 
HOA Board (quarterly) at 9:00 AM CT:
February 8, 2021
May 10, 2021
August 9, 2021
October 25, 2021 
November 8, 2021
Annual Meeting date TBD
DEW Committee (quarterly) at 10:00 AM CT:
March 12, 2021 
May 14, 2021 
July 16, 2021 
September 17, 2021
ARC (monthly) at 1:00 PM CT:
February 16, 2021
March 16, 2021
April 20, 2021
May 18, 2021
June 15, 2021
July 20, 2021
August 17, 2021
September 21, 2021
October 19, 2021
November 16, 2021
December 21, 2021

​Blanco county remains at 6 cases and as many local businesses are re-opening, we ask that you review the minimum standard health protocols that were shared by the Texas Governor. 

https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/organization/opentexas/OpenTexas-Checklist-Individuals.pdf

HOA Community Updates:

• As of May 15th, the interior of the Clubhouse is open. Members are welcome to use the outdoor amenities, pool area and bathrooms. 
• Hand sanitizer and cleaning products are available and we ask for your assistance in wiping down any hard surfaces touched after use (door handles, counters, buttons, etc) 
• The HOA office is closed. Business continues, so please reach out by phone or email and use the online resources pwshoa.com to the extent possible.
• Fedex/UPS Deliveries are continuing to be left on the Clubhouse porch. A note posted to the door includes my phone number for signature. 
• Sales & Marketing materials are available in the information kiosk on the Clubhouse porch. While sales traffic has reduced, self-tours are still taking place after a visitor has reached out by phone or email and been qualified to do so.
• Please reschedule clubhouse use to allow for regular cleaning services of the pool on Tuesdays and Clubhouse on Thursdays. 
• The pool is open for use. There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs. Proper operation, maintenance, and disinfection of pools and hot tubs should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.
• Use social distancing from other members using the HOA facilities, trails or amenities.
• Bring your own sports balls and equipment to the tennis courts, putting green or basketball court. 

The Ranch Hands are considered essential employees and will continue to maintain the infrastructure on the ranch and care for the livestock onsite. At this time, the HOA is not providing any in-home services. We will continue to provide services like lawn care and maintenance outdoors. To schedule services, please email your requests to jasmin@walnut-springs.com.

For more on re-opening Texas: 
https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/organization/opentexas/OpenTexas-Report.pdf 

10 am – Noon
Saturday, November 9th
​
With Fall upon us, we are celebrating cooler weather with a meet and greet down at the Equestrian Center. Join us Saturday, November 9th anytime from 10 am – Noon for a casual meet and greet of PWS Wranglers and Ranch Horses.
Meet the new members of the PWSHOA team, Alison Ritz and James Leshikar who will be guiding trail rides this Fall and expanding the menu of horse services to also include lessons. All of the ranch horses will be at the barn and you can get to know each one by name and hear more about their personalities. Arena riding will also be available to all visitors. So if you have not ridden before and would prefer a nice introduction to our riding program or a picture with the ranch horses, this is a great opportunity to do so.
Look for an expanded menu of trail rides, lesson opportunities and how to schedule a ride this Fall.

Welcome our new Weekend Wrangler
Join us in welcoming our new PWS Weekend Wrangler. Check the available Trail Rides on the HOA Calendar and email pwstrailrides@gmail.com to enjoy the Ranch on Horseback and meet Allison.
A little about Allison Ritz:
"My name is Alison Ritz. I am 22 years old and currently living in Buchanan Dam, Texas.I was born in Houston and although I was born in the city, I am definitely a country girl at heart. When I was 12 years old, we moved to the beautiful hill country town of Leakey, Texas; population 439. This is when I discovered my love for horses. I began working at a trail riding stable that owned 33 horses, where I was immersed in the horse world and began soaking up all the information I could. By the end of my 5 years there, I was the lead wrangler and running the place at only 18 years old. Since then, I have acquired much more experience working with numerous horse owners, doing various riding clinics and now own a horse of my own; but trail riding is something I have truly missed. That being said, I am very excited about being a part of the team here at Walnut Springs and getting to know each and every one of you!" 

​2019 -2020 White Tail Deer Harvest
The Preserve at Walnut Springs Homeowners Association is preparing for our 2019-2020 Whitetail Deer Harvest in accordance with our Wildlife Management Plan.
If you or your family would like to participate in the harvest this year:
We are offering “day hunts” that can be scheduled through the HOA Office.

• All deer hunts will be guided by a member of the PWS team, Steven or a member of the hunting lease,
• The fee associated with does and cull bucks is $250 per animal, which accounts for the staff members time, Only does and cull bucks will be harvested. The number of animal units selected for harvest is based on the census counts.
• There is a $1000.00 fee to hunt a select mature buck if an animal is harvested without approval.
• Please make your request at least 10 days prior to your preferred date.
• Texas law requires all hunters to have a hunting license. 

Safety is our highest priority.
If your family is not participating in the harvest this year, but will be visiting the ranch trails during hunting season, please follow the mandatory Trail Closures for your safety. Trails that cross nearby a hunting blind have a been marked with a chain across the trail and sign noting the trails closure.  Trails are closed in the morning and evenings to allow the hunters the opportunity to hunt from the blinds, and are otherwise open from 10-3 daily. If you see an unmanned vehicle, Hunters will often park their vehicle at the entry point of the trail.
Trail Closures:
General Season begins on November 2nd and runs until January 1st 2019 and Trails will be OPEN from 10am to 3pm daily.
There will be three exceptions during this time frame when the trails will be open without closure:
Thanksgiving Day  
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
January 2nd to January 15th, 2019 is late season and Trails will be OPEN from 10am to 3pm daily.