WBNA Election Results & Event Updates

Please welcome our board members for 2024! We are excited to have a new member, Steve Cockrell, joining the team. Lara Bennett and Pam Wachholz have returned to the group
and their enthusiasm for the community is truly appreciated. On February 29, we had a quorum vote with 16 votes or proxies being recognized. Returning and new members were duly elected. Next year, positions 1, 3, 5 and 7 will be up for election in 2025.

Lara Bennett — (position 3) Nadia Bernard — (position 6)
Steve Cockrell — (position 2) Margaret Sufke — (position 7)
Juli Thatcher — (position 4) Pam Wachholz — (position 5)

There were no nominations from the floor for Position 1, so it remains open. We will continue to actively seek a volunteer for the remaining post. Following the general public meeting the new board will meet as a group and roles will be
assigned.

The board approved the Shot in the Dark at the Park solar eclipse event. We are partnering with the WB Photo group to host this event. The 2024 Arts at the Library—Craft
Marketplace has been confirmed for September 28 — look for more information in the next issue. We will also host a Candidate Forum closer to the elections in November.

Just a friendly reminder. If you have not joined or renewed, use the membership form on page 12 or pay online at: https://wbna-inc.square.site. If you have already paid your 2024 dues, thank you.

A sincere thank you to everyone who has volunteered and supported the WBNA. YOU make the Wells Branch Community better. We are all looking forward to another
fun-filled year!

2024 WBNA Annual Board
Update & Elections

Thursday, February 29, 2024 | 6:30pm
WB Community Center | 2106 Klattenhoff Drive

The WBNA Board has seven members, each serving a two year term with assigned place numbers. Even numbered places are elected during even years; odd numbered places in odd years. This year places 2, 4, and 6 are up for re-election. As governed by the WBNA Bylaws, roles vacated prior to the election are filled by appointees.

Transition defined 2023 for the WBNA board. Three board members, Darci Marter,  Mikella Maughan, and Terra Moses chose to step down mid-term. Each member was reluctant to leave, citing family related reasons, either moving out of area or additional family commitments. In the interim, we were so glad to welcome back Donna Lyons and Lara Bennett as appointees.

In early 2024, Heather Briggs and Donna Lyons stepped back due to family and time commitments. We are currently seeking two new board members and any resident of Wells Branch may join the board. Currently Places 1 and 6 are open and appointees will be ratified during the general meeting.

All Wells Branch residents (both in-district and out-of-district) are invited and encouraged to attend the 2024 general meeting. Your WBNA membership must be current in order to vote in the election or run for office. The membership form is available in the current newsletter or you may join online at: https://wbna-inc.square.site. It’s quick and easy! Please be sure and enter a valid email address. Continue reading 2024 WBNA Annual Board Update & Elections →

Neighborhood Watch Training Program

Deputy Alexis White, TSCO Community Outreach Program
Thursday, February 29 | 7:00-8:00pm
WB Community Center | 2106 Klattenhoff Drive
(immediately following the WBNA general meeting)

Last November the WBNA hosted the Travis County Sheriff’s Office community forum for public safety. Prior to that session, the WBNA conducted a short neighborhood safety survey. One of the biggest takeaways was that folks wanted to re-establish an active, hands-on Neighborhood Watch group. 76% of the survey respondents indicated there was not an ACTIVE neighborhood watch group either on their street or within their immediate subdivision. Getting new block captains educated and re-assigning streets or manageable areas is the first step.

Continue reading Neighborhood Watch Training Program →

Wells Branch Wild:
A Community Wildlife Habitat

by Jill Douglass

What do the United States Department of Agriculture, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Fish and Game, the Xerces Society, and the National Wildlife Federation all agree on?  Leaving the leaves!!  All of these organizations support wildlife, and they all promote using the fallen leaves in your yards as cover, food, and nurseries for animals.  With eight trees in my backyard, I do have trouble finding a spot for all those leaves.  The leaves on the gravel paths get blown or raked into the flower/landscape beds.  Some get piled into a small compost pile.  The ones on the grass get mowed and left in place (though shredded leaves will not provide the same cover as leaving them whole).  My lawn is small so the mown leaves are few.  In the end, a few bags of leaves do make it to the curb to contribute to our community composting.  Leaving the leaves provides two basic benefits.  First, the leaves provide food, cover, and a place for animals to raise their young. Butterflies, bumble bees, lightning bugs, moths, frogs, and turtles are just a few examples of animals that rely on leaf litter.  Without the leaves providing a habitat for insects, many birds will not have food.  Second, leaf mulch provides valuable organic matter to your garden.  No need to buy mulch if you are using your leaves.

To learn more about how to support wildlife, follow Wells Branch Wild on Facebook and Instagram (both can be found by searching Wells Branch Wild).  To date, we have 57 certified wildlife habitats in Wells Branch.  We are one-quarter of the way to our goal of 200. If you are interested in certifying or have questions on how to proceed, visit www.nwf.org/Certify or message us on Facebook or come to our presentation on February 15.  We would love to help.

Wells Branch Wild’s mission is to lead, inspire, and engage our community in stewardship of a healthy and sustainable ecosystem.