SXSW award-winning "Yakona" film screened in Sewell Park

"Yakona" film set at Sewell Park

SAN MARCOS, Texas-On April 12, the documentary "Yakona" was screened at 9 p.m. in Sewell Park at Texas State University.

This film created by Paul Collins and Anlo Sepulveda takes the viewers on a flow through the clear waters of the San Marcos River to prehistoric to modern times based on the waters of Spring Lake. Yakona shows views how the river evolved from ancient times up until the modern era over a span of thousands of years.

During the film process, the producers noticed environmental and architectural changes in the area of San Marcos and the springs including the restoration of the springs, discovery of pre-historic human remains, and the removal of the San Marcos Amusement Park. The phrase Yakona is from a Native American language meaning "rising water" and communicates to viewers the importance of keeping the river conserved through the use of impressionistic scenes captured up close to view the beautiful features that nature has to offer.

 Featured also in SXSW 2014 on March 8, fellow San Martians received the opportunity to experience the glorious visuals of the natural beauties of San Marcos, Texas.

For more information on the film, visit  http://yakona.org/.


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Zizania Tex-what?

Zizania Texana
(Photo credit: http://esciencenews.com)

by ROY QUISMUNDO

SAN MARCOS, Texas - The Texas Wild Rice Festival brought together the community to help spread awareness to the zizania texana and other endangered species that call the San Marcos River their home.

The two day festival kicked off Friday, April 11, 2014, at 5 p.m. at Sewell Park to bring awareness to the public of the eight endangered species living in the river, more notably the Texas Wild Rice in which the festival name is derived from. The festival included live music and performances, interactive activities, and information about the eco system unique to the area.

The zizania texana, more commonly known as the Texas Wild Rice, is only found in San Marcos, Texas, on the San Marcos River. It is federally listed as an endangered species, facing threats from recreational activity on the river, and local wildlife.

Michelle Crawford, a doctoral student at Texas State University, is studying the zizania texana as her dissertation. Her study focuses on the many aspects that make the zizania texana thrive, such as how different lighting may affect the plant. Crawford was conducting a survey at the festival.

“We’re just trying to see in general where people are in regard to protecting those beds [of Texas Wild Rice],” said Crawford.

Valerie Solis, also a doctoral student at Texas State University, was helping out with the survey. She says damages to the Texas Wild Rice come from people just not knowing that the grass is endangered. 

“You’re throwing your frisbee out with your dog, and your dog is laying in it,” said Solis. “[The Texas Wild Rice] is getting torn up.”

Other students were also involved with the festival. Volunteers from the Texas State University Human Environmental Animal Team, H.E.A.T., helped with setting up.

Rachel Wilson, H.E.A.T. volunteer coordinator, said to “treat it [the river] with respect,” when asked what people can do when visiting the San Marcos River.

Reid Liberato, a senior marketing student at Texas State University, comes every sunny day to the river. A tradition he has been doing since his freshmen year.

“The river will always be the river,” said Liberato after explaining how much San Marcos has been changing through recent construction. “You can’t build a building in the river.”

The festival also hosted a screening of "Yakona," a documentary covering the San Marcos River history since prehistoric times.

For more information on the Texas Wild Rice Festival, visit http://www.texaswildricefestival.org.

 Valerie Solis and Michelle Crawford 

Michelle Crawford and Valerie Solis, students of Texas State University's Department of Biology and Sustainability Studies, partook in a poll at the Texas Wild Rice Festival.

Their purpose was to survey the general public and learn how much people knew about the San Marcos River.

One of the questions that was asked was if one knew how many species have been identified as endangered and threatened in the San Marcos River. Solis claims the number of threatened and endangered species is between 16-25.

Another question that was asked if one could identify which is the Texas wild-rice out of three images that were shown on the survey. By conserving the San Marcos river, aside from the endangered species, the knowledge of wild-rice is also crucial in their research.

Solis claimed that many people confused the wild-rice with invasive species such as Hydrilla, an aquatic plant. Having knowledge about what wild-rice looks like is important to Solis and Crawford. "It's just so they know in the future, ultimately with outreach, they would know to avoid those areas where they grow," said Crawford. "It just helps in it's overall conservation."

Gary Perez

Gary Perez at Texas Wild Rice Festival

Gary Perez is a director of the Indigenous Cultures Institute's Sacred Site Program who came to visit the Texas Wild Rice Festival.

Perez told a creation story based on a 4,000 year old cave painting, the White Shaman Panel. The panel is located at the White Shaman Rock in Comstock, Texas. Perez explains that the painting has been researched by the Institute's scientists who support the panel's depiction of the sacred sites.

The painting shows a curved thick line which is known to represent Central Texas' river with four sacred sites revealed as Austin's Barton Springs, the San Marcos springs, the Comal Springs in New Braunfels, and the San Antonio rivers.

Perez tells how the painting reveals geographical facts about Central Texas' river location and the birth of the Earth.

For more information, visit the Indigenous Cultures Institute's website here.

Greetings fellow San Martians!

Jo, Roy, and Ally here. Today we went to the first day of the Texas Wild Rice Festival to enjoy its marvelous events that took place. Whether it's to admire the 4,000-year-old South Texas Native American map revealing the creations of four common springs around south Texas or relax to Carlos Cedillo's Venezuelan songs, we learned of the importance towards preserving the endangered species that reside in our community. We will be at the festival tomorrow as well so look for us!

~The Cool Kids