March 1, 2024
Lights Out Texas: Statewide (March 1 to June 15)
April 19, 2024
Fort Worth Audubon Society: Prairie Walks at the Sid Richardson Tract - Crowley (Through June 21)
Join Suzanne Tuttle to explore this tract of prairie land on the southeast shore of Benbrook Lake.
This fieldtrip will be held on the 3rd Friday of the months February thru June. The meet-up times for April 19, May 17 and June 21 will be 8 a.m.. The meet-up times for February and March will be 9 a.m. Suzanne plans to arrive about 15 minutes before the start times so folks will see the pull-out.
The fieldtrip will last approximately 1.5 hours, but Suzanne will stay longer if the day is very birdy. The trail is natural surface, some will wander off trail, so please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the weather conditions. There are no facilities on the property.
May 1, 2024
NCTCOG: National Bike Month - DFW (May)
May 5 is National Ride a Bike Day.
May 8 is Bike & Roll to School Day.
May 10, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) will hold Bike to Work Day events.
May 13-19 is recognized as National Bike to Work Week.
Bike to Work Day is commemorated Friday, May 17.
May 5, 2024
Native Prairies Association of Texas, Fort Worth Chapter: Flower Mound Hike - Flower Mound
We will explore this historic 12.5 acre prairie, the sole remnant on this untouched piece of the Long Prairie that sits between the two fingers of the Eastern Cross Timbers.
Nineteenth century settlers named this landmark The Prairie Mound for the profusion of wildflowers that grow here. It was gifted by Otto Consolvo in 1983 to The Flower Foundation, which owns and manages the prairie.
The Mound is a tiny prairie surrounded by development. It wasn’t able to be burned for over 20 years, but once fire was reintroduced as a management tool, many of the prairie grasses and forbs showed up in profusion. There are currently 213 plant species identified in The Flower Mound project on iNaturalist, with 167 other species (insects, mammals, birds) also listed. Management issues include invasives and woody species eradication, residents who don’t understand the value of “that weedy field,” and ongoing pressures from surrounding development.
*This tour is offered by donations. Suggested donation amount is $10. But please donate any amount you believe this special tour is worth. Donations will be divided and distributed to The Flower Mound Foundation (park support group) & Native Prairies Association of Texas (conservation & land trust organization). Donations are non-refundable.
Register on the link below.
Texas Discovery Gardens: 'Wild DFW' Talk & Garden Amble - Dallas
Possessing a deep attachment to the land that shines through Wild DFW, Amy will bring insight into how to appreciate and explore our North Texas nature. The talk pairs radiant photographs of the outdoors and poetic passages from the book with her own profound experiences, including how hiking trails helped her heal from a near-fatal spinal injury. Discover the passion of the prairie, nurturing bottomland forests, soaring escarpments, and cast-iron Eastern Cross Timbers, all bound up with our river, the elusive Trinity.
Buy a Wild DFW in the gift shop and get it signed!
After the talk, we'll talk an amble to experience some of the talk tips about experiencing nature. We'll do a loop around the grounds, visiting these specialty gardens: Master Gardeners’ Garden, Native Butterfly Habitat, Benny J Simpson Texas Natives Plant Collection, and Robert & Nancy Dedman Shade Garden.
May 7, 2024
BRIT: The Effects of Climate Change on Public Health - Fort Worth & Zoom
Effects of Climate Change on Public Health is a Hybrid Lunchtime Lecture by Dr. John Pipoly.
Has your asthma or hay fever seemed worse lately? Thanks to herbarium studies, we now know that alder, blackberry, sycamore, oaks, elms ragweed and grasses have increased their pollen grain production by 50 percent due to changes in climate. More info and Zoom link on website link below.
May 8, 2024
Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center: We Hike Wednesday - Denton
Join Clear Creek staff for a guided hike each Wednesday. These hikes are an excellent option for those who prefer to hike with a buddy.
Meet at the Clear Creek Education Center. We'll get started with a brief tutorial on AllTrails and iNaturalist apps, then, hike for approximately 1.5 hours on various routes selected by staff.
Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Remember to bring bug spray, sunscreen, a water bottle, and dress weather-wise.
All ages welcome. Youth under 15 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
No registration required.
Clear Creek trails are soft (non-paved) trails and may be inaccessible to wheelchairs and strollers
May 9, 2024
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center: Artist in Residence - Cedar Hill
Meet our Artist in Residence! Kenna Prior, local Cedar Hill artist, will be at Dogwood Canyon Audubon for three months this summer, May 9 to July 27, 2024. Come and check out this amazing artist's work inspired by our preserve!
Fort Worth Audubon Society: Members Slide Show - Fort Worth
Have you taken photos of trips or avian life forms in your neighborhood? Want to share them with your fellow FWAS Members? It's that time of year again to go through your folders and find those gems. Forward your photos to Jim Jones. Include a list of photos with a description of the subject, including when and where taken. Remember to reduce the file size to below 3 MB. Videos are also welcome!
You can email the photos in batches to jim_jones@fwas.org or upload them to cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.) to share with Jim, which is the best way to get your files to him. Deadline for submissions is May 2, 2024.
May 10, 2024
BRIT: Urban Forest Benefits and Values - Fort Worth & Zoom
A presentation from the students at Texas Christian University.
The Texas Christian University Department of Environmental and Sustainable Sciences has joined forces with the Fort Worth Botanic Garden this spring for an on-site Service Learning in Environmental Science and Sustainability (ENSC 40970) collaboration.
Problem: Many cities are experiencing a decline in green spaces due to increased urbanization, leading to environmental and social challenges. Understanding the benefits and values of urban forests is essential to promote sustainable urban development. The Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) seeks to explore and highlight the critical roles of its urban forest in enhancing biodiversity, improving air quality and fostering community well-being. However, there is a pressing need to increase public awareness and encourage community participation in preserving and expanding urban forests, ensuring that their benefits accrue to current and future generations. This presentation will highlight the ecosystem services of trees under BRIT’s care at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens.
More info and Zoom link on website link below.
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center: Mother's Day Sip and Shop - Cedar Hill
Enjoy an evening with us at Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center with bird-themed cocktails & mocktails, access to Canyon Floor Trail after hours, 20 percent discount in our gift shop, giveaways, and more.
Friends of Sheri Capehard Nature Preserve: Looking for Yucca Moths - Arlington
Guided walk through SCNP with emphasis on finding blooming glen rose yuccas and active Yucca Moths.
Male and female moths emerge from their cocoons in the spring, timed with the blossoming of the yucca plant. There is an extraordinary partnership between the yucca moth and the yucca plant. They are so interdependent that one cannot live without the other.
Wear STURDY shoes or boots, maybe bring BUG SPRAY and WATER, and especially a good FLASHLIGHT or headlamp with fresh batteries. The walk back will be in the dark, so a good light will be essential.
May 11, 2024
Bank of America: Shred Event - Fort Worth
Employees, customers, clients and members of the community are all welcome. Spread the word and invite your family and friends to participate.
Accepted items:
• Old bills
• Old checks
• Letterhead
• Brochures
• File folders
• Post-its
• Paper
• Newspaper
• Envelopes
• Photos
• Dated bank statements
• Credit card offers
• Old tax information
No box limit. Shredding ends when truck is full.
Free.
Directions: Come in on Monahans, turn left on Ozona (we will collect the items there) then exit on Marathon.
Profound Foods: Mother's Day Artisan Market - Fairview
Step into a world of creativity and craftsmanship at our Artisans Market! We're back, bigger and better, with a vibrant showcase of local artists and vendors ready to dazzle you with their latest creations.
May 13, 2024
Greater Fort Worth Sierra Club Environmental Book Club: Beautiful Swimmers - Arlington
This book is a classic Pulitzer Prize-winning study of the Atlantic blue crab and the people of Chesapeake Bay who have depended on it for generations.
From Good Reads - "Nature enthusiasts and fans of fine literature alike will find Beautiful Swimmers a timeless and enchanting study in the tradition of Rachel Carson and Annie Dillard."
Come to the meeting for the discussion whether you have read the book or not. Note the new location: This is a very nice to meet and we are allowed to have food and beverages.
Info: Terry McIntire at tdmcintire@gmail.com