Bird and nature walks, tree and plant identification, and more

Enjoy a rare opportunity to view spectacular illustrated botanical books from the collections of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art and the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT).

The research library at the Amon Carter collects such books primarily for their artistic merits, while the research library at BRIT values them primarily as scientific documents. Nature Bound: Illustrated Botanical Books offers an opportunity to examine the relationship of art and science through these complex collaborations of botanists, horticulturists, naturalists, draftsmen, painters, printmakers, publishers, and printers.

Arranged chronologically from the early seventeenth through the nineteenth centuries, these books cover a wide range of North American plant life, with focus on the United States. They also document the evolution of illustration and printing techniques over the centuries. While botanic illustration chiefly serves a scientific role as an aid to identification, many of the illustrations in this exhibition clearly attain another level: singular works of art.

If you'd like to encourage more butterflies to visit your garden, consider first finding some plants that attract caterpillars. Caterpillars are the larval stage of butterflies and they eat differently. Come hear Kathy and Gary Saucier talk about caterpillar gardening with native plants and find out which native plants are best.

Join Texas Master Naturalist and Environmental Scientist, Rich Jaynes, to explore and understand the management plans for the four habitat areas of the Connemara Meadow Preserve - a riparian zone along Rowlett Creek that is important as a wildlife corridor; the floodplain grasslands and wetlands in the lower meadow, the hedgerows along perimeter and interior fence lines established during agricultural use, and upland grasslands are located in the upper meadow which has a terrace system from earlier agricultural use.

The walk is planned to take about two hours.  All ages are welcome.

Please RSVP to RSVP@connemaraconservancy.org

Hagerman NWR on Lake Texoma - Guided Birding Trip led by TMN Jim Varnum Saturday, January 29 2011, 9:00am - 2:00pm Hagerman NWR on Lake Texoma - Guided Birding Trip led by TMN Jim VarnumSaturday January 29, 2011    9:00 am - 2:00 pm


Leader:  Jim Varnum
Description:  This trip is a birding trip for experienced and novice bird watchers - AND - participants will be sure to see some birds they've not seen before.  We should see 40-50 species including·         Common loon·         Horned grebe·         Ross's goose·         10 different ducks·         Bald eagle·         Long-billed dowitcher and other shorebirds·         American and Sprague's pipits·         Lark bunting·         Many more

Description:  Master Naturalist and long-time CRP volunteer Jim Varnum leads a walk through forest and field to look for winter birds.  Expect to see sparrows, kinglets, chickadees, wrens, maybe a hawk or two, etc.

Field Trip Details:  Walk will start at 8:00 AM and will last approximately 2 hours.  Bring your binoculars and bird books.  Wear sturdy boots or shoes with good ankle support.

More info?  Jim Varnum jevarnum@aol.com  or 214-543-2055.  Please RSVP BY January 17 if you plan to bring a group.

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