October 6 Presentation by JoAnn Hollingsworth.
Zoom in and sit comfortably and safely at home watching our speaker. JoAnn will tell us how to “Leave No Trace”. She urges people to “…venture down the path of really becoming aware of your surroundings, of building the skills that will allow you to leave no trace on the land….” She often speaks at Scout functions and presented at the 2020 University of Scouting at SMU.
Watch for meeting report to come.
Next Up: November 3, 2020: Gwen Eishen – Native Life Cycles
Trails
During the Covid-19 safety activities, getting outdoors can have positive effects on mind and body. Please get outside an enjoy the Preserve’s trails while still practicing social distancing. A map of the trails is available here. A map to the guided interpretive trail is available here.
Collections from the Field
Collections from the Field is a place-based community project that works at the intersection of art and the environment to offer a place for artistic contemplation, idea sharing, and reflection on the natural beauty of Spring Creek Forest Preserve located in Garland, Texas. This site functions as an online gallery space that emulates the creative storytelling of a field notebook to showcase art done by people like you that reflects the beauty, history, and ecology of Spring Creek Forest Preserve. View more at http://collectionsfromthefield.com/.
Monthly Work Session
Saturday, November 7
Come to our work session at 1770 Holford.
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
No problem staying 6 feet apart – there is plenty of space. It will make you feel like a new person to get out in the middle of nature and help the Preserve. Face masks are required, at least while you check in. After that, if you have enough space, you can remove the mask.
We will break into teams and do multiple projects in our upper meadow, cleaning out woody plants that want to take over this great prairie remnant. Each team will have a knowledgeable volunteer so you know exactly what plants should be removed.
BRING WATER. Also, even in the heat, wear heavy work gloves, long pants, protective eye-wear, and sturdy shoes (no sandals) for your protection from poison ivy and thorns. If you have them, bring loppers and/or small tree saws. And, don’t forget, face masks are required.
All participants and the parents of minors must sign our Liability Waiver. All minors 16 yrs. and younger must be accompanied by an adult. For Master Naturalists, this counts as Volunteer Hours on the Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest project.
Future Work Sessions
- Saturday, December 5 – 1770 Holford Rd; 9 – 11 a.m.
- Saturday, January 9, 2021
- Saturday, February 6, 2021
- Saturday, March 6, 2021
- Saturday, April 10, 2021
- Saturday, May 8, 2021
4th Sunday Nature Walks
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
The locations of 4th-Sunday Nature Walks will vary throughout the Preserve depending on the subject of the walk. Be sure to check the latest announcements..
Sunday, November 22, 2020. 2:00 – 3:30; Tree Walk
Sunday, December 27, 2020. Leader: Stephanie Hanson – Nature Journaling
Sunday, February 28, 2021. Leader: Tom Frey – 28th Annual Trout Lily Walk
Sunday, March 28, 2021. Leader: Terry Comingore – Weather and Climate
Sunday, April 25. 2021. Leader Kevin Rudy
Sunday, May 23, 2021. Leader: Judy Aschner – Insects in our Preserve
- Important information: The natural-surface trails are not stroller-compatible; everyone must be able to walk approximately 1 mile. Clothing: Even in the heat, wear long pants and sturdy shoes (no sandals) for your protection from poison ivy and thorns. Apply insect repellent. Bring water. .
- Our guided walks every 4th Sunday of the month are fun, family walks, appropriate for anyone who wants to enjoy a guided walk in the Preserve.
New on our Schedule – Bird Walks with Reba Collins
Saturday, November 28, 2020 and Sunday, November 29, 2020:
Bird Walks with Reba Collins, Master Birder. 8:00 – 9:30 a.m., 1787 Holford Road, Garland, TX. What
birds are in Spring Creek Forest in late fall after Thanksgiving? Come for a morning
walk and find out.
Saturday, January 16, 2021 and Sunday, January 17, 2021:
Bird Walks with Reba Collins, Master Birder. 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. 1787 Holford, Garland, TX. Do you want to
learn what birds spend the winter in Spring Creek Forest? Come for a morning walk and
learn to identify some of our wintering birds.
Reservations are required for all 4 dates. Limited to 10 people per walk. Contact Reba at
rcollins20@verizon.net to reserve a spot. Participants will be required to wear face
masks and practice social distancing. Bring binoculars. Dress for the weather. If it has
been raining, rain boots may be appropriate.
Speaker Series
Monthly Public Speaker Series: the 1st Tuesday of the month from September to April. These are the Fall plans.
- Meeting Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Location: information to come
- Tuesday, November 3, 2020: Gwen Eishen – Native Life Cycles
- Tuesday, January 5, 2021: Bonnie Bradshaw – Coyotes and Critters
- Tuesday, February 2, 2021: Rob Kaaa – Critter Cams in the Preserve
- Tuesday, March 2, 2021: Jessica Crowley – Frogs
- Tuesday, April 6, 2021: Kevin Rudy – Texas Snakes
- Summer break
- For Master Naturalists, this often counts as 1 hour Advanced Training, but check the MN schedule to be sure.
Do you have suggestions? If you have ideas for speakers or topics for future programs, please email your suggestions to Becky Sans, beckysans7@gmail.com.
iNaturalist – 5,000 observations for Spring Creek Forest and Park Preserve
Spring Creek Preserve has reached 5,000 iNaturalist observations! The most observed species is currently tied between two plants – Trout Lily and Mealy Sage. A big “Thank You” to everyone who has contributed both observations and species verifications.
Download and log-in to iNaturalist to check out the flora and fauna present in our Preserve. Then join this citizen scientist program so you can record observations of your own.
Do you have suggestions?
If you have ideas for speakers or topics for future programs, please
email your suggestions to Becky Sans, beckysans7@gmail.com.
Society MembershipMembership: Join Us Today! Download our membership form: https://springcreekforest.org/join/
Monthly Email: To subscribe please contact:
Barbara_Baynham2005@yahoo.com
Make a donation! Your donation helps the all-volunteer Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest offer public lectures, conduct habitat management workdays, and offer public nature walks. Please mail your tax-deductible donation to: Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest, Attn: Treasurer, P.O. Box 450176, Garland, TX 75045-0176
