Love the Preserve? We need your help.
In March we elect new members to the Executive Committee, our Society board. The board usually meets once a month. Each board member finds a niche in how to further the goals of the Society.
But even it you don’t want the responsibility of being a board member, you can still help in many ways – help organize activities such as work days, nature walks, guest speakers, newsletter, website, special events and others. We especially need backup from people that have used MailChimp for the newsletter and WordPress for the web site. Enthusiasm is the main requirement. (Society membership is also required.)
Please email President David Parrish, okcanoe@tx.rr.com, if you would like to participate.
Guest Speaker
Tuesday, March 2, 2021 7:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom in and sit comfortably and safely at home watching our speaker.
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89187002517?pwd=Ujc1UTEyVjNNbDhUUFJYMjFCV2lNdz09
Meeting ID: 891 8700 2517
Passcode: 212786
Jessica Crowley – All About Frogs
We are lucky that Spring Creek is one of the cleanest creeks in the metroplex. That means we have an excellent population of creek creatures, such as frogs.
Jessie Crowley graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science. She worked as a herpetologist at the Dallas Zoo where she handled more than 300 different species of reptiles and amphibians; she was the the lead Naturalist Educator for the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, managing the live collection and developing the life science curriculum as well as coordinating the Jr. Master Naturalists Program; and she has done research in the Galapagos Islands. She now teaches science classes at Hockaday.
Also at the meeting, current members will vote in new Executive Committee members.
Returning to the committee is Maureen Bly. Maureen served as president of the committee in the past, took a break, and is now ready to be on the board again. We are so happy she is ready to be on the board again!
Other committee/board members are continuing their commitment for another year:
- David Parrish, President
- Barbara Baynham, Newsletter
- Becky Sans, Programs
- Carol Garrison, BioBlitz
- Terry Comingore, Web Master
- Ginny Wilcox, Secretary , Christmas for the Birds
- Judy Aschner, iNaturalist, BioBlitz, Moth Night
- Marvin W Rogers, Treasurer, Work Days
- Robert Kaaa, Trail Steward, Work Days
Although she is not on this year’s executive committee, Dana Wilson will remain one of our most trusted advisors and will participate where she is able.
Collections From The Field
An art project encourages people of all ages to get outside and create art inspired by Spring Creek Preserve. While exploring the trails at the preserve, find inspiration in nature and create art using any medium. Then submit your art by either posting a photo or document of your art on social media with the tag #collectionsfromthefield or emailing a photo or document of your art to collectionsfromthefield@gmail.com.
For information about weekly prompts and to view the curated gallery, go to CollectionsFromTheField.com and follow the project on Facebook (Facebook.com/collectionsfromthefield) or Instagram (Instagram.com/collectionsfromthefield).
Initiated by Stephanie Hanson, a Garland resident and college senior, Collections From The Field provides the opportunity to find new ways to look at the world. Hanson says, “This project hopes to offer the idea that sometimes building a relationship with the landscape through art is a first step towards creating an ethic of care that will help us tackle the environmental issues we face today.”
Please follow all CDC recommendations and guidelines, as well as City of Garland regulations regarding visiting city parks and protected lands.
Monthly Work Sessions
Two Work Sessions in March
Saturday March 6: Regular Work Session
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Sunday March 7 3rd Annual Death to Privet Work Session
1:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: 1770 Holford
We will break into teams and do multiple projects. Each team will have a knowledgeable volunteer so you know exactly what to do.
This is still the season when we can most aggressively attack invasive privet because privet is evergreen while most understory plants in our forest are deciduous. Therefore we can easily identify the privet.
- 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.
- BRING WATER. 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, normally this counts as Volunteer Hours on the Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest project, but check your MN chapter current guideline
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.
March 28, 2021 Terry Comingore – Weather and Climate
March usually brings storms to North Texas. Why do they occur? Are they becoming more frequent, stronger, starting earlier? How does the Preserve factor into our weather?
- Sunday, April 25. 2021. Leader Kevin Rudy
- Sunday, May 23, 2021. Leader: Judy Aschner – Insects in our Preserve
Bioblitz at the Preserve
Location: 1770 Holford
Date: May 1 and 2
Time: 10 a.m. to 12 noon if you need help.
To celebrate Parks Week, we will hold a Bioblitz May 1 and 2. We invite you to come help identify as many species as possible at the Preserve. Don’t know one plant from another? That is OK. You will use the free iNaturalist app to take pictures of plants, insects and animals and the app helps identify the item instantly. This Citizen Science activity helps us identify organisms which are essential to our ecosystem. The goal is to record a variety of species, so find organisms that look interesting to you, take a couple of photos using the app and turn them in. It is best to take two pictures from different angles if possible. Make sure you pictures are in focus!
In advance, go to iNaturalist to download the free app to your cell phone and/or computer. You must be 13 or older to have an account. To read about how it works before the event, go to iNaturalist.org.
If you would like help getting started, we will have a representative available between 10:00 and 12:00 both days at the 1770 Holford Road parking lot. But plant identifications can be made on your own throughout the day and anywhere in the Preserve. The more variety that is recorded on the iNaturalist site during those two days, the better.
Join us to help increase the biodiversity count at the Preserve, have fun, and learn about the Preserve.
And a Fun Family event in July: An Evening with Moths
Date: Saturday, July 17, 2021
Location: 1770 Holford Road, Garland, TX
Time: 8:30 p.m.
The Garland Parks and Recreation Department and the Society are hosting An Evening with Moths, with special guest Sam Kieschnick, Urban Wildlife Biologist from Texas Parks and Wildlife. This event is coordinated with National Moth Week which celebrates the beauty, life cycles, and habitats of moths.
This family-friendly activity event is all about moths! Most moths are nocturnal, so we will have several light sheets setup to attract moths that live in the Preserve. Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and help with identification. Bring a magnifying glass if you have one because many of these beautiful moths are very small. Come be a “Moth-er” with us!
Luna Moth – Wouldn’t it be fun to see this moth!
Speaker Series
Monthly Public Speaker Series: the 1st Tuesday of the month from September to April. These are the Spring plans.
- Meeting Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Location: information to come
- 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.
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
