Monthly Meetings & Guest Speaker

Date: Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Zoom – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89187002517?pwd=Ujc1UTEyVjNNbDhUUFJYMjFCV2lNdz09

Meeting ID: 891 8700 2517
Passcode: 212786

Guest Speaker: Eva Gordon

Topic: North Texas Mushroom Hunters

Eva will introduce you to Basic Mycology, an intro to Kingdom Fungi that will include taxonomy, anatomy/life cycle, ecological roles, the importance of fungi. She will spotlight a few of the most noticeable groups within the phyla. We will learn about the fungi identification process and how to use various resources for further research.
Eva has a degree in Zoology and master’s work in Biology. She has been a science educator for twenty years. Eva is currently an author, a North Texas Master Naturalist, and on the boards of several fungi and mycological associations.

Interesting speakers lined up for the 2022-23 year

January 3, 2023 – Ricky Linex – Riparian Management “Why Creeks Act the Way They Do”
February 7, 2023 – Dana Wilson – No topic yet, but you know it will be interesting.
March 7, 2023 – Jeff Sargent – Texas Prairies
April 4, 2023 – Stephanie Varnum – Topic to be announced.
May 2, 2023 – Jerry Alcorn – Bees

Congratulations to our board president, David Parrish!

          On October 18 at the Garland City Council meeting, the city of Garland’s Environmental and Community Advisory Board (ECAB) recognized David for his environmental work in the Garland community. David was presented with a well-earned Special Recognition Award.
          David wears many hats – he is our Society president, a member of North Texas Master Naturalists with an outlandish number of volunteer hours recorded, the Chair of the Garland Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and incredibly much more. We are so lucky to have him for our president!
          Thank you, David, for your continued leadership and for your commitment to the natural world.

Parking at Halff Park – new rules include towing

          Garland Parks and Recreation Department installed new parking signs at the Halff Park at Ranger Drive parking lot regarding parking during the school day.

          Any cars parked at Halff Park during the school day for over 3 hours will be towed. So, when you are visiting the Preserve on a school day using Halff Park as your base, make sure you return to your car within 3 hours.

          This is to discourage students from Naaman Forest High School who are parking there for free, rather than buying a student parking sticker. So many students try parking there for free that there are no spaces left for park visitors. The hotels and other businesses in the area already have similar rules. Enforcement started on October 17.
          The restriction on time and the towing possibility is only for the Halff Park parking lot. You can park at the 1770 and 1787 Holford Road parking areas all day until the park closes at midnight.

Special Events

Bird Walks led by Master Birder Reba Collins

Saturday, November 26 CANCELLED due to weather

Sunday, November 27
Time: 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Location: 1787 Holford Road, Garland, TX.
What birds are in Spring Creek Preserve in late fall? Come for a morning walk and find out.

Christmas is for the Birds – 12th Annual
Saturday, December 3, 1787 Holford, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
This is a super-fun event for pre-school or elementary school children. Bring them to the Park Preserve where they make biodegradable bird feeders out of peanut butter and bird seed, then they hang the feeders in our forest. Yes, be prepared to get a bit messy.

Start the New Year Right Nature Walk

Date: Sunday, January 1, 2023
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Halff Park on Ranger Drive
More information to come soon.

Bird Walks led by Master Birder Reba Collins
Saturday, January 14 and Sunday, January 15
Time: 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Location: 1787 Holford Road, Garland, TX.
What birds are in Spring Creek Preserve in winter? Come for a morning walk and find out.

For each day, reservations are required. Groups are limited to 10 people per walk because too many people scare away the birds. Contact Reba at rcollins20@verizon.net to reserve a spot.
Bring binoculars. Dress for the weather. If it has been raining, rain boots may be appropriate.

4th Sunday Nature Walks

November 27, 2022: Eva Gordon helps you find “The Fungus Among Us”
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00
Location: 1770 Holford

Next

December – No walk. See above Special Events for Jan. 1
January 22, 2023 – Dana Wilson, Winter Tree ID
February 26, 2023 – 30^th Annual Trout Lily Walk Tom Frey
March 26, 2023 – Bob Richie – Spring Edible Plants
April 23, 2023 – Ricky Lines – Riparian Management “Why Creeks Act the Way They Do”
May 28, 2023 – It might be too hot already. We’ll see.

For a fun walk on your own, try our Self-Guided Interpretive Trail at 1787 Holford Road that was created by the North Texas Master Naturalist chapter in Dallas. Follow the trail markers and read about the significance of the area on your iPhone or on the downloadable flyer. https://springcreekforest.org/interpretive-1787-holford-rd/

Monthly Work Sessions

Saturday, November 5, 2022
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00
Location: 1770 Holford

For last-minute information, check Facebook or our website for updates, including dates and locations which may change because of conditions. We don’t want anyone working in the forest or on the prairie if there is a chance of lightning strikes.

As usual we will break into teams. Each team has a knowledgeable volunteer, so you know exactly what to do. You could be clearing trails, taking out invasive plants, opening up the prairies, even picking up trash. For last-minute information, especially if the weather is questionable, check our website or Facebook page for updates, including dates and locations which may change because of conditions. We don’t want anyone working in the forest or on the prairie if there is a chance of lightning strikes.

Safety Materials: Each work session begins with a safety briefing. BRING WATER. Even in the heat, wear heavy work gloves, long pants, protective eyewear, and sturdy shoes (no sandals) for your protection from poison ivy and thorns.
If you have them, bring loppers and/or small tree saws.
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 may count as Volunteer Hours on the Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest project.

December 10, 2022, 1787 Holford, 9:00 – 11:00
January 14, 2023, 1770 Holford, 9:00 – 11:00
February 11, 2023, 1770 Holford, 9:00 – 11:00
March 11, 2023, 1787 Holford, 9:00 – 11:00
April 8, 2023, Halff Park on Ranger Drive, 9:00 – 11:00
May 13, 2023, 1787 Holford, 9:00 – 11:00 with a Bring-Your-Own-Picnic at 11:00

General Preserve Information

The above activities are specific to the Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest.
For general Preserve information, please call Garland Parks and Recreation Department, 972-205-2750.
Dog Policy
On-leash dogs are welcome in our Preserve. However, note that it is illegal to have off-leash pets in Garland parks. Please call 972-205-3570, option 1 to report off-leash animals. Also, please deposit pet waste bags in the trash bins in each parking lot; do not leave bagged pet waste beside the trail.

Collections From The Field

An art project encourages people of all ages to get outside and create art inspired by Spring Creek Preserve.
For information and to view the curated gallery, go to CollectionsFromTheField.com and follow the project on Facebook (Facebook.com/collectionsfromthefield) or Instagram (Instagram.com/collectionsfromthefield).

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

Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest