Our mission: To protect the future of Spring Creek Forest and Park Preserves, the Society will engage community members in hands-on conservation volunteerism and offer educational events highlighting the importance of safeguarding this natural treasure that is in Garland, Texas.

Trout Lilies – still blooming for a couple more weeks
Bring your family and friends to see our fabulous colony of Trout lilies. But don’t delay. They disappear by mid-April.

Tom Frey – Honorary Lifetime Member
Thank you Tom for all the years you have been the Society advisor and friend. We are so honored that even in your retirement you are still willing to give us the benefit of your amazing knowledge.

Tom Frey (left) and David Parrish
Tom Frey leading member walk
Photos by Vince Hale

Monthly Meetings & Guest Speaker

Date: Tuesday, March 7, 2023
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: Jeff Sargent

Topic: Bringing Back Texas Prairies

While we have a great example of Texas prairie as part of the Preserve, in general, Texas prairies are disappearing due to development using concrete or due to agriculture which creates mono-cultures rather than native plant diversity.
Jeff is the Development Director at the Native Prairies Association of Texas (NPAT). He works to advance NPAT’s mission to conserve and restore native prairies and educate the public about their beauty and benefits. He expanded his knowledge of the natural world as an Oregon Master Naturalist and complimented that by completing the Texas Master Naturalist program in 2021

Also at the March Zoom meeting, attendees that are current members of the Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest will vote on the Executive Committee slate for 2023. The Society By-Laws require that we vote each year, that we have at least 9 Committee members, and that at least a simple majority of the committee resides in Garland. In the slate below, 10 of the 12 proposed members reside in Garland.

Proposed committee members are:

David Parrish, President
Barbara Baynham, Vice-President / Announcements
Marvin Rogers, Treasurer, Nest Box Program
Ginny Wilcox, Secretary, Christmas for the Birds
Maureen Bly, Past President
Terry Comingore, Webmaster
Carol Garrison, Nature education
Rob Kaaa, Projects, Trail Monitors
Becky Sans, Monthly Programs Coordinator, Website content
Reba Collins, Facebook, Bird Walks, Garden at SCFP Pavilion (KGB project)
Brenda Maston, Trail Steward, School programs
NEW: Steve Boeding, Trail Steward

Interesting speakers lined up for the 2022-23 year

April 4, 2023 – Stephanie Varnum – Native Orchids of Texas
May 2, 2023 – Jerry Alcorn – Bees

Special Events

Spring Forest Wildflowers –
Special walks with Dana Wilson
In early spring, beautiful wildflowers bloom in the woods, but as soon as the tree canopy closes, they fade away. Enjoy these seldom-seen blooms in a small-group walk at Spring Creek Forest Preserve. Space is limited; please email Dana Wilson (danawilson59@yahoo.com) to reserve a spot and find out the location to meet. 1.5 hours advanced training for Texas Master Naturalists.

Location: Dana will give details when you reserve your spot.
Time: 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Dates:
Saturday, March 18, 1-2:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 19, 1-2:30 p.m.

Bird Walks with Master Birder Reba Collins

Saturday, May6 and Sunday, May 7
Time: 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Location: 1787 Holford Road, Garland, TX.

Two Spring Migration Bird Walks with Reba Collins, Texas Master Naturalist. Saturday, May 6 or Sunday, May 7 from 8:00 am to 9:30 a.m., 1787 Holford Road, Garland, TX. We will try to answer the question: What birds are in Spring Creek Forest in late spring? Will we see migrating wood warblers? Come for a morning walk and find out.
Reservations required: Limited to 10 members per walk. Contact Reba at rcollins20@verizon.net to reserve a spot. Bring binoculars and wear comfortable walking shoes. If there has been heavy rain, rain boots may be appropriate.

An Evening with Moths

July 22, 2023
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Location: 1770 Holford
Sam Kieschnick, Urban Wildlife Biologist for DFW Texas Parks and Wildlife, will be with us again, setting up light-stations to entice night-time insects and more to rest awhile on the lighted sheets so they can be viewed up close with a magnifying glass. Kids love this unusual event! But note that all children must be accompanied by an adult the entire time.

4th Sunday Nature Walks

March 26, 2023: Bob Richie will show us Edible Plants in our own Forest

Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30
Location: 1770 Holford

Bob Richie has an amazing breadth and depth of knowledge about the natural environment, and he has a wide variety of interests, particularly those involving foraging, native plants, bees, and chickens.
Bob is a Dallas native who raises bees, chickens, rabbits, cats, and dogs. An amateur naturalist, Bob has spent much of his life outdoors. When he is not spending time outdoors, Bob works for an architectural firm in Deep Ellum. Bob is a certified Texas Master Naturalist and the past president of The Trinity Valley Beekeepers Association.

We hope to see you there!

Next

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, March 11, 2023
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00
Location: 1787 Holford

Death to Privet!

You would think the 1787 Holford side of the Preserve would have zero privet by now, after 5 years of diligence. However, every year, some of those thousands of privet berries that fell off the bushes before we could remove them are still germinating.
We break into teams and each team has a knowledgeable volunteer, so you know exactly what to do. You could be clearing trails, taking out invasive plants (privet), opening up the prairies, even picking up trash.
It is amazing how much can be accomplished at the Preserve in only 2 hours. For example, at one recent Saturday work session, we had 6 volunteers – that is 12 hours of labor! Every person is important.

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.

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