Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest

Monthly Meetings & Guest Speaker

Date: Tuesday, January 2, 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: Matt Grubisich, Garland Parks and Recreation Department

Topic: A Walk with the Parks Director

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Interesting speakers are lined up for the 2021-22 year

Tuesday, February 1, 2022 – Tom Frey, History of Spring Creek Preserve
Tuesday, March 1, 2022 – Ignasio Pujana, Paleontologist – Fossils Around Spring Creek
Tuesday, April 5, 2022 – Carol Clark, Spring Creek Wildflowers

A few more Trail Monitors needed

          Thank you so much to the several people that volunteered for the Trail Monitor project. We still do need some more people so we can spread the work out and make sure it is a fun task, not too much for anyone. Do you frequently walk the natural surface (dirt) trails at Spring Creek Preserve? Are you interested in being part of the volunteer team that helps ensure our trails are safe and receive the required maintenance?  Then this project might be for you! We are looking for folks that can hike our marked, unpaved trails on a weekly basis.

Duties include: 

  • Hike your selected trail weekly.
  • Perform light maintenance such as litter pickup.
  • Be familiar with Garland’s eAssist program that is accessed through an iPhone app and use it to report major maintenance issues such as trees fallen on the trail, vandalism, criminal activity, etc.
  • Learn some unique features of your trail and share those with the Executive Committee.

          If you are interested or have questions, send an email to Rob Kaaa, the Trail Monitor team coordinator, rmk3a@yahoo.com. Please put “Trail Monitor” in the Subject line. Using the Trails Map at Trails Map (springcreekforest.org), tell Rob your favorite marked trail, and provide your contact information and typical hike schedule (am/pm, day of the week). 
          Thank you for your interest! You will be contacted regarding an orientation/training session.

A beautiful display of Fall Aster in the native plant garden at 1787 Holford Road. Huge thanks to Henry and Judy Aschner for all the planting and maintenance they did this year. And, thanks to Dana Wilson for this photo.

Special Events

11th Annual Christmas is for the Birds
Date: Saturday, December 4, 2021
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
Location: 1787 Holford
          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.

Some folks make their own feeder treats at home and bring them to hang on the trees. See below for make-at-home suggestion. We also have short nature walks to show children a little of our fabulous forest and prairie.

Biodegradable bird feeder ornaments must be hung with cotton yarn or string. The birds will use the string later for making their nests. Metal or plastic hangers, including fishing line are dangerous for birds and wildlife because they might ingest it and injure themselves. If you make bird feeder ornaments at home, please bring them to the park ready to hang.

Some examples of biodegradable bird feeders:

  • Pine cones coated in peanut butter and rolled in bird seed.
  • Strings of fresh or dried berries.
  • Strings of non-buttered popcorn. 

Bird Walks with Reba Collins, Master Birder
Dates: Saturday, November 27 and Sunday, November 28, 2021
Time: 8 -9:30 a.m.
Location: 1787 Holford
          What birds are in Spring Creek Forest in late fall after Thanksgiving? Come for a morning walk and find out.
          In order to provide a wonderful birding experience and so the birds are not frightened away, we limit this to 10 people per walk. For reservations, 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 28, 2021: Walk in the Prairie with Rich Jaynes
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30
Location: 1787 Holford

Rich will lead you through our prairie talking about the special qualities of the native grasses that drew early settlers to Texas.

Rich has many credentials in biology and environmental science, is a Texas Master Naturalist and enjoys helping with prairie restoration projects.

Next

  • Sunday, December 26, 2021. No walk: See January 1.
  • Saturday, January 1, 2022. We know it’s not Sunday, but it’s the New Year Walk. More to come.
  • Sunday, January 23, 2022. Leader: Rob Kaaa – Invasive Plants in the Forest
  • Sunday, February 27, 2022. Leader: Tom Frey and others – 29th Annual Trout Lily Walk
  • Sunday, March 27, 2022. Leader: Ignasio Pujana – Fossil Hunting and the UTD Drone team
  • Sunday, April 24, 2022. Leader: Matt Grubisich – Trees of Spring Creek Preserve
  • Sunday, May 22, 2022. Leader: Carol Clark – Spring Creek Wildflowers

Monthly Work Sessions

Saturday November 6
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00
Location: 1770 Holford

          We will break into teams and each team will have a knowledgeable volunteer so you know exactly what to do. For this event, it is 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. 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

Next

  • Saturday, December 11, 2021
  • Saturday, January 8, 2022
  • Saturday, February 5, 2022
  • Saturday, March 5, 2022
  • Saturday, April 9, 2022
  • Saturday, May 7, 2022

Collections From The Field

An art project encourages people of all ages to get outside and create art inspired by Spring Creek Preserve. W
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).
 

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