November 2026 Announcement

Preserve, Educate, Collaborate
(https://springcreekforest.org)

Contact the Society: springcreekforestpreservation@gmail.com

Update on Sewer Project –

October 2, 2026 – Excerpt from Christina Hickey email.

Wastewater Interceptor Inspection

We have had a lot of success this past month finishing up inspection on the main interceptor. Due to a significant effort by our sewer crews, who transported approximately 800 sandbags down into the creek and then back out, we were able to provide the access needed to complete the work. During this effort, crews also located an obstruction that had stopped several of our previous inspection attempts. They were able to remove the obstruction and replace the associated manhole ring and lid. With the obstruction removed and access restored, ACE was then able to return and CCTV additional 1,700 linear feet of main interceptor.

We also received the footage from the new floating camera technology that we deployed in August. The camera provided good imagery from inside portions of the interceptor that we had been unable to assess using our traditional inspection methods. This was a new approach for us and ultimately provided another tool for overcoming some of the unique access and flow challenges we have encountered throughout this project.

Between the recent CCTV work and the footage obtained with the floating camera, we have now been able to obtain condition assessment information for most of the main interceptor. Kimley-Horn is now working through the inspection data.

Access and Relocation Evaluation

As a reminder, following our July stakeholder meeting, we requested feedback on both the proposed permanent access concept for continued monitoring and maintenance of the existing interceptor and the proposed sewer relocation alignment. I received comments from one person only. We will continue to carry both forward as we complete the condition assessment and evaluate the long-term options for the interceptor.

Mulching/Chipping Contract

The City received [several] bids for the mulching/chipping contract. [The mulching / chipping refers to the large piles of debris created during the original destruction of parts of the forest near Halff Park over a year ago. Several piles are too large to decompose in place. Their size obstructs proper and timely regrowth of the native plants in the area.] A committee from water and parks, with oversight from our purchasing department, reviewed and evaluated the proposals based on the contractors’ proposed approach, relevant project experience, references, previous history with the City, ability to meet the required schedule, and cost.

The City is now working through execution of the contract. We recognize that we are moving into a wetter part of the year and will coordinate the work around weather and site conditions, as necessary. Once the contract is executed, we will schedule a pre-work meeting with stakeholders before field activities begin. [See below for an update on the pre-work meeting.]

Christina Hickey, PE
City of Garland Water

Halff Park debris update

On October 24, members of the city of Garland’s Parks and Stormwater departments, volunteers with the Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest, and contractors from Looks Great Services (looksgreatservices.com) met to walk the trail out of Halff Park and review the process for removing debris piles left behind after the trail was bulldozed in June 2025.

The work will progress in phases:

First, Garland Parks department staff will create access to the damaged area near North Garland Avenue by widening an already-existing gate.

Next, working from west to east toward the entrance to the trail at Halff Park, crews from Looks Great Services will clear debris piles, largely by hand, from both fallen trees and brush and dirt piles. They will cut logs bigger than 8” in diameter into 8’ sections to be used for wildlife brush piles. They will use a small skidsteer-style mulcher to grind up smaller woody debris and spread it on the trail and in eroded areas. This debris, along with dirt piles, will be spread by hand.

Please note that contractors will post WORK ZONE signs and close the portion of the trail they are working on. Once work begins, these areas of closure will be posted on the Dallas County Open Spaces and city of Garland Parks department website, as well as on the Preservation Society Facebook page. A map showing trails throughout the entire preserve is online at springcreekforest.org/trail-maps for walkers who want to plan a different route while contractors are working on site.

Pending completion of contracts, work is scheduled to begin on November 2, with Kari Pacheco, Director of Parks, as the contact person for this project.

Pocket prairies: accomplished!

For several years, volunteers have been working on “pocket prairies” on the west end of the preserve near the Mapleridge Drive entrance. This month, 17 dedicated volunteers cleared trip-hazards from the walking paths, removed shrubs and saplings to open the last of the pocket prairies and create bluebird and wildflower habitat, and spread 5 half-gallon bags of native wildflower seeds.

The following weekend, the Preservation Society hosted the Native Prairies Association, and our own Jim Shouse and Rob Kaaa led the group in a walk and discussion about how we’ve created and maintained “pocket prairies” at the west end of the preserve.

Rob Kaaa (facing, top photo) and Jim Shouse (facing, bottom photo) share their experience in prairie management.

Seeds now = spring blooms

Throughout the month, volunteers have spread wildflower seed collected on-site throughout the preserve, and – fingers crossed for rain! – these seeds will lead to spreading the diversity of wildflowers across the length of the preserve and create a beautiful spring display of wildflowers.

Judy and Sara (left) demonstrate soil scratching and seed scattering;
Cindy and Tom (right) perfect their seed-stomping moves.

Thank you, Tri-City Trash Bashers!

While Preservation Society volunteers were busy in the pocket prairies on the west end of the preserve, other volunteers with the Volunteer Garland program were busy on the east end of the park. Led by our own Rob Kaaa, 25 volunteers collected many bags of trash, helping maintain the beauty of our natural resource.

If you recognize where it is, e-mail us at springcreekforestpreservation@gmail.com. We’ll reveal the location and the identity of the first eagle-eyed naturalist to correctly identify the location in the following month’s newsletter.

October 2026 challenge – And the winner is: Tom H. was the first to identify this unique forest feature…on the nature loop at 1787 Holford, right behind signpost #8.

November 2026 challenge:
If you recognize this crazy growth, email the specific location to springcreekforestpreservation@gmail.com.

The Society is looking for volunteers to support 2 interesting projects.

First, we are looking for bird lovers who can help monitor bird boxes in the preserve. This is a weekly time commitment starting early 2027, with training and support provided. This is a great opportunity to get your steps in, learn more about our native bird populations, and do a good deed. To learn more, please email t27hendrick@gmail.com or springcreekforestpreservation@gmail.com

Second, we also seek help watching for our native “state mushroom,” the rare Texas star (or devil’s cigar, Chorioactis geaster). This fungus is found under and around cedar elm trees (especially decaying wood), which are common in the preserve, from October to January.

Learn more about this mushroom at https://www.npsot.org/posts/plant-of-the-month-texas-star-mushroom/   You can also watch the Society’s September 2026 zoom meeting presentation by Jean Suplick on mushrooms and fungi at https://springcreekforest.org/speaker-series-videos/ .

To report a sighting of the Texas star fungus, email rmk3a@yahoo.com and springcreekforestpreservation@gmail.com, Include photos and a very specific location. Fungus lasts just a short time, and we have to move quickly to document and report this special sighting.

Speaker Series – Ben Pfeiffer
Enchanting Fireflies – They Light up Your Life

Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89187002517?pwd=Ujc1UTEyVjNNbDhUUFJYMjFCV2lNdz09

Meeting ID: 891 8700 2517
Passcode: 212786

Join Ben for a fascinating exploration of Texas’ enchanting fireflies, where you’ll discover the diverse species that light up the Lone Star State’s wild landscapes. Ben has done extensive research on Texas firefly taxa, highlighting the fascinating species found in nearby river basins and riparian areas.

He will show us how to identify common firefly species and learn their flash patterns so you can recognize them in the wild. You’ll also discover why fireflies flash and how they use light to attract mates. Additionally, he will discuss specific threats that are causing fireflies to disappear in many areas of the United States. Ben will then explain how to certify your property as a firefly habitat, suggest native plants you can grow to help them, and share other ways you can contribute to saving these iconic insects.

In 2009, Ben founded Firefly Conservation & Research. It is a recognized firefly conservation and educational organization working to conserve fireflies and their habitats through conservation, education, and research efforts. The mission is to help lead the charge to conserve fireflies in the US and illuminate the threats to their existence. Fireflies are important components of our riparian ecosystems, and their dazzling flashes are well known. Our enjoyment of them is part of the human experience with nature and helps us to understand how vital their habitats are to our planet and why they must be preserved for future generations.

Ben is a recognized public speaker and science educator whose research work focuses on Texas and North American firefly species. He is working to document the Texas and Southwest firefly diversity and its natural history regarding their life cycle, preferred habitat, and unique flash patterns. His research is helping to illuminate much of this never before collected information about Texas’s incredibly rich firefly diversity so that others can work to preserve and enjoy it.

He is a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Firefly Working group. He frequently works with groups like Xerces, Texas Parks & Wildlife, Master Naturalists, and The Nature Conservancy. Ben studied Biology at Texas State University and is a certified Master Naturalist.

Photo: Ben Pfeiffer

Photo: Firefly

2^nd Saturday Work Session

Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
Time: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: 1770 Holford Road

We break into teams, and each team has a knowledgeable volunteer, so you know exactly what to do.

You could be clearing trails of ragweed or other overgrowth, taking out invasive plants, opening up the prairie, even picking up trash.

• Close-toed shoes are mandatory. Heavy work gloves, long pants, and protective eyewear are recommended for your protection from poison ivy and thorns.
• BRING WATER and insect repellent.
• If you have them, bring loppers and/or small tree saws. (No power tools.)
• All participants and the parents of minors must sign our Liability Waiver.
• Youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult; no drop off/pick up of those under 18.
• For Master Naturalists, this may count as 2 Volunteer Hours on the “Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest – natural resource management” project.
• You can address questions to Dana Wilson, 469.531.6856 or danawilson59@yahoo.com.

4th Sunday Nature Walk – Tom Frey
Our Preserve changes through the Years

Date: Sunday, November 22, 2026
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Location: 1770 Holford Road

Tom will walk us through the forest and as we walk, he will discuss the forest as he found it in the 1980s, when he assisted with the establishment of the Preserve.

Tom has been associated with our Preserve long before it was designated Preserve. He was a landscape architect with the Garland Parks Department all during the time in the 1980s when the area was being evaluated.

He worked with many people such as Bobby Scott, the young Garland citizen who nudged and pushed and insisted that the area to be set aside as a preserve. Tom guided many regional experts on walks through the forest. The experts represented the best of Texas botanists and conservationists, and they sent correspondence about our preserve’s unique qualities to advocate for it to be named as a preserve. The experts were from, among others, BRIT, The Nature Conservancy, UT at Austin, Texas Natural Heritage Program, Texas Dept of Water Resource, SMU, US Fish and Wildlife.

So… you see that the designation of this area as Preserve, was no happy accident. It is the culmination of hours and months of advocacy and Tom Frey was there throughout the process.

Tom became the adviser and intermediary when the Society was formed in 1989. And still, although now retired, he is available to the Society for advice and to lead walks and to be a featured speaker so we can keep the history of the Preserve alive.

Tom Frey leading a winter walk

Guided Bird Walks with Reba Collins

Dates: Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29, 2026
Time: 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Location: 1787 Holford Rd.

Reservations required – rcollins20@verizon.net

Walk with Reba Collins, certified birder and world traveler, to see what birds are in Spring Creek Forest in late fall after Thanksgiving. Come for a morning walk and find out.

Contact Reba at rcollins20@verizon.net to reserve a spot. We require reservations on these walks to keep the groups limited to 10 people. Birds hide when too many people are tromping through the area.

Bring binoculars. Dress for the weather. If it has been raining, rain boots may be appropriate.

Photo: Male and Female Cardinals

Holiday Party for Society Members

Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Member invitation.

No speaker in December, but for Society members only, a Holiday party at the home of Don and Barbara Baynham. Everyone brings a snack to share; drinks are provided. We relax, chat about nature, and tell stories.

If you are not yet a member, it is never too late! Go to our website which now has on-line payment – springcreekforest.org. Or contact Barbara Baynham at 972-495-3569 or email to Barbara_baynham2005@yahoo.com. We will gladly accept your membership form and payment (cash or check) at the party.

Members, you should receive an email invitation soon. Please let us know if you can come.

  No inflation here – Membership cost is still at our 1990 level: $20 for an individual, $25 for a family, $300 Lifetime.

16th Annual Christmas is for the Birds –
A Fun, Messy Event for Youngsters pre-school through elementary school

Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026       
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
Location: 1787 Holford Rd.

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. Everything is supplied at the event.

• We have all the supplies ready for you.
• Even so, some folks make their own feeder treats at home and bring them to hang on the trees.
• Biodegradable bird feeder ornaments must be hung with cotton yarn or string. The birds will use the string later for making their nests. Do not use metal, plastic, or fishing line for hangers. They 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:
  • Pinecones coated in peanut butter and rolled in bird seed.
  • Strings of fresh or dried berries. (Use cotton string.)
  • Strings of non-buttered popcorn. (Use cotton string.)

2^nd Saturday Work Session

Date: Saturday, December 12, 2026
Time: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: 1770 Holford Road

We break into teams, and each team has a knowledgeable volunteer, so you know exactly what to do.

You could be clearing trails of ragweed or other overgrowth, taking out invasive plants, opening up the prairie, even picking up trash.

4th Sunday Nature Walk –
No walk in December – See January 1 instead

6^th Annual “Start your New Year Right Nature Walk”

Dates: Friday, January 1, 2027
Time: The first walk starts at 9:00 a.m., then a walk leaves every 15 minutes until the last walk begins at 10:30 a.m.
Location: 1770 Holford, Garland, TX.

Start your new year with a refreshing walk in the Preserve.

NEW FORMAT: Come at your convenience to join a small-group walk. Walks will begin every 15 minutes: 9:00, 9:15, 9:30, 9:45, 10:00, 10:15, and the last at 10:30. Each walk will last approximately an hour.

Your walk leader will be one of a team of folks who know their way around this wonderful section of our Preserve. The trails leading from 1770 Holford take us through the area originally set aside for Preserve. After walking a few yards into the forest, it is hard to believe that civilization is just a few steps away.

Note – dress for the weather and be aware that it might be muddy on the trails.

Winter photo by Carol Garrison

The Executive Committee usually meets once a month. The meetings are open to the public. For information, please contact us at springcreekforestpreservation@gmail.com.