August 2024 Announcements

In August, we are still on break from our usual activities during the summer – no Speaker Series, no 4^th Sunday Walks, and only Work Sessions that are available to a few valiant and plucky souls who volunteer for Dana’s work team. If you would like to be on the e-mail list to be notified about these work activities, please email Dana Wilson (danawilson59@yahoo.com).

North Texas Giving Day
We are enrolled.
The site is open September 1 through September 19.
Please consider donating to the Society. The Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest is an all-volunteer group dedicated to protecting and maintaining the forest and preserve in Garland. Spring Creek Forest and Park Preserve is a biologically diverse 230-acre oak forest and prairie with natural and concrete trails, native plants, and animals. The Society plans guest speakers, guided nature walks, special events, and monthly work sessions performing maintenance projects in the Preserve.
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Speaker Series:
Tyler Hedlund – What Makes a Tick Tick?

Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 –
Meeting Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location:  currently meeting via Zoom call.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89187002517?pwd=Ujc1UTEyVjNNbDhUUFJYMjFCV2lNdz09

Meeting ID: 891 8700 2517
Passcode: 212786

Tick – an insect we should all be aware of before we walk across our prairie or through our forest understory! Tyler can answer our questions.
Ticks are eight-legged arachnids that are more closely related to spiders than insects. Ticks are most commonly encountered in fields or wooded areas, especially along the edges between forest and open areas. Except for the brown dog tick, they are generally not seen in urban sites. They can transmit several serious, difficult to diagnose diseases. Don’t let ticks keep you indoors but be aware and don’t ignore them either.
Tyler has a Master’s degree in Entomology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where he worked on ticks and tick-borne disease. This work has taken him from the metropolis of Chicago to the savannahs of Kenya as he collected thousands of ticks over the years. He currently works for the US Department of Agriculture, first as an Area Identifier in Laredo, TX, and now as a Plant Health Safeguarding Specialist in Champaign, IL.

Tick – male Gulf Coast Tick by Mike Quinn.

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2^nd Saturday Work Session
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024
Time: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: 1787 Holford.
We will be in the prairie working on controlling the woody species that want to encroach on the prairie, and we will also scatter wildflower seeds that were gathered from the site.
We break into teams and each team has a knowledgeable volunteer, so you know exactly what to do.
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 Information: Each work session begins with a safety briefing.
• BRING WATER and bug repellant.
• Close-toed shoes are mandatory. Heavy work gloves, long pants, and protective eyewear are recommended for your protection from poison ivy and thorns.
• 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 Volunteer Hours on the Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest project.

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4th Sunday Nature Walk –
Nature Trek: Families in the Forest
Date: Sunday, September 22, 2024
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Location: 1770 Holford Road

Master Naturalists Jennifer Stuart and Aleena Figueroa will lead us. They have extensive experience guiding young folks and families into the forest to find interesting things.
Children of all ages with their parents or caregivers can enjoy this adventure. Children are encouraged to explore and practice “leave no trace” principles.
Join North Texas Master Naturalists Aleena Figueroa and Jennifer Stuart for an exploration of the forest through the eyes of a child. This is not a traditional guided hike. Our young participants will take the lead as they wander down the path, stopping as they discover things. Adults will support inquiry and guide discussion.
We have binoculars, magnifying glasses, and other tools for careful observation. Feel free to bring along a journal and pencils for your child to document special finds. Please dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes (no sandals allowed) and insect repellent, and bring plenty of water.
Nature Trekkers is a series of nature explorations for young children and their caregivers. Parents and Master Naturalist volunteers will support the children’s explorations, helping them learn through discovery and inquiry. You can find more information and sign up for monthly walks here: https://ntmn.org/project/tiny-trekkers/
Aleena Figueroa is a science teacher, girl scout leader and North Texas Master Naturalist volunteer. She is passionate about youth education and encourages kids to engage all of their senses through child-led inquiry and open play.
Jennifer Stuart operates Seedschool – outdoor school and homeschool support. She is an avid gardener and knitter, and enjoys sharing these pursuits with others through volunteering.

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Special Event –
Matthew Stepanek –
A Photo Trek Through Nature’s Gallery
Date: Sunday, September 29, 2024
Time: 2:00 – 3:30
Location: 1770 Holford Drive

We hope the trails will now be perfect while Matt leads you into the forest. He will start the event at the pavilion, demonstrating and answering basic camera questions. Then he will lead us into the forest so you can get hands-on experience and tips for vibrant nature shots in a variety of locations.
Bring a camera, if possible; DSLR/full lens cameras would be preferred, but cell phones will work as well. Long pants and sturdy shoes are recommended.
Topics he will cover: general photography tips and tricks, cell phone photography, nature and wildlife photography, low-light photography, seasonal photography subjects, camera settings for different biomes, iNaturalist importance and use, game camera settings/use/placement, basic camouflage/blinds for photographers and game cameras, basic mammal/small animal tracking, nature photography ethics, nature photography safety.
Matthew is a DFW nature and wildlife photographer who worked in the photography field. He is an acting member of the North Texas Master Naturalist chapter photography committee. He enjoys backcountry hiking, backpacking, macro/telephoto photography, and exploring the rich biodiversity of various Texas ecoregions and biomes.

Matthew recently photographed this rarely seen spider at 1787 Holford. The spider, Pardosa deliculata, has only 40 observations in Texas, according to the citizen-science app iNaturalist (+1 in Louisiana and 1 in Mexico).

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