August 2026 Announcements

Contact the Society: springcreekforestpreservation@gmail.com

Proposal maps (1^st drafts) from Christina Hickey, PE, City of Garland Water Department, July 23, 2026:

On July 23, 2026, Society executive committee members and advisors attended the latest stakeholder meeting regarding the status of the sewer maintenance project. Christina has requested a written response from the Society by August 12.

The following information is excerpted from the files provided for the meeting.

The status of the assessment of the current pipeline was briefly discussed:

Using high-tech cameras and drone technology, about 32,000 linear feet of the pipeline have been inspected. The 9,000 linear feet of the pipe still to be inspected is more difficult to access and they are bringing in even more specialized equipment. So far, the pipeline that has been inspected has fewer problems than anticipated, but some areas were found that will need significant repair. No repair work will be started until the entire line is assessed and an access plan is approved.

The meeting then focused on two issues:

1. First, a map of the initial proposal for the sewer pipeline relocation outside of the Preserve (the POOP Project).

They found that relocating the pipeline to run along existing roads such as Arapaho on the south and Naaman Forest on the north was not feasible. Therefore, this initial proposal presents the possibility of moving the pipeline to the north and south borders of the Preserve.

The red line indicates the proposed route of the new pipeline. The blue line is the current location in the bed of the creek.

Technical and Operational Benefits [of moving the pipeline]          

• Improve pipeline accessibility
• Reduce number of deflections and manhole along line
• Reduce environmental risk by locating line outside of creek
• Can integrate access to new lines with existing trail systems
• Minimize long term impacts to Preserve and County

Technical and Operational Challenges [of moving the pipeline]

• Installation depths of up to 60 feet
• Installation by tunneling necessary
• Increased construction costs associated with deep installations
• Easement and Property Acquisition
• Maintenance challenges associated with depth

2. Second issue, a map of the initial proposal for the route of permanent access needed to support the monitoring of the pipeline while it is in the creek and Preserve.

The map illustrates a draft proposal of potential access corridors intended only for periodic monitoring and minor maintenance using ATV or foot traffic.

If / when larger work is required, any project-specific access requirements would be coordinated with stakeholders at that time.

On the map, the purplish/pink line represents the route of the controversial clearing that took place about a year ago. The orange line represents the new proposed route that will be kept permanently available for inspection.

Permanent Access – Overview

• Water department does not have adequate ability to access sanitary sewer to continuously monitor the sewer lines within the forested area.
• Additional access is recommended to ensure long term capability to monitor assets
• Potential access routes across City, County and Private property would be intended for routine monitoring and minor maintenance activities only, utilizing light vehicles (e.g., ATVs) on approximately 5-foot-wide paths
• Access routes specifics to be discussed with SCFP, County and Parks to minimize impact.
• Preliminary concepts prioritize access through Winters Park, Fred Harris Park, and private property to reduce the extent of access needed across County property.
• As future maintenance or rehabilitation work is required, additional coordination with stakeholders would occur to determine project-specific access needs and appropriate mitigation measures.

Permanent Access – Process

• Finalize the concept with stakeholder input.
• Gain permission for property easements from Private, City / Parks, and County property owners
• Walk the site with stakeholders to stake the exact access routes
• Clear brush as needed for assessment by ATV or on foot
• Survey paths and provide finalized info to stakeholders

Note from Society:

You will notice that the new orange line is on the opposite side of the creek from the Preserve, except for where the current sewer pipeline travels deep under the Preserve through the area at 1770 Holford.

The proposed orange route avoids any area designated Preserve and mostly travels through greenbelt property already owned by the City of Garland.

This proposal would allow Dallas County Open Spaces, Garland Parks Department, and the Society to step out of the way of the project that no longer needs Preserve land. We could possibly have full access to the controversial cleared area of the Preserve and restoration projects could begin much sooner because we would not have to wait for the maintenance projects to be fully completed.

Note that until the inspection of the sewer is complete, and plans for ongoing maintenance (including the size of equipment used for inspections and repairs) are finalized, this proposed route is not guaranteed. However, the ability to access the creek from the city greenbelt is a very positive step toward recovering the beautiful natural surface trail in the Preserve that was damaged one year ago.

During the month of July, Preservation Society members led a total of seven 1-hour morning/evening walks, and these summertime trial walks were a success. A total of 36 participants joined in 7 walks, with 6 of these folks visiting the preserve for the first time.

We all say THANK YOU to you fearless folks who stepped up to lead or join hikes in several parts of the preserve, even with temps around 100 degrees.

North Texas Giving Day –

The Giving Day site opens for donations beginning August 27. The last day that the website is available is September 17. Thanks to Reba Collins, the Society is one of the nonprofit organizations you can choose to give to.

Communities Foundation of Texas’ NTX Giving Day is a giving event designed to empower every person to give back to their community by supporting local nonprofits and causes they care about in one easy-to-use platform. It is the nation’s largest giving day.
The Preservation Society is participating for the third year. We appreciate your support and donations very much! Click here to go directly to the Society location on the Giving Day site:

https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/organization/Preservation-Society-Of-Spring-Creek-Forest

Seed collecting continues…
and seed cleaning, too.

August is a great month to truly take a break from the heat and our organized workdays, but we will still have some pop-up seed collecting activities (1-hour, early morning), as well as a seed-cleaning and socializing activity (in the air conditioning!)

Watch the Preservation Society Facebook page for word of these activities and email danawilson59@yahoo.com to be included on the email list. Enjoy this well-deserved breather in the meantime and join us when we kick things off for monthly second-Saturday workdays which resume on September 12, 9:00 a.m. at Halff Park.

Photo: Wildflower seeds collected throughout the Preserve are a fantastic resource for our habitat restoration activities.

For Volunteers –
Note that there might be some pop-up work sessions during the summer. Join Dana’s work team to participate:

In the summer, because of the heat, Work Sessions will be led by Dana Wilson at various times, dates, and locations. If you would like to be on Dana’s work team, please email her at danawilson59@yahoo.com.

Besides being loads of fun and learning for community members of all ages, this was a global Citizen Science project intended to expand our understanding of the kind of insects, spiders, and other biota found not only at the Preserve but worldwide. As of this writing, attendees have published 761 observations of 260 species to iNaturalist. We will see many more observations over the next week as participants upload additional photographs from their cameras and phones. Follow the progress here.

This did not happen in a vacuum. The Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest wishes to say THANK YOU to the following folks who helped make the “Evening” a success:

• Sam Kieschnick, Urban Wildlife Biologist, Texas Parks and Wildlife. Thank you for your energy, your booming voice, your keen knowledge, and your special capacity to keep the crowd enthralled in nature and its wonders.

• The “Moth Squad” from the Blackland Prairie Texas Master Naturalist Chapter, in Collin County. Members include Adolfo Reyes, Alex and Nancy Casillas, Dan Kinkade, Harvey and Jackie Mette, Jean Higgins, Mary Keenan, Pat Pilarski, Rick and Lisa Travis, Tina, Dennis, and Ed Burke, and Randy Boys. The “accessible” mothing stations were a nice addition to the evening.

• The City of Garland, particularly Garland Parks and Recreation, who helped prepare the site for the Evening, the Garland City Press for their great publicity, the Garland Police for checking on us, and our partners in VolunteerGarland.org.

• The many dedicated volunteers of the Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest, who picked up trash, cleared trails, manned the sign-up table, took photos, controlled parking, and answered countless questions from attendees about insects, the Preserve, and getting involved in Garland.

• And finally, and certainly last but not least, a shout-out to Henry and Judy Aschner (now living in New Mexico) for the vision and energy to organize the 1^st Evening with Moths (and the next 4 years!), which has proven to be one of the Society’s most popular and unique education & outreach events ever since.

Many hands make light work…and we look forward to seeing you all for the 7^th Annual “Evening with Moths” on July 17, 2027!

Photo: An Evening with Moths 2026

Date: Tuesday, September 1, 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 us for a presentation by Jean Suplick as she shares her journey into the fascinating world of our local fungi. Learn about some of the mushrooms you can expect in our area along with practical tips for identification, essential field tools, and trusted resources for further exploration.

Jean has lived in Plano for 35 years and has been a certified Texas Master Naturalist with the Blackland Prairie Chapter in Collin County since 2017. She shares her love of North Central Texas wildlife by leading programs and guided hikes for all ages, and more recently by growing native perennials to support pollinator garden projects led by her fellow Texas Master Naturalists.

ALSO: Jean will lead our 4^th Sunday Nature Walk on September 27 to show you mushrooms in their forest habitat. See below for information.

Mushroom photo by T. Strobeck, taken in our Preserve 2025

Jean Suplick

2^nd Saturday Work Session

Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Halff Park at Ranger Drive

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.

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.

• 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.

North Texas Giving Day
Date: Thursday, September 17 is the last day to donate.

4th Sunday Nature Walk –
Walk with Jean Suplick –
Looking for Fungi in the Forest

Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Location: 1770 Holford Rd.

Join Jean Suplick for a ramble through our Preserve looking for fungi that may be present. If you’re a user of the iNaturalist app, bring your smartphone to log any finds the group may discover.

Mushroom photo by C. 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.