June 2024 Announcements

Preservation Society
for Spring Creek Forest

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

 

Yes, it’s your Society with a cool new logo!
It represents our creek, our prairie, and the oak trees in our forest,
We hope you like it.

 

 

Events – June, July, August
In June, July, and August, we take a break from our usual activities during the summer – no Speaker Series, no 4th Sunday Walks, and only Work Sessions that are available to a few valiant and plucky souls who volunteer for Dana’s work team.

However, don’t miss some special events that are in progress. (See below.)

 

 

Thank You Volunteers!
Texas Conservation Alliance and
Dallas County Parks and Open Spaces

On May 11, our wonderful Preservation Society volunteers wrapped up our “Second Saturday” workdays for the season; now we’ll take a well-deserved break in the heat of June, July, and August.
At this May workday, our own steadfast volunteers were joined by volunteers and staff from Texas Conservation Alliance and the Dallas County Parks and Open Spaces program. Twenty people broke into three teams of volunteers and attacked the woody-plant encroachment that threatens to crowd out native wildflowers on this beautiful limestone prairie. That gave us over forty total hours of work on the prairie. Phenomenal!

We may have some early-morning, small group volunteer activities during the summer; if you would like to be on the e-mail list to be notified about these activities, please email Dana Wilson (danawilson59@yahoo.com).

Our next official workday will be Saturday, September 14, 9-11am at 1787 Holford which is the westernmost part of the park, with the beautiful wildscape garden and limestone prairie. We’ll be going back to areas where we’ve had success controlling woody species and we will also scatter wildflower seeds that we collected from this location last fall.

As always, we thank all the wonderful volunteers who share their time and energy and help maintain, protect and improve Spring Creek Forest Preserve!

 

 

July Events –

City of Garland Independence Day Celebration
Red White and You

Date: Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Time: 5:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Location: Downtown Garland Square, 520 W State St., Garland, TX 75040

Come join the Society for an unforgettable Independence Day celebration on the Downtown Garland Square featuring great music, delicious food, games for all ages, and a spectacular drone show. It’s the perfect way to honor our nation’s independence with free admission and vendors adding to the festive atmosphere!
The Society will have a booth with an activity for youngsters that teaches them about some of the fascinating things in our Preserve.

Details: https://www.visitgarlandtx.com/red-white-and-you

An Evening with Moths and Sam K
DateSaturday, July 20, 2024
Time: 8:30 p.m. until late
Location: 1770 Holford Drive

Sam Kieschnick, Texas Parks and Wildlife Urban Wildlife Biologist for DFW, will be on hand with all his energy and expertise.
This family friendly event honoring International Moth Week is an opportunity to experience night at the Preserve. Most moths are nocturnal, so we set up several light sheets to attract moths and other night flying insects. Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and help with identification.

One of Sam’s favorite quotes by Bradley Miller: “Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar.”

All children must be accompanied by an appropriate number of adults. Bring water, insect repellent, and a flashlight. Wear close-toed shoes!

More information to come.

Moth Night photo by Carol Garrison

 

 

Plan Ahead

Monthly Public Speaker Series:
Interesting speakers are lined up. Our meeting is usually on the 1st Tuesday of the month from September to April.

  • Meeting Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Location:  currently meeting via Zoom call.
  • For Master Naturalists, this often counts as 1 hour of Advanced Training, but check the MN schedule to be sure.

May through August – Summer break
September 3, 2024 – Tyler Hedlund – What Makes a Tick Tick?
Tuesday, October 1, 2024 – Nancy Wilson – Bring Spring Creek Home: Native Plants at the Preserve that can work in Your Yard
Tuesday, November 5, 2024 – TBA
And more to come.

2nd Saturday Work Sessions
Throughout June, July, and August, 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.

Time: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Changes with the work that needs to be done. Check the Monthly Announcements, the Website, or our FaceBook page for full details.
Upcoming Dates:
Saturday, September 14, 2024 – 1787 Holford. Controlling woody species and scattering wildflower seeds.
Saturday, October 12, 2024 – 1770 Holford. Trail and little Prairie maintenance
Saturday, November 9, 2024 – Halff Park at Ranger Drive. Clear ragweed and trail maintenance.
Saturday, December 14, 2024 – 1770 Holford. Clear invasive Amur honeysuckle and trail maintenance.

Service Projects- Need a project for your organization, Gold Award, or Eagle Scout rank? Contact David Parrish, dparrish1953@yahoo.com.

4th Sunday Nature Walks
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
The locations of 4th-Sunday Nature Walks will vary throughout the Preserve depending on the subject of the walk. Be sure to check the latest announcements.
May through August – Summer break. It’s too hot!

Sunday, September 22, 2024 – Naturalists Jennifer Stuart and Aleena Figueroa – Nature Trekkers with Family Walks in the Forest
Sunday, October 27, 2024 – TBA
Sunday, November 24, 2024 – TBA

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/

 

 

Executive Committee

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

 

 

 

Become a Society member or donate
The Society’s only means of financial support is through memberships and donations. Membership has benefits such as Member-Only Nature walks and the annual Holiday Party. Your donation helps the all-volunteer Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest offer public lectures, conduct habitat management workdays, and offer public nature walks. Support the Preserve today.
We have online payment for membership or donation using credit or debit cards, or your PayPal account. Or, you can still download a membership form and send a check.
Go to springcreekforest.org for more information.

Monthly Announcements:
To subscribe please contact:  Barbara_Baynham2005@yahoo.com

 

 

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.
Thank you for your support!
David Parrish, President
Ginny Wilcox, Secretary
Marvin Rogers, Treasurer

Barbara Baynham, Newsletter

And the rest of the Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest Executive Committee
barbara_baynham2005@yahoo.com

972-495-3569