June 2026 Announcements

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

Contact the Society: springcreekforestpreservation@gmail.com

Current Status of the Pipeline Project

Here is just a brief summary of a meeting we had in May with Garland folks and Kimley-Horn analysts.

The assessment of the sewer throughout the length of Spring Creek as it goes through the Preserve is nearing the end, depending on rain. And you all know we have had a good deal of rain lately. Until the report is presented and the various Garland departments have had time to review it and decide how to proceed, work on the sewer itself is still at a standstill. But be of good cheer – the departments are certainly talking to each other this time. (That calls for a Smiley Face.)

There is excellent progress in starting the dispersal of some of the huge debris piles that were left by the bulldozers. The Garland Parks Department is carefully starting to pull those debris piles apart and disperse the smaller debris carefully around the area so it can decompose more quickly and feed the forest. The larger tree trunks will also most likely be left to decompose in place because the machinery needed to remove these very heavy items will compact the soil and cause new problems. Those decomposing trunks will become the home for grubs and other insects. As they hollow out, they will become shelter for our Preserve animals.

Still Wanted: Spring Creek Forest Preserve Trail Monitors

Although several wonderful folks stepped up to help with this volunteer job, we can still use more people.

The reason we need quite a large team is because we have nearly 4 miles of paved trails and 4ish miles of dirt trails. The Preserve and surrounding greenbelt totals about 250 acres. Each monitor volunteers to patrol the length of trail that is comfortable to that person.

As a Trail Monitor, once a week or even once every other week, you walk the concrete and natural surface trails in one of the 3 distinct sections of the Preserve. You help with litter control, watch for downed limbs and other trail hazards, and be a friendly face to visitors in the Preserve. Members of the Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest will offer training and support and help you find the part of the park that most appeals to you. Email springcreekforestpreservation@gmail.com for more information.

Example: Fallen tree – The Trail Monitor would photograph this trail hazard and report it to both the Society Trail Committee and to Garland Parks and Recreation Department liaison. GPARD has the heavy equipment to slice out and remove just the portion that covers the trail. Most of the tree would be left in place to decay and provide nourishment to the forest for many years.

Time for a well-deserved break!

The Second Saturday workdays have wrapped up after nine very productive workdays in all parts of the preserve. Among other things, we – all the great Spring Creek volunteers and community members who joined in these activities – conducted two successful plant rescues / replantings in the preserve, constructed a new trout lily trail, cleared a meadow in preparation for installation of two new Eastern bluebird boxes, reconnected parts of the Halff Park trail that were damaged by the bulldozer, and regularly maintained our prairie and walking trails.

After the work session scheduled for June 6 (see below), the next regular workday is Saturday, September 12, 9-11am. Watch our website and Facebook for details…and we hope to see you there!

We extend a huge THANK YOU to everyone whose hard work makes Spring Creek Forest Preserve – our preserve – one we are proud of. And thank you to Dana Wilson for coordinating the work to fuse with the 5-year strategic plan she and her extraordinary team of collaborators create for the projects in the Preserve.

          Our First Tuesday zoom lecture series and our Fourth Sunday public walks also take a break in June, July, and August.

Join us on Tuesday, September 1, at 7:00 p.m. for a zoom talk with guest presenter Jean Suplick on the fascinating topic of mushrooms (and fungus in general). And on Sunday, September 27, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m., Jean will lead our 4th Sunday walk into the woods to see what fungus and mushrooms we can find. 4th Sunday walks are family-friendly and there is a restroom on site.

Note that there might be some pop-up work sessions. Join Dana’s work team:

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.

Volunteer Garland and the Society work together

Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026
Time: 8:45 – 11:00 a.m.
(8:45 a.m. for sign-in and review of rules and safety guidelines)
Location: 2393 Mapleridge Drive, Garland
(Where Mapleridge dead-ends. Three blocks east of Shiloh Road)

Registration through Volunteer Garland is required.
Register here by June 6: Partners in Preservation: Hidden Gem Restoration | City of Garland TX

Join the Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest, Keep Garland Beautiful, and Volunteer Garland for a community litter cleanup at the Mapleridge entrance to Spring Creek Forest Preserve.

Volunteers will meet at the trailhead before walking together into a beautiful creekside area within the preserve that has been heavily impacted by litter and storm debris. While the setting remains one of the hidden gems of Spring Creek Forest, this section of the preserve needs community support to help restore its natural beauty.

This cleanup effort will help reclaim a peaceful natural space used for nature exploration, quiet reflection, wildlife observation, and enjoying the forest preserve.

All cleanup supplies will be provided, and reusable water containers will be provided by the City of Garland Stormwater Department.

Space is limited to 20 volunteers.

Volunteer Details
• Close-toe shoes required. It might be muddy.
• Long pants and long sleeves strongly recommended due to uneven terrain and potential poison ivy exposure
• Bring water, sunscreen, and snacks if desired
• Gloves and litter cleanup supplies will be provided

This is a great opportunity for high school students, service organizations, Master Naturalists, and community members looking to make a visible environmental impact while helping preserve one of Garland’s most treasured natural spaces.

Mapleridge Photos – Before – by C Godfrey

Garland Red, White & You

Date: Friday, July 3, 2026
Time: 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Location: Downtown Garland Square

          The Society will have a table at this event. Maybe we will see you there!

Celebrate America’s 250^th Anniversary at Garland’s Red, White & You. Garland’s signature Independence Day celebration brings thousands of people to the Downtown Garland Square for an evening of music, food, and family-friendly fun. Held annually on July 3, this FREE festival captures the spirit of the season with lively entertainment, hands-on activities, and a festive atmosphere for all ages.

Enjoy a dynamic mix of live music, interactive attractions, and summertime favorites ranging from inflatables and games to creative art experiences. Local restaurants, food trucks, and vendors add to the excitement, serving up a taste of Garland’s diverse flavors just steps from the heart of the action.

As the sun sets, the celebration builds toward its highlight: a brilliant fireworks show that lights up the skyline and signals the start of the holiday weekend. Whether you’re enjoying the performances, exploring the activity zones, or simply soaking in the July festivities, Red, White & You offers a vibrant way to celebrate Independence Day in Garland.

More information at: https://www.visitgarlandtx.com/red-white-and-you

6th Annual An Evening with Moths

Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
Time: 9:00 p.m. until late
Location: 1770 Holford Rd.

Sam Kieschnick, Urban Wildlife Biologist, DFW, Texas Parks and Wildlife will be on hand to host our 6^th annual celebration of not only our moth population but all our other insects that land on the lighted sheets and the interesting animals that are drawn to the light.

More details to come soon.

One of Sam Kieschnick’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.”

Sam Kieschnick keeps children in awe as he talks about the insects they see.

A Walking Stick was drawn to the light. 2025

The 4-day City Nature Challenge (CNC) has grown into an international event, motivating people around the world to find and document wildlife in their own cities. Run by the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM), the CNC is an annual four-day global bioblitz at the end of April.

Dallas / Ft. Worth came in 4th in the world for recording 4,602 species during the 2026 timeframe. Ahead of D/FW was first the Steiermark region of Austria with 5,044, then San Antonio, then Hong Kong. World-wide, not bad at all! Thank you to Vince Hale who is our Society iNaturalist Ambassador, and all those who worked the Preserve documenting our biodiversity.

(The following is copied from the iNaturalist website)
In the middle of San Francisco, a naturalist lifted a piece of woody debris near a pond … and found a species of leech that had never been recorded on iNaturalist.

Meet the Golden Gate Leech!

This observation, made by iNaturalist community member Richard Hasegawa (okbirdman) during the 2026 City Nature Challenge, is now part of the global scientific record of life on Earth. It’s also one of 70+ species documented on iNaturalist for the very first time during the City Nature Challenge!

From April 24–27, over 106,350 people across 754 cities, 61 countries, and 6 continents stepped outside and noticed the nature around them. Together, they made over 3 million observations of 76,422+ species, including more than 5,688 that are rare, threatened, or endangered.

After just one weekend, we now have a vivid, global snapshot of biodiversity — one that scientists, decisionmakers, land managers, and more around the world will use to help protect at-risk species and habitats. Explore more City Nature Challenge results!

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