Still a couple of notes
for April 2024Because of possible rain and probable muddy trails, the 4^th Sunday Nature Walk with Matthew Stepanek is RESCHEDULED to Sunday, May 12, same time, same place. See below.

Also see below for photos of the spectacular wildflower bloom on the Prairie at 1787 Holford Road.

 

          Join Texas Parks & Wildlife, Texas Master Naturalists, the Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, and others in a fun challenge to see which city of the world can document the most species.
It is easy to participate by either joining an event or making observations on your own. You must post your observations using the free citizen-science phone app iNaturalist. You just take a picture of a plant or animal, and the on-line community will help identify what species it is.
Any observation made during the four days of the event in the greater metropolitan area of each city will count towards the challenge.
Although the Society is not hosting a specific event, you can participate by exploring the life in your backyard, in your local park or on a field trip with your local naturalist group. We hope you come to the Preserve!

For more information on how to post to DFW, go to: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/wildlife_diversity/texas_nature_trackers/naturechallenge/

 

Dallas County Open Spaces –
Survey to help create the Master Plan for the next few years

          It is not too late for you to share your ideas for the Dallas County Open Space Master Plan. Please take a few minutes to provide input on proposed projects at each Dallas County Preserve. The Survey is available now through Friday, May 10, 2024.

Why are your Dallas County Preserves So Important?

 

The Dallas County Parks and Open Space program consists of twenty-one preserves totaling 4,085 acres throughout Dallas County. Our Spring Creek Forest Preserve and the Spring Creek Park Preserve are part of this system. With Dallas being such an urbanized area, these greenspaces are vital and provide a multitude of ecosystem services such as:
• Improving air quality
• Providing local recreational opportunities such as hiking, mountain biking, & fishing (Note – fishing and off-concrete biking are not allowed in our Spring Creek Preserves.)
• Providing habitat for wildlife
• Preserving natural & cultural resources

 

This year Dallas County Open Spaces is completing the 2024 Masterplan and are implementing a preserve volunteer program, stay tuned for how to get involved and to see the exciting things happening at the preserves! Visit the link below to find a preserve near you to provide your input on projects that should be done in your Preserves.

 

Link to Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DCOSP2

 

May 2024

 

Monthly Work Session
plus Bring Your Own Picnic

 

Date: Saturday, May 11, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. – noon
Location: 1787 Holford Drive

We do our splendid work on the prairie from 9 – 11 a.m. Then at 11, we meet at the picnic tables, each with your own brown bag or maybe your Roy Rogers or Avenger lunch pail. We eat our PBJs and apple slices surrounded not only by an amazing view, but great folks. Even if you can’t work on the prairie, come to the picnic!

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.

 

____________________

RESCHEDULED FROM APRIL –
Matthew Stepanek –
A Photo Trek Through Nature’s Gallery

Date: Sunday, May 12, 2024
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Location: 1770 Holford

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.

 

PHOTO: 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).

 

Except for Evening with Moths in July, we mostly take a break during the summer – no Speaker Series, no 4^th Sunday Walks, and Work Sessions that are available to a number of valiant and plucky souls who volunteer for Dana’s work team.

Dana’s Work Team: Because it is so hot, summer Work Sessions are 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.

 

July Special Event –
An Evening with Moths and Sam K

Date: Saturday, 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 2022 by Carol Garrison

 

Our magnificent prairie is in bloom at 1787 Holford Road. All these photos were taken in the last 10 days.

 

A field of Four-nerve Daisies by Vince Hale

Four-nerve Daisy close-up (Tetraneuris linearifolia) by Vince Hale

Pearl Crescent butterfly by Judy Cato 

Prairie in bloom by Mary Kay Starnes 

Foam nest of Spittlebug by Vince Hale

Barbara’s Button (Marshallia caespitosa) with bee by Vince Hale

Foxglove in bloom by Mary Kay Starnes