November 2025 Announcements

Contact the Society: springcreekforestpreservation@gmail.com

City Council approved scope of work proposal

Excerpt from a message from Judson Rex, Garland City Manager on October 21, 2025: “The Garland City Council unanimously approved a request to enter into a professional services contract with Kimley-Horn for the condition assessment of the Spring Creek Forest Preserve and wastewater interceptor [sewer line].

          This milestone marks the beginning of the next chapter in our partnership. Over the past several months, we have worked closely together to refine the proposed scope of work—ensuring that it reflects both the preservation priorities for the forest and the infrastructure needs that serve the region. Your [the Society] engagement and collaboration have been essential to reaching this point, and I want to sincerely thank each of you for your time, thoughtfulness, and commitment to this shared effort.

          As we move forward, this contract represents not the conclusion of our work but the foundation for the ongoing partnership between the City, Dallas County, and the Preservation Society. Together, we’ll continue building on the strong collaboration that has defined this process to restore, preserve, and sustain this remarkable natural asset.”

Folks, remember that there is still likely a lot of harm that will have to be done. However, within the proposal is a sub-topic which provides a “schematic level potential pipe realignment alternative”, which we hope means it is a start on the true answer to our problem. So please don’t forget to mention the POOP Project every chance you get.  Let’s get the Pipeline Out Of the Preserve!

It is now time for Kimley-Horn to discover the details of how to inspect and repair the sewer line while protecting the Preserve and creek integrity. It is first priority to discover and fix any weakness in the sewer line that would both contaminate the creek and jeopardize a fully working sewer line for the 40,000 people relying on it. And at the same time, look at sites outside of the creek, Preserve and greenbelt to recommend where the sewer could be eventually moved.

On Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the Annual Camelot Neighborhood Association Picnic, the Society was honored to receive the Association’s Excalibur Award. The Award is given to a person or organization “For exemplary civic duty and community involvement on behalf of the citizens of Garland and Camelot.”

Camelot neighborhood is near the western edge of the greenbelt part of the Preserve along Shiloh and Campbell roads. The neighborhood is legendary for being named by the Dallas Morning News as one of the best and safest neighborhoods in the Garland / Mesquite area. And it is filled with people who want the best for their community.

The annual picnic had fun, old-fashioned community events such as a chili cook-off, cookie contest, and kids’ games. They grilled hot dogs to go with the chili, and gave out neighborhood awards and raffle prizes.

Over the years, many of our Society members have been from the Camelot area including both current and former City Council representatives Joe Thomas and Rick Williams, who were both on hand announcing prize winners. Several other current city council members were there, too, enjoying the day.

Thank you for bestowing the Excalibur Award to the Society. We are honored to receive it!

Photo: Barbara Baynham, Society Vice-president, receiving the Excalibur Award from last year’s winner, Brenda Henkle.

On October 11, Garland partnered with Dallas and Rowlett for the ninth annual Tri-City Litter Cleanup to keep our waterways beautiful. (Spring Creek flows into Rowlett Creek, which flows into Lake Ray Hubbard.)

Overall, 359 volunteers contributed more than 1,500 hours across 14 sites. Crews removed nearly 7,800 pounds of litter and 43 discarded tires — an effort valued at nearly $49,000 in volunteer service. We had a great group of volunteers at both Society sites – 1770 Holford and Halff Park. It’s unfortunate, but there is always trash to pick up. And they did it with panache! Thank you!

The top three entries were…
#3 – A Consultation of Conservationists
#2 – A Quest of Naturalists

And the winner is…
#1 – A Hope of Naturalists – submitted by Karen Carpenter
Congratulations, Karen! You will receive a $25 gift card from Academy Sports and Outdoors. Many thanks to all who participated…we hope to see you excellent naturalists in the field, soon – and often.

Now we know that this group out in the field sharing ideas is a hope of naturalists. Move over pride of lions, gaggle of geese, colony of ants, and especially murder of crows.

October 23, 2025: Plant rescues continued in Halff Park and we now have 136 plants in the city’s Roach greenhouse complex. Volunteers are working to recover the walking trail and will install these plants in early spring.

Speaker Series:
The Power of using iNaturalist
Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
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

We will have a special guest speaker on hand to talk about the amazing and powerful app for both scientists and citizen-scientists – iNaturalist.

This free phone and web app enables you to catalog your own observations in nature. But it is also a powerful international citizen-science tool that enables scientists to track information on thousands of species worldwide – information such as enabling predictions about species decline or health, indicating whether the species habitat is expanding or collapsing, and much, much more.

Be sure to come to our 4^th Sunday Walk on November 23 because our own iNaturalist Ambassador, Vince Hale, will show us first-hand how to use the app in the field. See below.

2^nd Saturday Work Session –
Erosion Control – Reroute both the Trout lily and the BelAir trails
Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025
Time: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: 1770 Holford Drive

We keep an eye on trails that get heavy use because as the soil compacts from the weight of many walkers, water begins to flow through it more and more quickly, gradually causing erosion. We reroute trails that need it. 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 repellent.
• 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.

4th Sunday Nature Walk
Vince Hale, iNaturalist Ambassador –
Learn to use iNaturalist in the field.

Date: Sunday, November 23, 2025
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Location: 1770 Holford Road

          Learn to use iNaturalist in the field. Bring your phone. Our leader Vince Hale will take you into the Preserve and give tips on the best way to navigate this powerful app.

Please, so things go smoothly at the walk, pre-load the free iNaturalist app to your phone. Also, create your account username and password.

From iNaturalist: Every observation can contribute to biodiversity science, from the rarest butterfly to the most common backyard weed. We share your findings with scientific data repositories like the Global Biodiversity Information Facility to help scientists find and use your data. All you have to do is observe.

According to Vince, iNaturalist Ambassadors are iNaturalist members who are excited to share their love of nature and help others discover iNaturalist. We hope to inspire our local community to explore, document, and protect biodiversity by hosting events, giving talks, and connecting people to iNaturalist in other creative ways. Vince is also an avid nature photographer.

Bird Walks with Certified Birder Reba Collins.

Dates: Saturday, November 29 and Sunday, November 30
Time: 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Location: 1787 Holford Rd.

Reservations required – rcollins20@verizon.net

Walk with Reba Collins, certified birder and world traveler to see what birds are in Spring Creek Forest in late fall after Thanksgiving. Come for a morning walk and find out.
Contact Reba at rcollins20@verizon.net to reserve a spot. We require reservations on these walks to keep the groups limited to 10 people. Birds hide when too many people are tromping through the area.
Bring binoculars. Dress for the weather. If it has been raining, rain boots may be appropriate.

Male and Female Cardinals

Holiday Party for Society Members

Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Member invitation.

No speaker in December, but for Society members only, a Holiday party at the home of Don and Barbara Baynham. Everyone brings a snack to share; drinks are provided. We relax, chat about nature, and tell stories.

If you are not yet a member, it is never too late! Go to our website which now has on-line payment – springcreekforest.org. Or contact Barbara Baynham at 972-495-3569 or email to Barbara_baynham2005@yahoo.com. We will gladly accept your membership form and payment (cash or check) at the party.

  No inflation here – Membership cost is still at our 1990 level: $20 for an individual, $25 for a family, $300 Lifetime.

15th Annual Christmas is for the Birds –
A Fun, Messy Event for Youngsters pre-school through elementary school

Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025          
          Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
          Location: 1787 Holford Rd.

This is a super fun event for pre-school or elementary school children. Bring them to the Park Preserve where they make biodegradable bird feeders out of peanut butter and bird seed, then they hang the feeders in our forest. Yes, be prepared to get a bit messy. Everything is supplied at the event.

• We have all the supplies ready for you.
• Even so, some folks make their own feeder treats at home and bring them to hang on the trees.
• Biodegradable bird feeder ornaments must be hung with cotton yarn or string. The birds will use the string later for making their nests. Do not use metal, plastic, or fishing line for hangers. They are dangerous for birds and wildlife because they might ingest it and injure themselves. If you make bird feeder ornaments at home, please bring them to the park ready to hang.
• Some examples of biodegradable bird feeders:
  • Pinecones coated in peanut butter and rolled in bird seed.
  • Strings of fresh or dried berries. (Use cotton string.)
  • Strings of non-buttered popcorn. (Use cotton string.)

2^nd Saturday Work Session –
Trail Maintenance at Halff Park

Date: December 13, 2025
Time: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Location:
We will work on the trails going out of Halff Park to get them ready for folks to enjoy on the January 1 “Start the New Year Right” nature walks.
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.

4th Sunday Nature Walk – no walk, see January 1

Start the New Year Right Nature Walk

Date: Thursday, January 1, 2026
Time: Walks start every 10 or 15 minutes from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Location: Half Park at 4695 Ranger Drive, Garland, TX 75040

Start your new year with a refreshing walk in the Preserve. Come at your convenience between 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. Small-group walks leave every 10 or 15 minutes from 9 until 10:30 a.m.
Your walk leader will be one of a team of folks who know their way around this wonderful section of our Preserve. The trail leading from Halff Park takes us through some of the biggest trees in the Preserve. This is also the most wild section. After walking a few yards into the forest, it is hard to believe that civilization is just a few steps away.
Note – dress for the weather, and note that it might be muddy on the trails.

Also Note that due to the destruction and hopeful reconstruction of this part of the Preserve, we might have to change the location of the walk for your safety. Please check our website or Facebook page for last minute information.

Inland Sea Oats in winter.

Guided Bird Walks with Reba Collins
Dates: Saturday, January 17, 2026, and Sunday, January 18, 2026:
Time: 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Location: 1787 Holford, Garland, TX.

Walk with Reba Collins, certified birder and world traveler to see what birds spend the winter in Spring Creek Forest. Come for a morning walk and learn to identify some of our wintering birds.

Reservations required: Limited to 10 people for each walk. Contact Reba at rcollins20@verizon.net to reserve a spot.
Dress for the weather. If it has been raining, rain boots may be appropriate.
Bring binoculars.

Bird – Cedar Waxwing visits Dallas for the winter

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