Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest
Educational and Service Activities
(https://springcreekforest.org)
North Texas Giving Day
This year, on Thursday, September 19, Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest is participating in Communities Foundation of Texas’ North Texas Giving Day, an online giving extravaganza for our whole region.
Last year, Communities Foundation of Texas brought together over 3,249 organizations to raise $63.9 million, and we are excited to be a part of the movement this year!
Since its inception in 2009, North Texas Giving Day has transformed from an idea to help local people give wisely, to a movement that has ignited a broad culture of community-wide giving.
We invite you to join the movement and help us reach our goal of $1,500.00 on September 19.
Here’s how you can help: Give with purpose on September 19! Your gift matters!
Not available on September 19? No worries! Make your gift early between September 1 and September 18!
This link takes you directly to the Society page on the North Texas Giving Day website: https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/organization/Preservation-Society-Of-Spring-Creek-Forest
September Events 2024 –
Speaker Series:
Tyler Hedlund – What Makes a Tick Tick?
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 –
Meeting 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
Tick – an insect we should all be aware of before we walk across our prairie or through our forest understory! Tyler can answer our questions.
Ticks are eight-legged arachnids that are more closely related to spiders than insects. Ticks are most commonly encountered in fields or wooded areas, especially along the edges between forest and open areas. Except for the brown dog tick, they are generally not seen in urban sites. They can transmit several serious, difficult to diagnose diseases. Don’t let ticks keep you indoors but be aware and don’t ignore them either.
Tyler has a Master’s degree in Entomology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where he worked on ticks and tick-borne disease. This work has taken him from the metropolis of Chicago to the savannas of Kenya as he collected thousands of ticks over the years. He currently works for the US Department of Agriculture, first as an Area Identifier in Laredo, TX, and now as a Plant Health Safeguarding Specialist in Champaign, IL.
Tick Photo – male Gulf Coast Tick photo by Mike Quinn.
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2nd Saturday Work Session
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024
Time: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: 1787 Holford.
We will be in the prairie working on controlling the woody species that want to encroach on the prairie, and we will also scatter wildflower seeds that were gathered from the site.
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.
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4th Sunday Nature Walk –
Nature Trek: Families in the Forest
Date: Sunday, September 22, 2024
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Location: 1770 Holford Road
Master Naturalists Jennifer Stuart and Aleena Figueroa will lead us. They have extensive experience guiding young folks and families into the forest to find interesting things.
Children of all ages with their parents or caregivers can enjoy this adventure. Children are encouraged to explore and practice “leave no trace” principles.
Join North Texas Master Naturalists Aleena Figueroa and Jennifer Stuart for an exploration of the forest through the eyes of a child. This is not a traditional guided hike. Our young participants will take the lead as they wander down the path, stopping as they discover things. Adults will support inquiry and guide discussion.
We have binoculars, magnifying glasses, and other tools for careful observation. Feel free to bring along a journal and pencils for your child to document special finds. Please dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes (no sandals allowed) and insect repellent. Also bring plenty of water.
Nature Trekkers is a series of nature explorations for young children and their caregivers. Parents and Master Naturalist volunteers will support the children’s explorations, helping them learn through discovery and inquiry. You can find more information and sign up for monthly walks here: https://ntmn.org/project/tiny-trekkers/
Aleena Figueroa is a science teacher, girl scout leader and North Texas Master Naturalist volunteer. She is passionate about youth education and encourages kids to engage all of their senses through child-led inquiry and open play.
Jennifer Stuart operates Seedschool – an outdoor school and homeschool support. She is an avid gardener and knitter, and enjoys sharing these pursuits with others through volunteering.
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Special Event –
Matthew Stepanek –
A Photo Trek Through Nature’s Gallery
Date: Sunday, September 29, 2024
Time: 2:00 – 3:30
Location: 1770 Holford Drive
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.
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).
Close-up Frog photo by Matthew Stepanek
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October Events 2024 –
Speaker Series:
Nancy Wilson – Spring Creek at Home:
Native Plants at the Preserve that can work in Your Yard
Date: Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Meeting Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: currently meeting via Zoom call.
Nancy Wilson will tell us about the many plants at our Preserve which are suitable for a home landscape. Learn about plant characteristics and how various plants provide food, shelter, or a place to raise young for many of nature’s wonderful creatures.
Nancy will also lead our 4th Sunday Nature Walk on October 27. See below.
Nancy is a Master Naturalist, Master Gardener, and the coordinator for the Native Landscape Certification Program through the Native Plant Society of Texas. She has been learning about native plants for many years by growing them in her own landscape, by attending many webinars and classes, and by hiking in natural areas. Her yard has been on the City of Dallas Water Wise Landscape Tour many times. She is passionate about helping others landscape for the benefit of birds, bees, butterflies, and garden joy!
The featured plant is the Four-nerve Daisy (Tetraneuris linearifolia). Photo by Vince Hale
Special City Event –
8th Annual Tri-City Cleanup
Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. – noon
Location: Halff Park at Ranger Drive
We are Keeping It Beautiful for the Eighth Time!
Keeping our waterways beautiful takes a community effort. Join volunteers from Garland, Rowlett, and Dallas to clean up over 20 designated sites surrounding or connecting to Lake Ray Hubbard from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 5. Our own Spring Creek Preserve is one of the Garland locations that will have a clean-up team because Spring Creek flows into Rowlett Creek, which flows into Lake Ray Hubbard.
Volunteers of all ages and abilities are invited. This is a great event for groups and families! Youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult; no drop off/pick up of those under 18. All participants must sign waivers and youth under 18 need to have a guardian signature on the waiver.
There are multiple cleanup locations in each city from which to choose when you sign up. Go directly to your chosen location on clean-up day and we’ll be waiting with supplies for each volunteer! Come dressed to work in the elements: boots, pants, sleeves, bug spray, and sunscreen are recommended. Reduce waste, bring your refillable water jug!
After the workday, celebrate at Hella Shrine Events Center with live music, food trucks, sweet treats, a petting zoo, and fun for all volunteers!
Please reserve your spot: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/805094FAEAF2AA7FF2-50868866-8thannual
Questions? Contact Volunteer Garland for more information. 972-205-3583 Volunteer@GarlandTx.gov
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Texas Pollinator BioBlitz –
Be a part of community science
October 11-27, 2024
The 9th Annual Texas Pollinator BioBlitz returns in October https://tpwd.texas.gov/education/bioblitz
Mark your calendars and get ready for some photographic fun and the opportunity to contribute to community science!
- All ages and abilities are encouraged to find pollinators and nectar-producing plants and take photos to share with friends!
- Sign up for email updates during the event.
- Find events to attend near you (please note: new events added regularly) by using our online events calendar.
- Post your pollinator photos during the event to your own Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook accounts (use #TxPollinators).
- Follow the 2024 Texas Pollinator BioBlitz event on Facebook to see daily challenges, links of interest, share your own photos, and more: https://www.facebook.com/events/387887267673175/
The Society is not hosting specific events, but we hope you will visit the Preserve on your own and participate in the BioBlitz.
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2nd Saturday Work Session
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
Time: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: 1770 Holford. Trail maintenance and little Prairie maintenance
This will be a lot more fun than the title indicates. LOL We go down into our fabulous forest, walking the trails to remove obstacles such as downed tree limbs or over-grown plants. Or perhaps we will start at the little meadow and remove woody growth that is encroaching on the meadow.
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4th Sunday Nature Walk
Nancy Wilson –
What if Spring Creek Preserve was a Nursery?
Date: Sunday, October 27, 2024
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Location: 1770 Holford Road
Nancy Wilson will take us into the Preserve to find the trees, shrubs and other plants that would be suitable to grow in your yard. Learn about their places in a landscape and see how various plants provide food, shelter, or a place to raise young for many of nature’s wonderful creatures.
Nancy has many years of experience using native plants in our home landscaping. See more information about Nancy in the description of the October 1 Speaker event.
Photo Vince Hale – Coral Honeysuckle
Plan Ahead
Monthly Public Speaker Series: Interesting speakers are lined up. Our meeting is 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.
Tuesday, November 5, 2024 – Jake Poinsett, Wintering Sparrows of North Texas
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 – Holiday Party for Members only at the home of Don and Barbara Baynham
And more to come.
2nd Saturday Work Sessions
Time: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Changes with the work that needs to be done. Check the Monthly
Upcoming Dates:
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.
Sunday, November 24, 2024 – TBA
Sunday, December 22, 2024 – NO walk in December. Instead see the January 1, 2025 Start the New Year Right Nature Walk.
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/
Fall Special Events:
Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1, 2024: Bird Walks with Reba Collins, Certified Master Birder. Reba will lead two walks across the prairie to look for winter birds.
Saturday, December 7, 2024: 14th Annual Christmas is for the Birds. Our wonderful (although messy) event for kids preschool through elementary school age.
January 1, 2025: Start the New Year Right Nature Walk.
