November, December Spring Creek Forest Preserve activities

Date: Nov. 26 – 2 – 3:30 p.m. – 1770 Holford Road

Explore the sights and sounds of Spring Creek Forest Preserve with activities and a guided walk geared toward families with children ages 4-10.  Dr. Lipsett has extensive experience working with youngsters and this walk is geared toward showing children and their parents how to have a fun experience in our forest. There will be several activity stations highlighting something special about the Forest.

In addition to more than 20 years of experience in education and the sciences, Lipsett is a trained conservation biologist and earned her advanced degrees from Texas A&M University. She celebrates her upcoming 20^th year as a North Texas Master Naturalist. She researches various plant species to uncover the perfect combinations for local ecosystems. She advises residential clients, offering creative ideas and frameworks to seamlessly integrate native plants into their yards while designing captivating landscape habitats. Additionally, she collaborates with schools in the area, consulting on outdoor play spaces and developing educational nature and arts curricula to foster a deeper connection between students and the natural world.

Bird Walks with Reba –

Dates: Saturday, Nov. 25 & Sunday, Nov. 26 – 1787 Holford Road – 8 – 9:30 a.m.
What birds are in Spring Creek Park Preserve in late fall after Thanksgiving? Come for a morning walk and find out. Reba is a Certified Birder and is known throughout the metroplex for her skill in identifying birds. She is a Master Naturalist and on the boards of our Society and Keep Garland Beautiful.

Reservations required. Groups are limited to 10 people per walk so birds won’t be scared away. Contact Reba at rcollins20@verizon.net to reserve a spot. Be sure to bring binoculars and dress for the weather. If it has been raining, rain boots might be appropriate.

Christmas is for the Birds – Saturday, Dec. 2 – 1787 Holford – 10 – 11:30 a.m.
In its 13^th year, this is a 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 the forest. Be prepared to get a bit messy.

Some folks make their own feeder treats at home and bring them to hang on 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 suffer injuries. If you make bird feeder ornaments at home, please bring them to the park ready to hang.

· Some examples of biodegradable bird feeders:

o   Pine cones coated in peanut butter and rolled in bird seed.

o   Strings of fresh or dried berries. (Use cotton string.)

o   Strings of non-buttered popcorn. (Use cotton string.)

Members’ Holiday Party – Tuesday, Dec. 5 – 5806 Firecrest Dr., Garland – 7 – 8:30 p.m.
No speaker in December, but for Society members only, a holiday party at the home of Don and Barbara Baynham. Everyone bring a snack to share; drinks are provided.

If you are not yet a member, but would like to come to the party, call 972-495-3569 or send an email to Barbara_baynham2005@yahoo.com. We will gladly accept your membership form and payment (cash or check) at the party. Membership cost is still at our 1990 level – no inflation here – $20 for an individual, $25 for a family, $300 Lifetime.

Monthly Work Session – Dec. 9 – 9 – 11 a.m. – 1770 Holford Rd.
We’ll break into teams. Each team has a knowledgeable volunteer, so you know what to do. We will work on invasive removal, trail maintenance and more. 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.

4^th Sunday Nature Walk – December – no walk in December

Start-Your-New-Year-Right Nature Walk – Refreshing walk among the biggest trees in the preserve – Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 – 9 – 10:30 a.m. – Halff Park at Ranger Dr.