Check out the Spring Creek Forest Preservation Society’s July and August schedule of activities. There is something for all ages and interests.
Parks & Rec surveys coming soon
The Spring Creek Forest Preservation Society is dependent on the Garland Parks and Recreation Department. As a volunteer group doing projects on city and county property, the department advises on and approves every activity the society proposes. The society and the Garland Parks and Recreation Department have a long history of trust and being in sync about what needs to be done in the preserve.
The Parks and Rec Department has partnered with a professor at UNT to do a user satisfaction survey. This means that members might receive three emails beginning in mid-July. Your participation would be appreciated. 
July events
Monthly Work Session – Saturday, July 9 – 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. (Note time change.) – 1770 Holford Road
We will break into teams and each will work with a knowledgeable volunteer. The work could be clearing trails, taking out invasive plants, opening up the prairies or even picking up trash. For last-minute information, especially if the weather is questionable, check the website or Facebook page for updates, including dates and locations which may change because of conditions.
Safety information: Each work session begins with a safety briefing.
- Bring water and insect repellant.
- Close-toed shoes are mandatory. Wear 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 accompanied by an adult; no drop off/pick up of those under 18.
Special event – July 23 – An Evening with Moths – an event for the family – 1770 Holford – 8:30 p.m.
The Garland Parks and Recreation Department and the society are hosting An Evening with Moths, with special guest Sam Kieschnick, the Urban Wildlife Biologist from Texas Parks and Wildlife. This event is coordinated with National Moth Week, a citizen-science event which celebrates the beauty, life cycles and habitats of moths. All ages will love this event! Experts will be on hand to answer questions and help with identification. Bring a magnifying glass if you have one. Many of the moths are very small.
Many types of insects will also be identified. Observations will be reported to iNaturalist, the citizen-science app that is run by National Geographic and the California Academy for Sciences.
August events
Monthly Work Session – Saturday, August 6 – 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. (Note time change.) – 1770 Holford Road
We will break into teams and each will work with a knowledgeable volunteer. The work could be clearing trails, taking out invasive plants, opening up the prairies or even picking up trash. For last-minute information, especially if the weather is questionable, check the website or Facebook page for updates, including dates and locations which may change because of conditions.
Safety information: Each work session begins with a safety briefing.
- Bring water and insect repellant.
- Close-toed shoes are mandatory. Wear 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 accompanied by an adult; no drop off/pick up of those under 18.
Self-guided walk
For a fun walk on your own, try the Self-Guided Interpretive Trail at 1787 Holford Road. It 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/
Membership
The society’s financial support is through memberships. Membership has benefits. There are Member-Only Nature Hikes and exclusive Spring Creek Forest Notecards. See membership information below.
Join or give a gift membership. Download form: https://springcreekforest.org/join/. Or, make a donation to help the volunteer Society for Spring Creek Forest offer public lectures, conduct habitat management workdays and offer public nature walks. Mail tax-deductible remittance to: Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest, Attn: Treasurer, P.O. Box 450176, Garland, TX 75045-0176
To subscribe to the newsletter, contact: Barbara_Baynham2005@yahoo.com