Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest has announced a variety of activities through the end of the year. Some require reservations, so check out the list and make plans to attend now!
October events
Sunday, Oct. 24 – 4th Sunday Nature Walk – 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – 1770 Holford Road – Dr. Tiffany Lipsett will lead a Family Nature Hike. She has 20+ years’ experience in education and the sciences. She is a trained conservation biologist and continues her lifelong study of botany, environmental science and best educational practices. She is a Texas Master Naturalist and executive director of the Native Plant Society of Texas.
November events
Tuesday, Nov. 2 – 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Speaker series – Rachel Richter – The Dynamics of Urban Ecosystems – Location: Zoom – It is not easy to be a wild animal in the city. Urban sprawl creates challenges for wildlife and they must find ways to adapt. Neighborhoods can support a variety of species and environments that we can help protect. Richter will discuss the unique dynamics of urban ecosystems, how the creatures that live in urban areas survive and why they are important. Richter is the urban wildlife biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Saturday, Nov. 6 – Monthly Work Session – 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. – 1770 Holford Road – Group will separate into teams. Each team has a knowledgeable volunteer. You could be clearing trails, taking out invasive plants, opening up the prairies even picking up trash Work sessions begin with a safety briefing. Bring water. Wear heavy work gloves, long pants, protective eyewear and sturdy shoes (no sandals) for your protection from poison ivy and thorns.
- If you have them, bring loppers and/or small tree saws.
- All participants and the parents of minors must sign Liability Waiver.
- All minors 16 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Saturday, Nov. 27, and Sunday, Nov. 28 – 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. – 1787 Holford Road – Bird Walks with Reba Collins, Master Birder – What birds are here in late fall? Come for a morning walk and find out. To provide a wonderful birding experience and so the birds are not frightened away, we limit this to 10 people per walk. For reservations, contact Reba at rcollins20@verizon.net. Bring binoculars. Dress for the weather. If it has been raining, rain boots may be appropriate.
Sunday, Nov. 28 – 4th Sunday Nature Walk – 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – 1787 Holford Road – Walk in the Prairie – Rich Jaynes will lead the walk and talk about the special qualities of the native grasses that drew early settlers to Texas. He is a Texas Master Naturalist and enjoys helping with prairie restoration projects.
Future speaker series events – Usually on the first Tuesday of the month from September to April – 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Zoom call or combination of in person and Zoom.
- Tuesday, Dec.7, 2021 – Holiday Party, information TBA
- Tuesday, Jan.4, 2022 – Matt Grubisich, director GPARD. Topic: A Walk with the Parks Director
December events
Special event – Saturday, Dec. 4 – 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – 1787 Holford Road – Christmas is for the Birds – More information later – this is for pre-school and elementary-school children. We help them make bird feeders out of peanut butter, birdseed and pine cones and then hang the
feeders on preserve trees. We plan short nature hikes and they can run and use outside voices and get smeary with peanut butter Reservations are required: Contact Reba at rcollins20@verizon.net to reserve a spot.
Sunday, Dec. 26 – No walk:
Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. It’s not Sunday, but we will offer a short and a long walk to start the new year. Details TBA.
FYI
Dog Policy – On-leash dogs are welcome. However, it is illegal to have off-leash pets in Garland parks. Call 972-205-3570, option 1 to report off-leash animals. Deposit pet waste bags in the trash bins in each parking lot. Do not leave bagged pet waste beside the trail.
Become a member. The society’s only means of financial support is through memberships. Member benefits include Member-Only Nature Hikes and Spring Creek Forest Notecards. To join or give a gift membership, download the form here: https://springcreekforest.org/join/.
Make a donation. This helps the all-volunteer preservation society. Mail tax-deductible remittance to: Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest, Attn: Treasurer, P.O. Box 450176, Garland, TX 75045-0176
For a walk on your own, try the Self-Guided Interpretive Trail at 1787 Holford Road. Follow the trail markers and read about the significance of the area on your iPhone or downloadable flyer. https://springcreekforest.org/interpretive-1787-holford-rd/
For last-minute information, check the preservation society Facebook or the website for updates on dates and locations which may change.