Looking for a fun way to help out in the community? Join the Spring Creek Preservation Society in upcoming work sessions Sept. 7, Oct. 5 and Nov. 9, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. It’s a great way to make new friends and learn about one of Garland’s most valuable gems – the Spring Creek Forest Preserve.
The society also offers opportunities to learn from naturalists, environmentalists and other experts, usually the first Tuesday of each month, September through April, 7 p.m. Upcoming programs include:
Sept. 3: Rick Jaynes, Prairie Ecology. North Garland Branch Library at 3845 North Garland Avenue in Garland. There is a superb remnant prairie in the preserve at 1787 Holford Road. Halff Associates, where Jaynes works, was instrumental in creating the original Spring Creek Forest Preserve Master Development Plan in 1992. He holds a B.S. in Range Science (Botany minor) from BYU and a M.S. in Watershed Science from Utah State University. He has worked as a range technician for the U.S. Forest Service, consulting hydrologist, manager of a cartographic lab and has taught college courses in rangeland field surveys and plant biology. He served 20 years in the U.S. Army and has worked 12 years as an environmental scientist for Halff Associates.
Oct. 1: Michael Parkey, Native Trees in the Urban Forest. North Garland Branch Library, 3845 North Garland Avenue. Parkey is a registered landscape architect who has designed gardens in north Texas since 1983. His interests are sustainable landscapes and the use of native plants in gardens and restored habitats. His projects include residential gardens, commercial developments and specialized landscapes for botanic gardens, parks, schools, zoos and nature study areas. He has had his own firm in Dallas since 1993. Parkey also teaches courses on landscape design and native plants for SMU.
Nov. 5: Karen Rice, Monarch Butterflies. Our prairies and meadows have both host and nectar plants that Monarch butterflies need to survive. The world needs these amazing creatures. Come and hear about them.
Dec. 3: Holiday Party. Information to follow.
Jan. 7, 2020: Tom Frey, Forest Composition in Spring Creek Forest. The variety of trees in our forest is what made it famous. And who can resist hearing Tom Frey, the ultimate preserve authority, speak.
Feb. 4, 2020: Marian Hirsch, Trout Lily Drawings. Trout lilies are one of our signature native plants and we hope you have been on one of our annual Trout Lily Walks. Marian Hirsch creates drawings and water colors of these beautiful, petite plants. Her water colors of plants are on display at BRIT in Ft. Worth.
March 03, 2020: Brett Johnson, Feral Hogs. Feral hogs invade an area in a pack and can cause devastation. Johnson, senior environmental coordinator for the city of Dallas, works with park department properties on habitat and wildlife management.
April 07, 2020: Bonnie Bradshaw, Coyotes and Critters. We love them and need them. Bradshaw is founder and president of 911 Wildlife which specializes in the humane removal and relocation of problem critters. Their mission is to prevent native wildlife from being orphaned, injured, relocated or euthanized.
No guided nature walks are currently scheduled. Watch https://springcreekforest.org for walks to be announced or try the Self-Guided Interpretive Trail at 1787 Holford Road. Follow the trail markers and read about the significance of the area on iPhone or on downloadable flyer. https://springcreekforest.org/interpretive-1787-holford-rd/.
Preserve membership form: www.springcreekforest.org/join.
Subscribe to monthly email: Barbara_Baynham2005@yahoo.com
Donations help the all-volunteer Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest offer lectures, conduct habitat workdays and offer nature walks. Please mail tax-deductible donations to: Treasurer, Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest, P.O. Box 450176, Garland, Texas 75045-0176.