The Spring Creek Preservation Society has some great activities planned for the rest of 2019. Check the list below to decide which ones to attend!
Sunday, Nov. 24 – 4th Sunday Nature Walk – Regularly scheduled guided walk, every 4th Sunday of the month. These are fun, family walks, appropriate for anyone.
- Guide is Judy Aschner, a North Texas Master Naturalist who is certified in Entomology. Even though it is November when cold weather is a risk, signs of insects — galls, chew patterns on leaves, drilling into acorns, etc. can still be found.
- Location: 1787 Holford Road (4thSunday Nature Walk locations vary depending on the subject.)
- Time: 2 p.m. to approximately 3:30 p.m.
- Important: The natural-surface trails are not stroller-compatible; everyone must be able to walk approximately a mile. Clothing: Even in the heat, wear long pants and sturdy shoes (no sandals) for protection from poison ivy and thorns. Apply insect repellent. Bring water. All participants and parents of minors must sign our Liability Waiver. All minors 16-years-old and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Saturday, Nov. 30 and Sunday, Dec. 1 – Bird Walk with Reba Collins – Learn what birds are in Spring Creek Forest in late fall after Thanksgiving.
- Location: 1787 Holford Road
- Time 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
- Reservations required. Large groups scare the birds and make it difficult to hear. To ensure a great, small-group experience, there are two walk dates. Email rcollins20@verizon.netto reserve a spot.
- Dress for the weather – comfortable walking shoes and bring binoculars. If it has been raining, rain boots may be appropriate.
Sunday, Dec. 1: See above for information about bird walk with Reba Collins. 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. Reservations required. Email rcollins20@verizon.net to reserve a spot.
Tuesday, Dec. 3: Holiday pot-luck party at home of Don and Barbara Baynham. Bring your family (children welcome) and your favorite appetizer to share. We relax and talk about nature with other folks that care. Drinks are provided.
- Location: 5806 Firecrest Drive, Garland, TX 75044
- Time: 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 7: Monthly work session
- Location: 1787 Holford Road
- Time: TIME CHANGE – noon – 2 p.m.
- The prairie needs continual attention from people that want to make sure it is still here for people to enjoy in the future. At the 1787 Holford location, there is not only prairie but also a great example of a native forest that runs along Spring Creek. This area is currently clear of that pernicious privet we are always pulling, but we have many other chores to do.
- For master naturalists, this counts as volunteer hours on the Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest project.
Safety materials: Work sessions begin with a safety briefing. BRING WATER. Even in the heat, wear work gloves, long pants, protective eyewear and sturdy shoes (no sandals) for 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 our Liability Waiver. All minors 16-years-old. and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Sunday, Dec. 22: 4th Sunday Nature Walk – winter trees – These are fun, family walks, appropriate for anyone who wants to enjoy a guided walk in the preserve. They are NOT approved for master naturalist advanced training. The guide is David Parrish, a North Texas Master Naturalist. He will lead participants through the amazing forest, showing how to identify trees even after the leaves fall, using bark and growth patterns.
- Location: 1770 Holford. (Note – 4thSunday Nature Walk locations vary throughout the preserve, depending on the subject of the walk.)
- Time: 2 p.m. to around 3:30 p.m.
- Important: The natural-surface trails are not stroller-compatible; everyone must be able to walk approximately 1 mile. Clothing: Even in the heat, wear long pants and sturdy shoes (no sandals) for your protection from poison ivy and thorns. Apply insect repellent. Bring water. All participants and the parents of minors must sign our Liability Waiver. All minors 16 yrs. and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
For the Kids
Christmas is for the Birds – Saturday, Dec. 7
- Location: 1787 Holford Road – 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- Fun for pre-school or elementary school children. They’ll make bio-degradable bird feeders out of peanut butter and birdseed then hang the feeders in the forest. Be prepared to get a bit messy.
- Some folks make their own feeders at home and bring them to hang on the trees. See below.
- We also have short nature walks for the kids.
- Biodegradable bird feeder ornaments should be hung with cotton yarn or string. Birds will use the string for making their nests. Metal or plastic hangers, including fishing line, are dangerous for birds and wildlife because they might ingest it and injure themselves. If you make bird feeder ornaments at home, bring them to the park ready to hang.
- Examples of biodegradable bird feeders:
- Pine cones coated in peanut butter and rolled in birdseed.
- Strings of fresh or dried berries.
- Suet balls (see recipe below)
- Strings of non-buttered popcorn.
To join, download form at https://springcreekforest.org/join/.
To subscribe to monthly email contact Barbara_Baynham2005@yahoo.com.
Make a donation! Donations help the all-volunteer Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest offer public lectures, conduct habitat management workdays and offer public nature walks. Please mail a tax-deductible donation to: Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest, Attn: Treasurer, P.O. Box 450176, Garland, TX 75045-0176.
The above activities are specific to the Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest. For general preserve information, call Garland Parks and Recreation Department, 972-205-2750.