Upcoming Events

Texas is globally important for birds. Approximately one out of every three to four birds migrating through the U.S. passes through Texas in one of the planet’s greatest wildlife spectacles. Unfortunately, excess light pollution and urbanization often affect birds by disorienting them and causing them to strike buildings. It isthe top human-related cause of death for birds.

To help birds stay on course, residents, businesses and building managers are encouraged to turn off or dim outdoor lights 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Spring migration is March 1-June 15. The peak migration is April 22-May 12.

READ ARCHIVE GREEN SOURCE TEXAS ARTICLE

The 15-acre Laura W. Bush Native Texas Park is open daily for self-guided tours from sunrise until sunset. 365 days a year. A network of paths takes visitors through native Texas environments such as Blackland Prairie, Post Oak Savannah, and Cross Timbers Forest. 

Free guided tours by North Texas Master Naturalists every Saturday at 10 a.m. from March 14 through May 30, weather permitting.

Info: Connie Koval, cc.koval@sbcglobal.net

Frost Bank is hosting free shred events at area banks throughout the state during April and May. See Facebook for a complete list of locations.

Trash Free Gulf—a statewide cleanup campaign presented by The Gulf Trust and H-E-B's Our Texas, Our Future has returned for its second year and is expanding with more than 60 cleanup events focused on protecting the streams, rivers, lakes, and bays that ultimately flow into the Gulf.

With outdoor recreation and travel picking up in the coming months, the campaign highlights how inland communities play a direct role in the health of Texas’ coastal ecosystems, where marine debris continues to accumulate at high rates. Last year, more than 2,000 volunteers removed over 30,000 pounds of trash, and this year’s effort aims to surpass 45,000 pounds while also contributing data to support long-term litter reduction strategies in partnership with Keep Texas Beautiful.

Find a cleanup in every region of the state April 25-May 30.
 

This series of presentations focuses on the reptiles and amphibians of north Texas, how they live in the wild, how we can find and recognize them, and how we can protect and conserve them.

Each presentation uses PowerPoint to offer lots of photos, offered via Zoom so that people can join from a variety of locations. Most presentations are 1.5 hours long with some time at the end for questions and answers.

It is for those with a serious interest in these animals, whether or not you have much experience or background. The content will have some depth without being too technical. Appropriate for nature enthusiasts, Master Naturalists, adults and teens.

If you are interested, please register as "going," and stay in touch in case anything changes in the schedule. The Zoom meeting ID: 839 3035 1943 and Passcode: 228084. This should work for all sessions.

The presenter, Michael Smith, has field experience with herps all over Texas and has written/co-authored a couple of books (https://livesinnature.com/about/).

These are separate presentations:

4/30 - Part One: Getting Started 

5/14 - Part Two: Amphibians

5/28 - Part Three: Crocodilians and Turtles

6/11 - Part Four: Lizards and Snakes (two hours)

6/25 - Part Five: Herp Conservation Challenges

This program empowers young people ages 15-25 across Texas to become environmental leaders in their communities — building skills, launching projects and making a lasting impact.

Any young Texan who is passionate about the environment and ready to lead are encouraged to apply.

The contest is organized by Wildlife in Focus (WIF), a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to preserve and protect native wildlife and their habitats in Texas. This is the first year WIF has offered a statewide competition.

The contest is open to all Texans, from seasoned photographers with professional equipment to backyard birdwatchers and young nature lovers capturing moments on a phone camera. With more than $3,000 in cash prizes and recognition on a statewide stage, the competition aims to highlight both artistic excellence and ethical wildlife photography.

The submission window closes June 7, 2026. All entries must be photographed in Texas. The competition features both Adult and Youth divisions, with categories including:

• Birds of Texas

• Mammals of Texas

• Animal Behavior

• Texas Wildscapes

Adult category winners will receive $500 each, with an additional $500 grand prize awarded to the Overall Texas Wildlife & Nature Photographer of the Year. Youth winners will receive $100 awards, and Highly Commended entries in both divisions will be recognized.

Youth entries (17 and under) are free to submit, while adult entries are $10 per image. No preregistration is required.

All images must depict wild, free-ranging wildlife photographed ethically and truthfully in natural conditions. Wildlife in Focus maintains strict ethical guidelines prohibiting harassment, baiting, or digital manipulation that alters reality.

An awards event will be held later this year at the Witte Museum in San Antonio. Winning images may be featured in Wildlife in Focus publications, exhibitions, and educational programming, helping inspire the next generation of conservationists.

Contest details and registration can be found on website link below.

Join the Nature Conservancy for a spring wildflower tour of TNC’s picturesque 1,475-acre Clymer Meadow Preserve, which contains one of the last remnants of the Blackland Prairie—an imperiled ecosystem comprised of numerous bird, butterfly and wildflower species. You’ll immerse yourself in the beauty and color of true Texas prairie while learning about the history and ecology of our native grasslands. Grab your binoculars and camera, pack a lunch and get back to nature!

How to Register

A RESERVATION IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND THIS TOUR.  See registration at the top of the event page. Space is limited, so sign up now!

Event Details

All tours will take place on May 16, 2026. There are three start times: 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon. Each tour will last approximately one hour. This will allow for more visitors to experience the spring beauty within the prairies.

Each tour time will visit the same areas. Please only register for one time slot to ensure sufficient space for others to visit the prairie as well.

Tour information will be sent with RSVP confirmation. Please follow the map links and directions provided in confirmation emails. Searching for Clymer Meadow Preserve on a GPS will lead you to our office, not the tour meeting location.

TDG will have full availability of beautiful plants, including:
Native plants, Perennials, Herbs, Colorful annuals
Sip and shop while you browse. Beverages will be available!

Knowledgeable staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and help you choose plants that fit your space and gardening goals. 

More info on event page.

The Welman Project offers educators in need of classroom and art supplies free supplies, all recycled or reusable, donated by more than 60 DFW-area businesses and organizations.

The Welman Project's Housewarming is a free family-friendly open-house event to celebrate the 10-year-old nonprofit’s new home.

Grab your Barb the Bus passport and take a self-guided tour of every program The Welman Project has to offer, along with some new spaces and a chance to win two free tickets to Hot Mess Craft Club. Drop in any time from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — the door's wide open. Bring your family, your friends, and your curiosity

Bonus: Be a part of our Ribbon Tying!

Bring that ribbon, twine, or fabric scrap you've been saving "because you'll need it someday" and tie it on while you're here. Then join us for the Ribbon-Cutting Celebration on May 19 at 11 a.m.

For this special event, we ask that you please not bring unscheduled donations. 

Regular operations and shopping hours begin Tuesday, May 19, at 12 pm. 

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Program to be announced

The Dalworth Soil & Water Conservation District Board of Directors invites interested stakeholders to participate in their Local Work Group Meeting.

This meeting is an opportunity to bring farmers, ranchers, conservationists and others together to discuss natural resources and set local conservation priorities.

Local input is needed to help determine local natural resource priorities for USDA-NRCS and DSWCD conservation program planning.  

The Board of Directors are asking producers and small acreage landowners to join city staff, county staff, TRA, partner agencies and elected officials to participate in this meeting.

Free. Please register in advance.

AGENDA

9:00 a.m. Registration and coffee

9:30 a.m. Dalworth SWCD - Paola Ramirez, Ag and Resource Technician

9:45 a.m. Trinity River Authority Watershed Protection Plans - Heather Firn, Watershed Manager

10:00 a.m Grow North Texas - Helan Dulac, Farm Success Manager

10:15 a.m. Lone Star Land Steward and small acreage land management - Chase Brooke, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Program Specialist II

10: 45 a.m. Wildlife Habitat Management - Rachel Richter, Texas Parks and Widlife Department

11:15 a.m. Erosion Control Practices - Matthew Orwat, Dallas County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

11:45 a.m. Wrap-up
 

This hands-on professional development workshop is designed to equip middle school educators with the tools and confidence to bring the Lights Out, Texas! program into their classrooms.

In this interactive session, teachers will explore the science of bird migration, the impacts of artificial light at nigh, and the growing issue of bird-building collisions in urban environments. Participants will be guided through the 6th–8th grade curriculum, experience key activities as their students would, and gain practical strategies for integrating the content into their teaching.

This curriculum aligns with TEKS for middle school science and supports scientific inquiry, data collection, and critical thinking skills emphasized across grade levels.

Educators will leave with:

• Ready-to-use lesson materials
• Connections to local conservation efforts
• Actionable strategies to engage students in real-world problem-solving and environmental stewardship

Cost: Free

Download the Lights Out, Texas! Curriculum on website link below

Join Dogwood Canyon and the City of Cedar Hill for a hands-on workshop dedicated to making our community safer for our feathered neighbors. During this workshop, you’ll learn how to create an Acopian BirdSaver and take one blind home to install.

What to Expect

Learn: Discover why birds hit windows and how simple changes at home can save lives.

Create: Build your own Acopian BirdSaver (an effective paracord window treatment) to take home.

Materials: Each household can make one blind based on their window measurements to install at home.

Cost: $10 per household, which includes materials for one blind. If you would like to make additional blinds, you can purchase additional tickets. Families are welcome to attend.

Why Attend? Window collisions are the second leading cause of bird mortality in North America. Most of these deaths are preventable with simple actions at the individual level.

Learn more about Acopian BirdSavers: https://www.birdsavers.com/

Registration Required: Seating is limited. Please register to reserve your spot.

Bonus! We also have Feather Friendly collision tapes available for purchase at the event as an alternative. Learn more about Feather Friendly.

Info: Meiling@tcatexas.org