Bird and nature walks, tree and plant identification, and more
Explore the new Trinity Forest Trail with Trinity Audubon director Ben Jones, who will share birding tips and will help with identification in the field. The ride is flat and easy and about 8 miles round trip. Expect a steady slow pace with frequent stops. Bring your bike, a helmet and binoculars if you have them (or borrow some) and a bottle of water. $15. Info: Ben Jones, trac@audubon.org or 214-309-5801.
Texas Discovery Gardens will serve up fresh food and fun during the State Fair of Texas. Relax at the air-conditioned Texas Discovery Biergarten and enjoy refreshing craft brews through Four Corners Brewery. Bolsa will serve interactive dishes featuring local ingredients. The Tamale Company will serve gluten free snacks, as well as vegan options.
Tour the native, organic gardens outside or the tropical butterfly house inside. Snake exhibit also on display.
Admission: $2-4. State Fair admission and parking applies.
Bring work gloves and your favorite lopper, hand saw, gardening tools or litter picker upper. Water and snacks will be available.
Six private gardens in Fort Worth will be open to the public to benefit the Garden Conservancy and the Tarrant County Master Gardeners Association. $5/per garden or $25/day pass.
Purchase day pass tickets in advance or day of tour at all Calloway’s Nursery locations in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Info: 1-888-842-2442, or visit www.opendaysprogram.org.
A number of events are planned for the dedication including park tours, fishing, geocaching demonstrations as well as free food. Hot dogs, chips and refreshments will be available to all in attendance.
The nature preserve has been open to the public for a number of years but it was virtually undeveloped with rudimentary trails and no parking. Improvements to the park include a boardwalk into a pond for fishing, small amphitheater for educational programming, new parking accommodations and picnic areas. The preserve’s gates are currently open from 5 a.m. – 10 p.m. Activities such as camping, camp fires, horseback riding, mountain bike riding, swimming and boating are all prohibited.
For more information about the Southwest Nature Preserve, or any city park, check out the department’s new website park finder page at http://naturallyfun.org/parks/finder.
Learn about geocaching, a scavenger/treasure hunt using GPS units. No equipment or experience needed. Wheelchair and stroller accessible. Free with cost of park admission: $7/ages 12 & up. Registration required, Michelle: 972-291-5940 or Michelle.Varnell@tpwd.state.tx.us.
Twelve Hills Nature Center is a 501(c)3 nature center created and operated by a volunteer board and with no paid staff. Volunteers needed to help spruce up the 5-acre protected area.
Yardwise 3: Enjoy a colorful armchair tour of the best plant, shrub and tree selections for our area. Afterwards, stroll through the teaching garden while learn about appropriate care. Free.
The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission has been active over the past decade in working to restore glades, prairies, open woodlands, savannas and other historically open habitats on appropriate sites throughout its system of natural areas. Theo Witsell will present the commission’s successful management strategies in restoring some of Arkansas’ most beautiful landscape. Free.
The exhibit documents the growth of one of Japan's premier botanical gardens. The exhibit will include plant specimens, plant photos, rare books and other memorabilia from the garden.