Bird & Nature Walks

Even if you're a beginning artist (or a beginning paddler), find your inspiration on the Beaver Pond Paddling Trail. We'll provide the art supplies; you provide the imagination and sense of adventure. Paddlers receive an introduction to kayaking on dry land before pushing off into the water. All equipment is provided, including boat/paddle/life vest. Each kayak will also be outfitted with watercolor paper, paints, and brushes. Kayakers will use the water of the Beaver Pond to mix their paints and create a memory to take home with them.

Animal tracks, deer trails, singing birds, trees with personality—we never know what we’ll find on our monthly nature walk. The hike will last about two hours. All ages are welcome. Free with entrance to LLELA ($5/vehicle). 

Village Creek is on the 303(d) list of impaired water bodies and Lake Arlington is on the "Concerns" list. This Trinity River Authority Project is a 3-year voluntary effort to clean up the watershed that feeds Village Creek and our drinking water in Lake Arlington. Presenter: Aaron Hoff.

Come out Saturday, Sunday or both days

- We need to complete 8 plant transect surveys required for maintenance planning.

- Training will be provided!  

- This plant survey technique is the same one used for NPAT's Prairie Mapping.

- Help us count and ID species - plants, bees, butterflies and all forms of  rairie life

- Of course, our usual volunteer prairie maintenance will be underway, if you prefer to help with that!

Master Birders Thomas Haase and Carla Savage will present a program on birding the Southwest Nature Preserve.  The program will include the basics of birding as well as information on what birds to look for at SWNP, when, where and how to find them there.

This month we will be removing woody plants from Rosser's Meadow, working on our butterfly and wildflower beds, and our host plant bed.

Please bring your pruning or gardening tools, work gloves, or litter picker upper. Wear appropriate clothing for the weather and for working in a natural area  (long pants, long sleeves, sturdy shoes, hat).

Water and snacks will be provided. O.S. Gray Natural Area has no restroom facilities, but Kroger is near by.

The North Texas chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist program is accepting applications for its 2017 class from Oct. 1 through Dec. 1, 2016. The Open House will offer more information on the program. The class includes 40 hours of classroom training and field trips to learn about Texas’ natural resources. Training begins Feb. 7, 2017 and continues each Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. through April 25, 2017.  Applications can be obtained at ntmn.org. Class size is limited with earlier applications given priority.

Kids are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes and participate in the many activities such as face-painting, games, hike a trail for treats and other activities. Free. 

While you are asleep and resting, a crew of night shift workers, are actively using their amazing adaptations for survival. Join a naturalist and learn about these special skills and abilities that allow them to exploit resources in the absence of light. Free with paid admission.

New generations of monarch butterflies are embarking on a remarkable adventure to the mountain tops of Mexico during the month of October. Join us as we speak about their incredible migration as they head for their overwintering sites in the Oyamel forest of Michoacán. We’ll discuss various ways we can facilitate these amazing Lepidopteron travelers in the spring in our own backyard. Free with paid admission.