Bird & Nature Walks

This month we will be cleaning up some of our trails, clipping some privet, working on our butterfly and wildflower beds, and our host plant bed. Please bring your 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.

Enjoy a stroll through the Butterfly Garden at Hagerman NWR, with garden docents on hand to help you identify native Texas plants and the butterflies they attract.

The week of July 23 – 31 is National Moth Week. Join us after hours at the Nature Center as we seek these nocturnal insects. We may also get to see beetles and other flying insects as we use special lighting to attract them to us. Meet at Refuge Service Center. Pre-registration required. $10 (with paid admission).

Join a naturalist for a leisurely hike. Hikes feature current natural history events such as blooming wildflowers, commonly seen insects, birds, other animals and current projects on the Refuge. Bring water and dress for the weather. Free with paid admission $2-$5.

Texas artist Deborah Paris’ exciting new exhibit of paintings and drawings, The Nature of Things: Daphne Prairie, will give the Fort Worth public a rare opportunity to see depictions of the untouched and historic Daphne Prairie located in east Texas. An opening reception with live music, hors d’oeuvres and libations will be held on Fall Gallery Night, Sept. 10, from 4-9pm. A gallery talk by the artist will take place Sept.10 at 6 p.m. 

Explore the wonders of the night sky. Ages 5 and up.  Registration is required at bit.ly/COLsplash.  Search for activity code 800001. $10. If the sky is cloudy on the event night but it is not threatening rain, we will still meet and take a night hike.

Things You'll Need to Know:

Drive to a real prairie. Once everyone has arrived, we’ll drive about 3 miles on a gravel road to reach the prairie with the best view of the sky.

Be ready for the weather. If it’s cloudy, we’ll have a NIGHT HIKE. Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather and walking.

Experience the wonders of nature at night as a guide leads you on a leisurely stroll through twilight trails. Howling coyotes, hooting owls and other nocturnal sounds will provide an out-of-the-ordinary hiking experience. Flashlights aren't necessary. Trail locations vary depending on the season and other conditions. Hike distance is under 2 miles.

Participation may require the ability to stand and walk at a leisurely pace for 2 hours.  Please remember to wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, bring a water bottle, and some hikers wear long sleeves and/or bug spray.

Fort Worth Astronomical Society will be on hand. Starts at dark.

Please bring your 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.

Speaker Katherine Wells Power of the Historic Frankford Church and Cemetery will talk about the church and the founding families of the area.  We will also be able walk near (but not on) one of the few unspoiled remnants of native grassland prairie in the Metroplex.  The land "was never broken by a plow.” We will also be able to see the cemetery and the historic Wagon Yard Elm, which has been recognized by our coalition. There is also a spring on the site.