Bird & Nature Walks

Enjoy traditional Japanese dance, music, martial arts, sword demonstrations, raku, tea ceremonies and the beauty of nature in the beautiful outdoor venue. $5-8.

Explore the heavenly skies at Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, which is not officially open yet. Bring your own telescope, or use one provided by volunteers. Hotdogs, drinks, and chips will be available. Free. Open to the public. Located 2 miles west of Strawn on FM 2372. Look for the signs.

Did you know that you can find a 500-year-old oak tree, a freshwater spring, beavers, deer and a rare lily that few Texans have ever seen in the center of Dallas? The Great Trinity Forest is 6,000+ acres of hardwood wilderness, but remains one of the city’s best kept secrets.

Local naturalist Ben Sandifer will introduce you to the forest during a presentation at The Mix Coworking & Creative Space located in the basement of the White Rock United Methodist Church in Little Forest Hills. 

Managing our natural resources is a complex job. Not only does the Fort Worth Nature Center ensure abundant recreational opportunities and the infrastructure that goes along with that; they also apply an array of land management techniques to improve the health of the diverse habitats present on the Refuge; specifically targeting wildlife habitat to ensure connectivity and health of the system. Staff and volunteers of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge lend a helping hand as the designated stewards of the Refuge and the ecosystem services that it provides.

Join Wetland steward Bob Richie as he shares his passion for urban foraging. We’ll start with a quick botany lesson on how to positively identify the plants for which we are looking. We will then search out and try some of the fresh and tasty offerings that grow naturally in the area and discuss some useful and medicinal plants that can be found as well. We will also sample some preserved foraged foods that Bob has collected throughout the year.  Preregistration and payment required. Space is limited. $10. RSVP: 972-474-9100 or ldunn@wetlandcenter.com.

Please bring your favorite shovel, privet pulling 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.

Are you ready to plant your flowers for the season? Would you like to attract butterflies and other pollinators to your yard? Join Roger Sanderson, Director of Horticulture at Texas Discovery Gardens, for a pollinator walk and talk around the Twelve Hills property. He’ll be identifying butterflies and telling us what are most welcoming as host and nectar plants. There will also be a free plant raffle.

Consider wearing long pants, closed-toe shoes and bringing insect repellent. 

Free. RSVP: twelvehillsnaturecenter@gmail.com

This is the first in a series of monthly programs featuring Southwest Nature Preserve – specific topics that focus on the natural area, its history and the diversity of living things that it supports. Topic this month: “ iNaturalist - Social Media for the Naturalist in You!” presented by Sam Kieschnick, DFW Urban Wildlife Biologist, Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Free.

This 1,700-acre ranch is an excellent example of a Grand Prairie remnant, supporting deep-soiled tallgrass prairie, limestone outcrops and creek habitat along Bear Creek. Come see this rare example of a Grand Prairie site, also locally known as the Fort Worth Prairie. Owned and managed by the Dixon Water Foundation.

RSVP with Jeff Quayle or call 817-729-0283 by April 27 (provide e-mail address, cell phone number).

Fossil Hill research area:  This is a privately owned old-growth Cross Timbers woodland on a steep rocky headland overlooking Amon Carter Lake in southeast Montague County. You are encouraged to carpool, due to limited parking. Limit 10 participants. Time and meeting location details to follow.

RSVP with Jeff Quayle or call 817-729-0283 by May 12 (provide e-mail address, cell phone number).