Conservation

This month we will be repairing our mulch trails, weeding our wildflower bed and grooming our Butterfly Garden. We'll also be picking up litter and trimming our trails.

Please bring your favorite 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 available.

O.S. Gray Natural Area has no restroom facilities, but Kroger is nearby.

Info: friendsofosgray@gmail.com

The country's top Zero Waste experts will gather in Austin, Texas for a 3-day conference to teach local businesses and municipalities how to save money, lower costs, and create long-term sustainability through waste diversion best practices.

Early Bird price ends June 10. 

Visit a rare 114-acre silveus’ dropseed prairie in Bowie County. Join the Native Prairies Association staff for its annual survey of Talbot Prairie – help identify plants!

Schedule:

7:30-8am: Meet at McDonalds in New Boston

8am-12 pm: Explore & Survey the Prairie

12-1 pm: Lunch in New Boston/or at Prairie Site

25$/person, $5/child – pay at site, includes lunch. Register: Pat Merkord 936-827-7973 or pat_merkord@texasprairie.org or phillip_quast@texasprairie.org

Using Data to Green Our Cities presented by Robert Kent, North Texas Area Director for The Trust for Public Land.

From health care to energy, the power of big data and analytics are rapidly changing the way we understand and interact with the world--and land conservation is no exception. The Trust for Public Land uses GIS software and cutting-edge computing to create data-driven tools that help communities prioritize their park and conservation goals. In this presentation, Robert Kent will discuss how The Trust for Public Land is using data and analytics to help cities across the country make strategically smart land conservation choices, including some in North Texas.

We will explore this high quality eastern Cross Timbers Blackjack/Post Oak woodlands with patches of sandy prairie, supporting microhabitats with rare plant communities. Some of the highlights include Glen Rose Yucca (Yucca necopina), Farkle Berry (Vaccinium arboretum), Nuttall's Wild Indigo (Baptisia nuttalliana), Snout Bean (Rhynchosia latifolia), Goats Rue (Tephrosia virginiana), Prairie Flameflower (Phemeranthus parviflorus=Talinum parviflorum), Southern Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera=Myrica) & Adder's Tongue (Ophioglossum engelmannii).

Please wear proper footwear, long pants, & bring along sunscreen & plenty of water. Info: Jeff at 817-729-0283 or squaylei2000@gmail.com

Martha Cavazos-Fipps, the city of McKinney's environmental coordinator, will speak about the city's environmental programs and we will watch "Can the Gulf Survive?" by National Geographic that details the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Info: Brandi Price, brandirealemail@gmail.com or 469-247-6391.

The Cross Timbers Sierra Club,  which serves Collin, Denton, Fannin, and Grayson counties, hosts Sally Evans from the Blackland Prairie Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists. 

Info: Brandi Price, brandirealemail@gmail.com.

Speakers: Texas AgriLife A&M Extension Office. Water is a precious natural resource and conservation is vital. Students will learn about the importance of water conservation through the harvesting of rainwater as well as techniques to use the harvested rain. Students will be shown how to build a rainwater harvesting collection barrel using a food grade plastic 55-gallon collection unit. Each paid student will receive a rain barrel ready for use at the end of the clinic. Seating is limited. $30 non-refundable fee is required prior to attending the clinic. Preregistration is required. Info: 972-721-2355.

Topics include Texas Recycling Data Initiative, Product Stewardship and Texas bottle bill. 

Speakers include Maia Corbitt & Scott Pasternak; Debbie Branch, city of Fort Worth; and Mary Woods, Texas Clean Waters Group.

$25/STAR & NTCRA members; $35/nonmembers