Gardening

This is a hands-on class; seating is limited. Preregistration required. Free. Info: 972- 742-2296.

Participants will learn how to maintain their landscape with minimal water usage during the hottest part of the year. Students also will learn basic indoor and outdoor water practices what will help cut back on the summer water bill. Speaker: Barry Allen, City of Irving, Water Utilities Department. Free. Info: 972- 742-2296.

Monthly volunteer workday held the second Saturday of each month. Info: 214-379-5457 or hkoski@pqc.edu.

Join the Swarm and take part in a week-long campaign of global actions to Save the Bees. Together we will Pester the Pesticide Pushers and Swarm together to BAN Neonicotinoids and other poisonous chemicals. We need to keep the bees alive to pollinate our food!

This will BEE the MAIN EVENT: SWARM DALLAS TO SAVE THE BEES! Klyde Warren Park. Dress like a BEE or wear yellow/black/white. We're starting early to beat the heat. There will bee: 

--Chalk party and face painting

--BEE fashion show (We’ll make a fun video with all the kiddos who want to model their costumes, so bee practicing your runway walk, now!)

--Speakers with all the buzz about the bees 

--BEE flash-mob/dance for all ages (INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrgUXy05KP0&feature=youtu.be)

--Short march/ “Parade of Bees” to show that BEES are our friends!

--Souvenirs/mementos for kids to take home to remind them how much we LOVE OUR POLLINATORS! 

(We’ll encourage everyone to wear their bee costumes everywhere they go for the rest of the day and hand out flyers) 

Head into the Butterfly House for tips and tricks on capturing winged wonders. $12. 

Wildflower Photography precedes at 1 p.m.

Learn tips and tricks for vibrant macro flower shots. $12.

Butterfly Photography Class follows at 3 p.m.

Patrick Dickinson, urban water program coordinator for the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Dallas, will present a general overview of various water conservation methods including drip irrigation; new water conserving technologies; cycle and soak; lawn care during drought; foundation watering; tree watering; irrigation scheduling; and rainwater harvesting. Learn how to conserve water in your landscape and lower costs. The program is open to the public. Free. Registration is requested. Info: 972-874-6165 or fmpl@flower-mound.com

Walk among free-flying native butterflies and other pollinators. The butterfly house includes native species and a butterfly garden, filled with host plants that naturally attract these lovely creatures. This area is also a great setting for nature photography.   

Included with general admission: $7-$10.

Fifth annual conference hosted by  Coastal Prairie Partnership and Native Prairies Association of Texas. This year's conference will focus on challenges to conserving, restoring and educating about prairies.

Audience: Resource professionals, private landowners, volunteers (including Texas Master Naturalists), educators, landscape architects. 

Cost: Field experiences (May 29) - $30 each; Indoor Presentations (May 30 & 31) $150; $75 for students. Free post-conference field experience also available.

Topics: Prairie restoration, prairies and water/energy production, prairies and climate change, managing for biodiversity, prairie bird conservation, social media and conservation, conservation agreement for landowners, teaching about prairies, creating grassroots campaigns, and more.

Field Experiences (May 29 and June 1): This year's conference will include a varied mixture of free and paid field experiences throughout the DFW area.

Indoor Presentations (MAY 30 AND 31) at Fort Worth Botanic Gardens:

Bill Dougherty, co-owner of Trinity Haymarket, will speak on heritage breeds, housing, feeding and general care of raising backyard chickens. Trinity Haymarket will have 5 breeds of pullet chicks (approx. 12 weeks old) available for sale starting at 10 am. The breeds are:  Mottled Javas, Speckled Sussex, Black Australorps, Gold and Silver Laced Wyandottes. The class is free and a light breakfast will be served. Please RSVP and reserve your pullets in advance. Info: 214 202-2163 or at info@trinityhaymarket.com.