Gardening

"So You Think You Want Bees" is a beginner-level presentation provided by Trinity Valley Beekeepers Association for soon-to-be beekeepers in the Dallas area. This winter class is taught by Ryan Giesecke, president of TVBA. Ryan will talk through reasons to keep bees, considerations and concerns involved in urban beekeeping, and what can be done now to prepare for your upcoming first spring, as well as touching on hive styles and options for getting your first bees.

Please bring your favorite work gloves, shovel, litter picker upper, or gardening tools.

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

Celebrate the work that the local NPAT chapters have achieved. 

$15, includes meatloaf sliders, potato skins, fruit plate, grilled veg platter.

We gather in the open and rambling spaces of Milo to recount a year saving prairie spaces and tip a few to congratulate ourselves. 

The party at Milo Butterfingers is also a fundraiser for the Bob Uhler Jesuit Scholarship Fund. A $10 donation will be requested (not demanded) which will entitle you to plenty of tamales, two draft beers and a raffle. You can also order off the regular menu: http://www.milobutterfingers.com/files/Download/MiloButterFingers0712_WEB.pdf

Limited parking behind Milo’s and on SMU Blvd. Rideshare if you can.

Make a native bee house to attract beneficial pollinators to your garden. Did you know there are hundreds of native bee species in Texas? Most of them do not sting and are solitary. They do not live in a beehive, but build their nests in holes, tubes, and tunnels that nature (or we) provide. We will explore natural and recycled materials to construct a custom built bee house. Discussion and storytime accompany this fun and informative class appropriate for ages 3 to 9. Parents are welcome to participate.

Hear expert advice from local wildlife professionals at this Landowner Workshop. Learn about funding opportunities for your habitat restoration projects and a variety of best management practices for improving wildlife habitat on your property. Workshop includes tour of Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge to see management practices in action. See flyer below for more details.

$30, includes lunch

Register: 817-392-7410

Info: Rachel Richter, 972-293-3841

Grow North Texas was gifted with 11 full pallets of seeds! Each box is full of an assortment of seeds that needs to be catalogued. Come out and help us sort seeds and walk away 1 pound of any seeds you choose. Plant varieties vary and include organic, heirloom and hybrid veggie, fruits and florals.

Shade Gardening at 11:30 a.m. with speaker: Roger Sanderson, director of horticulture at Texas Discovery Gardens

Bring your lunch; water will be provide. And come early and support our projects and Master Gardeners at the Garden Bazaar starting at 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. (more information to follow in Helping Hands). 

The all-day event, which benefits the Humane Society of North Texas, will also feature pet adoptions, raffle prizes, giveaways and holiday treats. 

Pets can pose for a free photo with Santa from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can share their Christmas lists while an HSNT photographer snaps their portrait. (Donations to HSNT are welcome.) Plus, customers who post their photos on Marshall Grain’s Facebook page will have a chance to win a special prize. (Ask in store for details.)