Wildlife

Even if you're a beginning artist (or a beginning paddler), find your inspiration on the Beaver Pond Paddling Trail. We'll provide the art supplies; you provide the imagination and sense of adventure. Paddlers receive an introduction to kayaking on dry land before pushing off into the water. All equipment is provided, including boat/paddle/life vest. Each kayak will also be outfitted with watercolor paper, paints, and brushes. Kayakers will use the water of the Beaver Pond to mix their paints and create a memory to take home with them.

Animal tracks, deer trails, singing birds, trees with personality—we never know what we’ll find on our monthly nature walk. The hike will last about two hours. All ages are welcome. Free with entrance to LLELA ($5/vehicle). 

Alexandra Cousteau to speak on "This Blue Planet: Preserving & Sustaining a Healthy Earth." A National Geographic “emerging explorer,” filmmaker, and globally recognized advocate on water issues, Alexandra Cousteau continues the work of her renowned grandfather Jacques-Yves Cousteau and her father Philippe Cousteau Sr.

Undergraduate and graduate college students are invited to apply for the NANPA Summit College Photography Scholarship deadline is Nov. 1, 2016.

Don’t miss your chance to receive a scholarship to attend the 2017 Nature Photograph Summit presented by NANPA in Jacksonville, Florida during March 2-4. You will also participate in a field-based story-telling project for an area client (you will need to arrive on Sunday, Feb. 26).

See website for details.

Learn tips and techniques from award-winning National Geographic photographer and Photo Ark founder, Joel Sartore. You’ll also get to photograph a variety of animals from our Animal Adventures program in Joel’s iconic portraiture style. Space is limited to 20 photographers. $250.

National Geographic photographer and Photo Ark founder, Joel Sartore presents his beautiful photographs, hilarious stories and heart-warming tales focused on the most extraordinary and imperiled species and their struggle to survive. It’s a power-packed presentation you will never forget.

VIP tickets are $65 for the presentation, which includes a 6 p.m. cocktail reception with Joel Sartore before the event. General admission tickets are $30. Lecture at 7 p.m. Book signing at 8:30 p.m. 

The 77 Ranch has grown over the past 37 years as it acquired neighboring lands. Restoring native grasses has been central to the ranch's conservation efforts; it currently hosts over 200 species of forbs and grasses in its pastures. In addition to the reintroduction of native species, Ranch 77 recently began a system of rotational grazing to prevent over-exploitation of the grasses. Heavy equipment and herbicides are used sparingly to ensure sustainable and healthy forage.

Come out Saturday, Sunday or both days

- We need to complete 8 plant transect surveys required for maintenance planning.

- Training will be provided!  

- This plant survey technique is the same one used for NPAT's Prairie Mapping.

- Help us count and ID species - plants, bees, butterflies and all forms of  rairie life

- Of course, our usual volunteer prairie maintenance will be underway, if you prefer to help with that!

Master Birders Thomas Haase and Carla Savage will present a program on birding the Southwest Nature Preserve.  The program will include the basics of birding as well as information on what birds to look for at SWNP, when, where and how to find them there.

The North Texas chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist program is accepting applications for its 2017 class from Oct. 1 through Dec. 1, 2016. The Open House will offer more information on the program. The class includes 40 hours of classroom training and field trips to learn about Texas’ natural resources. Training begins Feb. 7, 2017 and continues each Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. through April 25, 2017.  Applications can be obtained at ntmn.org. Class size is limited with earlier applications given priority.