Wildlife

You may already know that iNaturalist.org is a great way for naturalists and scientists  to share nature observations across the world. You may already know it’s used by Texas Parks and Wildlife, National Geographic, multiple universities, wildlife areas, Master Naturalists, and more. 

But do you and your fellow naturalists know how to use iNaturalist to its full benefit? Learn how to:

    •    upload your own observations 

    •    learn from others’ observations

You may already know that iNaturalist.org is a great way for naturalists and scientists  to share nature observations across the world. You may already know it’s used by Texas Parks and Wildlife, National Geographic, multiple universities, wildlife areas, Master Naturalists, and more. 

But do you and your fellow naturalists know how to use iNaturalist to its full benefit? Learn how to:

    •    upload your own observations 

    •    learn from others’ observations

Barbara Keller-Willy, Native Prairies Association of Texas state board member and president of Monarch Gateway 501c3, will present the Monarch Gateway Project and “How to Grow Native Milkweed.”  As leader of the Monarch Host Cities Partnership Project, with a goal of creating contiguous Monarch Host Gardens on city/municipal properties along central and coastal migratory flyways, Barbara grows approximately 7,000 milkweed per year.

Explore different areas of LLELA Nature Preserve and learn from fellow outdoor photography enthusiasts. Free with general entry. For ages 10 and up.  erin.taylor@unt.edu. 

Join trail guides as they lead a moonlit stroll through the woods and across the prairie. Howling coyotes, hooting owls, armadillos and other nocturnal sounds will provide an out-of-the-ordinary hiking experience. $10. Registration required: 972-21-3930 or erin.taylor@unt.edu. 

We will continue our training in the use of the newly revised Prairie Seekers datasheets.  RJ Taylor will discuss some of the resources available to our Seekers to help identify plant and animal material, both in resource book and online form. He will also discuss the various online databases to help identify and evaluate native prairie remnants; aerial photographs, topographic maps, soil information and land ownership websites. These tools will aid us as we attend NPAT field trips and as we go out individually and in groups to capture information about the remaining native prairie remnants across North Texas.

We will also have a presentation by Jillian Jordan who will tell us about the Great Seed Bomb bike ride;  a 15-mile fun ride that will be benefiting pollinators on Nov.14 in Fort Worth, Texas. This ride will help our pollinators in two ways:  During the ride, seed balls – made of clay, organic compost and native, non-GMO milkweed and wildflower seed – will be thrown and launched from bikes by our riders. A portion of the money raised will then be donated to local environmental nonprofits and organizations to keep the work going.

Free. Info: joacollins@gmail.com

Please join Twelve Hills Nature Center for a fall nature walk with Master Naturalist and enthusiastic amateur botanist Jim Varnum.

In the fall, yellow flowers predominate the landscape: sunflowers, broomweed, goldenrod and others. But there will be white asters, purple ironweed and other surprises, too!

Jim's presentation will be informal and family friendly. 

 This is a nature area. Please consider wearing long pants, closed-toe shoes and bringing insect repellent.

RSVP appreciated at twelvehillsnaturecenter@gmail.com

 This self-guided tour showcases Coppell homes and community gardens that feature drought-tolerant native and adapted plants that require minimal irrigation. Come see what you should plant now for beautiful blooms in the spring from the homeowners of some of the most unique landscapes in Coppell!  Maps will be available 8:30-10:30am at Coppell Town Center, 255 Parkway Blvd, Coppell, TX, 75019.  Free.

Join us for a leisurely bike ride on the Lake Mineral Wells Trailway.  We will meet at the Weatherford Trailhead and be ready to ride at 9 AM.  The Weatherford Trailhead is approximately 35 miles from Fort Worth and is about a 45-minute drive.  It is located off of FM 920 (Peaster Hwy.) northwest of downtown Weatherford.  When you get on FM 920, look for the signs for the Trailhead and Cartwright Park and turn left.  There is a $7 fee to use the Trailway, which is also good for Lake Mineral Wells State Park. We plan to ride west on the Trailway towards Garner (10.85 miles) at a leisurely pace and turn around before we get pooped.  You should bring plenty of water as it will probably be hot, and bike helmets are mandatory.  Liability waivers are required.  The Trailway is crushed limestone on the easy grade of an old railroad bed.  Large bike tires are preferred, but road bikes with smaller tires are suitable with caution for sandy and loose gravel areas.  We will return to the Weatherford Trailhead and find a good place for lunch or some liquid refreshments.

Documentary on the Deepwater Horizon explosion of 2010, the worst oil spill in American history. Refreshments provided. Audience discussion follows. Free. Info: JudAnnWat@sbcglobal.net.