Wildlife

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

Twelve Hills Nature Center hosts Dallas lepidopterist Dale Clark. Dale will bring a net and catch the butterflies for us to have a closer look before releasing them again. 

We'll learn about the difference between butterflies and moths; about their body parts, what they eat, what eats them, their life cycles, how different markings serve to protect them in nature. Dale will also tell us about the importance of habitat and monarch migration.

Children are welcome (recommended ages 5 and up), but please leave your pets at home. (Cancelled if raining.)  

Please consider wearing long pants, closed-toe shoes and bringing insect repellent.

Free. Space limited. RSVP: Linda Donnelly at twelvehillsnaturecenter@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.

Group will meet at the east entrance off of U.S. 380. See the map here: http://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4503_176a.pdf

Info: Brandi Price, brandirealemail@gmail.com.

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.

Fun-filled weekend designed to help your family discover the joys of camping and Texas State Parks. All camping gear and equipment required for an overnight stay at the park are included with each reservation. See website for details. $65/per family (up to 6 individuals). Includes all entry and camping fees.

Martha Ohlson of Allen will share her wonderful photos and travel experiences from a five-week trip to Vietnam in 2013. Martha is an accomplished photographer, has explored more than 40 countries, camped and backpacked around the world and is a member of the Dallas Sierra Club.

River Legacy Living Science Center is hosting two guided hikes at 10 am to celebrate National Trails Day. A family friendly hike will explore the nature trails surrounding the Science Center for an easy 30- to 45-minute hike. An extended adult hike will explore the trails further into River Legacy Parks for a 1 1/2 to 2-hour long hike. Both hikes are free, but space is limited in each. RSVP: 817-860-6752.

This newly formed chapter is a branch of the Native Prairies Association of Texas and will represent 13 Blackland counties: Collin, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Henderson, Hunt, Kaufman, Lamar, Navarro, Rains, Rockwall and Van Zandt. 

Info: Leigh Ann Ellis, laellis55@aol.com or 214-321-7159

Volunteers help clean up Trinity River. See website for locations. After party from 11 am - 1pm at Panther Island Pavilion, 395 Purcey St, Fort Worth.

NOTE: THE TRASH BASH HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO DANGEROUS RIVER CONDITIONS FROM HEAVY RAINS