Wildlife

Choosing Texas-friendly plants that are well-adapted to our area and weather conditions makes a big difference in the success of your landscape. Learn about soil preparation, which plants – groundcovers, shrubs, vines and perennials – work best in our clay soil and our North Central Texas climate. After the talk, join us for a stroll through our teaching garden to see the drought-tolerant, native plants up-close. Free.

If class is full, contact Gary Cocke at 972-769-4216 to be added to the wait list.

Speaker will be Sam Kieschnick, nature education specialist for Mansfield Parks and Recreation. Kieschnick is an enthusiastic and dynamic speaker who loves his work and will be presenting a program entitled "Does nature matter? The importance of parks for nature education."

Kieschnick will discuss the new nature education programs being offered in Mansfield, the role of the new Elmer W. Oliver Nature Park (similar, but on a smaller scale to River Legacy) and how Mansfield is using the new nature park as an outdoor classroom and venue for citizen science projects. He will also present some ideas on how cities like Arlington and Mansfield could possibly work together to make their park systems a win-win for residents, the parks, and the critters which live in the parks.

The Rosine Smith Sammons Butterfly House & Insectarium turns five in September. The celebration will feature crafts and activities, as well as interactive fun with longtime friends of the gardens. See silkworms, native butterflies and other cool creatures up close. Giveaways include a pair of tickets on Southwest Airlines worth up to $800. $5. Kids and senior discounts.

The annual even provides free entertainment and educational activities for the entire family. Master gardener booths at the festival will cover topics such as propagation, lawn care, designing a water-wise landscape, herb growing, worm composting and a dozen other topics. Seminars on gardening will be offered in classroom areas, including “Perennial Gardening” by Marilyn Simmons and “Transitioning from Sprinkler to Drip” by Patrick Dickinson.

 Live entertainment will be provided by the Flower Mound Community Orchestra, Voices of Flower Mound, Studio B Performing Arts Center, Texas Harmony Chorus (Sweet Adelines) and Dallas Tap Dazzlers. Vendors will offer hand-crafted items and information about maintaining a sustainable environment.

Hike the 72-acre Meadow Preserve at the monthly open house. Enter at gate on east side of Alma, south of Bethany. Free. Info@ConnemaraConservancy.org.

Learn about the basics of hiking. In this class, our experts will share tips and tricks on all aspects of hiking. Learn about trip planning, essential items, equipment, safety precautions, along with local resources and places to go. Free.

Fifth annual event benefitting the Connemara Conservancy. Dinner under the stars, featuring drinks, live music, dancing and auction. $200.

This will be a family friendly event, so bring the entire family.

Admission is bottle of wine valued at $25 for individuals or $40 per family. The wine will become a part of our “wine pull” auction at Into The Meadow on Sept. 20. Your tax-deductible wine donation will also enter you into a raffle for a $100 Watters Creek shopping spree to be given away at Sunday’s brunch.

RSVP by Thursday, August 28, by calling 940-230-4077 or e-mail Executive Director Sandra Greenway at sandra@connemaraconservancy.com.

Learn ways to attract owls and make our community more ow l­friendly. Learn more about the owls that call Dallas home and study owl anatomy, species distribution and conservation issues. Speaker: Benjamin Jones, director of Trinity River Audubon Center in Dallas.

6:30 Social Time

7:00 Audubon Dallas Chapter Meeting

7:15 Presentation

ART IN THE GARDEN: As part of the cultural district’s Gallery Night, the Garden Center of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden will feature more than 90 entries of juried art for sale. The media include jewelry, watercolor, 3D art, drawing/pastel, mixed media, photography and oil/ acrylic. Reception featuring artists on a come-and-go basis will be hosted on Sat. from 6-8 pm. 

Hours: 

Fri, Sept. 5, noon-7pm

Sat, Sept. 6, 9am-8pm

Sun, Sept. 7, 1-5pm

ARTISAN FAIR: On Sat, Sept. 6 from 10am-5pm, this outdoor event will feature a variety of arts & crafts from over 35 local artists and a Kids’ Artspace. 

PARKING: Free parking in front of the Garden Center.  

Info: Steve Huddleston, senior horticulturist, Steve.Huddleston@fortworthtexas.gov.