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Parks, wildlife

Jul 24 2017, Julie Ryan

Texas legislators raise an axe against local tree ordinances

Senate Bill 14 and House Bill 70, ban cities, counties and even HOA from restricting property owners’ removal of trees or other vegetation. 

July 24, 2017

Bills to pre-empt local ordinances protecting trees throughout Texas are being pushed through the legislature right now, unless public opposition stops them. More than 100 cities in Texas that already have tree ordinances would be affected.

Jul 24 2017, Mary Ann Graves

Op Ed: Tree lovers should oppose SB 14 and HB 70

Texas Historic Tree Coalition president Mary Ann Graves rebuts those who want to overturn local tree ordinances. Above, a tree is protected by wood planks during construction at a private residence in Austin on June 12, 2017. Austin Price/The Texas Tribune.

July 24, 2017

Field of wildflowers with a dirt path and trees in the background.
Jun 26 2017, MARSHALL HINSLEY

Two North Texas green spaces honored as Lone Star Legacy Parks

Two North Texas parks, Kiest Park in Dallas and Tandy Hills Natural Area in Fort Worth, have been designated as Lone Star Legacy Parks by the Texas Recreation and Park Society for their historic significance, unique natural features, and community relevance.
Tarantula on a textured brown surface.
Jun 21 2017, MARSHALL HINSLEY

Tarantula project put Lewisville nature preserve on the map

Retired physicist Bill Freiheit launched the Hentzi Project to sustain the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) through tarantula restoration. With Leah Patton's help, they aimed to raise awareness of ecological issues while attempting to restore the Texas brown tarantula population.
Trail information boards in a wooded area.
May 28 2017, JULIE THIBODEAUX

New interactive map orients hikers at Oak Cliff Nature Preserve

The Texas Land Conservancy launched an interactive smartphone-accessible map for Oak Cliff Nature Preserve to help hikers navigate its complex trails. Debuting on National Trails Day, June 3, the map aims to prevent confusion and attract more visitors to the urban Dallas park featuring trails, creeks, and diverse ecosystems.
Brown butterfly with eye-like patterns on wings, resting on sandy ground.
May 08 2017, JULIE THIBODEAUX

DFW wins nationwide iNaturalist Challenge 

In a surprising victory, DFW citizen scientists won the nationwide iNaturalist Challenge, surpassing San Francisco. Over 500 North Texans made 24,000 observations, with Sam Kieschnick leading the effort and highlighting the importance of these records in showcasing local biodiversity. The competition spurred enthusiasm and highlighted species like the showy pink primrose.
Apr 25 2017, AMY MARTIN

Landmark tree defended from vandal by Dallas neighbors

A vandal was stopped when neighbors noticed he was cutting up a park tree for firewood in the Dixon Branch Greenbelt last month. Photos by Amy Martin and Scooter Smith.

April 25, 2017

“The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way." - William Blake

Small yellow flower with two green leaves held between fingers.
Apr 04 2017, JULIE THIBODEAUX

DFW nature lovers challenged to compete in iNaturalist bioblitz

North Texas nature lovers are encouraged to grab their smart phones and head outside for a DFW-wide bioblitz on Easter weekend. During April 14-18, Dallas-Fort Worth is competing with metropolitan areas across the U.S. to see which city can post the most observations on iNaturalist.org, the citizen science website.
Painting of a lake and field on an easel, with the same scene in the background.
Mar 28 2017, JULIE THIBODEAUX

Earth Day celebrated all month in North Texas

Starting Saturday, Earth Day festivals will be popping across North Texas all through April. While organizers of Oak Cliff Earth Day are taking a year off, there are plenty of fests to partake of, as more than 20 environmentally themed events are spread out across the month.
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