Nature

Bob Jones Nature Center in Southlake, adjacent to Grapevine Lake, preserves the legacy of freedman Bob Jones. The center offers trails through diverse ecosystems, reflecting the area's history from Bob Jones' agricultural past to its present status as a nature reserve amid North Texas's developed landscape.

Michelle Sager, a Texas wildlife rehabilitator, cares for orphaned animals like squirrels, rabbits, and occasionally raccoons. She runs The Sheltered Burrow from her Keller home, supported by Texas Metro Wildlife Rehabilitators. Despite challenges, she’s motivated by stewardship and nature balance, showing each species' ecological importance.

In Coppell, Atmos Energy removed dozens of trees, previously a safety and aesthetic barrier, for pipeline safety. Despite residents' protests and financial losses, Atmos cited "right of way" without compensating the community. Similar actions occurred in other Texas cities, raising concerns over environmental accountability and ordinance inadequacies.

Grace Barnett, appointed as Monarch Outreach Specialist by the National Wildlife Federation, will promote milkweed planting in Texas to combat monarch butterfly population decline due to habitat loss and increased herbicide use. She aims to involve local governments and citizens in conservation efforts.

Twelve Hills Nature Center, a five-acre oasis in Dallas's Oak Cliff, focuses on habitat restoration and environmental education. Overseeing native plant and wildlife preservation, local volunteers strive to restore the prairie ecosystem, involving school programs to foster environmental stewardship among children.

The iNaturalist platform, managed by the California Academy of Sciences, allows citizen scientists to document North Texas urban wildlife. It facilitates wildlife identification, data collection, and public engagement, significantly aiding research and conservation efforts while connecting nature enthusiasts and fostering awareness of local ecology.

According to the National Wildlife Federation, there are dozens of milkweed species native to the United States, some of which are highly endangered. For monarch butterflies, these are must-have plants because monarchs will only lay their eggs on milkweeds. Above, monarchs feast on native milkweeds. Courtesy of National Wildlife Federation

North Texas Wild provides eco-friendly mosquito repellent options to enjoy the outdoors without the risk of mosquito-borne diseases. It highlights the use of essential oils, plant-derived, and synthetic repellents like oil of lemon eucalyptus and picaridin, while cautioning against DEET's toxicity. Recommendations include DIY solutions and commercially available products.