North Texas Wild

The local botanical grapevine has been buzzing since Texas Discovery Gardens greenhouse manager Roseanne Ferguson excitedly posted last month: "The whale's tongue agaves are sending up flower stalks!"

If you haven't been paying attention to the bald eagle drama in Dallas, you've been missing out on a thrilling saga. Catch up with this recap of a mated pair's attempt to raise their young at the urban lake.

Spring Creek Forest Preserve in Garland joins the Old-Growth Forest Network as only the second Texas site recognized for healthy old-growth forests. Saved by community and environmentalist efforts, it showcases rare, century-old trees. Celebrations included educational walks and speeches, emphasizing continued preservation.

Chiggers and ticks, summer's tiny pests, await hosts like mammals and birds. Chiggers are mite larvae, and ticks can carry diseases. To prevent bites, wear long, light clothing, apply permethrin and repellents, and use DEET or lemon eucalyptus repellents. Post-exposure, shower promptly, treat bites, and monitor for symptoms.

In a Texas Green Report episode, Marshall Hinsley interviews Amy Martin, discussing her new book, "Wild DFW: Explore the Amazing Nature In and Around Dallas-Fort Worth." The book explores North Texas's ecology, featuring wildlife, hiking trails, and conservation efforts, offering insights into the area's natural wonders and the importance of preserving them.

Purchase Amy Martin's 'Wild DFW: Explore the Amazing Nature Around Dallas-Fort Worth' on Pretty Things and Cool Stuff; proceeds support GreenSourceDFW.org. This guide, praised for its comprehensive insights into North Texas nature, enriches Green Source DFW's environmental reporting.

Texans can view two solar eclipses soon: an annular eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023, visible in West and South Texas, and a total eclipse on April 8, 2024, visible across North Texas. Eclipses occur at the New Moon phase when Earth's, Moon's, and Sun's orbits align perfectly.

A thriving rookery of herons and egrets resides in UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Birds exhibit "nest fidelity," returning annually to nest in wooded ravines amid urban bustle. This avian sanctuary, a recognized bird preserve since the 1960s, faces challenges but remains a vital ecological haven.

Timber Press will release "Wild DFW" in April, a North Texas nature guide by Dallas writer Amy Martin. With cover art by Mariell Guzman, the book highlights local natural spaces, ecology, and weather, plus insights from experts. Martin, a seasoned environmental reporter, aims to inspire nature preservation and tourism.