Nature and Wildlife

Frog calls enliven North Texas nights, with male Blanchard’s cricket frogs and Southern leopard frogs engaging in courtship sounds. Amidst their decline due to threats like chytrid fungus, conservation is essential. Residents can help by maintaining habitats and creating frog-friendly environments, enhancing natural insect control and enjoying amphibian songs.

New public artworks in DFW parks highlight ecological themes. Patrick Dougherty's "Playin' Hooky" at Fort Worth Botanic Garden uses elm saplings, while "When Air Becomes Sky" and "Art + Knowledge" celebrate nature. Other installations include "Stacked Friends" in Dallas and Shelby David Meier’s exhibit at Nasher Sculpture Center.

Fort Worth partnered with Downtown Fort Worth Inc to dim lights for migrating birds, as part of Lights Out Texas, helping billions of birds navigate safely. This aligns with initiatives inspired by BirdCast and other conservation efforts to tackle light pollution, crucial since many U.S. birds migrate via Texas.

The deep freeze in North Texas stressed many trees, but most will recover, experts say. Live oaks' dramatic leaf loss is normal, while magnolias and sensitive non-native or young trees might suffer more. Residents should delay pruning and ensure trees are well-watered and fertilized to reduce stress.

Tulipalooza, hosted by Poston Gardens at Waxahachie Civic Center from March 19-28, offers visitors the chance to enjoy and pick from over 250,000 tulips. Proceeds benefit 12 charities, with ticket buyers choosing their preferred beneficiary. The event features food trucks, live music, and other attractions.

Emerald ash borers pose a severe threat to ash trees in North Texas, risking ecosystem collapse. These beetles have already killed millions of trees across the U.S. Experts urge swift action to slow their spread, employing methods like SLAM or introducing parasitoid wasps to manage infestations effectively.

BRIT conducted a controlled burn on its urban prairie, utilizing fire to maintain the ecosystem's health by hindering invasive species. This fire management approach is rooted in historical practices and is meticulously planned to prevent unintended damage. The burn offers educational opportunities and promotes land management knowledge.

The Trinity River, a sinewy stream in a prairie swale - until the rains come. Floodwater courses between the banks and rails against levees that dare to tell the river how to run. With each storm the river swells, reservoirs fill, embankments groan.

The Native Prairies Association of Texas, a statewide conservation group, met its fundraising goal to hire a North Texas Outreach and Stewardship Director. This role will oversee local prairie stewardship and partnerships. Less than 1% of Texas's tallgrass prairies remain, and efforts aim to conserve remaining examples threatened by urban expansion.

Wild turkeys, native to North Texas and part of Thanksgiving traditions, thrive in areas such as Dallas and Tarrant Counties. They are curious and social, often seen near lakes and preserves. Despite past declines due to hunting, their populations have rebounded significantly.