Skip to main content

Nature and Wildlife

Capybara on a leash watching otters swim in an aquarium.
Apr 14 2020, JOHN KENT

Zoos modify routines during lockdown in DFW

Both the Dallas and Fort Worth zoos, though closed to the public due to Covid-19, continue animal care routines and bolster online engagements. Staffing and financial challenges persist; Dallas Zoo even launched an Emergency Operations Fund. Measures are in place for social distancing, and animals enjoy more freedom during the closure.
Four quails with brown feathers standing together near a mesh fence.
Mar 23 2020, AMY MARTIN

North Texans unite to bring back quail

North Texans are collaborating to restore bobwhite quail populations. The North Texas Quail Restoration Workshop gathered representatives to share best practices for habitat improvement and quail reintroduction. Efforts involve professional breeding and habitat enhancement, focusing on creating quail-friendly landscapes with native vegetation, aiming for self-sustaining populations.
Field of pink wildflowers under a clear sky with green trees in the background.
Mar 04 2020, JOHN KENT

City of Fort Worth saves urban prairie from development

City of Fort Worth secures a 50-acre undeveloped area next to Tandy Hills Natural Area, enhancing the preserve to over 210 acres. With the city's $620,000 purchase, supported by Friends of Tandy Hills, future residential development is prevented, ensuring the land remains a natural sanctuary.
Group of people sitting in a circle inside a dimly lit cave.
Feb 24 2020, AMY MARTIN

Mexico Cultural Center leader connects youth to nature

Ricardo Cervantes, a leader at Mexico's Tolteca Cultural Center, connects youth to nature by teaching Toltec traditions and rituals. The center promotes cultural heritage through activities like traditional games and foraging, fostering a tactile experience with nature for young people and instilling pride in their indigenous roots.
Woman in a cap stands by a creek, holding a small object, surrounded by trees.
Feb 06 2020, JIM DOMKE

Arlington veteran says COVID not canceling annual park cleanup

Angel Carter initiated the Fish Creek Cleanup Challenge after noticing persistent litter at Fish Creek Linear Park in Arlington. Despite COVID-19, the third annual event proceeds on January 30, 2021, adhering to social distancing. In 2020, 800 volunteers participated. Carter emphasizes education and community engagement for effective volunteer recruitment.
Man in blue shirt with binoculars, standing on rocky terrain.
Jan 22 2020, JOHN KENT

Nearly 100 bird species seen in suburban Arlington yard

Charley Amos, a Texas Master Naturalist, attracts 97 bird species to his Arlington yard by offering water, native seeds, and shelter without using chemicals. He warns of habitat loss and encourages using native plants. Amos’ favorite bird-watching spot is Big Bend National Park. His global bird count approaches 1,200.
Butterfly on flowers near a pool with empty lounge chairs and trees in the background.
Dec 18 2019, JOHN KENT

North Texans step-up aid for migrating monarchs

North Texans are increasing efforts to aid migrating monarch butterflies by creating waystations like those in Fort Worth and Flower Mound. Local groups and cities participate in conservation, addressing population decline due to habitat loss and herbicides. These initiatives support monarchs' survival by providing essential milkweed and nectar sources.
Hand holding dried seeds and plant material outdoors.
Nov 04 2019, MARSHALL HINSLEY

Texas botanists build seed bank as threats grow

Texas botanists, led by Kim Taylor from the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, are forming a seed bank to preserve native plant species threatened by urban sprawl, invasive species, and climate change. The project is urgent, focusing on rare species to prevent their extinction and restore Texas's natural ecosystems.
Oct 08 2019, AMY MARTIN

Austin-based group to bring Big Bend to Big D

Oct. 8, 2019

For most people, Big Bend is a myth. They’ve never been there. They’ve read an article perhaps, seen photographs, maybe a documentary. Big Bend is what they conjure it to be in their mind, undoubtedly romanticized to the max. 

So how do you get people to care about the land they’ll never experience? Can the urgency of a live arts performance convey enough sense of place to create compassion for a landscape and its inhabitants? 

Subscribe to Nature and Wildlife