Nature

The "Bring Back the Monarchs to Texas" grant program offers funding for monarch demonstration gardens and waystations using native plants on public sites. Overseen by the Native Plant Society of Texas, applications are due Feb. 1. Grants, up to $600, promote monarch conservation and education, focusing on native milkweeds and nectar plants.

Organic gardening and wildlife experts, like Howard Garrett and Texas A&M horticulturists, advise against bagging leaves, emphasizing benefits for landscapes and wildlife. Leaves enrich soil, reduce runoff, and save costs. They recommend mowing, mulching, and composting. Wildlife relies on leaf litter for habitat, and leaving leaves supports diverse ecosystems.

Texas loses 250 rural acres daily to urban development, fragmenting habitats and endangering species. At the People for Prairies conference, advocates shared conservation tactics, raising $27,000 for outreach. Cities like Fort Worth and Lewisville are integrating prairies into urban plans. Corporate and private landowners play crucial roles in prairie conservation.

Marshall Hinsley discusses pocket prairies, small plots planted with native Texas flora, as part of a statewide restoration effort. These prairies support native wildlife, sequester carbon, mitigate flooding, and require minimal maintenance, offering a sustainable way to restore Texas's native ecosystem.

Bats are often linked to mythical monsters like Dracula, yet they offer significant ecological benefits. While vampire bats exist, they mainly reside in Central and South America. In North Texas, several beneficial bat species, such as the Mexican free-tailed bat, play crucial roles in pest control and ecosystems.

The regional hiking and biking trail connecting Dallas and Fort Worth is named DFW Discovery Trail. Nearly 1,700 voted for the name and logo featuring Texas wildlife. Expected by 2024, the 60-mile trail links city trails and is part of the 1,883-mile Regional Veloweb network.

Fort Worth joined the Trust for Public Land's 10-Minute Walk Park Equity Accelerator to improve park access, leveraging funding and expertise to overcome outdoor equity barriers. With only 61% of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a park, this initiative aims to enhance health, climate, and community benefits citywide.

The emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle from Asia, threatens ash trees in Dallas County, Texas, after spreading from Tarrant County. This beetle has decimated millions of trees across 36 U.S. states, prompting significant concerns among experts and efforts to slow its spread through various strategies and public awareness campaigns.

The U.S. House will vote on the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, which allocates $50 million annually to Texas for at-risk wildlife. Supported by a broad coalition, this bill aims to stabilize species, saving costs long-term. It is part of a $1.3 billion national wildlife funding initiative.

For its third year, the 'Lights Out' campaign urges Texans to turn off outdoor lights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. during peak bird migration (April 22-May 12) to prevent distractions and collisions. The initiative is growing, with increased city participation and surveys to reduce bird casualties.