Subject:  Conservation Pioneer Gaylord Nelson, Founder of Earth Day

Featured speaker:  James Wilson, Kleb Woods Nature Preserve Historian

Heather Bass, botanist and native landscaping consultant at BRIT, will provide an overview of lessons learned about successful native plant establishment and maintenance during three research projects looking at a native prairie restoration, a native prairie creation, and establishing sustainable urban pollinator gardens. 

Info: Annabelle Corboy apcorboy@sbcglobal.net or 817-683-1739

"The Legend of Big Bend" concert features storytelling, breathtaking video and original music by the Montopolis rock and roll chamber orchestra, taking the audience on an epic adventure to the high desert of west Texas. Filmmaker David Barrow has captured the vast landscapes, intimate details and everything in between. Texas poets, philosophers, scientists and historians speak of this mysterious and desolate land in audio recordings between songs.  "The Legend of Big Bend" combines all of these elements in an exhilarating hour and thirty minute performance.

Andrew Brinker, science/biology teacher at R.L. Paschal High School, along with a few of his students, will discuss the Trinity River Turtle Survey. The primary goal of the project is to involve R.L. Paschal High School students in scientific research. Although catching turtles is a ton of fun, we have also been busy with publications and presentations (several of which have students as authors!). They will be bringing live turtles too!

Potluck at 6:30 with meeting to follow. Bring a dish to share. Drinks provided. Bring your own cup please.

Join us for a 1.5 hour walk to practice tree ID and anticipate the soon-to-come wildflower season. A template for identifying trees will be provided, so if you like to take notes, bring a pen and clipboard.

1.5 hours advanced training for Master Naturalists

Jeff Quayle will be leading an adventurous hike to Lake Mineral Wells State Park to Penitentiary Hollow. This will be a moderate hike through Penitentiary Hollow. Hiking boots and long pants is preferred, so be prepared for a lot of exploring off of the main trails. Weather permitting. Trees and understory species will be leafed out, so we may be dodging some brush and greenbriar. Be prepared to explore some nook and crannies of the hollows. We will be observing our native ferns in the area and other natives in the park, including a few rare species. Must pay park entrance fee.

Join us for a hike to explore two natural history gems in Dallas County: Pemberton’s Big Spring Preserve and the prairie remnant at Crawford Memorial Park.

Tarrant County College’s Northwest campus has endeavored on a prairie restoration project at the site of their future Marine Creek Nature Discovery Center project. The goal is to integrate interdisciplinary teaching across the campus to provide hands-on educational exhibits, recreational activities and research opportunities to students that increase awareness, appreciation and sustainability of the natural environment. Eventually, a sustainable building will sit atop the hill overlooking the restored pocket prairie and Marine Creek Lake.

"Building Community Connections for Healthy Urban Streams"

The Urban Riparian Symposium provides an opportunity for natural resource professionals to share ideas, discuss management and policy issues, lessons learned in urban riparian and stream planning, assessment, design, construction and evaluation. The symposium will include presentations, panel discussions, receptions and pre-conference workshops/field tours. Early/Student registration is for $150 before Jan. 31. Late registration from Jan. 31 - Feb. 22 will be for $200.  

Birder Jim Frisinger shares bird tally trends at the Southwest Nature Preserve, since 2007. This program will be a good follow up to the Great Backyard Bird Count - being held at the Preserve on Feb 16.

Info: Annabelle Corboy apcorboy@sbcglobal.net or 817-683-1739