April 1. This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three hundred and sixty-four. Mark Twain

The trouble with practical jokes is that very often they get elected. Will Rogers

Here cometh April again, and as far as I can see the world hath more fools in it than ever. Charles Lamb
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Planning for the plant sales? At the Heard Museum: Meet the Plants – a Preview of the Native Plants of the 2017 Heard Plant Sale, 15th at 9:30 a.m. One week before the Heard Spring Plant Sale, come to the Third Saturday Nature Talk and get a personal introduction to the plants we’ll feature at the sale. We’ll show slides that illustrate blooms and foliage for each plant and provide information about their sizes, growth habits, and cultural preferences. We’ll even have some live plants for you to see. You’ll be able to find out which plants will work in your problem areas, and make your wish list. There should be plenty of time to answer your questions. (No sales will take place this day.) This program is open to the public and is free with paid general admission or Heard Museum Membership. Many of these programs will have an outside component. Please dress appropriately.

At Texas Discovery Gardens: Plant Sale Safari, April 7, from 3 pm – 4 pm (allows entry to Members’ sale which runs for 4-7pm. Public Sale: April 8 and 9, 2017 from 10 am – 2 pm). This pre-sale tour by Director of Horticulture Roger Sanderson shows you how to incorporate native and adapted plants into your landscape.

Ready to hit the road in search of great natives? Check out this article from the Native Plant Society, with spring sales across the state… http://npsot.org/wp/story/2017/9688/

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Howard Garrett Book Signing: On Saturday, April 22, 2017 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Howard Garrett will offer a book signing during the Spring Plant Sale. Garrett is one of the leaders in the research, education and promotion of natural organic gardening, landscaping, pet health and pest control and how to enjoy a healthier lifestyle. He recently released an updated version of his book, The Organic Manual, which covers everything from bed preparation to tree planting. Garrett will be on hand to answer questions and sign books. Proceeds from copies of his books sold during the Heard Plant Sale benefit the Heard.

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The Blackland Prairie Raptor Center’s annual Raptor Photo Day is coming up. Bring your camera gear and spend a morning taking pictures of our education raptors in natural settings. Saturday, May 20^th; gate opens 7:15am, photo day runs 7:30-11am. 1625 Brockdale Park Road, Lucas, 75002. For more information, including the pre-registration and photo permission form, see http://www.bpraptorcenter.org/

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You can help kids start a life of birding. The Cornell “Bird Sleuth K-12” program says they want “…all educators have the confidence and resources to help kids learn, play, and grow outside. To make that wish come true, we’re hosting a special one-hour webinar to share some fun and easy ways to get kids outside and to explore their local habitats. Even better, we’re giving away FREE printed copies of our BirdSleuth Explorer’s Guidebook, available in English and Spanish, to educators who attend the full webinar and work with underserved audiences.” The webinars are Wednesday, April 5th at 11:00am ET or Thursday, April 6th at 6:00pm ET; to register – and see if you qualify for free guidebooks – go to http://www.birdsleuth.org/exploring-the-outdoors-webinar/

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Do you have an avian habitat conservation, acquisition, or enhancement project to fund? Submit your project proposal now to be eligible for potential funding from the Great Texas Birding Classic. Funds raised through this annual event fund projects throughout the state each year, with $880,500 in grants given to date! More at   https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/TXPWD/bulletins/190552c

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The Botanical Research Institute offers Know your Natives: Spring Wildflowers, May 6, 1-3pm.
Join us in exploring  the world of native spring wildflowers with experts in the subject! Attendees will learn scientific and common names for local, seasonal wildflowers, learn family recognition traits for those wildflowers, and learn the basic techniques for field identification. Come prepared to walk around outside. Bring a photo or a (legally) picked specimen if you want to talk about a specific plant. No more than 2 per person, please. See you there! For more information and online registration, see http://www.brit.org/events/term. Please note, online registration for this class closes 5/4/2017.

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The John Bunker Sands Wetland Center will be “Talking With The Eagles” on May 6, 10am-12pm. Get your eagle questions answered on a hike to the Eagle Tower with Wetland Stewards Kathy and Bill Nance. At the tower we will watch Bald Eagle activity and share information about the eagles. Come and go as you like, but be prepared to be on your feet for up to 2 hours! Bring a light weight chair if you plan to stay for a while. Call 972-474-9100 or email: ldunn@wetlandcenter.com with any questions.

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It can get pretty wild out there! Check out TPWD’s “Our Wild Texas” e-newsletter – lots of interesting information and links at https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/TXPWD/bulletins/18db014

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Last year, San Francisco and Los Angeles had a competition on which urban area has the most citizen scientists and most species.  Well, they want to extend this competition to the rest of the country.  New York City, Boston, Raleigh, Washington DC, Nashville, Duluth, Chicago, Miami, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Austin, Houston, and Dallas/Fort Worth are the participating cities…  Which area has the most citizen scientists and most species?!?  Can DFW compete with the rest of the country? Yes we can!…by joining the City Nature Challenge, April 14 – 18. Make iNaturalist observations anywhere in Dallas/Fort Worth on April 14 – 18 (Easter weekend)!   Show the rest of the country how many different critters and plants and fungi live in our urban area!  Citizen scientists unite!    All observations have to be observed on April 14 through 18, and must be uploaded before April 22 to be counted in this City Nature Challenge.  For more information  – and to see if your favorite urban wild space is a Nature Challenge site – see http://tpwd.texas.gov/naturechallenge  or contact Sam Kieschnick, Urban Wildlife Biologist (DFW) at 972-293-3841   sam.kieschnick@tpwd.texas.gov     sambiology on iNaturalist

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Thanks to all the contributors who have shared the following terrific links and resources! Do you have a favorite book, movie, website, field guide, app, or other nature-related news or resource you’d like to share? Write a brief description and send it to nature_links@yahoo.com – we’ll help spread the word.