North Texas Master NaturalistJim’s This & That is a personal communication, begun by avid naturalist Jim Varnum, which strives to fulfill Jim’s vision of connecting individuals interested in the natural world — primarily in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area — with each other and with resources to increase an appreciation of nature. If you have comments and questions about its content, or wish to receive – or not receive – Jim’s This & That e-mails, please contact nature_links@yahoo.com.
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The Balloon family name died off when it ran out of heir.
The Balloon family name died off when it ran out of heir.
Traveling on a flying carpet is a rugged experience.
A van loaded with wigs crashed – police are combing the area.
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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.
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SAVE THE DATE! Sunday, November 13, 2016, 2-4 p.m. (come and go), the launch of the Interpretive Walking Trail at Spring Creek Park Preserve in Garland (1787 Holford Road between Arapaho and George Bush Tollway). The Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest and the North Texas Master Naturalists will roll out a new Interpretive Nature Trail at Spring Creek Park Preserve. We hope you and your family will join us for a wonderful guided walk through the preserve. The new trail was developed by a team from the 2016 NTMN Class under the mentorship of advisors from the Society. To see the Interpretive Trail brochure, please visit:
https://springcreekforest.wordpress.com/interpretive-1787-holford-rd/
https://springcreekforest.wordpress.com/interpretive-1787-holford-rd/
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Here’s a great, brief video (from the Society for Ecological Restoration newsletter) on management of Ashe’s juniper: http://www.hillcountrylandtrust.org/hclt-videos.html
Here’s a great, brief video (from the Society for Ecological Restoration newsletter) on management of Ashe’s juniper: http://www.hillcountrylandtrust.org/hclt-videos.html
And check this link for a PDF of the same subject:
http://www.hillcountrylandtrust.org/pdf_files/FAQ-Managing-Ashe-Juniper_v2.pdf
http://www.hillcountrylandtrust.org/pdf_files/FAQ-Managing-Ashe-Juniper_v2.pdf
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From the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Commission: The hugely popular Web Soil Survey (WSS) website recently released its latest version– 3.2. Originally introduced in 2005, the latest update provides improvements and enhancements that help users at all levels be better informed and prepared when making land-use-decisions. Developed by USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the free, web-based-application provides a wealth of soils information, data, and soil survey maps—all free and downloadable. Visit and see for yourself at: http://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm
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And on the subject of soil, check out this fascinating TedTalk about the complex community of organisms deep in the soil which help trees communicate with each other:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un2yBgIAxYs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un2yBgIAxYs
Thanks to Charlie Grindstaff for recommending a newly-released book on this same topic: The Hidden Life of Trees, What They Feel, How They Communicate by Peter Wohlleben.
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A great resource for all kinds of nature news: TPWD’s “Life’s Better Outside” newsletter. Check out the webpage here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/TXPWD/bulletins/167a634
Sign up here to receive it: https://service.govdelivery.com/accounts/TXPWD/subscriber/new
Sign up here to receive it: https://service.govdelivery.com/accounts/TXPWD/subscriber/new
Upcoming activities, October 15 – October 31, 2016:
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10.15.16
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10am-12pm
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Mosquitoes & North Texas Awareness,
Coppell Biodiversity Education Center |
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10.15.16
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10am-12pm
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John Bunker Sands Wetland Center: Monarchs on the Move!
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10.15.16
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10am-12pm
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John Bunker Sands Wetland Center: Bunkers Pond trail walk
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wetlandcenter.com
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10.15.16
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10-11:30am
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Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge – Butterfly Walk
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10.15.16
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9am-12am
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Cedar Ridge Preserve workday
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10.15.16
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9:30-10:30am
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Heard Museum Third Saturday Nature Talk: “Fossils”
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10.15.16
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10am-12pm
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Dallas Co. Lepidopterists’ meeting: at Dale Clarks house
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Directions at http://www.dallasbutterflies.com/
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10.16.16
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9-11am
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Twelve Hills Nature Center workday
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www.twelvehills.org
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10.17.16
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7-8pm
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Cross Timbers Master Naturalist: TBA
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10.18.16
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7-8:45pm
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LLELA: Advanced iNaturalist at the Lewisville Public Library
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http:// Registration is required: dwetherbee@cityoflewisville.com 469-635-5482.
llela.unt.edu/calendar |
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10.19.16
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10-11am
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Guided nature walk, Oak Point Nature Center, Plano
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Free. Register at the front desk upon arrival.
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10.20.16
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6pm
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Audubon Dallas: Cedar Hill Mayor Rob Franke and City Manager Greg Porter: Urban Conservation. (A visit from Dallas Zoo animals, too!)
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10.20.16
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10:30am
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Elm Fork (Denton) Master Naturalists: Dr. Tom LaPointe: Water & Climate Change
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10.19.16
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10-11am
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Guided plant walk at Oak Point Nature Center (Plano)
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972-941-5414
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10.21.16
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7-9pm
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LLELA: Stars on the Prairie stargazing event
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Registration is required at bit.ly/CoLRegistration. Search for Activity Code 800001. For further information call 972.219.3550 Mon.- Fri., or 972.219.7980 on weekends. You may also contact lcole@cityoflewisville.com.
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10.22.16
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6:30-8pm
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Family Night Hike at Oak Point Nature Center (Plano)
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10.22.16
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7:45-9:45am
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Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) migratory bird banding
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Registration required. ?s to lcole@cityoflewisville.com, or call 972.219.3550
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10.22.16
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9am-12pm
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Dogwood Canyon Audubon Workday
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10.22.16-10.23.16
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10am-4pm
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Dogwood Canyon Audubon “Owl Adoption Weekend”
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10.22.16:
10.23.16: |
9am-5pm
10am-4pm |
Earth, Wind, & Fire energy summit (Dallas Sierra Club)
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10.23.16
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1:45-2:30pm
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Coppell Biodiversity Education Center guided hike
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10.23.16
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9-11am
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Twelve Hills Nature Center workday
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10.23.16
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2:30-4pm
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Coppell Biodiversity Education Center: Bees & Butterflies
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10.24.16
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7-8pm
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Indian Trails Master Naturalists: Origins of Modern Astronomy
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10.25.16
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7:30pm
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Prairie & Timbers Audubon Society monthly meeting: The Future of Texas Wildlife
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10.27.16
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All day
field trip |
Ft. Worth Native Prairies Assn: Grassland Management for Watershed Health, Blooming Grove TX (west of Corsicana)
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$10 per person
RSVP by 10/25/2016 to Matt Machacek 903/257-6633
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10.27.16
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7pm
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Trinity Forks (Denton) Native Plant Society: Nurturing Native Plants in Texas State Parks
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10.28.16
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7-8:30pm (or sunset)
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North Texas Master Naturalist Amphibian Watch, Sunset Bay, White Rock Lake
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10.29.16
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8am: walk
10am: sale |
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Native Plant Sale
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10.29.16
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8-10am
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The Urban Harvest: Foraging in the City
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10.29.16
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9am-12pm
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Monarch Butterfly Garden Planting: Armstrong Park, 2236 Birchwood Dr.
Garland, TX 75043 (sponsored by Keep Garland Beautiful).
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Questions to rcollins20@verizon.net
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