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 world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper. W.B. YEATS
The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper. W.B. YEATS
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Remembering Jim…Surely not a nature walk has taken place in the Metroplex over the past few months without Jim Varnum stories being told…without our missing Jim. Watch a memorial tribute to Jim at https://vimeo.com/188586470 , produced by videographer Jennifer Weisensel for the North Texas Master Naturalists.
Remembering Jim…Surely not a nature walk has taken place in the Metroplex over the past few months without Jim Varnum stories being told…without our missing Jim. Watch a memorial tribute to Jim at https://vimeo.com/188586470 , produced by videographer Jennifer Weisensel for the North Texas Master Naturalists.
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Native plants: get ‘em now! Don’t miss out on 2 great fall plant sales:
* Nov. 4-5: Texas Discovery Gardens (http://texasdiscoverygardens.org/plant_sale.php for details and a plant list)
* Nov. 12, 8am-1pm: Native Plant Society(Dallas chapter) (http://npsot.org/wp/dallas/ for details and a plant list)
Native plants: get ‘em now! Don’t miss out on 2 great fall plant sales:
* Nov. 4-5: Texas Discovery Gardens (http://texasdiscoverygardens.org/plant_sale.php for details and a plant list)
* Nov. 12, 8am-1pm: Native Plant Society(Dallas chapter) (http://npsot.org/wp/dallas/ for details and a plant list)
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Society for Ecological Restoration Announces Certification Program. Visit http://www.ser.org/page/sernews3051 for complete information, and sign up for updates as SER roles out this new program.
Society for Ecological Restoration Announces Certification Program. Visit http://www.ser.org/page/sernews3051 for complete information, and sign up for updates as SER roles out this new program.
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Aren’t fungus fun? Check out this crazy thing – thanks to Bob Richie for sharing…
http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/watch-the-devils-fingers-rising-from-the-underworld?utm_source=Atlas+Obscura+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=a763aa22fe-Newsletter_10_27_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f36db9c480-a763aa22fe-63212953&ct=t(Newsletter_10_27_2016)&mc_cid=a763aa22fe&mc_eid=4cb9bf10ea
Aren’t fungus fun? Check out this crazy thing – thanks to Bob Richie for sharing…
http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/watch-the-devils-fingers-rising-from-the-underworld?utm_source=Atlas+Obscura+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=a763aa22fe-Newsletter_10_27_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f36db9c480-a763aa22fe-63212953&ct=t(Newsletter_10_27_2016)&mc_cid=a763aa22fe&mc_eid=4cb9bf10ea
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Calling all birders: The November 2016 meeting of Ft. Worth Audubon – at a special time, on Saturday, Nov. 12, 10am-12pm – will welcome speaker Cyn-Ty Lee of Rice University on the hard-to-identify and confusing flycatcher family (Empidomax). He will help us demystify what is so often a birder’s nemesis, or at least a paradox to many of us. Join Fort Worth Audubon as Cyn-Ty assists us in understanding more about Empid identification. A light breakfast will be provided along with raffle prize drawings. We hope to see you there!
http://www.fwas.org/showthread.php?2822-Hold-the-date-for-Saturday-meeting-in-November
Calling all birders: The November 2016 meeting of Ft. Worth Audubon – at a special time, on Saturday, Nov. 12, 10am-12pm – will welcome speaker Cyn-Ty Lee of Rice University on the hard-to-identify and confusing flycatcher family (Empidomax). He will help us demystify what is so often a birder’s nemesis, or at least a paradox to many of us. Join Fort Worth Audubon as Cyn-Ty assists us in understanding more about Empid identification. A light breakfast will be provided along with raffle prize drawings. We hope to see you there!
http://www.fwas.org/showthread.php?2822-Hold-the-date-for-Saturday-meeting-in-November
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All about Blackland. Check out a great write-up on the Blackland Prairie at: http://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/na0814
All about Blackland. Check out a great write-up on the Blackland Prairie at: http://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/na0814
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The Great Seed Bomb benefit bike ride takes place Sat., November 5, 1pm – 5pm, Clear Fork Trail, Fort Worth, TX 76109, USA. The Great Seed Bomb is a 15k fun bike ride benefiting bees, monarch and other pollinators. It’s a grassroots for the grasslands movement! During the ride, seed balls – made of clay, organic compost and native, non-GMO milkweed and wildflower seed – are launched from bikes by our riders. A portion of the money raised will be donated to the Native Prairies Association of Texas, a habitat restoration nonprofit, to keep the work going. More information at http://www.prekindle.com/promo/id/24545708307052722
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Upcoming activities, November 1 – November 15, 2016:
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11.1.16
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7-8:30pm
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Preservation Soc. For Spring Creek Forest- monthly meeting: Grassland Birds
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https://springcreekforest.wordpress.com/
meets at the N. Garland Branch Library |
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11.2.16
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9-11:30am
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LBJ National Grasslands (Decatur) birding excursion
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RSVP and get exact meeting location: startaglino@me.com; 940.210.9120
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11.9.16
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7-8:30pm
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NTMN monthly meeting: Falconer Patrick Johnston
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www.ntmn.org
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11.2.16
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7-8pm
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Arlington Conservation Council: Village Creek-Lake Arlington Watershed Protection Project: Keeping Arlington’s Water Clean and Safe
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11.2.16 –
11.5.16 |
Texas Plant Conservation Conference (in conjunction with LBJ Wildflower Center and BRIT)
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11.3.16
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7-8pm
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NPSOT (Ft. Worth): iNaturalist, TPWD, and the Urban Environment
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11.4.16 –
11.5.16 |
Texas Discovery Garden Fall Plant Sale
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11.5.16
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9am-12pm
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Botanical Research Institute of Texas free “First Saturday” open house
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www.brit.org
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11.5.16
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9-11am
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Spring Creek Nature Area (Richardson): Biodiversity of Wildlife
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http://www.cor.net. (From the Park & Recreation Homepage, then click Events tab).
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11.5.16
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8:30-9:30am
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Amble Around Arbor Hills (Plano) nature walk
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11.5.16
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2-3:30pm
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LLELA tarantula adoption & release event
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https://llela.unt.edu/calendar
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. To register or for more information, e-mail dwetherbee@cityoflewisville.com or call 469-635-5482. |
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11.5.16
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1-5pm
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The Great Seed Bomb Benefit 15K Bike Ride – Ft. Worth
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11.5.16
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7-10 am
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Bird walk with Gailon Brehm & Rodney Thomas at Connemara Conservancy
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11.5.16
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9-11am
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Preservation Soc. For Spring Creek Forest: monthly work session.
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https://springcreekforest.wordpress.com/
1787 Holford Road (west side of Holford, square parking lot), Garland. |
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11.5.16
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10am-12pm
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LLELA nature walk
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For further information call 972.219.3550 Monday through Friday, or 972.219.7980 on weekends. You may also contact lcole@cityoflewisville.com..
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11.5.16
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9-11am:
9am-12pm:
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John Bunker Sands Wetland Center:
Beginner Birding Advanced Birding
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11.8.16
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7-8pm
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Blackland Prairie Texas Master Nat. monthly meeting: Local seismic activity
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http://bptmn.org/
meets at the Heard Museum |
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11.8.16
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6-7pm
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“So You Want to Be a Beekeeper?” – Trinity Valley Beekeepers Association.
The Point at C.C. Young, 4847 W. Lawther Dr., Dallas 75214 |
Website: http://www.tvbees.org
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11.9.16
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10-11am
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Guided Walk – Oak Point Nature Center (Plano) for 5yrs. +
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Free; register in the lobby.
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11.10.16
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Fort Worth Audubon: DATE CHANGE. Note: normal 2nd Thursday meeting changed to Sat., Nov. 12.
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11.12.16
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8:30-10:30am
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Geology of Breckinridge Park (Richardson)
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http://www.cor.net. (from the Park and Recreation Homepage, click Events tab).
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11.12.16
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7:30-10:30am
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LLELA bird walk, ages 10+; all skill levels welcome.
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Reservations are not required. For more information call 972.219.3550 Monday through Friday, or 972.219.7980 on weekends.
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11.12.16
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5:30-7:30pm
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LLELA night hike, ages 5+.
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Registration is required at bit.ly/CoLRegistration. Search for Activity Code 800000. For more information, contact lcole@cityoflewisville.com, or call 972.219.3550.
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11.12.16
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8am-1pm
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Native Plant Society (Dallas) plant sale,
Lakeside Baptist Church (parking lot)
9150 Garland Road
Dallas, TX 75218
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11.12.16
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8-9:30am 10-11:30am |
Hagerman NWR: Early bird walk “Workamper Adventures” – working while camping at nature centers and refuges in the United States. |
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11.12.16
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8-9am
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Prairie & Timbers Audubon Second Saturday bird walk at the Heard Museum
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11.12.16
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10am-12m
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SPECIAL MEETING! Ft. Worth Audubon: The hard to identify and confusing flycatcher family, with Cyn-Ty Lee of Rice University.
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Room 100 of the Research and Education Building at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd.
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11.12.16
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9am-12pm
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TRAC – 2nd Saturday workday
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11.12.16
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8am-12pm
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For the Love of the Lake – second Saturday spruce-up
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11.12.16
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11:30am-2pm
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Blackland Prairie Raptor Center “Ribs & Raptors” fundraiser
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11.12.16
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10am-12pm
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Dallas Co. Lepidopterist’ meeting
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Texas Discovery Gardens (Canopy Room, upstairs)
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11.12.16
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7:30-8:30pm
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Heard Museum fall night hike
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11.13.16
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2-4pm
(come and go) |
Spring Creek Park Preserve launch of the self-guided interpretive trail
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11.14.16
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6:30-8pm
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Native Prairie Assn. of Texas (Ft. Worth chapter): Topic TBA
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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.
