Jim’s This & That, Nov 16 – Nov 30

JIM’S THIS & THAT: November 16 – November 30, 2016
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Jim’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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I am only one
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something.
And because I cannot do everything,
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
(Edward Everett Hale, 1822 – 1909)
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If the Pilgrims were alive today, what would they be most famous for? Their age.
Why do pilgrims pants keep falling down? Because their belt buckles are on their hats.
Which side of the turkey has the most feathers? The outside.
And check out this Thanksgiving classic…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxysfeEGwUs
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Surely all naturalists in the Metroplex continue to be thankful for Jim Varnum…and what better way to remember Jim than to review – and implement – his guidelines for how to lead a nature walk? See attached – Jim’s own “How to Lead a Nature Walk” document. Thank you, Jim!
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There are still some native plants for sale at Dogwood Canyon Audubon and this warm autumn weather is great for planting. Check availability – (469) 526-1980 – and plan a hike on those beautiful trails when you pick up your plants – maps at www.dogwoodcanyon.audubon.org .
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A great resource for an archive of webinars on conservation-related topics (and you can sign up to be notified about upcoming webinars…) http://conservationwebinars.net/   Thanks to David Parrish for sharing.
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 Another resource on the always-interesting topic of the complex relationship between plants and fungi in soils: http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/52634 … “Mycorrhizal associations of trees have different indirect effects on organic matter decomposition”. And note that this site has downloadable articles on many topic of conservation and habitat management interest…
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Plan now…The Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest presents the 6th Annual “Christmas is for the Birds”, Saturday, December 3, 2016 10:00 a.m. – noon, 1787 Holford Road, Garland (between Arapaho and George Bush Tollway). Pre-school and elementary school aged children can make bio-degradable bird feeders out of peanut butter and bird seed, then hang the feeders in the trees. There are also short nature walks to show children a little of the fabulous forest. (Isn’t alliteration fun?)
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The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has introduced a new website, Take Care of Texas (“Do your part: conserve, save, clean, reduce”.) Looks like an especially good resource for educators; check out the video contest for young people. http://takecareoftexas.org/
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At their November meeting, the North Texas Master Naturalists were treated to a fantastic presentation by Patrick Johnston, falconer and founder of Frontier Bird Control. In his speech, Patrick referenced the “Bible” for those who fly hunting birds – for those who want to follow up, it’s North American Falconry & Hunting Hawks by Frank Beebe and Harold Webster.
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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.
Upcoming activities, Nov. 16 – Nov. 30, 2016:
11.16.16
10-11am
Guided nature walk at Oak Point Nature Preserve (Plano)
Free; sign up in the lobby before the walk
11.16.16
6:30pm
Urban Bobcats & Coyotes
Plano Haggard Public Library
2501 Coit Rd.
11.17.16
6:30-8pm
Audubon Dallas: Fall Fête at THE LOT
Thursday, November 17
7530 E. Grand Ave, 75214
(Including stories of birding in Colombia)
11.17.16
10:30am
Elm Fork (Denton) Master Naturalists:
Wildscapes
11.17.16
9am-12pm
Texas Discovery Gardens workday (meet at the greenhouse)
Questions to johncwilt@aol.com
11.19.16
5:30-7:30pm
LLELA: Stars on the Prairie stargazing event
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.
11.19.16
9am-12pm
Texas Discovery Gardens Workday (meet at the greenhouse)
Questions to johncwilt@aol.com
11.19.16
10am-12pm
John Bunker Sands Wetland Center: 3rd Saturday Bunkers Pond trail walk
wetlandcenter.com
11.19.16
9am-12am
Cedar Ridge Preserve 3rd Saturday workday
11.19.16
9:30-10:30am
Heard Museum  3rd Saturday Nature Talk: Bird Banding
11.19.16
10am-12pm
Coppell Biodiversity Education Center : Nature Photography as a Citizen Science
11.20.16
1-3:30pm
“Invaded vs. Pristine Habitats: a Landscape-level Comparison”. Compare a monoculture of invasive species with an almost pristine habitat dominated by a diversity of native species.
11.20.16
9-11am
Twelve Hills Nature Center (Oak Cliff) workday
Questions to 214.535.9373 or
11.21.16
7-8pm
Cross Timbers Master Naturalist 3rd Monday monthly meeting: TBA
11.22.16
7:30pm
Prairie & Timbers Audubon Society monthly meeting: Behind the Scenes Look at Raptor Rehabilitation
11.26.16
8-9:30am
Guided bird walk at Spring Creek Park Preserve, 1787 Holford Road, Garland
11.26.16
9am-12pm
Dogwood Canyon Audubon 4th Saturday Workday
11.28.16
7-8pm
Indian Trails Master Naturalists: Teaming with Texas Wildlife
Brought to you by NatureLinks
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Because nature connects us all.

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