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How do you know when Santa’s in the room? You can sense his presents.
What do elves learn in school? The Elf-abet!
What goes “oh oh oh”? Santa walking backwards.
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In keeping with Jim Varnum’s tradition, This & That will be reporting first sightings of our great overwintering and migratory bird populations. We’ll list the first 100 species reported, or until the March 15-31 This and That, whichever comes first. Send word of your avian finds to nature_links@yahoo.com, with the species, location, and date of sighting. Thanks to Suzanne Tuttle for a reminder about this Varnumesque tradition.
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And speaking of first sightings and Suzanne Tuttle, Suzanne has offered to take over Jim’s compilation of data for trout lily sightings. When you’re in the field this winter – and remember that trout lilies have been seen in Dallas County as early as January 20 – and see trout lilies, please report them to troutlily57@hotmail.com, along with any pertinent data: date and specific location of sighting, estimated number of plants seen, your contact information if Suzanne has questions, etc. If we’re already preparing to count trout lilies, spring isn’t far away…
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With thanks to Diane Wetherbee, Elm Fork Chapter, Texas Master Naturalist, Class of 2000…
Dr. Doug Tallamy, the nationally-acclaimed author of “Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants” will be speaking at the Medical Center of Lewisville Grand Theater in Old Town Lewisville on Saturday, January 14. He will discuss why it is important to plant native plants in our residential landscapes to help support the bees, butterflies, and birds that depend on them for food sources. Another plus is that the use of native plants will also help reduce water bills.

The workshop will also feature Dr. Mike Merchant, entomologist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, who will speak about which specific plants will do well In our North Texas area, and what native insects they support. The morning will wrap up with a panel discussion that includes the two speakers, a homeowner, a landscaper specializing in the use of native plants, and a Neighborhood Services representative.

There will also be a number of information booths where attendees may gather solid information on plants to use, how to care for them, and resources for purchasing. Of course, organic solutions will be emphasized. You can register online at bit.ly/CoLRegistration. Registration is $10 for Lewisville residents and $15 for nonresidents.
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During the last weeks of 2016, many of us are making resolutions for next year. How about making a resolution to pick up trash…and make our waterways – and all those waterways downstream – a little bit cleaner? One easy resolution: take the “10 on Tuesday” pledge. 10 pieces of trash, once a week, really can make a difference. Check out http://reverselitter.com/help/   for more information.

And how about getting a good workout while you work out that list of resolutions? Check out the Dec. 31 “Resolution” hike at Ft. Worth Nature Center. Hike…resolve…learn from the great FTWNC naturalists…spend the last hours of 2106 outside: it’s all good. Check it out at http://www.fwnaturecenter.org/event/resolution-hike/

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From the Society for Ecological Restoration, a downloadable handbook of guiding principles for habitat restoration – INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS FOR THE PRACTICE OF ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION – INCLUDING PRINCIPLES AND KEY CONCEPTS. Check it out at: http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.ser.org/resource/resmgr/docs/SER_International_Standards.pdf
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Were you lucky enough to snap up some great native plants at the fall plant sales? With the coming cold weather, they need special care…check out    http://texasdiscoverygardens.org/plant_sale.php   for a great list of plant-care tips from Roger Sanderson of Texas Discovery Gardens.
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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.