North Texas Master NaturalistJIM’S THIS & THAT: February 15-28, 2017
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.
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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Q: What is on the ground and also a hundred feet in the air?
A: A centipede on its back!
Q: What is on the ground and also a hundred feet in the air?
A: A centipede on its back!
It was hard getting over my addiction to the hokey pokey, but I’ve turned myself around.
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Not because of victories I sing, having none, but for the common sunshine, the breeze, the largess of the spring.
Not for victory but for the day’s work done as well as I was able; not for a seat upon the dais but at the common table. (Charles Reznikoff, 1894 – 1976)
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Welcome spring…the trout lilies are here! Don’t forget to share your trout lily sightings. We’re interested in sightings from any area in North Central Texas. 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 etc.
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The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s “Bird Sleuth” K-12 program offers the “Supporting Student Investigations” webinar. In this webinar, learn the factors of a fair experiment, discover common mistakes with data interpretation and visualization, and explore opportunities for students to share their projects. This webinar is free; the content is targeted to K-12 educators.
Wednesday, February 15 @ 6:00pm ET https://zoom.us/webinar/register/657f7babe71cb130d746f627e8486654
Thursday, February 16 @ 8:00pm ET https://zoom.us/webinar/register/25d0dbaa8e6ab8b234538d7d4481ef37
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The EPA is offering a monthly Trash-Free Waters webinar series. A recording of the first webinar in this series presented by Dr. Chelsea Rochman is available here: http://epawebconferencing.acms.com/p178z2fe6lw/. The recording begins 1-2 minutes in to Dr. Rochman’s introductory remarks.
The EPA is offering a monthly Trash-Free Waters webinar series. A recording of the first webinar in this series presented by Dr. Chelsea Rochman is available here: http://epawebconferencing.acms.com/p178z2fe6lw/. The recording begins 1-2 minutes in to Dr. Rochman’s introductory remarks.
The next webinar in this series will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 28th at 1 pm EST and will be presented by Dr. Kara Lavender Law of the Sea Education Association, Inc. Dr. Law will present on the distribution of microplastics in the environment. You can attend that webinar on Feb. 28th here: http://epawebconferencing.acms.com/trashfreewaterswebinar/.
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Great Backyard Bird Count Feb. 17-20. Cornell’s annual Great Backyard Bird Count is set for February 17 – 20, and you can participate at Hagerman NWR as well as at home. Weather permitting, meet Dr. Wayne Meyer at the Visitor Center at the Refuge at 1 pm for a guided birding walk. Bring binoculars or borrow ours, and dress for the weather. Sightings during the walk will be reported to the GBBC. For more information about the GBBC, go to: http://gbbc.birdcount.org/
Great Backyard Bird Count Feb. 17-20. Cornell’s annual Great Backyard Bird Count is set for February 17 – 20, and you can participate at Hagerman NWR as well as at home. Weather permitting, meet Dr. Wayne Meyer at the Visitor Center at the Refuge at 1 pm for a guided birding walk. Bring binoculars or borrow ours, and dress for the weather. Sightings during the walk will be reported to the GBBC. For more information about the GBBC, go to: http://gbbc.birdcount.org/
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24th Annual Trout Lily Walk at Spring Creek Forest Preserve. Join us on Saturday, February 25, any time between 10:00 a.m. and noon. When you arrive, volunteers at the pavilion will welcome you and give you introductory information. Then, we will send you along the clearly marked trail to the Trout lily field. Tom Frey, our advisor, mentor, and friend who is leading the event for the 24th year, will be at the Trout lily field. After you have seen the lilies and talked to Tom, you will walk along to the next marked spot, where we will have another knowledgeable naturalist that will tell you about the significance of that area of the Preserve. The volunteer naturalists will be at several stations along the trail in the Preserve from 10:00 until the last walkers go through. 1770 Holford Road, Garland.
24th Annual Trout Lily Walk at Spring Creek Forest Preserve. Join us on Saturday, February 25, any time between 10:00 a.m. and noon. When you arrive, volunteers at the pavilion will welcome you and give you introductory information. Then, we will send you along the clearly marked trail to the Trout lily field. Tom Frey, our advisor, mentor, and friend who is leading the event for the 24th year, will be at the Trout lily field. After you have seen the lilies and talked to Tom, you will walk along to the next marked spot, where we will have another knowledgeable naturalist that will tell you about the significance of that area of the Preserve. The volunteer naturalists will be at several stations along the trail in the Preserve from 10:00 until the last walkers go through. 1770 Holford Road, Garland.
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John Bunker Sands Wetland Center needs our input! The John Bunker Sands Wetland Center is currently undergoing a strategic planning process to guide their organization and priorities for the next 3 years. The following survey will help the Center obtain community perspective on its mission, programming, and outreach. The survey will take 10 minutes or less to complete. As an incentive for your efforts, if you complete this survey by February 28th, 2017, you will be able to enter into a drawing for a chance to win one (1) of two (2) Family Mallard annual memberships. This includes one-year free admission to the Center for 2 adults (including parents or grandparents) and children or grandchildren under 18, plus the “Out on the Boardwalk” newsletter and invitations to special speaker events. To participate, go to:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JBSWetlandCommunitySurvey
John Bunker Sands Wetland Center needs our input! The John Bunker Sands Wetland Center is currently undergoing a strategic planning process to guide their organization and priorities for the next 3 years. The following survey will help the Center obtain community perspective on its mission, programming, and outreach. The survey will take 10 minutes or less to complete. As an incentive for your efforts, if you complete this survey by February 28th, 2017, you will be able to enter into a drawing for a chance to win one (1) of two (2) Family Mallard annual memberships. This includes one-year free admission to the Center for 2 adults (including parents or grandparents) and children or grandchildren under 18, plus the “Out on the Boardwalk” newsletter and invitations to special speaker events. To participate, go to:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JBSWetlandCommunitySurvey
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A recently published study (Flockhart et al. 2017) builds on previous work describing the natal origin of eastern overwintering monarchs, and has new implications for monarch conservation. For a broad overview, go to:
http://monarchjointventure.org/news-events/news/new-publication-reveals-birthplaces-of-eastern-monarchs
For the research itself, check out: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312048942_Regional_climate_on_the_breeding_grounds_predicts_variation_in_the_natal_origin_of_monarch_butterflies_overwintering_in_Mexico_over_38_years
A recently published study (Flockhart et al. 2017) builds on previous work describing the natal origin of eastern overwintering monarchs, and has new implications for monarch conservation. For a broad overview, go to:
http://monarchjointventure.org/news-events/news/new-publication-reveals-birthplaces-of-eastern-monarchs
For the research itself, check out: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312048942_Regional_climate_on_the_breeding_grounds_predicts_variation_in_the_natal_origin_of_monarch_butterflies_overwintering_in_Mexico_over_38_years
Understanding the complete life story of monarchs becomes increasingly important with the news that monarch census numbers are down 27% over last year. That story here, with thanks to Kip Kiphart for sharing… https://phys.org/news/2017-02-monarch-butterfly-percent-mexico.html
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Check it out! Have you visited the “hidden gem” of Oak Cliff? – the Twelve Hills Nature Center at 817 Mary Cliff Road. This 5-acre park, with its accessible loop trail, is the site of condemned housing…and now a terrific habitat restoration project.
* Beginners Bird Walk at Twelve Hills Nature Center on Sunday, February 19, from 8 to 9:30 AM. Come join Master Birder Shannon Love at Twelve Hills to learn a little about birding then look and listen for birds. Almost 90 bird species have been recorded stopping by Twelve Hills throughout the year so let’s see what else we can find! Bring binoculars if possibly. We’ll have a few pairs to lend. No pets, please. Space is limited; RSVP to twelvehillsnaturecenter@gmail.com
* Do you like to work in gardens and prairies? Come to Twelve Hills Nature Center for our February and early March workdays when we spruce up the butterfly garden for spring, and remove invasive plants in the prairie.
Sunday, February 19 from 1 to 3 PM.
Sunday, February 26 from 1 to 3 PM.
Tuesday, March 7 from 1 to 3 PM.
Check it out! Have you visited the “hidden gem” of Oak Cliff? – the Twelve Hills Nature Center at 817 Mary Cliff Road. This 5-acre park, with its accessible loop trail, is the site of condemned housing…and now a terrific habitat restoration project.
* Beginners Bird Walk at Twelve Hills Nature Center on Sunday, February 19, from 8 to 9:30 AM. Come join Master Birder Shannon Love at Twelve Hills to learn a little about birding then look and listen for birds. Almost 90 bird species have been recorded stopping by Twelve Hills throughout the year so let’s see what else we can find! Bring binoculars if possibly. We’ll have a few pairs to lend. No pets, please. Space is limited; RSVP to twelvehillsnaturecenter@gmail.com
* Do you like to work in gardens and prairies? Come to Twelve Hills Nature Center for our February and early March workdays when we spruce up the butterfly garden for spring, and remove invasive plants in the prairie.
Sunday, February 19 from 1 to 3 PM.
Sunday, February 26 from 1 to 3 PM.
Tuesday, March 7 from 1 to 3 PM.
Bring work gloves, clippers, a trowel, a shovel and water. Please leave your pets at home. Workdays will be cancelled if raining or uncomfortably cold. RSVP to twelvehillsnaturecenter@gmail.com
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Mark your calendar…LLELA (Lake Lewisville Environmental Learning Area) Bioblitz–Fun, Food, and Citizen Science!
Across 2600 acres, LLELA has four ecosystems: a bit of Crosstimbers on the west side, a bottomland hardwood forest, a riparian corridor with associated wetlands, and a blackland prairie. On April 1, groups, guided by local experts, will conduct surveys in these ecosystems with the goal of identifying all the living things therein.
Mark your calendar…LLELA (Lake Lewisville Environmental Learning Area) Bioblitz–Fun, Food, and Citizen Science!
Across 2600 acres, LLELA has four ecosystems: a bit of Crosstimbers on the west side, a bottomland hardwood forest, a riparian corridor with associated wetlands, and a blackland prairie. On April 1, groups, guided by local experts, will conduct surveys in these ecosystems with the goal of identifying all the living things therein.
This is an informal event. Come stay for as long as you have time. We’ll be kicking things off at 0 dark thirty to go owling. From then on, different groups will gather and head out as people are available. There will be a place for everyone who wants to get involved. Species lists as well as iNaturalist will be used to record data. And if the fun of searching for life is not enough to entice you, a light breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided. Contact Laura Kimberly, lrkimberly@gmail.com for more information, or visit http://llelafriends.org/home.aspx .
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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.
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, February 15-28, 2017:
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2.16.17
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9am-11:30am
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Texas Discovery Gardens workday (meet at the greenhouse)
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Questions to johncwilt@aol.com
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2.16.17
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7:30-9pm
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Audubon Dallas 3rd Thursday monthly meeting: Texas Honeybee Guild at Trinity River Audubon Center
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2.17.17
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6-8pm
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Lake Lewisville Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) night hike
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2.18.17
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8:30am-12pm
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Lake Lewisville Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) workday; meet at the greenhouse and carpool from there to various work areas.
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??s to richard.freiheit@unt.edu
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2.18.17
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6-8pm
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Lake Lewisville Environmental Learning Area (LLELA): Owl Prowl in the City
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2.18.17
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10am-12pm
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Dallas Lepidopterists’ 3rd Saturday monthly meeting: Sulphur butterflies and seed exchange
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2.18.17
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9am-11:30am
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Texas Discovery Gardens workday (meet at the greenhouse)
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Questions to johncwilt@aol.com
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2.18.17
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10am-12pm
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John Bunker Sands Wetland Center: 3rd Saturday Bunkers Pond trail walk
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wetlandcenter.com
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2.18.17
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9am-12am
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Cedar Ridge Preserve 3rd Saturday workday
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2.18.17
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10am-12pm
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Coppell Biodiversity Education Center :
Geology & Fossils of Coppell Nature Park |
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2.18.17
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9:30-10:30am
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Heard Museum 3rd Sat. nature talk: Extracting Life from a Plant
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2.18.17
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10-11am
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Heard Museum: Guided trail walk
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2.18.17
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2-3:30pm
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Ft. Worth Nature Center: frog talk
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2.18.17
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10am-12pm
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Ft. Worth Nature Center: nature hike
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2.18.17
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7-10:30am
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Audubon bird count (Trinity lower chain of wetlands)
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2.19.17
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8-9:30am
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Twelve Hills Nature Center beginners’ bird walk
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www.twelvehills.org
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2.19.17
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1-3pm
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Twelve Hills Nature Center work day
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www.twelvehills.org
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2.19.17
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1-3pm
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Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge guided bird walk (in conjunction with the Great Backyard Bird Count)
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2.20.17
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7pm
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Dallas Native Plant Society 3rd Monday monthly meeting: composting.
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2.21.17
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6pm
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Urban Forest Advisory Council: City of Dallas Tree Ordinance and Division of Forestry
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Meadows Conference Center (Center for Community Cooperation)
2900 Live Oak St.
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2.22.17
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12pm EST
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Natural Areas Assn webinar: Bringing Back the Pollinators – Conservation in the Age of Climate
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2.23.17
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1pm
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Plant Identification webinar presented by
Ricky Linex, Wildlife Biologist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
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2.23.17
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7-8pm
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Trinity Forks (Denton) Native Plant Society monthly meeting: speaker TBD
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2.23.17
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6-7:30pm
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Ft. Worth Nature Center “After Hours”: (critters & game cameras)
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2.25.17
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10am-12pm
(come & go) |
Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest 24th annual trout lily walk,
1770 Holford Rd., Garland |
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2.25.17
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9am-12pm
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Dogwood Canyon Audubon 4th Saturday workday
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2.25.17
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1-4pm
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Heard Museum: Wetland Canoe Trail
(paddling) |
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2.26.17
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1-3pm
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Twelve Hills Nature Center work day
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www.twelvehills.org
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2.26.17
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1-2:30pm
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Ft. Worth Nature Center: Walking the Sendero (Spanish-language nature hike)
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2.26.17
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2:30-3:30pm
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Greater Dallas Organic Garden Club 4th Sunday meeting: “WOODPECKERS, SAPSUCKERS, FLICKERS, OH MY!”
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2.27.17
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7-8:30pm
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Indian Trails Master Nats. 4th Monday monthly meeting: Harvesting Native Grass Seed
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2.28.17
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7:30pm
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Prairie & Timbers Aububon 4th Tuesday monthly meeting: Dogwood Canyon, a Tranquil Treasure
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