Volume 13 Issue 1   February 2008

Preserve Reports:

 

Preserve Mowing :The Garland Parks and Recreation Department will double mow the middle section of Spring Creek Preserve during the last weekend in February or first weekend in March.  We did a successful removal of invasive vegetation in the Preserve in April last year,  but with an unusually wet season and warm temperatures last year, invasive plants have returned, including those usually limited to the edges of the Preserve such as Coral Berry, Honey Locust, Cedar Elm, and other species. The double cut will help reduce the size of the debris to promote more exposure of the soil to warming and better sprouting of our native prairie forbs.

 

Rowlett Relief Sewer:  The City of Garland will work on the Rowlett Relief Sewer as it intersects parts of Spring Creek Forest. Approximately 1,375 feet of bore tunnel will be constructed in the near future along the north side of Spring Creek so as not to impact our forest trees and other native flora. This pipeline will service future developments along the President George Bush Tollway located north of the Preserve as well as surrounding areas.  Vehicular access to the bore pit will be along the western edge of the Forest along the Stoneleigh Apartments property line. There is another temporary road planned from North Garland Avenue to the east.

 

Christmas Bird Count -: Lake Ray Hubbard

 The 107^th Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was successful with 20 participants who counted a total of 128 species and 21,677 birds! Unusual birds included a Sora, Virginia Rail, Little Gull, and Eurasian Widgeon. Thanks to all who participated in this event.

 

Upcoming events:

Work Day:  Saturday, February 9 – Remove invasive plants.  1770 Holford,  10:00 – noon.  We continue our year-long project to remove invasive plants from the Forest Preserve.  Bring work gloves, loppers, and short-handled tree saws.  Wear long pants and sturdy shoes (no sandals) for protection from poison ivy and insects.  We carefully apply a stump remover product to each cut so the plant will not grow back.

February 23, Saturday, 15^th Annual Trout Lily Tour. Tours at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM at 1770 Holford Road, Garland

 

Description: Tom Frey, Landscape Architect for the Garland Parks and Recreation Department, leads participants through Spring Creek Forest to see the Trout Lily (Erythronium albidum), one of our earliest spring wildflowers to appear in rich woods and slopes.  Its natural habitat is found on gentle slopes in bottomland hardwood forests.  The flowering period is only two to four weeks long and its above-ground life cycle for this bulb is completed in about 10 weeks.

 

The leaf patterns resemble the skin of brook and rainbow trout and the flower is a beautiful white with occasional lavender or blue. Tom presents a fascinating account of the history of Spring Creek including forest ecology, how early cultures used the forest, and visions of its future.

Field Trip Details: Walks will begin at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM at Spring Creek Forest and is located at 1770 Holford Road in Garland. The parking lot is located south of President George Bush Tollway (orange on map below) and north of Arapaho Road. Please wear boots or supportive footwear.

March 4, Tuesday, 7:00 PM Meeting.  We will meet at a new location since we couldn’t reserve a room at the North Garland Library for the March, April, or May meetings. The address is 2314 Homestead Place in Garland and is located off of Shiloh Road south of the intersection of Shiloh and Belt Line.

We are caretakers of the Preserve.  Assume you are the owner.  Carry a sack so you can pick up trash while you walk.  Help people see the Preserve as an environmental treasure rather than a site for recreation.  If you see signs of vandalism or abuse, report it to the Board or to the City of Garland Parks and Recreation Department. 

 

Website:   http://www.springcreekforest.org

President: Barbara Baynham, 972-495-3569  

Email:       baynham@nortelnetworks.com.

 

Editor:   Fay Danahy  (temp editor – Barbara Baynham)

Email:   jfdanagy@juno.com

Mail:     2310 Mockingbird, Garland, 75042

Phone:  972-272-2094