City of McKinney versus Heard Museum

 

On Tuesday, May 18, the City of McKinney passed a resolution in support of utilizing accepted wildlife mitigation practices by the NTMWD on the Heard sanctuary property to preserve the character of the wildlife sanctuary, the species and the environment in conjunction with its construction of a sewer line in the Heard sanctuary. See the resolution and citizen comments including the Heard board president, Paul Sheldon and board members, John Valencia and Meg Latham.
 
May 18 McKinney City Council Meeting (Item 10-236 & first section of Citizen Comments)
 
On Monday, May 17, Heard board member and city councilman, Ray Ricchi questioned the two McKinney representatives on the NTMWD board, Joe Joplin and Charles McKissick.
 
 
The Heard's goal is to continue to make sure that the NTMWD upholds their responsibility to restore the sanctuary and to do it the right way. Thank you to the McKinney Council for choosing to support our mission.
 
Thank you to all of you who have been taking action and for following our preservation campaign. Our passion is to make sure that the sanctuary is restored as best as possible so the land will continue to provide a safe home for wildlife and a fun place for nature education and enjoyment.
 
 
Kind Regards,
 
Sy Shahid
Executive Director
Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary

 

We recently discovered that the largest mustang grape in the Forest was chain-sawed....evidence points to contracters working

for the City of Garland.  This act is a callous disregard for the Forest as well as for our Society since we are caretakers of the

Forest.  This happened not far from the Holford Road sign saying this is a BOTANICALLY SENSITIVE AREA?

The old growth vine was most likely 50-75  years in age.  Native vines like this one that was cut are valuable wildlife

 plants and a structural part of the forest.

 

 

 

These images show motorized threats to Spring Creek and the Forest:

Thanks Pooua !

Sign Powerpoint

PS-SCF Greenbelt Recommendation Powerpoint

 

 

Nature Preserve Rogues Gallery

Garland Greenbelt ATV Menace

Issue:  The City of Garland and Dallas County Open Space plan to build a concrete trail through Spring Creek Forest.

Our Society President says...

I think the main issues here are:
Is this a preserve?
and
Do hikers have any rights?
 
If it is a preserve, the focus should be on nature preservation first and human access/enjoyment second with minimum development.  Rick is right, national parks do utilize roads and concrete paths to provide access for the masses.  But, only where necessary to bring people to the natural features.  The proposed 10' wide concrete path is not to bring people to the natural features of Spring Creek Forest, but at the expense of them.  A preserve should be protected from typical city park development.  The fact that other natural areas nearby are being developed with concrete is all the more reason to protect this one.  Soon there will be no local escape from concrete or connection with nature and the earth.
 
What are our rights?  Imagine if the city planned to pave several of the mountain bike trails at Rowlett Creek Preserve.  DORBA would put up a fight.  We will lose a good portion of our hiking trails due to the concrete.  It is not the same walking on a wide concrete path constantly looking over your shoulder for cyclists.  The wide shoulders would also keep nature at arm's length.  What natural surface hiking trails do we have left?  There are very few.  Most are either mountain bike trails or afterthoughts spliced in around concrete paths.  This is not how a national park is.
 
We are not out in left field on this one.  63% of survey respondents said "better left undone" or "low importance."  Only 1 person said "extremely important."  Doesn't sound like a good use of $1.4M of public funds. 

  Preservation Society For Spring Creek Forest Survey Feb, 2010    
             
1 About how often do you visit Spring Creek Forest Preserve in Garland, TX?      
  Never 1 3%      
  Once per year 13 41%      
  Once per month 15 48%      
  Once per week 3 7%      
  Once per day 0 0%      
  Total 32 100%      
             
2 Are you familiar with the Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest?      
  Yes 33 100%      
  No 0 0%      
  Total 33 100%      
             
3 Work Sessions: please rate the importance of the following volunteer work projects
    Better Left Undone Low Importance Moderately Important Very Important Extremely Important
    1 2 3 4 5
  Invasive plant removal (privet, nandina, johnson grass, japanese honeysuckle, etc) 0 2 5 8 16
  0% 6% 16% 26% 52%
  Trail maintenance 1 4 4 13 9
  3% 13% 13% 42% 29%
  Old wire fence removal 0 11 11 3 6
    0% 35% 35% 10% 19%
  Litter cleanup 2 0 2 14 13
  6% 0% 6% 45% 42%
  Creek bank errosion control 3 5 6 7 9
  10% 17% 20% 23% 30%
             
4 Other projects?          
1 I would like to see a bridge across the creek on the trail that begins behind the Equinox apartments.
2 I think you are doing a wonderful job. I work nights so early morning work days are too difficult for me. Could you please consider having an afternoon work day now and then? I would love to help. I have done privet and honeysuckle removal with y'all before... it was fun!
3 Reclaim the patchwork of open savannah-like areas so that grasses and forbs can be re-introduced and/or sustained. Work at controlling Honey Locusts and all species of juniper.
4 Do more outreach -- i.e. let people in Garland know the Preserve exists, so they'll take an interest in it. That will attract more volunteers, more $, and more preservation.
5 Wildflower planting Bluebird houses
6 Botanical Signage similar to that at Elm Fork Preserve (Carrollton) Project by the City. Benches and and raised walkways over shallow drainages (Eagle Scout Projects) also at Elm Fork Preserve.
7 Replace 'natural' signage: route indicators, etc.
             
5 If the preserve had $1 million to spend, how important are the following items?    
    Better Left Undone Low Importance Moderate Importance Very Important Extremely Important
    1 2 3 4 5
  Design and build natural surface trails in the forest east of N. Garland Ave 3 2 10 13 5
  9% 6% 30% 39% 15%
  10 foot wide concrete multi-use paths on the edge of the forest for cycling, walking, strollers, rollerblading, etc 16 5 7 4 1
  48% 15% 21% 12% 3%
  Drinking fountain at trail head 7 10 8 6 2
  21% 30% 24% 18% 6%
  Restroom at trail head 2 7 11 8 5
  6% 21% 33% 24% 15%
  Staffed visitor center 13 10 5 3 2
  39% 30% 15% 9% 6%
  Interpretive signs 0 3 6 14 8
  0% 10% 19% 45% 26%
  Trail sign at trail head 0 0 8 17 8
  0% 0% 24% 52% 24%
  Trail markers 1 3 8 14 7
  3% 9% 24% 42% 21%
  Recycle bin in parking lot 1 6 9 9 8
  3% 18% 27% 27% 24%
             
6 Other ideas?          
1 I was at the meeting where the Parks Dept. presented the ideas for the concrete perimeter trails, the restroom, the the pavilion. I thought they these were good improvements that provided a certain legitimacy to the Preserve. While there was some resistance in the group to the concrete trails -- I personally would suggest that they have a psychological importance to (at least partially) delineate boundaries and further engage the citizenry and Parks Dept. in the larger efforts to appreciate, protect, and improve the area on the interior of the walkway. While adding a lot of concrete may not be innately desireable, there may be a benefits to it that are not readily apparent. 
2 I just want to express my disgust over the idea of ruining the 'preserve' with more concrete trails!! That is what the city parks are - mowed non-native grass monocultures. All of the Dallas area has plenty of those. Please please keep the preserve as natural as possible. Everyone needs some green space and we have paved over the rest of it! As for the staffed visitor center- I really don't think it is at all necessary EXCEPT since 190 was built I no longer feel safe out there alone. I used to go walking on an almost daily basis. Now, I feel I must find someone to go with me and that we should stick to the most well traveled areas which I do NOT prefer. What a shame! 
3 Need erosion control, especially at the large tree at the end of the paved trail east of Holford
4 Hire a contractor with machines to remove and restore dense privet infestations.
5 Not sure about building natural surface trails. Is this adding trails? What effect would it have on the Forest? If drinking fountain upsets the Forest fauna in a negative way then don't put one in. Recycle bin could attract extra trash in and around the grounds. Information board highlighting the contents of the Forest, e.g., birds & animals that live there, particular historic spots/stories, map of the trails. This would be similar to that of The Buckeye Trail in Dallas done by Master Naturalists
6 Send an Annual update of bird specie sightings (once each year) via e-mail or have posted on web site.
7 Along with staffed visitor center, a staffed activities director.
8 Advertise the need for volunteers, and tours given, in different media. This will lead to more interest in #7, below.
             
7 Please rate your interest in the following monthly speaker topics    
    Not Interested Somewhat Interested Very Interested    
    1 2 3    
  Trees and plants 1 0 30    
  3% 0% 97%    
  Insects 3 15 13    
  10% 48% 42%    
  Birds 0 5 26    
  0% 16% 84%    
  Animals 1 9 20    
  3% 30% 67%    
  Geology 4 11 16    
  13% 35% 52%    
  Environmental problems 2 12 17    
  6% 39% 55%    
  Sustainable development 5 13 13    
  16% 42% 42%    
  Green technology 7 13 11    
  23% 42% 35%    
             
8 Other speaker topics?          
1 I would suggest that you work with the Parks Dept. to see if you can get the Preserve added as a topic to a future City Manager Quarterly Meeting where he meets with neighborhood leaders and provide updates about topics of general interest.
2 I think it is always a great idea for speakers to come and talk about making our own yards into mini wildlife sanctuaries. I've seen first hand how native plants attract insects and birds and the bermuda grass and single tree lawns are now quite depressing to behold. They are devoid of life by comparison! Maybe it is like preaching to the choir but if you have new members or members who don't garden, maybe you could have a speaker that spreads that word now and then. Maybe you already do? Can't make it to meetings anymore due to my job... 
3 History of the Forest, impact on the city
4 For me, all information which educates us to the flora, fauna and environmental change awareness relative to the preserve and surrounds is valuable.
5 Grassroots environmental activists who can share their stories of how they have helped preserve areas and fight city hall.
6 In #7 above, does "animals" include birds and insects?:) Talks about fossils (as opposed to the geology of the place, even though they are sometimes intertwined) and reptiles/amphibians would also be good.
             
9 Compared to a walk without a partner in a typical residential neighborhood,would you feel more or less safe at the preserve under the following circumstances:  
    Less Safe Same More Safe I Don't Know  
    1 2 3    
  Hiking without a partner during a week day 13 16 2 2  
  39% 48% 6% 6%  
  Hiking without a partner on the weekend 10 18 3 2  
  30% 55% 9% 6%  
  Hiking with a partner during a week day 3 18 10 1  
  9% 56% 31% 3%  
  Hiking with a partner on the weekend 3 15 14 1  
  9% 45% 42% 3%  
  Hiking with a tour group of 5 people 0 12 20 1  
  0% 36% 61% 3%  
  Hiking alone with your dog 4 15 6 7  
  12% 47% 19% 22%  
  Volunteering on Saturday 1 17 14 1  
  3% 52% 42% 3%  
             
10 What do you love about Spring Creek Forest?          
1 That this wonderful asset is nestled in the middle of Garland.
2 The sounds of the frogs at night. The fact that I can count on finding a monarch larvae to show the kids. The wide diversity of plants. The beauty of the creek even with all the plastic bags stuck in the tree roots. The robins - so many making such a ruckus! The peace and quiet. The fallen logs across the path(the way a trail SHOULD be)! The completely fantastic smell of composting leaves. The wildflowers and the bees that visit them! 
3 Close to home. Can walk to west trail head. Trying to maintain natural look instead of making it look like any other city park.
4 The nature that we miss so much living in a metro area.
5 The wild oasis in the middle of an urban environment.
6 trees and guided walks
7 Very important for birds and small wild animals.
8 The Forest! So much old growth so close to us. We love to hike the trails & attend workdays but health has kept it from us lately. We'll be back.
9 God created it!
10 Old, big trees. Quiet.
11 THe fact that it is not developed. I like a natural park. I like its "wildness"
12 That it's in Garland:)
13 The history, including the early work of Bobby Scott, and the work of all you new and old members.
14 Unique flora
15 it is space set aside to remain natural - whether anyone uses it or not! rare orchid
16 Having available nature in our area with enough interested people to keep it up. Thank you.
17 The richness of its ecological diversity.
18 Quiet retreat from the neighborhood and City without having to leave the County.
19 Trees
20 The natural beauty and not much if any concreted trail.
21 The solitude of being in a quiet place, with the birds and nature. It's a walk with God and his creations!
             
11 Please type any general comments here.          
1 Would ike to see additional efforts to publicize this area to the community and the neighborhoods. I only learned about it while watching a City Council meeting some 3-4 years ago.
2 You have done a great job with very little support from the city. As a Garland resident, I have tried to help politically but I do not feel that the city council members care about this treasure. Sadly, the disconnect from nature seems insurmountable. Thank you for not quitting. Please, let those of us on your email lists know if there is anything we can personally do to help. Letter writing? 
3 Question #1 - I visit about 3-4 times a year.
4 It is so peaceful except when the off-road vehicles drive through. Maybe more prominent placement of signs or a number to call when violators are discovered
5 Spring Creek Park Preserve is what it is --Great--because of the several very dedicated people who have give a lot of the time, energy and talent to help preserve the naturalness, beauty and character which--in turn--draws each of us back for a look at each season's change. Thanks to each of you! from: JDR
6 This beautiful forest and the creek needs to preserved. It is a shame that we can't protect it even more from development and the intrusions of insensitive government. I wonder if the Society could take a more activist stand in that way.
7 Regarding "Creek bank erosion control" in #3 above: Since this is a Nature Preserve, please let Spring Creek do what it wants to, as long as it's not going to hurt anyone or their property. If it's starting to, say, get close to damaging your house, that's one thing. But if it's about to undercut a trail -- Move the trail. Otherwise, if we're trying to do erosion control, how is it a "nature PRESERVE"? By the way, THANK YOU for putting together this survey!
8 I remain very interested in the forest, although I have not put in physical labor. In the early years, I wrote regularly about the development of the forest as a star in Garland's firmament.
9 You organization is the one that I use as an example for other cities with County Preserves to emulate. Your Park Director and Assistants are at the top of our list of caring partners.
10 You've done a great job in presenting and doing this survey. I'm impressed! Thanks.
             
12 What is your age?      
  17 or younger 0 0%      
  18-24 0 0%      
  25-34 1 3%      
  35-33 0 0%      
  34-54 10 32%      
  55-64 9 29%      
  65 or older 11 35%      
  Total 31 100%      
             
13 What is your gender?      
  Male 16 50%      
  Female 16 50%      
  Total 32 100%      
             
  Main Takeaways by Mortimer 2/8/10
1 People LOVE the preserve for its NATURE
2 Keep the preserve natural and wild
3 Keep up invasive plant removal, litter cleanup, and trail maintenance
4 Consider restoring open savannah-like areas
5 Most are opposed to concrete paths
6 Most are in favor of more natural surface trails
7 Increase public awareness/outreach including other media
8 Write letters to city council members
9 Presentation on the history of the forest
10 Focus presentations on plants and animals
11 Most people feel safe in preserve