Nature

Texas Turtles is devoted to the conservation and study of Texas turtles through research, the study of turtles in the wild and outreach education. The group was started by a former herpetologist at the University of Texas at Arlington.

A prairie visit led to 52 chigger bites from brief exposure due to deviating from a paved path. Key chigger prevention tips include staying on trails, using repellent, and brushing off clothes. Chiggers' vile larval bites are treatable with proper skin care. Sulfur soap and urea aid healing, while loose, protective clothing deters bites.

Bill Hitch couldn't believe it when he saw it- there was a long linear bulldozed gash in the woods - trees toppled, green intimacy obliterated on the narrow intimate trail of Fred E. Harris Greenbelt.

A survey in Downtown Dallas by Texas Conservation Alliance highlights migrating birds dying from building collisions. The initiative, part of the Lights Out Texas campaign, focuses on reducing light pollution and advocating for bird-safe glass. The effort has sparked local actions, seeking policy changes for safer urban environments for birds.

The Mind Body Ecology Institute (MBEI) focuses on fostering people’s connection with nature and community through mindfulness and diverse cultural wisdom rather than technology or a singular leader. Under Dr. Blake Hestir’s leadership, it offers multifaceted programs that promote emotional resilience and collective well-being.

The Fort Worth Botanic Garden is a 120-acre urban sanctuary attracting bats along with 450,000 annual visitors. Hosting five bat species, the garden prioritizes natural pest control, fostering an ideal ecosystem for insect-eating, migratory bats and offering vital ecological services like pollination and pest control.

Texas cities exhibit significant biodiversity, as showcased during iNaturalist's City Nature Challenge. Participants from 669 cities documented numerous species. San Antonio and Dallas-Fort Worth ranked second and fifth, respectively. Bioblitzes, which involve groups documenting species over short periods, are vital for citizen science, enhancing our understanding of biodiversity.

Departing council member Gyna Bivens helped Fort Worth enhance tree protections after seven years of advocacy. The new ordinance nearly doubles protected tree species, mandates preserving significant post oak and blackjack oak canopies, and raises penalties for illegal removal. It balances developer needs and aims to expand the urban canopy.

Bob Brennan, a beloved nature photographer, was honored with a memorial bench at Sheri Capehart Nature Preserve, Arlington. Known for capturing the area's beauty, Brennan's images showcased its transformation. A passionate supporter, his legacy continues through his photos and a bench built from local wood, celebrating his deep connection to nature.

In 2021, Kristi Kerr Leonard and I hiked the neglected Ned and Genie Fritz Texas Buckeye Trail with Eileen Fritz McKee. Overgrown trails and invasive privet strangle the buckeyes. Leonard led restoration efforts, reviving the trail and Buckeye Walks in 2023, attracting dozens of first-time forest visitors.