Phenology. July - September Programs & Events Calendar. On the Inside... Fort Worth Rolls Out Online Registration. Phenology

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1 OUR MISSION To enhance the quality of life by enrolling and educating our community in the preservation and protection of natural areas while standing as an example of these same principles and values in North Central Texas. Phenology Programs & Events Calendar July - September 2016 Fort Worth Rolls Out Online Registration This month, Fort Worth is debuting the city s new online registration capabilities for community centers, park reservations and athletic facilities. This initiative will make it possible for residents to sign up for programs, become a member of their local community center, book a rental space at a park or facility, and much more - 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We re excited that residents will have the opportunity to register for so many of our diverse recreation offerings, all from their phones and computers, says Whitney Rodriguez, marketing coordinator for the Park & Recreation department. This new tool will give our customers a better overview of our programs and classes, as well as the flexibility to access their center memberships and book their programs whenever their schedule permits. Members and visitors will be able to register for our canoeing and kayaking tours, our bird hikes, and much more on their computer or smartphone from the comfort of their own home. Course bar codes for every available class are available inside this edition of Phenology, and you can enter it when registering online to see course availability. On the Inside... Weekend naturalist-led hikes & programs Nature Center After Hours Early Bird hikes Guided canoeing & kayaking Preschool Discovery Club - 4th Friday of every month Canoe Fest Test drive a canoe the 3rd Sunday of every month Extended Holiday Hours (July 4 & September 5) Grass ID Workshop - Sept 24 Volunteer opportunities If you are a member of the Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center (FONC), or have been to the Nature Center for a program since October 2015, you will already have an account in our system. Give us a call at and we'll send your registration information so that you can begin the process of online registration. For more information see the link below or call the Nature Center! Phenology \fi-nol-uh-jee\n: the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena, especially in relation to climate and plant and animal life. Follow us on Facebook!

2 JULY Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 1 For more information about registration (online or in person), call Volunteer activities are noted in bold italics Indicates reservations required Indicates wheelchair-accessible program Cancellation for fee programs subject to $5 processing fee per person, per program General Admission is not included in course registration fees. 3 4 Grasshopper Walk 5 6 All About Alligators 1 & 3 p.m Misunderstood Wildlife Knee High Naturalist Early Birds 9 Summer Natural History Adventures continue Saturday Aqua Turtles 1 & 3 p.m Tree ID Canoe Fest Preschool Discovery Club 23 Aquatic Invertebrates 24 Summer Wildflowers :30 p.m. Awesome Possum 1 & 2 p.m Nature Center After Hours 8:30-10:30 p.m. Nature Up Close 2-3 p.m.

3 Every Thursday & Saturday, Saturdays, : Individuals can help keep the Nature Center beautiful by volunteering for. Volunteers assist Refuge staff in trail maintenance, brush clearing, bridge building and much more. Please call for information. : Join a naturalist for a leisurely hike on the trails and learn about the native flora, fauna and habitats on the Refuge.. Hikes not designed for organized groups. Date July 2 July 9 July 16 July 23 July 30 Barcode July 1 Barcode: July 2 Barcode: July 3 Barcode: July 4 1 & 3 p.m. Barcode: p.m. Barcode: p.m. July 9 1 & 3 p.m. Barcode: p.m. Barcode: p.m. July 10 Barcode: Saturday, July 16 Barcode: July 16 Barcode: July 17 Barcode: July 22 Barcode: July 23 Barcode: July 24 Barcode: July 28 8:30 10:30 p.m. Barcode: July p.m. Barcode: July 31 1 & 2 p.m. Barcode: p.m. Barcode: p.m. Early Birds: Come and join a naturalist as we try to wake up with the birds. We will take a leisurely hike around the Nature Center to see if we can find birds beginning their day. This is the best time of the day to see our fine feathered friends. Bring your binoculars, or borrow a pair from us, and your camera to enhance your experience. Pre-registration required. Knee High Naturalist: If you are knee high to a grasshopper and love to learn about the outdoors, then you are a Knee High Naturalist. Join us for an afternoon of fun as we learn about backyard birds. This program is geared for children 5-8 years old. Grasshopper Walk: All across the Prairie and throughout the Refuge, grasshoppers hop to avoid predators and avoid us. Did you know there are a wide diversity of species found at the Nature Center? Join us for a walk and learn about the many types we have and their habitat. We will also go out and try and capture some to get a closer look. All About Alligators: Alligators at the Nature Center? It s true! Learn about Texas largest native reptile and meet a live alligator up close. You will get tips on viewing them safely in the wild and discover how they make a living in the waters of the Trinity River. Aqua Turtles: Turtles come in a variety of shapes and sizes from huge alligator snapping turtles to tiny musk turtles. Many live secretive lives in the marshes and rivers of Texas. Meet a few turtles that live at the Nature Center and discover what super abilities they use to survive in the wild. Misunderstood Wildlife: Wildlife can be viewed in many ways. Some people see wildlife in a positive way because they are cute and fuzzy. Others may see wildlife in a negative way based on stories or myths. Join us as we talk about some misunderstood wildlife. You may have a different perspective after this presentation. Canoe Tour: Tour a stretch of the West Fork of the Trinity River to view ducks, herons, beaver and other critters. Sunscreen, water and weather-appropriate clothing (including shoes that can get wet) are recommended. Canoes, paddles and lifejackets are provided. Children must be 5 years or older. Parents must sign a liability waiver for minor children. Some previous experience is recommended. Registration ends the preceding Thursday or when filled. MAXIMUM of 12 participants. Meet at Big River Parking Lot. Pre-registration required. $20 (with paid admission)/members $15. Tree ID: Stating the obvious, it can get really hot here in Texas during the summer. However, the trees offer lots of shade to keep a hike realistic. Come learn how we benefit from these green machines. Join us as we hike around the wooded areas and also learn about the diversity of species we have at the Nature Center. Canoe Fest: Have you ever wanted to try canoeing but did not have the equipment or place to try it out? Join us the 3rd Sunday of the month and get on the water. Canoes, paddles and lifejackets are provided. Children must be at least 5 years old and accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Parents must sign a liability waiver for minor children. NO REGISTRATION NEEDED, FIRST COME-FIRST SERVED. Meet at Big River Parking Lot. $5 (with paid admission)/members $3. Preschool Discovery Club: We invite preschoolers, ages 3-5, and their adult companions to join us in discovering the exciting world of nature. In July we ll discover the world of alligators and meet our alligator ambassador animals up close. Preregistration required. $8 PER CHILD (with paid admission)/members $5. Aquatic Invertebrates: Stop by our dock on the West Fork of the Trinity and take a look at aquatic invertebrates that live on, in, or by water such as water scorpions, water boatmen, and more. Discover what cool macroinvertebrates may be swimming with you next time you dive in our bodies of water. Meet at Big River Parking Lot for this come and go program. Summer Wildflowers: View the colorful sights that summer wildflowers bring during the Nature Center. Brown eyed susans, blazing stars, and lemon beebalms are just examples of the native wildflowers that have adapted to the Texas heat and are a great source of food for some migrating wildlife. Nature Center After Hours: The week of July is National Moth Week. Join us after hours at the Nature Center as we seek these nocturnal insects. We may also get to see beetles and other flying insects as we use special lighting to attract them to us. Meet at Refuge Service Center. Pre-registration required. $10 (with paid admission)/members $5. Nature Up Close: Join a naturalist to look for some of the tiny residents of the Refuge. We ll use hand lenses and magnifying glasses to look for insects, tiny flowers, and other little wonders around the Hardwicke Interpretive Center. This program is stroller friendly so bring the whole family. Awesome Possum: The Virginia Opossum is the only marsupial found in the United States. They have many cool adaptations that allow them to survive here in Texas. Join us as we discuss their natural history and get to meet one up close. Programs are FREE with paid admission unless otherwise noted

4 AUGUST Sunday Monday 1 Tuesday 2 Wednesday 3 Thursday Online Registration is now available. Please call the Hardwicke Interpretive Center for more details, (817) Friday Saturday 6 Early Birds Nature Center History Tour Out of Sight Insects 13 Cozy Nests Nature en Español, El Verano Full Moon Paddle 7:30-10 p.m Build Like a Beaver Canoe Fest 26 Nature Center After Hours 7:30-9 p.m. Preschool Discovery Club 8:30-11 a.m. 27 Kayak Tour 7:30-10 a. m. Egrets & Herons 28 Photographing Wildflowers For more information about registration (online or in person), call Volunteer activities are noted in bold italics General Admission is not included in course registration fees. Indicates reservations required Indicates wheelchair-accessible program Cancellation for fee programs subject to $5 processing fee per person, per program

5 Every Thursday & Saturday, Every Saturday, : Individuals can help keep the Nature Center beautiful by volunteering for. Volunteers assist Refuge staff in trail maintenance, brush clearing, bridge building and much more. Please call for information. : Join a naturalist for a leisurely hike on the trails and learn about the native flora, fauna and habitats on the Refuge.. Hikes not designed for organized groups. Date August 6 August 13 August 20 August 27 Barcode August 5 Barcode: August 6 Barcode: August 7 Barcode: August 13 Barcode: August 14 Barcode: August 17 7:30-10 p.m. Barcode: August 20 Barcode: August 20 Barcode: August 21 Barcode: August 25 7:30-9 p.m. Barcode: August 26 Barcode: August 27 Barcode: August 27 Barcode: Early Birds: Come and join a naturalist as we try to wake up with the birds. We will take a leisurely hike around the Nature Center to see if we can find birds beginning their day. This is the best time of the day to see our fine feathered friends. Bring your binoculars, or borrow a pair from us, and your camera to enhance your experience. Pre-registration required. Nature Center History Tour: The Nature Center has a long history that dates back to Join a naturalist and learn about the features that led to the creation of the Nature Center. You will hike through various habitats discussing the topography, the diversity of species and CCC involvement with the Nature Center. Out of Sight Insects: Join us for a slide presentation on caterpillars, butterflies, grasshoppers, beetles, bugs, bees, flies. After the slides, we will go on a walk to see how many we can find. Which group do you think will contain the greatest number of species? We will beat the trees and bushes using a collecting sheet. Bring a camera and come help us observe and record. Cozy Nests: They hatched, they fledged, and they left the nest! Come and view the diversity of nests left behind by our local bird community. From Eastern Phoebe to Ruby-throated Hummingbird nests, view the different shapes, sizes, and materials used by our feathered friends. Discover what birds may have grown up in your backyard this summer. This is a come and go event, Nature en Español, El Verano: Join a bilingual naturalist on a hike on the Refuge trails in search of interesting fauna and flora adaptation to summer s heat. Whether Spanish is your first or second language, this hike provides a great opportunity to learn or practice the Spanish language. Full Moon Paddle: Come and join us for a different type of canoe tour in the evening hours. This program will present new opportunities, like hearing beavers slap the water with their tails and seeing deer and raccoons. Canoes, paddles and lifejackets are provided. Dress for the weather. Wear shoes that can get wet. Children must be 5 years or older. Parents must sign a liability waiver for minor children. Some previous experience recommended. Minimum - 5 / Maximum - 12 participants. Meet at the Back Gate. Pre-registration required. $20 (with paid admission)/members $15. Canoe Tour: Tour a stretch of the West Fork of the Trinity River to view ducks, herons, beaver and other critters. Sunscreen, water and weather-appropriate clothing (including shoes that can get wet) are recommended. Canoes, paddles and lifejackets are provided. Children must be 5 years or older. Parents must sign a liability waiver for minor children. Some previous experience is recommended. Registration ends the preceding Thursday or when filled. MAXIMUM of 12 participants. Meet at Big River Parking Lot. Pre-registration required. $20 (with paid admission)/members $15. Build Like a Beaver: Join a naturalist for this family-friendly program and learn some of the tricks beavers use to build their dams. We ll also examine real beaver artifacts. After the indoor program guests will have the option of going on a short hike along the Riverbottom Trail to look for beaver signs. Canoe Fest: Have you ever wanted to try canoeing but did not have the equipment or place to try it out? Join us the 3rd Sunday of the month and get on the water. Canoes, paddles and lifejackets are provided. Children must be at least 5 years old and accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Parents must sign a liability waiver for minor children. NO REGISTRATION NEEDED, FIRST COME-FIRST SERVED. Meet at Big River Parking Lot. $5 (with paid admission)/members $3. Nature Center After Hours: Life after hours at the Nature Center is filled with the unknown. We often see the evidence of nocturnal activity and wonder what caused it. Join us as we learn about the nine-banded armadillo. We will hike and look for evidence of this after hours forager and learn about their natural history and other forms of wildlife we may encounter. Meet at Front Gate. Pre-registration required. $10 (with paid admission)/members $5. Preschool Discovery Club: We invite preschoolers, ages 3-5, and their adult companions to join us in discovering the exciting world of nature. In August we ll learn about skunks and meet our skunk ambassador animal up close. Pre-registration required. $8 PER CHILD (with paid admission)/members $5 Kayak Tour: Tour a stretch of the West Fork of the Trinity River with kayaks. View ducks, herons, beaver and other critters. Sunscreen, water and weather appropriate clothing (including shoes that can get wet) are recommended. Kayaks, paddles and lifejackets are provided. Kayakers must be at least 14 years old and accompanied by their guardian; otherwise at least 18 years old. Some previous experience recommended. Maximum - 8 participants. Meet at Little River Parking Lot. Pre-registration required. $20 (with paid admission)/members $15. Egrets & Herons: The Nature Center is home to a wide variety of birds. Some of the most visible birds you can see while visiting are the egrets and herons. They possess many adaptations that allow them to thrive near the water. Come and learn about their natural history and join us as we visit them in their natural habitat. August 28 Barcode: Photographing Wildflowers: Come learn the tricks of photographing flowering plants (and grasses) for later identification. Best techniques for photographing the flower, stem, leaf arrangement, basal rosette, entire plant will be discussed. Bring a camera and your field guide and we will stop and ID a few. Programs are FREE with paid admission unless otherwise noted

6 SEPTEMBER Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday For more information about registration (online or in person), call Volunteer activities are noted in bold italics General Admission is not included in course registration fees. Thursday Friday Indicates reservations required Indicates wheelchair-accessible program Butterfly Trek Cancellation for fee programs subject to $5 processing fee per person, per program Saturday Turtles, Thinking Inside the Box 10 Early Birds Ancient Nature Spillway Hike Full Moon Paddle 7-10:30 p.m. 17 Bird Migration 9 a.m a.m Canoe Fest Preschool Discovery Club 8:30-11 a.m. 24 8:30-11 a.m. Native Grass ID Workshop 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Deer Mouse Trail 25 Late Summer Wildflowers 11 a.m., Noon, 1 p.m Nature Center After Hours 7-8:30 p.m. 30

7 Every Thursday & Saturday, Every Saturday, : Individuals can help keep the Nature Center beautiful by volunteering for. Volunteers assist Refuge staff in trail maintenance, brush clearing, bridge building and much more. Please call for information. : Join a naturalist for a leisurely hike on the trails of the FWNC&R. Hikes feature current natural history events such as blooming wildflowers, commonly seen insects, birds, other animals and current projects on the Refuge. Bring water and dress for the weather. MAXIMUM of 15 participants. Hikes not designed for organized groups. FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. Date September 3 September 10 September 17 September 24 Barcode September 3 Barcode: September 4 Barcode: September 9 Barcode: September 10 Barcode: September 11 Barcode: September :30 p.m. Barcode: September a.m. Barcode: September 18 Noon- 4 p.m. Barcode: September 23 Barcode: September 24 8:30-11 a.m. Barcode: September 24 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Barcode: September 24 Barcode: Butterfly Trek: Join as we explore the diversity of the most common butterflies often seen fluttering in our backyards, prairies, and forests. Learn about their natural history, host/nectar plants, and how we can create butterfly sanctuaries at home. Turtles, Thinking Inside the Box : Come and see eye to eye what makes box turtles so special. From ornate to three-toed box turtles, join us in learning more about these cool native inhabitants. Meet some of the turtles that are on exhibit at the Nature Center up close and personal. Early Birds: Come and join a naturalist as we try to wake up with the birds. We will take a leisurely hike around the Nature Center to see if we can find birds beginning their day. This is the best time of the day to see our fine feathered friends. Bring your binoculars, or borrow a pair from us, and your camera to enhance your experience. Pre-registration required. Ancient Nature: Did you know that evidence of ancient human settlements has been found at the Nature Center? Take a look at some of the artifacts and then join a Naturalist on a hike through the prairie and discover which plants and animals native peoples might have depended on to survive. Spillway Hike: The Nature Center is comprised of many types of habitats and a wide range of hiking opportunities. If you like, you can walk among the grasses along the Prairie Trail or walk beneath towering trees along the riverbottom. You may not know about an unofficial trail that is less traveled; the Spillway Road. Join us as we hike this trail and enjoy the bottomlands and seek out the wildlife that inhabit this area. Full Moon Paddle: Come and join us for a different type of canoe tour in the evening hours. This program will present new opportunities, like hearing beavers slap the water with their tails and seeing deer and raccoons. Canoes, paddles and lifejackets are provided. Dress for the weather. Wear shoes that can get wet. Children must be 5 years or older. Parents must sign a liability waiver for minor children. Some previous experience recommended. Minimum - 5 / Maximum - 12 participants. Meet at the Back Gate. Pre-registration required. $20 (with paid admission)/members $15. Bird Migration: It will not be long until birds start making their way back to their desired locations, whether it is the warmth of the tropics or those coming here to enjoy the cooler temperatures. Join us as we discuss migration and take a walk to see if we can find some early migratory birds. Canoe Fest: Have you every wanted to try canoeing but did not have the equipment or place to try it out. Join us the 3rd Sunday of the month and get on the water. Canoes, paddles and lifejackets are provided. Children must be at least 5 years old and accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Parents must sign a liability waiver for minor children. NO REGISTRATION NEEDED, FIRST COME-FIRST SERVED. Meet at Big River Parking Lot. $5 (with paid admission)/members $3. Preschool Discovery Club: We invite preschoolers, ages 3-5, and their adult companions to join us in discovering the exciting world of nature. In September we ll learn about turtles and discover how their different shapes and sizes help them to survive. Pre-registration required. $8 PER CHILD (with paid admission)/members $5 Canoe Tour: Tour a stretch of the West Fork of the Trinity River to view ducks, herons, beaver and other critters. Sunscreen, water and weather-appropriate clothing (including shoes that can get wet) are recommended. Canoes, paddles and lifejackets are provided. Children must be 5 years or older. Parents must sign a liability waiver for minor children. Some previous experience is recommended. Registration ends the preceding Thursday or when filled. MAXIMUM of 12 participants. Meet at Big River Parking Lot. Pre-registration required. $20 (with paid admission)/members $15. Native Grass ID Workshop: Would you like to learn how to more easily identify grasses even without seeds present? If so, join us for a half-day workshop where you will learn to identify of the most common native grasses of north Texas. We ll learn the basics indoors and then head outdoors to look at the grasses in the prairie. This is the first in a series for the Prairie Seekers program, which is a collaboration between the Nature Center, Native Prairies Association of Texas, and Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Prairie Seekers is a prairie identification and assessment program whereby volunteers learn how to identify and map prairies for future conservation opportunities. This workshop qualifies for Advanced Training hours for Texas Master Naturalists. Deer Mouse Trail: From prairie to riverbottom forest, join us in exploring the diversity of habitats and animals on the Refuge. We'll have an opportunity to view prairie dogs, large cottonwood trees, and the West Fork of the Trinity River on this 2.2 mile trail. September a.m., Noon, 1 p.m. Barcode: a.m. Barcode: Noon Barcode: p.m. Late Summer Wildflowers: Wildflowers can change monthly with some lasting a couple of weeks. We will try to notice the changes as Summer progresses. The late blooming flowers prove to be beneficial to birds and insects that may be migrating back to their winter locales. September :30 p.m. Barcode: Nature Center After Hours: Owls are excellent hunters when the sun goes down. Often as you hike the trails after hours, you can hear the Barred Owl hooting. Join us as we learn about the owls that work the night shift at the Nature Center and other forms of wildlife we may encounter. Meet at Front Gate. Pre-registration required. $10 (with paid admission)/members $5. Programs are FREE with paid admission unless otherwise noted

8 Wild Ambassador Spotlight While most wildlife roam freely through the 3,621 acres that make up the Refuge, some animals are non-releasable due to injuries or loss of wild behaviors (imprinting). These animals become the Nature Center s Wild Ambassadors and are on exhibit at the Hardwicke interpretive Center. Bull Snake (Pituophis catenifer sayi ) The Hardwicke Interpretive Center is home to a variety of common native snakes in our area. They are representatives of their wild counterparts that are often mistaken as dangerous or venomous. One such Wild Ambassador is the Bullsnake; a beneficial nonvenomous snake that is often mistaken for a rattlesnake as it has a similar pattern of large, square-like blotches down its back. Bullsnakes are one of the largest constrictors in Texas preying upon mostly mice and rats. At first, people may have an aversion when encountering this snake in the wild, but ranchers and farmers value the snake s presence on their property for its ability to eat large quantities of rodents. Photo by Laura Veloz. What your donation helps to purchase: $15 provides a bag of aspen shavings for exhibit. Bullsnake shopping list: Rats, aspen chips for bedding, and reptile bulbs. How You Can Help Sponsor a Wild Ambassador You will receive a personalized sponsorship certificate plus a fact sheet and photograph of the wild ambassador of your choice. Find an adoption application online at or ask for one at the front desk. Join the Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge The Friends is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural resources of the Nature Center. Funds raised by the Friends support the care of the bison herd as well as our wild ambassadors. Members receive free entry to the park, program fee discounts, invitations to exclusive events, and more. For more information please visit their website at Plan Your Visit Hours Hardwicke Interpretive Center: 9am - 4:30pm 7 days a week Refuge Winter (Oct. - April): 8am - 5pm 7 days a week Refuge Summer (May - Sept.): 7am - 5pm Monday - Friday 7am - 7pm Saturday-Sunday Admission Adults (13-64) $5.00 Children (3-12) $2.00 Children under 3 Free Seniors (65+) $3.00 $1 discount with Military ID (active/retired)