National Audubon Society

Special E-dition Songs from Our Centers: Spring Trip Planning

Trinity River Audubon Center

Trinity River Audubon Center is your gateway to explore the amazing resources of the 6,000-acre Great Trinity Forest. A part of the City of Dallas-Trinity River Corridor Project, the center's 120 acres sit on a former illegal dumpsite, now a reclaimed haven for a vast array of birds and other wildlife in an increasingly urbanized metropolitan area. Five miles of trails lead visitors through hardwood forests, pond, wetland, and prairie ecosystems, and along the Trinity River.Designed by Antoine Predock, Trinity River Audubon Center was the first LEED-certified Dallas Park and Recreation Department project. Trinity River Audubon Center is designed not only to minimize any adverse effect on the environment, but also to repair some of the pre-existing environmental problems on the site. From the sky, the building mimics a bird rising into flight over the forest.

The Center offers academic and public programs throughout the year related to local ecology, habitat study and stewardship.

Monthly Programs include:
Guided Nature Hikes
Second Saturday
Early Morning Birding
Third Saturday
Yoga
Fourth Saturday
Virtual Education Programs
Lil’ Naturalists (Pre-K – 1st Grade)
Eco-Investigations (Grades 1-8)
Onsite Education Programs
Lil’ Naturalists (Pre-K – 1st Grade)
Eco-Investigations (Grades 1-8)
Bird Ecology Basics (High School)
Service Learning (College)
Home School (8-12 Years)

For full details on monthly activities, visit our events page here...

Talkin' Trades at TRAC

Trinity River Audubon Center and John Bunker Sands Wetland Center hosted a Career Day event for high school students to learn about certification-based career options in the conservation field on Saturday, January 22. Panelists ranged from business owners to government employees and from those who work in the landscaping field to local water districts. We even had a drone pilot! The students enjoyed speaking with our panelists to learn about their respective fields and to ascertain if those careers would be a good fit. Thank you to John Bunker Sands Wetland Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Blue Ribbon Lady Landscaping, Drone Technology, EcoSafe Pest Control and North Texas Municipal Water District for partnering with us on a fun-filled and educational event!

More Talkin'.........about Sparrows!

TRAC Program Manager Jake Poinsett was invited to “talk sparrows” with the Indian Trail Master Naturalists. Every winter, the sparrow population booms in Texas with returning migrants. The presentation highlighted different species that utilize habitats in North Texas, including how to identify them and how to invite some species to your own bird habitats at home.

Looking for a bird-centric talk for you and your group? Contact us at TRAC@audubon.org!

Trinity River Audubon Boardwalk

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center

Where the Texas Hill Country Meets Dallas County

At Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center, the ecosystems of east, west and central Texas converge, making the canyon an ideal location for learning about environmental science and nature. Audubon preserves natural habitat of over 200 acres. There are over 2 miles of hiking trails reaching some of the highest elevations in Dallas County, allowing visitors a view of Joe Pool Lake and, on a clear day, to Cowboys Stadium in Arlington and beyond. The center's Nature Play area with picnic tables, bird blind with a rain catchment system, education animals on site, a resident raptor, indoor bird viewing area, gift shop, special events and programs enable Dogwood Canyon to serve the community by connecting people with nature, especially thousands of school children that visit on environmental science field trips each year.

Set at the mouth of a forested canyon, Dogwood Canyon is one of the few remaining places in Dallas County to observe native trees, grasses, wildflowers, butterflies, birds, insects, reptiles, etc. in a natural setting. Cedar Hill, is a community that prioritizes natural and open space preservation along with economic development. The greenbelt area that includes the center is an important stopover for migrating birds and other species.

Past Events and Spring Events

It’s back! The annual Stars & S’mores event was held January 29 with 125 in person attendees viewing the night sky through telescopes, roasting marshmallows around campfires and listening to live music. After filling bellies with tacos and beer, guests were guided on a night hike, learning about nocturnal animals and our own night senses.

Our first annual kick off, For the Love of Birds, was held on February 10 and treated guests to wine, charcuterie foods, live birds of prey, bird breeding facts and the opportunity for an evening stroll on the Canyon Floor trail.

Beginning March 1 we will have new hours: Public Hours: Wed-Sat,
9a-4p / Closed Sun-Tue., trails too!

We look forward to having you join us for our spring activities. There is something for everyone!

Trout Lily Walks: Fun facts about this winter blooming diminutive plant that carpets the forest floor in limestone-rich soils.

Winter Tree ID: Join Texas Master Naturalist, Dana Wilson, as she shares tips for identifying trees without leaves during winter.

Spring Blooms and Habitat Workday: Join Texas Master Naturalist, Dana Wilson, for a stroll to identify early spring blooming flora before tackling removal of invasive Nandina plants in the forest.

Spring Break Activities: March 15 & 17
Meet some of our live animal ambassadors up close while learning fun facts about snakes and turtles.

10th Anniversary Family Event in April: Fun for the family or individuals…Lawn games, music, crafts, guided walks, online auction, animal ambassadors and more.

Native Plant Sale: One of our most popular annual events!
Native Texas plants can truly change your perspective on gardening. Not only are they easy to grow, low maintenance and use less water, they are great for creating a full food web for birds and other wildlife.

World Migratory Bird Day: Bird viewing, bird ID, take-home crafts, migration education and more.

For full details on the events above, visit the Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center events page on our website here!

Trout Lilly Photo: Julie Collins

Mitchell Lake Audubon Center

Located in South San Antonio, Mitchell Lake’s wetland habitats are some of the last critical stopover grounds before the Texas Coast, where 98.5% of long-distance migratory bird species in the US pass through, many of which are about to fly for hours or days over open ocean. Not only are we one of the best spots for birding in San Antonio, we also open our doors to more than 4,000 students annually for outdoor science and conservation education, which most students do not get in traditional schooling.

Come explore our habitat, walk our native gardens, take a class or a tour, volunteer, or give your support to our education and conservation programs. Whatever your age or interests we have a way to help connect you the wild and beautiful natural place we live, just far enough south of downtown to melt away everyday life.

Join us for our spring activities starting in March …

Teacher Appreciation Spring Break
Saturday, March 5 to Sunday, March 20
8:00am – 2:00pm each day
FREE for Teachers
Reserve Your Tickets: https://mitchelllake.audubon.org/events

Attention all teachers and school staff! As you enjoy your well-deserved Spring Break, we would like to invite you to visit Mitchell Lake Audubon Center on us! Use Code SPRINGTEACH22 while purchasing your ticket online or in-person to receive free admission. Be sure to bring your school ID to show upon check-in.

Guided Bird Tours: On this guided bird tour around the various habitats of Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, guests will see at least 30-50 different bird species with our expert guide. Travelling by both car and by foot to access as many areas as possible, this tour is best suited for the birder age 15+ as it can last up to four hours, though you may leave at any time. Tours are currently limited to a total of 10 participants with masks strongly recommended. Bring your binoculars, bottle for water, closed-toe shoes, long pants, and bug spray.

2nd Saturday Habitat Clean-Up: Join us and other members of the community to help us clean up our habitat! We depend on our amazing volunteers to help manage our habitat. This can involve trail maintenance, removal of invasive species, and planting native plants for birds and butterflies depending on the tasks of the day. All training provided. Groups are welcome!

Spring Break Activity Week : Stop by our Visitor Center to learn something fun nature facts at our education table and grab a fun self-guided activity to complete while you enjoy your stroll around the trails at Mitchell Lake! Topics and activities will change daily.

Lights Out Family Night Hike: Experience Mitchell Lake Audubon Center after dark! Learn the importance of dark skies for migratory birds and nocturnal animals. Explore our trails with an experienced guide, and then enjoy a campfire and s’mores!

Doggy Day : Take a Saturday stroll with your favorite furry friend! Does your dog need some time in nature too? Bring them along on your visit to Mitchell Lake! For one day only, bring your canine companion. We will highlight specific trails available for our furry friends, to minimize any habitat or avian disturbance. Free doggy bags.

Beginner Bird Walk: There's no better place for learning how to bird. At Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, we host 300+ birds annually on our 1,200-acre sanctuary which includes four diverse habitats for our wildlife: wetlands, woodlands, brushlands and grasslands. Join us every fourth Saturday for Bird Tours designed for the beginning birder. Travelling by foot, your guide will go over birding identification and the proper use of binoculars. This is a family-friendly program best for ages 5+. Advanced birders are also welcome to attend.

Birding for Beginners Webinar: Birding is an incredible hobby that will have you pursuing the joys of nature for a lifetime. If you’re a beginner and want to learn the birding basics, then this webinar is for you! We will cover the skills, gear, and resources that will help you become a better birder either out in the field or right in your own backyard. Includes tips to attract birds to your yard, like native plants.

Storytime Make and Take at Mitchell Lake: Come listen as we read nature stories, make a craft item to take home, and enjoy the peaceful outdoors at Mitchell Lake.

For full details on these upcoming activities, visit our Mitchell Lake Audubon Center events page here…!

Mitchell Lake White Pelicans Photo: Rob Michaelson

Trinity River Audubon Center Photo: Sean Fitzgerald

Thank you for your continued support of Audubon. The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon's state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, Audubon's vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Audubon is a nonprofit conservation organization. For more information, events, and to find your local chapter visit https://tx.audubon.org/. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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