Songs from Our Centers – Spring 2023
 ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ 
Audubon Texas
Rufous Hummingbird
Songs from Our Centers - Spring 2023

Spring is a busy time of year at each of our three urban Centers. As gateways to amazing natural places in Cedar Hill, Dallas, and San Antonio, our centers collectively connect with more than 25,000 visitors, 3,800 students, and 2,000 volunteer hours! 

With the kick-off of Spring Migration today through June 15, 2023, we invite you to preview the many programs and events that will be happening across our Centers over the next few months. We hope you will take advantage of these opportunities to connect with nature and maybe learn something new! Bring a friend or family member and enjoy the beauty of these natural areas while keeping an eye out for the many different bird species that will be visiting these locations during spring migration. 
Rufous Hummingbird - Ben Knoot / Audubon Photography Awards
flower
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center - Cedar Hill
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center is now offering a Mindful in Nature program series. These programs are slow-paced, guided experiences that are perfect for all, regardless of one’s level of comfort in wild settings. As an urban nature center, Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center is dedicated to meeting people where they are in their connection to nature.

Nature serves as an antidote to the increasing stressors of our everyday lives. Participants are led through programs such as Forest Bathing, Yoga in Nature, and Sound Healing. These programs promote gratitude, positivity, and resiliency, leading to healthier communities.
 
Each participant deepens their connection to nature in a way that is meaningful to them, resulting in a greater appreciation of our natural spaces. Those who appreciate our natural spaces are motivated to help preserve them. As our community of naturalists and conservationists grows, people and birds both benefit. Where birds thrive, people also thrive.

Special Event:
March 11th, 2pm-4pm, Forest Therapy Walk
 
Join certified forest therapist Laurence Turcios for a relaxing guided stroll on our trails. 
Tickets: https://www.slowtrails.earth/event-details/up-the-hill 
FB: https://fb.me/e/4fsceqS5l 

Guided Bird Hike:
March 4th, 8:30am-9:30am, 1st Saturday Bird Walk 
Join us for a morning guided Bird Walk! We will meet at the Visitor Center and take a 1 hour hike, identifying different species of birds by sight and by ear. 
RSVP: dogwoodcanyonaudubon.ticketleap.com/1st-saturday-bird-walks 
FB: https://fb.me/e/2xf7gIB2N 

Save the Date:
April 1, 2023Dogwood Blooms Hike - Come see the Dogwood trees in bloom!
April 8, 2023 – Spring Native Plant Sale – A community favorite event!
Spring Flowers at Dogwood Canyon Photo: Michaela Kral
spring break
Trinity River Audubon Center - Dallas
Spend your Spring Break exploring the great outdoors and learning about nature!

Registration is required for each program. Limited spots available!
Children must be accompanied by parent/guardian. Thank you!

Spring Break Special Program Schedule:
Time for all programs: 10:00 am – 11:00 am

March 14, 2023 – Huntin’ for Dragons! 
March 15, 2023 – Story Time – Join us for a nature themed story and a stroll at the Audubon Center!
March 16, 2023 – Audubon Artists – Show your creative side and make and take some nature themed art!
March 17, 2023 – Junior Birders - Discover the world of Birds, how to identify them, and become a Junior Birder!


Event Schedule:

Every 2nd Saturday of the month we lead a guided nature hike at 8:30am and every 3rd Saturday a guided bird walk at 7:30am. Folks can sign up on our website at www.trinityriver.audubon.org/events 
 
Saturday, April 8th 8am-3pm 
Community Event 
o   Join us at Trinity River Audubon Center for our annual Community Event! There will be local exhibitors with attractions, guided hikes, live music, and an overall celebration for our community! 
o   www.trinityriver.audubon.org/events – Registration required
  
Saturday, April 20th 9am-12pm 
Earth Day Prairie Planting 
o   Come out to the Trinity River Audubon Center to plant native grasses and forbs in a section of our restored prairie! Each year, The Texas Conservation Alliance and Trinity River Audubon Center host a spring planting event for folks to get involved in their local restoration efforts for wildlife and people alike! 
o   https://www.tcatexas.org/tca-events 
  
Saturday, May 13th 8am-3pm 
 World Migratory Bird Day 
o   Fly over to the Trinity River Audubon Center to celebrate the joy of birds on World Migratory Bird Day! Our annual WMBD event is filled with local exhibitors with attractions, guided bird walks, a birding competition, and even a live bird banding demonstration! 
o   www.trinityriver.audubon.org/events – Registration required
kestrel
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center - San Antonio
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!
 
Guided Bird Tours    
Sunday, March 5, 12, 19, & 26 
Every Sunday morning at 8:00am     
FREE for Members | $10 for General    
In Person | Registration Required     
Register here: https://mitchelllake.audubon.org/events     
   
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 limited. Bring your binoculars, bottle for water, closed-toe shoes, long pants, and bug spray.    
   
2nd Saturday Habitat Clean-Up    
Saturday, March 11   

8:00am – 11:00am    
In Person | Registration Requested | FREE    
RSVP at this link    
    
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! All children 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Eligible for SAWS Watersaver Rewards.   
   
Special Event:
Birdie Big Year: Elevating Women Birders (Guest Speaker)

Friday, March 17 
6:00 – 8:00pm 
Estella Avery Education Center @ Confluence Park 
310 W Mitchell St, San Antonio, TX 78204 
FREE, Registration Required 
Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birdie-big-year-elevating-women-birders-tickets-519209448437 
 
Tiffany Kersten didn't set out to do a big year, but after a series of unanticipated and serendipitous events, she suddenly found herself amidst one. As a sexual assault survivor, she spent 2021 traveling to all corners of the Lower 48 States, tallying birds and gifting personal safety alarms to women she met along the way. Her goal was to see 700 species, and to raise awareness of women's safety in the outdoors. She ended up surpassing her goal and setting a new Lower 48 Big Year record of 726. In her presentation, Tiffany will lead us through the fear, empowerment, struggles and healing that all played vital roles in the personal growth she experienced on this wild adventure. 
 
Bird Hike for Women 
Saturday, March 18 
7:30 – 11:00am 
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center 
$15 General $10 Members 
Registration Link: https://tickets.audubon.org/mitchelllake/events/0185ad13-d79d-5154-ff01-a344f25013c3 
 
Join expert bird guide Tiffany Kersten for this (approximately) 5 mile hike focused on listening and looking for birds. As a sexual assault survivor, Tiffany spent 2021 traveling to all corners of the Lower 48 States, tallying birds and gifting personal safety alarms to women she met along the way. We encourage all women (cis, trans, gender-bending or gender non-conforming folx) to join us and learn about personal safety while birding. 
 
Festival News:
Migratory Bird Fest 
Saturday, March 25   
9:00am – 1:00pm    
FREE  
Event website: https://mitchelllake.audubon.org/birdfest 
Kick off spring migration with a FREE community festival filled with live birds and animals, games, crafts, vendors, native plant sales, food trucks, pollinator walks and exploration stations.  
    
   
In the Community   
 
Earthwise Living Day Festival  
Saturday, March 4th 
9:30am-1:30pm 
FREE | More Information 
33nd Anniversary of the Earthwise Living Day, an educational green event, displaying green products and services, including solar energy, alternative power, hybrid cars, green building materials, water conservation, and interactive educational activities.  
 
San Antonio Water System 
Spring Blooms 
Saturday, March 11 

9:00am – 1:00pm 
San Antonio Water System HQ, 2800 US-281, San Antonio, TX 78212 
FREE | More Information 
 
Whether you are new to gardening or new to San Antonio, this is the event for you.  Learn all the basics of drought-resilient gardening in Texas - from selecting soil to picking plants to maintaining a less thirsty landscape. There will be plants for sale, speakers, local gardening groups, and a critical mass of gardening experts to help you get your spring landscape off to the right start. SAWS will be giving a free plant (adults only) for the first 1000 participants. 
 
Bexar Audubon Society:   
The Strange and Wondrous Adaptations Birds Rely On to Get By 
Presenter: Dr. Roger Lederer 
WEBINAR or In Person 
Wednesday, March 22 | 6:30-8:00 PM  
Conference Room, Alamo Colleges District Building at 2222 N. Alamo 
FREE | More information: bexaraudubon.org/meetings-events  
 
When we see birds flying from branch to branch happily chirping or snatching up bugs, it is easy to imagine they lead a simple life of freedom and flight, like the bluebird of happiness. What we don’t see is the arduous, life-threatening challenges they face at every moment, such as predators, competitors, weather, and human-made obstacles. There are myriad, and often almost miraculous, things that birds do every day to merely stay alive. Like the goldfinch which manages extreme winter weather changes by doubling the density of its plumage. Or urban birds navigating traffic by learning the posted speed limits. We now know something about how and why birds use their sensory abilities to see ultraviolet, find food without seeing it, fly thousands of miles without stopping, change their songs in noisy cities, navigate by smell, and much more. Based on the book Beaks, Bones, and Bird Songs which “Reveals the strange and wondrous adaptations birds rely on to get by.” —National Audubon Society 
Mitchell Lake American Kestrel Photo: Rob Michaelson

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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