4th Quarter 2021 * Volume 29, Issue 4
Photo by K.P. Wilska
A Quarterly Newsletter Sponsored by the Friends in Support of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge
Dear Friends,
 
Fall is here! Our recent 50-degree weather has made it the perfect time for a Nature Center outing. I have no doubt more of those days are to come, along with beautiful fall color at the Refuge. You won’t want to miss it!
 
Exciting news! Thanks to the generosity of the Ryan Foundation and H-E-B, the Friends will be constructing two new bison viewing platforms along the East and Northeast pastures next to the former Prairie Dog Town area. The $450,000 project is on track to begin construction in March. The platforms will provide visitors with more opportunities during the year to view the bison on their native land. Find out more in the article below.
In other great news, we have fall virtual events planned! On October 30, we have another installment of the Wonder of the Wetlands with our very own Pete McKone. Program and registration details are below.

We are also pleased to announce a new program/podcast called Conservation Conversations. Our first conversation will be held in November with Nature Center Manager Rob Denkhaus. Join us for a discussion about conservation efforts at the Nature Center and the role the Refuge has had on conservation on a wider scale. Our second conversation with Suzanne Tuttle, former Nature Center manager, is planned for December. Details are below.
 
Keep an eye out for 2022 in-person events! Finally! We can’t wait to have you back out at the Nature Center for some member-favorite events and new adventures. More details to come!
 
Finally, we hope you have had a chance to take a look at our new website. It was an enormous undertaking, and we welcome your feedback. Read more details about how the site came to be in the article below.
 
Thank YOU for being a friend of the Nature Center and for helping us preserve and protect it for future generations.
 
Your friend in nature,
Haily Summerford
Executive Director
Behind the Scenes at the Refuge
Compiling the history of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge is a never-ending process and involves scouring literally thousands of sources. The process is both enervating and invigorating as each unraveled historical thread leads to yet another story to be untangled. Of course, as a natural area, Nature Center history predates the 1964 formal beginning of the park. After almost a quarter century here at the Nature Center, I feel that I have a pretty solid grasp on the history of the property, but even so, a simple phone call or email can introduce a totally new rabbit hole to be explored.
Friends News
The Friends and Nature Center have long discussed creating a dedicated space for visitors and school groups to view the bison. The herd is the only one of its kind in North Texas, making it more important than ever to offer more opportunities to experience and learn about this historic mammal. Two viewing platforms overlooking the East and Northeast pastures will soon help visitors view the bison on its native land for eight months out of the year.
Jaime Dickerson and Bert Slade take World Cleanup Day seriously. In case you missed it, World Cleanup Day happened on September 18, so Jaime and Bert decided that was a perfect excuse to make some headway on their ongoing cleanup project at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge. They spent half a day clearing tires that have accumulated over the decades near the Canyon Ridge Trail.
The Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge recently rolled out some new and improved experiences for Friends members. In an effort to make memberships the best they can be, the Friends are improving one of its membership levels and making it easier than ever to join.
After many months of preparation, the Friends’ new website is live! The updated and improved site is easier to use — and easier on the eyes. But our new website doesn’t just have a brand-new look. The site has been streamlined for more information, more news, and easier navigation. Made possible by a grant from the Amon G. Carter Foundation, the new website gives visitors plenty to explore.
Conservation on the Refuge
The days are getting shorter. The temperatures are becoming cooler. The leaves are falling. These are sure signs of fall. However, another indicator of the new season is making its presence known. Take a look at the birds. You may notice we have some visitors. Birds are flocking from the northern part of the country to Texas to take advantage of the milder winters and readier access to food.
Have you ever heard a solitary howl when you are visiting the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge? The iconic sound could have come from one of the wild canids that calls the Refuge home — the coyote (Canis latrans).
At the Nature Center
Change is inevitable. It can be either good or bad depending on the circumstances. The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge is no exception in experiencing change. We embrace some change, but other change we attempt to rectify. Unfortunately, the habitat on the Refuge has suffered some undesirable change over the years due to inadequate management activities attributable to limited staffing and lack of proper equipment.
Did You See It?
Welcoming the New Bison Calf
Each issue, we will highlight the most-popular post that was featured on social media the previous quarter. Enjoy this look back at what caught our followers' attention. Follow us if you haven't already! Links are below.

From August 27, 2021

The week of August 23, the Nature Center welcomed its 5th bison calf of the season. Since then, the calf has been growing and thriving!

Photo by FWNC&R Staff.
Upcoming Events
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