2nd Quarter 2022 | Volume 30, Issue 2

River Otters by Charles Morris

A Quarterly Newsletter Sponsored by the Friends in Support of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge

Dear Friends,

I am writing this letter on one of the coldest days this winter, but, in just a few days, we will be near 80 degrees. While our Texas weather has lived up to its reputation, our lives are finally getting a reprieve from COVID-19. What a relief! I am so grateful as my family is all high-risk. Let the adventures begin! Indoors and out!

Our board members and I are extremely grateful for your continued support during these past two years. Your health and safety were — and still are — our priority, and hosting in-person events was just not possible. We are also thankful to all our new members who needed nature and found the Nature Center. Welcome!

I can finally say we are back to hosting in-person events in 2022! We are bringing back some of your favorites and adding new ones that we hope you will enjoy. All the events this year are for members only and are FREE. Yes, you read that right — FREE! It's the least we can do for your unwavering support.

Our remaining 2022 spring events include:

Botany with Bob – Saturday, May 7 at 9 a.m.
Sid Richardson Museum Tour – Saturday, June 11 at 11 a.m.
Wonders of Wetlands - TBD

Watch your inbox for more details or check our website at naturecenterfriends.org.

We hope you can attend one of the events. We will have more in the fall! Next time you are at the Nature Center, keep an eye out for new construction. More exciting experiences are coming soon!

Thank you for sticking with us and supporting the Nature Center we all treasure.

Your friend in nature,

Haily Summerford, MBA

Executive Director

Behind the Scenes at the Refuge

On the Road in Nature

Part of my daily routine as Nature Center manager is to conduct what I refer to as a “drive around” through the Refuge each day. Much as a store manager may walk the store checking to see if the shelves are stocked and the aisles are clean, I drive all the paved roads of the Nature Center, a total of 9.9 miles, including the obligatory backtracking.

Friends News

Bagels Botany 2019-10-19 - Haily Summerford _9_.jpg

In-Person Events Are Back!

It has been a long two years, but in-person member events are finally returning! From old favorites like Botany with Bob and S'mores by Starlight to sure-to-become new favorites like Pancakes on the Prairie and a guided tour of the Sid Richardson Museum, there will be something for everyone. Best of all, these members-only events will be free during 2022.

More details will be forthcoming as we approach the date, so look for an email in your inbox. You can also find more information on our website.

What's Blooming?

Common Prickly Ash

Have you ever seen a prickly ash? I bet you didn’t know that it’s rare to find this shrub growing so far southwest. We can thank our pollinators for spreading its seeds. Typically, you can find a variety of mammals nesting within its branches, including American Robins, Wood Thrushes, Bobwhite, Red-eyed Vireos, white-tailed deer, and others.

Bluestem Broadcasts

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Conservation Conversations with Suzanne Tuttle

We continued our Conservation Conversations series in December, sitting down with Suzanne Tuttle, former manager of the Nature Center. As manager for 11 years and a staff member for another 12, Suzanne continued the conversation and provided another important perspective on what conservation issues have affected the Nature Center over the years.

LISTEN Here

Volunteer and Staff Spotlight

Volunteer Spotlight: Jude Hathcock

I would like to highlight one of our volunteers: Jude Hathcock. Jude has been attending Nature Center programs regularly with his family since April 2019. In the summer of 2021, we restarted our summer day camp programs, Summer Natural History Adventures. Jude had expressed an interest in assisting with our summer camps, so we decided he would be a good fit for the entering 6^th and 7^th-grade group. Jude was up for the challenge.

Meet Julia — or Is It Roze?

Hello, my name is Julia — or Roze, depending on whom you ask. My first name is Julia, so if you’re looking for my city email, it will be Julia.Shipman. My family and friends, however, call me Roze, which seems appropriate since I am the new Natural Resource Specialist at the Nature Center, focusing on the greenhouse project and all things plant-related! But I will answer to either.

Did You See It?

Turn Lights Out for Migrating Birds

Each issue, we 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 March 1, 2022

It's time for spring migration! You can help protect migratory birds traveling through our area by turning LIGHTS OUT. Turn off all non-essential lights outside and inside from 11 pm - 6 am every night from March 1 – June 15. Going lights out is particularly important during Peak Migration (April 22 – May 12) when half of the total migratory bird traffic for the season passes through Texas. Let's protect the approximately two billion birds that will travel through the Lone Star State this spring. You can learn more here. What's been happening in our area to support this effort? Learn more here, here, and here.