Nature-friendly activities in DFW starting Feb. 13
▪ Take part in the annual Great Backyard Bird Count with Friends of O.S. Gray Natural Area, 2021 W. Abram St., Arlington, on Saturday. The event will begin at 7 a.m.; coffee at 6:45 a.m. The Second Saturday Community Work Day follows, 9 a.m.-noon. Questions: friendsofosgray@gmail.com.
▪ Get up early and join “The Big Sit,” the Southwest Nature Preserve in Arlington’s take on the annual Backyard Bird Count, beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday. Bring a portable chair and binoculars. The event runs until 11 a.m. Beginning birders welcome. 5201 Bowman Springs Road, Arlington.
▪ Join master naturalist Leigh Langford for a family-friendly walk through the Cross Timbers at 9:15 a.m. Saturday at Bob Jones Nature Center. It’s $5 per person. At 7 p.m. Saturday, participate in a star-gazing party with an instructor from the Fort Worth Astronomical Society. All ages welcome. It’s $5 per person. Register at http://tinyurl.com/zxe5wrl.
Wednesday will be Volunteer Gardener Day at the nature center. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., anyone can help with planting in the Pollinator Garden. 355 E. Bob Jones Road, Southlake. 817-491-6333; bjnc.org.
▪ The annual Great Backyard Bird Count will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at River Legacy Parks in Arlington. Count birds for science and participate in family-friendly bird-related crafts and activities. 703 N.W. Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington. riverlegacy.org.
▪ Learn how to assemble a terrarium at a free clinic at 10:15 a.m. Saturday at all area Calloway’s stores. calloways.com
▪ Rose expert Cindy Lawrey will talking about planting and care of roses during a free class at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Redenta’s Garden, 5111 W. Arkansas Lane, Arlington. 817-451-2149; http://redentas.com.
▪ Take the Spillway Road hike with a naturalist to look for nine-banded armadillos, white-tailed deer and birds, 1-3 p.m. Saturday at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. On Sunday, 1-2:30 p.m., join a bilingual naturalist for “Nature en Espanol,” and learn to identify trees, even in their leafless state. Both programs are free with paid admission ($2-$5). The refuge is at 9601 Fossil Ridge Road, Fort Worth. 817-392-7410; www.fwnaturecenter.org.
▪ Monday is the Fort Worth Audubon Society’s deadline for community or school projects. Schools and civic organizations with a birding or bird habitat conservation project may apply for funding for materials and supplies. For application and details, visit www.fwas.org.
▪ Get your gardening questions answered with a call to the Tarrant County Master Gardener Association help desk, 817-884-1944. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
▪ Johnson County Master Gardeners also answer gardening questions and give advice 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays. Call the Johnson County Extension Office at 817-556-6370 and ask to speak to a master gardener.
Mark your calendar …
▪ For the LiveFit Southlake Wellness Challenge’s Hike With Mayor Laura Hill, 9 a.m. Feb. 20, on the trails of the Bob Jones Nature Center, 355 E. Bob Jones Road, Southlake. 817-491-6333; bjnc.org.
▪ For April 4, the deadline to order 50-gallon rain barrels, $72.50, and 65-gallon compost bins, $67.50, from the Botanical Research Institute of Texas and the city of Fort Worth’s sale. Order at www.rainbarrelprogram.org/britfortworth. Pick them up 9 a.m.-noon April 9 at BRIT, 1700 University Drive, Fort Worth. www.brit.org
Send announcements of local home and garden happenings (including retail news) at least two weeks in advance to Places to Go, Features Department, Star-Telegram, Box 1870, Fort Worth, TX 76101, or send an email to scline@star-telegram.com with “Places to Go” in the subject line.
This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 1:43 PM with the headline "Nature-friendly activities in DFW starting Feb. 13."