Adventure Hikers Brave the Cold of Texas

In partnership with the North Texas Orienteering Association and with support from CH2M Hill, the Trinity River Corridor Project recently held the 3rd Annual Great Trinity Forest Adventure Hike. This introductory orienteering event drew 82 participants from throughout the Greater Dallas-Fort Worth area. Participants came from a variety of groups including Boy Scout troops, Girl Scout troops, and JROTC groups from Skyline High School and Arlington High School.

 
Hikers used a map and compass to find their way to nine punch stations throughout the four mile course in Rochester Park. The trail took them past stands of Green Ash, large Pecans and Bois d’ark Trees; through meadows, past ponds, and across a small stream. At the finish line, participants enjoyed refreshments as the day warmed from 37° with a chilly wind to above 45°.

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Community View

In Honor of Earth Day, Help Plant a Wetland Area

Join the Trinity River Corridor Project and the Lewisville Aquatic Ecosystem Research Facility, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s affiliate, for a special event in celebration of Earth Day. The event will be held Saturday, April 18, 2009 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Volunteers will team with specialists to learn how to plant a wetland cell within the Lower Chain of Wetlands.  This planting will enhance the recently completed construction of the Lower Chain of Wetlands in Dallas.

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center operates the Lewisville Aquatic Ecosystem Research Facility (LAERF) in Lewisville, TX. It is an experimental pond facility developed by the Corps of Engineers' Aquatic Plant Control Research Program in support of studies on biology, ecology, and management of aquatic plants. Testing and controlled pond adaptations are filled and drained independently for control of different hydrologic requirements. These environments provide small-scale studies on the effects of water flow as well as aquatic and wetland ecosystem processes.

Volunteers will help create a fresh emergent wetlands environment by planting a variety of floating-leaved and submersed aquatic plants during the event. Dallas’ Lower Chain of Wetlands Cell E-West is in close proximity to the Trinity River. Access to the area is at Overton Road, Exist 281 off I-45 South, with the entrance to the wetland area directly off the Interstate.  Volunteers should bring water, snacks, a sack lunch, insect repellant, sunscreen, gloves, towel, waders, rubber boots – they will get wet and muddy working this rewarding and extreme Trinity “green” project.

http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/facility/laerf.html

Kids' Haven at the Trinity River Audubon Center

Getting children to think about ecosystems, biology, or field sciences is basically an impossible task. However, let them run and play at the Trinity River Audubon Center and suddenly learning some of the principles of biology and math becomes just part of the game. It becomes fun!

Audubon Centers throughout the nation are leading the way with educational offerings such as Citizen Science. It is a way to connect with the natural world through important and well designed activities that generate vital information for the conservation of birds. This program pairs citizens with scientists or science-based activities. The partnership benefits everyone, and in particular, the beautiful fine feathered friends.

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