Saturdays,
April 5 & 19
May 3 & 17
June 14 & 28
8:30 a.m. - Noon

Å Canoe Tour: Glide up to a great blue heron.  Check out a wood duck.  Visit an active beaver lodge.  On this 3-hour canoe tour, visitors get close to nature while paddling along the West Fork of the Trinity River.  Sunscreen, water and weather appropriate clothing (shoes that can get wet) are recommended.  Lifejackets, paddles and canoes provided.  Children must be 5 years or older.  Parents must sign a liability waiver for minor children.  Register by Thursday preceding the tour date.  $15/adult, $10/child/FONC $10/$6.

Every Saturday, 9 a.m. - Noon

Natural Guard: Help keep the Nature Center beautiful by volunteering for the Natural Guard.  Natural Guard members assist Refuge staff in trail maintenance, brush clearing, bridge building and much more!  Meet at the Refuge Service Center.  For more information call 237-1111.  FREE.

Saturday, April 5
9 - 5 p.m.

Å Earth Education Workshop:This workshop, created by The Institute for Earth Education (IEE), is ideal for anyone who enjoys sharing fun outdoor learning adventures with youth. The IEE is an internationally recognized, nonprofit volunteer organization with sites in 10 countries.   Participants learn specific activities for understanding the function of basic ecological systems, what these systems mean in their own lives, and what we must do to begin living more in harmony with these systems.

Those interested in helping young people develop a deep attachment with the natural world will leave the workshop with renewed motivation.  Bill Weiler, Habitat Biologist for the Fish and Wildlife Department of Washington State and twenty year Associate staff member for the IEE, has enjoyed leading Earth Education Workshops for eight years. In 1983 he co-edited The Earth Speaks with IEE chairman and founder Steve van Matre. This book and other earth education publications will be available for purchase at the workshop. 

Dynamic leadership guidelines and techniques of earth education are covered in lecture format. Half of the day will be spent outdoors experiencing some of the activities included in our focused, cumulative and sequentially designed programs.  Fee ($45) includes a full day workshop, booklet and lunch. Dress for an active day, rain or shine. For more information or to register, contact IEE staff Associate Heather Marcom @ 214-228-9539. TEECA hours available.

Every Saturday,
10 a.m. - Noon

Saturday,
April 5 1 - 3 p.m.

é Native Texans: Stop by the Refuge to learn about some of the animals that call Texas their home before early settlers.  Bison, white-tailed deer, coyotes, and even alligators used to inhabit this area and still do.  See some of artifacts on exhibit in the Hardwicke Interpretive Center.  FREE.

Sundays,
April 6, 13,
20 & 27
Saturday,
April 26
1, 2, & 3 p.m.

é Limestone Ledge Wildflower Walks: Enjoy a naturalist led wildflower walk along the wheelchair accessible Limestone Ledge Trail.  These hour long walks will feature hundreds of spring wildflowers including many of the local favorites, in bloom.  FREE.

Sundays,
April 6, May 4,
June 15
3 - 4 p.m.

DFWHS Herp Walks: The FWNC&R and the Dallas Fort Worth Herpetological Society have partnered to bring you these hikes which will feature local reptiles and amphibians (herps, as they are called).  DFWHS members will lead hikers in search of local herps while exploring their habitat needs.  FREE.

Saturday,
April 12
1 - 5 p.m.

Å Anuran Monitoring Workshop:  Amphibians have been declining in various parts of the world, so much so that there is a volunteer program to monitor their populations (Amphibian Watch).  The FWNC&R and DFW Herpetological Society have arranged for Lou Verner and John Davis, TPWD urban biologists, to provide this workshop to acquaint you with frog and toad calls so that you can monitor local populations.  Fee ($10) includes all materials, including recordings of frog/toad calls.  Call 817-237-1111 to register.

Third & Fourth Fridays of each month
10:30 - 11:30 a.m

Åé Preschool Discovery Club: We invite preschoolers, age 3-5 and their adult companions to join us in discovering the exciting world of nature!   April’s activities will check out the sights of spring.  May’s activities will explore the small world of insects.  In June, we’ll look at the double lives of amphibians $5/FONC $2.  Pre-registration required.

Saturday,
April 19
1 - 3 p.m.

Nature’s Beauties: Wildflowers fill the fields with a diversity of colors every year.  From Crow Poison to Wine Cups, discover interesting facts of some of nature’s beauties.  Join us as we hike the Prairie Trail in search of these early bloomers.  $5/FONC FREE.

Sundays,
April 20, 27
May 11, 18
2:30 - 5 p.m.

Å Nature Photography Workshop:  This 4-session workshop is for the photographer who wants to enhance his/her skills in taking nature photos.  Each meeting will consist of a classroom session to critique pictures taken previously and a field trip to various areas of the Refuge to practice the skills and techniques discussed.  One trip will be by canoe into some of the northern wetland areas.  Canoes, life jackets, paddles and trained canoe guides will be provided.  Participants must provide their own waterproof containers for cameras and other personal gear.  Other trips will involve hiking some distances to access various landscapes.  All of these details will be discussed during the first class period.  St. Clair Newbern III, an attorney and semiprofessional photographer who has attended numerous photography seminars around the world, will facilitate the class.  Class size is limited to 15 participants.  Pre-registration is required.  Workshop fees include the book, National Geographic Photography Field Guide Secrets to Making Great Pictures.  For more information, please call Bill Richerson at 817-237-1111.  $75/FONC $65.

Sundays,
April 20,
May 18,
& June 15
Noon - 4 p.m.

Canoe Fest: Come out and enjoy a bit of canoeing on your own on the quiet waters around Greer Island.  Canoes, paddles, and life jackets provided.  Children must be 5 years or older and accompanied by a parent or guardian.  Parents must sign a liability waiver for minor children.  NO REGISTRATION NEEDED, FIRST COME-FIRST SERVED.  Meet at Greer Island.  $5/FONC $3.

Saturday & Sunday,
April 26-27
1 - 4 p.m.

Tandy Hills Wildflower Walks: Enjoy a naturalist led walk through a remnant of native Fort Worth Prairie at Tandy Hills Park in east Fort Worth.  Walks begin every hour on the hour with the last tour leaving at 4 p.m. Meet at the corner of View and Tandy Streets.  FREE.

Thursdays,
April 24, May 29, & June 26
7 - 9 p.m.

Å Nature Center Night Stalkers: Enjoy a different kind of hike on the Nature Center's trails as we explore the nature of twilight and darkness.  Evening is the best time to see many of the animals that make the Nature Center home.  Bring water and wear weather appropriate clothing.  $5/FONC FREE. 

Sat. & Sun.
April 26, 27 & May 3
May 31, June 7 & 8
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Å Learn to Canoe Training: Learn and practice all of the basics of canoeing in this three-part American Red Cross course.  Instruction will cover equipment selection, safety and rescue, tandem and solo paddling, and excursions on the waters of the Refuge.  Life jackets, paddles, canoes and instruction manual provided.  $50/FONC $45.

Saturday, April 26
1 - 3 p.m.

é Chelonian’s Up Close: They have a horny beak instead of teeth but they are not birds.  They carry their protection on their backs but they are not snails.  Come close with creatures that inhabit the Metroplex and learn of their unique characteristics and special adaptations.  FREE.

Saturday, April 26
4 - 6 p.m.

Å Hands & Hearts Volunteer Recognition: Calling all volunteers!  Come on out to the Refuge and get exactly what you deserve—a great big THANK YOU!  Enjoy a meal and see who earned their hours awards this year.  Don’t miss Ken’s presentation of the Golden Spatula and Golden Scoop Awards!!

Saturday, May 3
1 & 2 p.m.

Caprock Strolls: Take a leisurely stroll along one of the Refuge's favorite trails.  The 0.5-mile Caprock Trail is on a fossil outcrop that includes patches of prairies and disturbed forest full of natural treasures.  The 1-hour walks leave from the Hardwicke Interpretive Center on the hour.  $5/FONC FREE. 

Sunday, May 4
1 - 4 p.m.

Å Canyon Ridge Trek: Canyon Ridge Trail is the FWNC&R’s most rugged trail.  Meet at the trailhead at the Greer Island parking lot and enjoy an aerobic workout while exploring the plants and animals found in this unique area.  We’ll also see a bit of local history as we visit a number of C.C.C. shelters and other structures.  $5/FONC FREE.

Saturday,
May 10
8:30—Noon

Buffalo Boogie 2003: Support the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge by participating in the Buffalo Boogie 2003 Walk/Fun Run!  Win prizes!  Hike!  Visit the prairie dogs and bison!  Live music and other entertainment available for your enjoyment!  Call 817-237-1111 or visit www.buffaloboogie.org for more information!

Saturday & Sunday,
May 10 & 11
1 - 3 p.m.

é Greer Island Aquatics:Water scorpions, glass shrimp, madtom catfish and more call the water arond Greer Island home.  Bring your curosity and some sunscreen and join this adventure at Greer Island.  Nets, buckets and instructions will be provided. FREE.

Saturdays,
May 17 & June 28
1 - 3 p.m.

Nature en Español: Join a bilingual naturalist on a hike on the Nature Center’s trails in search of interesting plants and animals.  Whether Spanish is your first or second language, these hikes provide a new opportunity at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge.  $5/FONC FREE.

Saturday & Monday,
May 24 & 26
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 25
12 - 4 p.m.

é Snakes of Tarrant CountyCome see representatives of the venomous and nonvenomous snake species found in Tarrant County.  Members of the North Texas Herpetological Society and Dallas Fort Worth Herpetological Society will be on hand to give brief presentations on these misunderstood animals.  FREE.

Saturday, May 31
1 - 3 p.m.

é Featured Creature - Alligators: Take a peek into the remarkable world of alligators.  Learn where they live, what they eat, and how big they can grow.  See up close one of the reptiles whose ancestors were survivors from the great age of dinosaurs.  FREE.

Sunday,
June 1
1 - 4 p.m.

Å Fish Collecting—The North Side:  We’ll provide the seines, dipnets, collecting buckets and know-how if you will provide the man or woman-power.  We will be heading for the north side of the Refuge below Eagle Mountain Dam where longear sunfish, red shiners, blacktail shiners and other beautiful native fish can be found.  This is a great opportunity to learn about native fish in their aquatic habitat.  $5/FONC $2.

Saturday & Sunday,
June 7 & 8
1 - 3 p.m.

é Refuge Insects: They have six legs, three body segments and live in a variety of places.  They are the most numerous animals at the Nature Center they are the insects.  Whether they live in the water or on the land they are interesting. Join this buggy adventure.   FREE.

Saturday, June 14
1 - 3 p.m.

Wild Plum Excursion: Take a three-mile hike through pockets of prairie, wild plum thickets, and river bottom forest.  This trail is great place for wildlife watching.  $5/FONC FREE.

Saturday, June 14
4:30 - 7 p.m.

Å Friends of the Nature Center Annual Meeting: The annual meeting is a chance to renew old friendships and make new ones while learning what has been happening at the FWNC&R during the past year.  Call ahead (817-237-1111) to participate in the potluck dinner!

Saturday,
June 21
1 - 3 p.m.

é Owls and Owl Pellets: Investigate these remarkable raptors from their feathery heads to their sharp talons.  Discover where they live to what they prefer to eat.  Give yourself the opportunity to peek into some Great Horned Owl pellets.  $5/FONC FREE.

Sunday,
June 29
1 - 4 p.m.

Å Fish Collecting—The South Side: We’ll provide the seines, dipnets, collecting buckets and know-how if you will provide the man or woman-power.  We will be heading for the south side of the Refuge near Greer Island where orangespot sunfish, freckled madtoms, creek chubs and other beautiful native fish can be found.  This is a great opportunity to learn about native fish in their aquatic habitat.  $5/FONC $2.

Rob Denkhaus
817-237-1111

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