Audubon Centers > Trinity River Audubon Center > Calendar

Calendar

Membership Benefits
Directions/Phone
Family Programs
Adult Programs
Children's Club's
Special Events

For more information, or to sign up, please call 214-398-TRAC or
email: bjones@audubon.org

FAMILY PROGRAMS
All participants must register at least 5 business days prior to the program.

BIRDS of PLAY
One adult with up to two children ages 0-4 – Tuesday or Thursday
So many exciting things to discover – the inside of a flower, a bird’s soft feathers, feet dangling in a cool pond, a sticky spider web, butterflies dancing across a prairie. Together, we’ll explore trails, play games, create nature art and wrap-up with story and snack time. And, we’ll provide smart tips for creating your own nature play experiences at home. Bring your favorite kids, a snack, and your imagination as we explore nature together through play. For more information or to sign up,
please click here.

Fee: $20/class or $70/four class series

Tuesday classes:
Jan. 20, 27
Feb. 3, 10
March, 17, 24, 31
April 7
Thursday classes:
Jan. 22, 29
Feb. 5, 12
March 19, 26
April, 2, 9

Time: 9:30am-11:00am
Limitation: 16 children

DISCOVER TOGETHER
Classes are held on the first Saturday of each month. Tired of family life revolving around what’s on TV? Join us as we learn the basic skills in outdoor fun like camping, paddling, archery, fishing, nature photography, birding, nature journaling, Leave No Trace, and more. These workshops are excellent opportunities for families to create great memories together. Research has shown when families work together as a team in an outdoor environment, those positive bonds and communication skills spill over into other aspects of their lives. Our workshops are designed for beginners and families with children between the ages of 5 and 13. The workshops are open to all types of families, including grandparents and grandchildren and adults with nieces or nephews. For more information or to sign up, please click here.

Fee: $20/adult, $10/child
Dates:
Feb. 7 – Nature Journaling
March 7 – Beginning Bird Watching
April 4 – Astronomy (Note time change: 7pm - 9pm)
May 2 – Camping Basics, Overnight Adventure (Note time change: 6pm – 8am)
June 6 - Hiking
July 11 – Paddling (Note date change: 2nd Saturday)
Aug 8 – Campfire Cooking
Sept 5 – Geo-cache

Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
Limitation: 20 people

Nature Journaling (February 7, 2009)
Create a journal inspired by the world around you. Look out (as well as in) and sharpen your observational skills by studying and documenting natural phenomena. Learn to record reoccurring natural phenomena and learn the basics of phenology. Nature journaling helps you remember your experiences in nature just as passionately as you felt them. Join us for a creative time outdoors.

Beginning Bird Watching (March 7, 2009)
Get the family started in the fastest growing and currently the most popular spectator sport in America - bird watching! With very little equipment, birding provides a relaxing, educational hobby that the whole family can enjoy together. Join us and learn more about birding, binoculars, field guides, keeping a life-list, and the basics of bird identification.

Astronomy (April 4, 2009)
Learn to use a telescope at last! Join us and enjoy an evening discovering the basics of astronomy. Constellations, satellites, comets, the moon, bring the family out as we take a closer look at the galaxy.

Camping Overnight Adventure (May 2, 2009)
Spend the night in the woods at the TRAC. Together, we’ll learn the basics of family camping. Set up a tent, do activities around camp, build a low-impact fire and discuss environmental ethics. Let’s go camping!

Hiking (June 6, 2009)
Bring out family and friends as we explore the TRAC together. We’ll hike all four miles of trails through prairie, wetland and forest habitat. Starting with a quick stretch and warm-up, we’ll share hiking tips and simple ideas to get the family excited about the outdoors. This is a great opportunity to prepare for a big trip, break-in a backpack or some boots, or just start a new family hobby.

Paddling (July 11, 2009)
Spend some time learning more about canoeing and kayaking. This is an awesome family-friendly activity that gets everyone involved! Add a little extra to your next family camping trip and pick up a new way to enjoy the outdoors. We will discuss canoeing and kayaking techniques and safety, as well as, regional and national places to canoe.

Campfire Cooking (August 1, 2009)
Not your ordinary cooking class, this is granola gourmet! Learn to use a Dutch oven and create some campfire cuisine. Come out and learn different ways to satisfy your starving family after some quality time outdoors.

Geo-cache (September 5, 2009)
Learn to use a GPS unit in a high-tech treasure hunt! A great family hobby, enjoy investigating the forest, wetland, and prairie systems to seek out hidden boxes (caches) along our four miles of trails. Help us create our own collection for future geo-cachers!

ADULT PROGRAMS
All participants must register at least 5 business days prior to the program (excluding Trinity Treks).

CORNELL BIRD BIOLOGY
3rd Thursday each month, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Course begins February 19, 2009, and continues for 10 classes.
Learn bird behavior, migration, ecology, conservation and many other topics from Dr. Jeanette Boylan, Trinity River Audubon Center ornithologist. This course was written by 12 leading ornithologists, edited by Cornell Lab staff, and illustrated by acclaimed artist John Schmitt. Students study and are tested on 10 chapters. Class will gather monthly for group discussion, guest lectures and study sessions. We’ll cover one chapter per month over a 10-month period. Course includes comprehensive textbook, 10 graded tests, 10 lectures/study sessions, 10 chapter outlines, and a certificate with completion. For more information or to sign up, please contact Dr. Boylan at jboylan@audubon.org.

TRINITY TREKS
Classes are available every Friday. No stroll in the woods, we’ll hike all four miles of trails through prairie, wetland and forest habitat. Starting with a quick stretch and warm-up, we’ll share hiking tips and upcoming trip information. This is a great opportunity to prepare for a big trip, break-in a backpack or some boots, or just mix-up your exercise routine. Water provided.

Fee: $10/session, $30/four session series

Dates:
Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30
Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27
March 6, 13, 20, 27
April 3, 10, 17, 24
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
June 5, 12, 19, 26
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
August 7, 14, 21, 28

Time: 8:00am
Limitation: 20 people

BIRDING 101
This class meets the first Saturday of each month. Bird watching is the fastest growing and currently the most popular spectator sport in America. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, 51.3 million Americans enjoy bird watching. With very little equipment, birding provides a relaxing, educational hobby along with a low-impact form of exercise that all ages can enjoy. Join us to learn more about birding, binoculars, field guides, keeping a life-list, and the basics of bird identification. For more information or to sign up, please click here.

Fee: $20/class

Dates:
Feb. 7
March 7
April 4
May 2
June 6
July 7
Aug 1

Time: 9:00-11:00am
Limitation: 10 people

LIVING GREEN
This class meets the third Saturday of each month. Would you like to learn more about sustainability and how green practices can save natural resources and money? Join us for information and demonstrations on green practices at home, in the yard, and office. We’ll discuss tips for waste reduction, recycling and reuse, water conservation, green office practices, organic gardening and xeriscaping, native plants, composting, carbon foot print and more. Each class will include demonstrations and discussion. For more information or to sign up, please click here.

Fee: $20/class or $70/four class series

Dates:
Jan. 17 – Rainwater Harvesting
Feb. 21 – Composting Techniques and Usage
March 21 – Texas Wildscapes
April 18 – Eat Local
May 16 – Green Homebuilding
June 20 – Green Family Choices
July 18 – Alternative Energy Choices
Aug 15 – Carbon Footprint Calculation 101

Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
Limitation: 20 people

Class Descriptions:

Rainwater Harvesting (January 17, 2009)
Heighten your awareness of water usage and how to conserve this precious resource. Expand your Texas water facts knowledge and learn how easy it is to harvest rainwater for use in your landscape, rain garden and in your home.

Composting Techniques and Usage (February 21, 2009)
Turn over a new leaf! Stop throwing all that organic waste into the trash and start turning it into rich, fertile garden soil. Come find out the perfect brown and green recipe for backyard composting. Learn about the red wigglers role in vermicomposting. You’ll soon be sharing these great concepts with all your neighbors when you find out how easy it is to reduce your carbon footprint through composting.

Texas Wildscapes (March 21, 2009)
Want to attract more wildlife to your backyard? Come to this informative session and learn how to provide year round food, shelter and water sources for local wildlife. Discover steps to certify your backyard by selecting native plants that provide food to birds and other wildlife, shelters such as rock piles and toad houses and reliable, usable water sources.

Eat Local (April 18, 2009)
Concerned about the quality of your fruits and vegetables or just longing to recapture the garden-fresh tastes from your childhood? Come investigate local food sources for the DFW Metroplex. Find out about local CSA’s and farmer’s markets. Find out how making a commitment to eating local reduces your carbon footprint, increases your health and supports local farmers.

Green Homebuilding (May 16, 2009)
Whether building a new home or just making some improvements to your existing one, come find out how to lower your utility bills, improve your indoor air quality, conserve water and lower your environmental impact. Tour the TRAC’s LEED-certified Gold building to see many commercial practices you can modify for your own home.

Green Family Choices (June 20, 2009)
Let’s review the multitude of options available to today’s families for Living Green. Hybrid vehicles, cloth diapers, fair trade products, BPA- free, low VOCs, SRIs … the list goes on and on. Which choices have the most impact on your carbon footprint?

Alternative Energy Sources (July 18, 2009)
Texas and wind power go hand in hand. Come learn more about wind turbines and their use as alternative energy in your own state. Tour the TRACs solar panel exhibit. Compare wind, coal, solar sources for their cost and efficiency.

Carbon Footprint Calculation 101 (August 15, 2009)
What is a carbon footprint and how do you calculate yours? Want to know how your household compares to the national average? What about purchasing carbon offsets to reduce your emissions? Come learn and share at this informative session

CHILDREN’S CLUBS
Fee: $195/student for each club
Limitation: 15 children per age group for each club
All participants must register at least 5 business days prior to the program.
For more information or to sign up, please click here.

Join one, two, three or all four clubs!

BUG CLUB
Children ages 5-8 & 9-12. Club meets the fourth Sunday of the month for11months (no December meeting). All activities are age appropriate and engage multiple learning styles. Tag and monitor monarchs, taste edible insects, plant a butterfly garden, start an insect collection and more.

Dates:
Jan 25
Feb 22,
March 22
April 26
May 24
June 28,
July 26
Aug 23

Time: 2:00-4:00pm

BIRD CLUB
Children ages 5-8 & 9-12. Club meets the third Sunday of the month for11months (no December meeting). All activities are age appropriate and engage multiple learning styles. Race pigeons, learn to use binoculars, dissect an owl pellet, build a bird house, learn to tie a falconer’s knot, record bird calls.

Dates:
Jan 18
Feb 15
March 15
April 19
May 17
June 21
July 19
Aug 16

Time: 2:00-4:00pm

FROG CLUB
Children ages 5-8 & 9-12. Club meets the second Sunday of the month for 11 months (no December meeting). All activities are age appropriate and engage multiple learning styles. Record frog calls, dissect a frog, study tadpoles, take pond samples, monitor water quality, taste a frog leg.

Dates:
April1 2
May 10
June 14
July 12
Aug 9

Time: 2:00-4:00pm

ADVENTURE CLUB
Children ages 5-8 & 9-12. Club Meets the first Sunday of the month for 11 months (no December meeting). All activities are age appropriate and engage multiple learning styles. Build a secret clubhouse, dig for fossils, track mammals, learn to use a compass and GPS.

Beginning date:
Aug 2

Time: 2:00-4:00pm

SPECIAL EVENTS

Free Third Thursday January 15, 2009 - 9am – 9pm Join us for a very special presentation -- South America: Birds, Birdwatching and Conservation Presented by Bennett Hennessey, Executive Director, Asociación Civil Armonía and Matt Jeffery, Program Manager, Audubon’s International Alliances Program. This presentation will illustrate the wonders of South America, well known as “The Bird Continent” with more bird species than anywhere else on earth. Discover the immense bird diversity of South America with stunning photographs, learn the best approach to bird watching within the continent, and hear the daunting bird conservation challenges and exciting advances unfolding there. Presentation begins at 7pm Other activities from 5-9pm include animal encounters, guided hikes, arts & crafts and campfire & storytelling For more information contact Ben Jones, Director of Education at 214-309-5810 or bjones@audubon.org

For more information, or to sign up, please call 214-398-TRAC or
email: bjones@audubon.org