Join the volunteers
at
the Backyard Habitat Garden
behind the Texas Forest Office
No experience required
Learn by Doing
9:30 - 12:00 Every 2nd Tuesday we meet and spend a few hours maintaining the garden and observing the new plants and animals.
12:00 - 12:30 to clean up the equipment and ourselves; take a brief break.
12:30 - 1:30 We try to stop early enough to save some energy for a nature walk in the forest. Bring a snack to keep your energy going.
* The times will change as the weather gets hotter.
I don't always watch the clock when I'm out there in the garden. Feel free to remind me about stopping for the walk.
---Ash, project coordinator
What we want to accomplish
- Maintenance weeding
- Fill the bird feeder and bird bath
- Add compost to the beds
- Start a new compost pile
You are welcome to bring small vegetation clippings, vegetable peelings, coffee grounds
Last month, I was the only one who showed up. The weather the day before had been very cold and that scared most people away. I was too tired to take the walk; but I did get a lot accomplished: our regular maintenance, reset the bird bath, relocated some of the shrubs that were overcrowded.
I still need a volunteer to maintain the solitary bee nest demonstration we installed. The reeds need replacing and it needs an information sign. It's the season for the solitary bees starting in February.
Linda Crum is expanding the Jones Forest Bluebird Trail. More nest boxes mean more nesting pairs means more fledglings means more bluebirds to count. Check out the questions and answers on http://www.texasbluebirdsociety.org.
Recommended to bring
- Water bottle or cup, swipe rag, knee pad or rolled towel for comfort, insect repellant, sun hat, sun block.
- Gloves can help prevent insect bites. The insects and spiders will not attack you; however, if you stick your hand on top of them and squeeze to pull a weed, they will defend themselves.
- If you have small yard tools - a trowel to dig up small weeds and a pruner for trimming. If not, we can usually find some to share with you.
Heartwood TMN members earn volunteer service hours for time spent in the garden (habitat maintenance). The walk is for our own pleasure and observations, unless we are asked to do specific research or observations.
Can't come on Tuesday because of your work schedule? Nita Schiro has been scheduling a Saturday work day. Still cannot make that one? You are welcome to come on your own and spend time weeding, filling the bird feeder, or whatever else you see that needs doing.
See the Backyard Habitat Monthly Guide for March >>
