The Meadow Preserve

The Connemara Meadow Preserve is closed to the public to give the meadow a chance to recover from more than two decades of use and to give the Connemara advisory team adequate time to assess the immediate health of the ecosystem as well as its future needs. In order for the public to continue enjoying the land's beauty during this time, Connemara is hosting periodic events and guided walks on the property.

         * Upcoming events:
                     Guided Walks
                     Nature Photography Workshops

        * Pictures from past events in 2008:
                     Jun 7 Wildflower & Prairie Walk    |     Jun 4 History Walk
                     May 10 Wildflower Walk    |     May 3 Birdwatch    |     May 1 (May Day) - Wildflower Walk
                     Apr 22 (Earth Day) - Wildflower Walk     |     Apr 19 - Work Day with REI
                     Apr 12 - Wildflower Walk     |     Apr 6 - Birdwatch     |     Mar 29 - Habitat Walk
                     Mar 8 - Big Bluestem Rescue   |     Mar 8 - Trout Lily Search     |     Mar 1 - Birdwatch

         * Past Bird Sightings:
                    Jun 1, 2008  |   May 3, 2008  |   Apr 6, 2008  |   Mar 22, 2008
                    Mar 1, 2008  |   Feb 2, 2008   |   Jan 13, 2008

         * Restoration Work:
                     Big Bluestem Prairie Grass Rescue
                     Native Tallgrass Plantings
                     Workday Celebrating Earth Day with REI

         * Receive Meadow Preserve News by email - Subscribe Today

Guided Walks Schedule
Guided walks in the Meadow Preserve are open to the general public. All ages are welcome. Walks currently scheduled are listed below. All walks start at the parking lot off Alma and Bethany Roads in Allen (see directions below). -- Please join us for any or all walks.
-- If you would like to lead a future walk, please contact us.

9am Saturday June 28, 2008: Prairie Walk with Jim Varnum
See how prairie restoration projects are progressing in the Meadow Preserve and enjoy summer wildflowers like milkweed and sensitive mimosa in bloom.  Join Texas Master Naturalist Jim Varnum to talk about the changes occurring as we settle into summer.  Bring your botany books, binoculars, cameras and water.

8am Saturday July 5, 2008: Bird Watch with Gailon Brehm
For all levels of experience. Look for and learn about birds that make the Meadow Preserve their summer home. Bring your binoculars and field guides if you have them.

9am Saturday July 12, 2008: Wildflowers and Prairies with Rich Jaynes
See how prairie restoration projects are progressing in the Meadow Preserve. And with good spring rains, summer wildflowers will also be blooming. Join Environmental Scientist and Botanist, Rich Jaynes, to talk about the changes occurring in summer.

Event Logistics:

Location:	Parking lot at Main Entrance - at Alma and Bethany Drives in Allen.
Trails:	Roughly mowed, Not paved, Surrounded by tall grasses most of year.
Facilities:	None.
Gates Open:	15 minutes before event.
Ages:	All ages welcome on guided walks. 10 and over for work days.
What to Bring:	Binoculars for bird watching, Gloves for work days, Water always.
What to Wear:
On Walks:	Closed-toe shoes, Bug spray, Sunscreen or Hat.
On Work Days:	Sturdy shoes, Bug spray, Hat, Layered clothing - Long pants, Long-sleeved shirt.

Directions: From Highway 75 --
Exit Bethany Drive and go west approximately 1 mile.
Turn left (south) onto Alma Drive.
Take the next left though the open gate.
(If you reach Hedgcoxe and Tom Thumb, you have gone too far.)
Park to the left of the entrance.

No facilities are available on the property.
For more information, call 214-351-0990, or send an email.
No pets please.

Nature Photography Workshops
In support of Connemara Conservancy's First Photo Contest, professional photographer, Janice Eddington is hosting two workshops on nature photography in the Meadow Preserve. Join us for one or both sessions to learn more about what to consider when capturing images of wildlife and landscapes. For more information about Janice's work, please go to her website.

Workshops will be held at the Meadow Preserve and are scheduled at times when wildlife is expected to be more active. We will meet at the parking lot off Alma and Bethany Roads in Allen (see directions above). Although free of charge, please register by phone to 214-351-0990 or email.

7am Saturday June 14, 2008: Nature Photography Workshop with Janice Eddington
The early bird catches the worm!  Or in this case, capture a glimpse of wildlife in the Meadow Preserve.  Join professional photographer, Janice Eddington, to learn more about nature photography. Bring coffee, your cameras, and a creative eye.

6:30pm Thursday July 24, 2008: Nature Photography Workshop with Janice Eddington
Professional photographer, Janice Eddington, returns to the Meadow Preserve to conduct a second nature photography workshop.  But this time, you will learn about and capture images of nature in the waning light of sunset.  Bring your cameras and a creative eye.

Restoration Work
At one time, the Meadow Preserve was part of a tallgrass prairie but today it supports only a sparse population of native grasses.

Thank you Norton Elementary
On May 19, the ecology club from Norton Elementary School in Allen and members of Connemara Conservancy thinned out thistle and wild cabbage populations in the Connemara Meadow Preserve.
THANK YOU!!

Big Bluestem Rescue:
Nearby, Collin County has acquired a section of right-of-way that includes a pasture with abundant big bluestem native prairie grass. Soon, this area will be cleared of existing vegetation to build a tollway. We are excited to have the opportunity to preserve these Blackland Prairie remnants. On March 8, 2008 and April 26, Texas Master Naturalists joined volunteers of the Connemara Meadow Preserve to transplant big bluestem sod from this pasture into the meadow preserve. Read more about their work (pdf).

Introducing Additional Native Grasses:
On April 2, 2008, students from the Norton Elementary Ecoliteracy Education Club (EEC) planted 300 tallgrass propagules in the Connemara Meadow Preserve under the guidance of restoration advisor, Rich Jaynes, and teachers Rob Brown and Kirk Evans. This planting is part of Connemara's restoration activities to reintroduce additional native prairie grasses at the Meadow Preserve.

Thank You to Work Day Volunteers and REI!

April 19, 2008 - In honor of Earth Day, over 50 volunteers from the community, Texas Master Naturalists and Friends of the Meadow, joined Connemara and REI in the Meadow Preserve to do spring cleaning. Participants broke into seven work teams to clear away trash, uproot honey locust saplings, knock down stands of dead ragweed, and remove invasive wild cabbage and thistle. Thank you to everyone who gave their time and energy for this work. You can see pictures of the event here or come to one of our upcoming guided walks and see the improvements in person.

References for Other Ways to Enjoy Natural Places in North Central Texas

Page Last Updated: June 12, 2008

Photo by Sharoon Sunny