Night hike, bird walk, bison tour at Lewisville Lake

Night hike, bird walk, bison tour at Lewisville Lake

Join Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area trail guides as they lead a moonlit stroll down the Redbud Trail on Friday, Feb. 3.  The hike will start at 6 p.m., and end by 8 p.m. Howling coyotes, hooting owls, and other nocturnal sounds will provide an out-of-the-ordinary hiking experience.

No flashlights are necessary, and hikers ages 5 years and up are invited. The hike will be rescheduled in the event of rain. In case of cold weather, hikers will stop at a campfire during the hike to thaw out and get a warm drink.

Registration is required at 972-219-3930 or . The hike is $7 per person, or $2/person for LLELA season pass holders. Hikers should wear long pants, closed toe shoes and a jacket.

Other events at LLELA this month:

Bird Walk: Feb. 11, 7:30 a.m.

Bird watchers of all skill levels are invited to join master birder Keith Lockhart as he leads the way to birding locations at LLELA. Wintering sparrows and ducks are still here, providing lots of interesting viewing. Ages 10 and up. There is a $2 program fee for the bird walk, in addition to the regular gate fee of $5/person. Reservations are requested but not required.

Nature Walk: Feb. 11, 10 a.m.

Join us for our monthly naturalist-led nature walk. We’ll learn how to identify trees in the winter (you can do it without leaves!) and search for signs of how the drought and recent rains have affected LLELA. There is a $2 program fee, in addition to the regular gate fee ($5/person). Reservations are requested, but not required.

Open House at the Minor-Porter Log House: Feb. 18, noon to 3 p.m.

Completely restored and furnished with all the trappings of everyday frontier life, the log house gives visitors to LLELA a window on life in Denton County in 1870. Interested visitors of all ages are welcome to arrive at any time during the open hours and tour at their own pace. Knowledgeable volunteers will guide visitors through the structures and answer questions in this informal tour. Cost: regular admission ($5/person; children age 5 years and under free).

Bison Tour: Feb. 26, 2 p.m.

Participants drive out to the prairie for an opportunity to see the bison up close (great photo opportunity!) and learn more about bison natural history and husbandry. All ages are welcome; registration is required at 972.219.3930. The tour is available for only $2/person in addition to LLELA’s regular gate fee of $5/person. The bison are in the non-public area of LLELA, so this is a chance to visit a part of the preserve most people don’t get to see.

The Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area is 2,000 acres of prairies, forests, and wetlands managed as a wildlife preserve by a group of agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the University of North Texas, the City of Lewisville, Lewisville ISD, and Texas A & M University.

LLELA’s entrance is at 201 E. Jones St. (intersection of Jones & Kealy Streets).

Learn more at .ias.unt.edu/llela.

Submitted by James Kunke, City of Lewisville.

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