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preservation
restoration
education
research
Director
Dr. Ken Steigman, 972-219-3926
[email protected]
Restoration Manager
Richard Freiheit, 972-219-3827
[email protected]
Education Coordinator
Lisa Cole, 972-219-3930
[email protected]
Nature Programs Coordinator
Erin Taylor, 972-219-3930
[email protected]
Field Instructors
Brigid Corbett
Morgan Larson
Cindy Schlaht
Diane Wetherbee
Gate Hosts
Virginia Griffith
Sue Southworth
972-219-7980
Mailing address:
Lewisville Lake Environmental
Learning Area
1801 N. Mill Street, Suite A
Lewisville, TX 75057
Like LLELA on Facebook! Go to
www.facebook.com/
LLELALewisvilleLake
A quarterly publication of the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area
Summer 2015
It never rains but it pours...
If you haven’t hiked or kayaked at LLELA
The Beaver Pond Paddling Trail
within the last few weeks, you may not
is back in service.
realize how things are changing. Great
news...the heavy rains we’ve had recently
have completed the process of filling the
Beaver Pond. It is now full to the brim, and
staff and volunteers have cleared several
years-worth of accumulated brush and
debris from the bottom of the once-dry
pond. The Beaver Pond Paddling Trail is
now open for kayakers and canoers. The
pond is in fact so full that the trail signs are underwater, so the route is marked
with flagging tape.
Water samples collected from the Beaver Pond by visiting school groups
reveal that a thriving population of dragonfly nymphs, mayfly nymphs,
tadpoles, and other aquatic critters is already back in the pond. It has been
amazing to see how quickly the Beaver Pond ecosystem has regenerated after
three years of drought.
That’s the good news. However, all of that wonderful rainfall has a flip side.
Lewisville Lake is flooding due to the huge amount of water received from the
surrounding watershed. The Corps of Engineers has been quickly releasing
water downstream through the outlet at Lewisville Dam to bring the lake’s
level down, and this has created flood conditions at LLELA’s campground,
along parts of the Bittern Marsh Trail, and on the Redbud Trail. Immediately
after the heaviest rains, the Cottonwood Trail and the Blackjack Trail both
have flooded sections as well. Hikers are advised to wear shoes that can get
soaked if walking on any of these trails. Under the advice of the Corps of Engineers, the put-in for kayaks and canoes on the Elm Fork at LLELA is closed
until the water release rate is below 2,000 cfs. Please check out the Beaver Pond
Paddling Trail instead.
If you are visiting LLELA and want information regarding trail conditions, we
are updating our web site regularly at: llela.unt.edu/current-trail-and-camping
-conditions.
The short-term inconvenience caused by recent flooding is surely outweighed
by the break in the drought that has affected North Texas since the summer of
2012. Even if we do end up with a few treed picnic tables...
Welcome to our new Nature Programs Coordinator
If you’ve participated in a kayak tour, Stars on the Prairie program, Campfire, or other public event at LLELA, there’s a good chance you’ve already
had the pleasure of meeting Erin Taylor. Erin has worked as an hourly Field
Instructor at LLELA for over five years, and is a perfect fit for our new fulltime position. Watch for expanded weekend recreational and educational
activities as Erin works to grow the opportunities for North Texas citizens to
enjoy LLELA. You can reach her at 972-219-3930 or [email protected].
Your route to LLELA may be changing
Information from the Texas Department of Transportation indicates that the FM 407 exit from I-35E leading to
Lake Park Road will be closed for an extended period beginning May 29 due to the I-35 expansion project. If you
typically use I-35 E as part of your route to LLELA, you’ll need to exit at Valley Ridge or W. Main Street instead of
FM 407.
REI Outdoor School classes at LLELA
Want to learn outdoor photography basics, introductory hiking or camping, or basic map and
compass work? Expert instructors from REI are leading a series of skills courses, including some at
LLELA. Visit the REI web site for details and online registration: www.rei.com/stores/dallas.html
Follow Friends of LELLA on Twitter:
@LLELAFriends
Visit LLELAfriends.org
Last year at this time, we gave an account of the Friends’ first large fundraiser, The One Ale Of A Trail run,
which was a big success by several measures. We rehydrated and cheered on close to 700 runners, parked about
that many cars, enlisted over 60 volunteers, procured sponsors, and made money for LLELA! We were all ready
to repeat our triumph on April 25 with the 2015 One Ale of a Trail run, but a week of rain and storms washed us
out. By the Friday before the run date there were up to ten inches of water on parts of the trail and it was decided to postpone the run. It has been rescheduled for June 13. Registration has been re-opened and so far we have
over 900 runners signed up. Unfortunately, some of our amazing volunteers will not be able to be on hand for
the rescheduled race, so we are putting the word out for more recruits. Please contact Vicki Keathley
([email protected]) if you would like to be a part of this fun and worthwhile endeavor! BTW, volunteers
all get the (much sought after) One Ale Of a Trail Run t-shirt.
As a fund-raising and service group, one of the objectives of FOL is to support
the overall operation of LLELA. Donations, membership dues, and fundraisers
allow us to accomplish this goal. FOL recently had the pleasure of presenting
the LLELA staff with a much needed utility vehicle. A 2015 Polaris (with a
winch, chainsaw press, and cargo lift box) was delivered on the very day the
old utility vehicle died! Smaller gifts, like the 12 pairs of binoculars donated to
the LLELA education department last month, occur throughout the year. (A
generous discount from Wild Birds Unlimited in Flower Mound – one of our
sponsors – allowed the money allotted for binoculars to go even further.)
All are encouraged to renew their membership for 2015 and to continue to support the mission with your time
and talents, as so many of you do.
We have two fundraisers planned for Summer. We are fortunate once again to be the beneficiary of Give Back
Tuesdays from Square One Café (on Main Street in Lewisville). The month has not yet been determined, but we
will send out e-vites once we know. We are also planning for a LLELA Calendar photo contest which will begin
on June 1. Details to follow, but in the meantime, get out to LLELA and take some pictures!
Coming Saturday, June 13, 2015
(rescheduled from 4/25 due to flooded trails)
Visit runproject.org/race/one-ale-trail-5m-10m
What’s Happening at LLELA?
** Schedules are subject to change. Call the LLELA Gatehouse at 972-219-7980 to confirm.**
Homestead Open House
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June 20, 10 a.m. — 1 p.m.
September 19, 10 a.m.— 1 p.m.
Bird Walks.
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June 6, 7:30 a.m.—NOTE
DATE is NOT the 2nd Saturday due the Trail Run on 6/13
September 12, 7:30 a.m.
River Trips by
KayakPower.com
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June 20, 9 a.m.—2 p.m.
July 18, 9 a.m.—2 p.m.
August 15, 9 a.m.—2 p.m.
Nature Walks
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June 6, 10 a.m.
September 5, 10 a.m.
Stars on the Prairie
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Walk through LLELA’s restored 1870’s log home and smokehouse,
a replica dugout, and an unrestored barn. Friendly and knowledgeable staff and/or volunteers will be available to answer questions. There is no fee for this program, but LLELA’s admission is
$5/person without an annual pass.
Accompany a master birder on a guided hike. Over 280 species of
birds have been documented at LLELA, so there’s no telling what
you might find! Birders of all skill levels (but at least 10 years old)
are welcome, $7/general public or $2/annual pass holder. Registration is not required. Bring your own binoculars.
Whether you’re got lots of river time under your belt or have never set foot in a kayak, you’re welcome here! Kayak Power will provide equipment and instruction followed by a six-mile trip down
the Elm Fork to a shuttle vehicle. Contact [email protected]
or 214-669-1663 for information.
Reservation required. www.kayakpower.com for details.
Explore LLELA’s trails with a naturalist in this guided search for
animal tracks and signs, and learn more about the natural history
of LLELA. All ages are welcome. Registration is not required.
There is no fee for this program, but LLELA’s admission is $5/
person without an annual pass.
Bring a blanket and comfy chair to LLELA and settle in for a fascinating evening as we explore the wonders of the night sky. Ages 5
June 20, 8:45—10:45 p.m.
and up. Registration required at 972-219-3930 or
July 18, 8:45—10:45 p.m.
[email protected]. $10/general public or $5/annual pass holder.
August 15, 8:30—10:30 p.m.
September 12, 7:45—10:45 p.m.