Prairie Notes #228 - Looking Back at 2025
Prairie Notes are monthly photo/journal observations from Tandy Hills Natural Area by Founder/Director, Don Young. They include field reports, flora and fauna sightings, and more, mixed with a scoop of dry humor and a bit of philosophy.
They are available free to all who get on the FOTHNA email list.
Looking Back At 2025
Prairie Notes #228
December 1, 2025
1) Looking Back at 2025
2) Field Report - November
3) New Species Report - November
4) Vandalism Report
5) Newsworthy & Noteworthy
6) PrairieSky / StarParty Report
7) Manly Men Wild Women Hike - 17th Anniversary
8) Prairie Proverb -
1) Looking Back at 2025
As I look back on the year 2025, I see that it was yet another year of connections, milestones and unforgettable beauty at Tandy Hills and for the Friends. Support from individuals, the City of FW and other organizations is helping insure future protection and appreciation of Tandy Hills. For all of that, we are grateful. So, let us now reflect on our 2025 successes, both large and small, with an eye on big things coming up in 2026. And, don’t forget to “come on in), anytime.
More than 100 people took part in the 16th Annual Manly Men & Wild Women Hike on a chilly New Year’s Day.
FOTHNA sponsored the documentary film, Nocturnes, at The Modern Art Museum, 125 people attended.
12 issues of Prairie Notes were lovingly published on the first day of every month.
Don Young made a presentation at the Cross Timbers Master Naturalists meeting for about 90 people.
Cross Timbers Master Naturalists (CTMN) volunteers continued their bi-monthly clean up at Tandy Hills
Major restoration and land management work was accomplished across Tandy Hills and Broadcast Hill, including eradication of invasive species such as, Hedge Parsley, Sweet Scabious, Prickly Lettuce and Johnson Grass.
Sam Kieschnick, led the 17th Annual Trout Lily Walk for about 30 folks.
Native Prairies Assoc. of Texas (NPAT) held a post-burn walk for 35 attendees.
Bell Helicopter BEES volunteers held a clean-up day at Tandy Hills. 14 volunteers, 28 bags of trash.
FOTHNA sponsored a field trip for, Texas Connections Academy. 12 students, Suzanne Tuttle led.
Prairie Sky / Star Party, in association with Fort Worth Astronomical Society completed its 10th successful year at Tandy Hills.
Sam Kieschnick and TP&W organized a moth-ing event at TH for the City Nature Challenge. 65 people.
Researchers from, Southeastern Grasslands Institute began a week-long survey at TH.
CTMN volunteers began a bat monitoring project at TH identifying 6 species.
North Texas Giving Day netted $3,465 a new record, to help pay for our habitat restoration and environmental education programs.
North Texas Trails website published a nice article about TH.
Matt Collins, Head Gardener at the Garden Museum in London, England visited TH for a book he is writing.
Jason Reed, Professor of Photography at Texas State University, visited TH for a book he is planning.
FW-Park & Rec Department installed rope fencing as a deterrent for vandalism by photographers.
FOTHNA met with FW-PARD Director and Asst. Director to discuss vandalism issues.
FOTHNA interns staffed a table at Bell Helicopter’s, Non-profit Partners Day.
FW-PARD organized a Sunset Hike at TH with help from Michelle Villafranca and interns. 45 people attended.
A location scout working for the Yellowstone TV show creator, inquired about filming a spinoff at TH.
A Boy Scout kerchief slider, lost for 15 years, was found and returned to the man who lost it.
FOTHNA volunteers were recognized by FW Mayor and Council.
Trail markers updated with new stickers.
Don Young gave a presentation on TH to the Oakleaf Garden Club for 25 people.
Suzanne Tuttle led a Cross Timbers Master Naturalist class of about 35 folks at TH to learn about "reading" the land.
FOTHNA spent more than $25K on habitat restoration in 2025.
More than 1,000 volunteer hours were logged by 33 volunteers from January 1 to December 1.
More than 275 amazing new species were recorded at Tandy Hills in 2025 (as of Dec. 1), a new record.
Friends of Tandy Hills celebrated its 22nd year of volunteer stewardship of Tandy Hills.
As always, thanks for reading these Prairie Notes and supporting Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area. Your donations are welcome HERE.
DY
2) Field Report - November
Our little Indian summer is about to end with cooler temps and more rain. The nearly 10” of rain in late November combined with mild temps helped confuse a few spring wildflowers. But there were also many perfect days to explore the fall prairies and bottomlands. I’ve yet to see a Great Plains Ladies Tresses Orchid this year. Maybe you will find them. Also, be sure and check out the Coyote video from Noveember 29th.
November 1st unleashed this striking cloud formation.
November 1st was an extraordinary day at Tandy Hills.
November 15th, 2025
A pair of Coyotes was spotted at Broadcast Hill on November 29th. They are headed back to Tandy Hills at dusk. See video by, Mike Phipps.
3) New Species - November
In November, the species count increased from 2,520 to 2,536. Our intern, Keandre Rush, found 5 of them. Two notable bird species were, a Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) and a Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus). Another, was an uncommon spider known as, Western Black Widow (Latrodectus hesperus.) Finally, Karen Burkwall Johnson found a new dragonfly species. See these and a few other notable species below or, see them all at the Tandy Hills iNat Project Page HERE.
4) Vandalism Report
I’ve not done a vandalism report lately, hoping things would improve. The rope fence has not deterred all of the photography businesses that swarm Tandy Hills every day. In fact, the unruly crowds have increased. Not just the photo business people but ATV’s, horse riders, cyclists and others. They have been brazenly ignoring the posted signs and doing as they please which is slowly destroying Tandy Hills. Despite this dire situation, we have not abandoned hope. We have a plan. For now, it would help if you would share your concerns about vandalism with the FW Park & Rec Dept. Squeaky wheels sometimes get the grease. One way to do that is get the MyFW (Fort Worth) app. Let the city hear from you!
5) Newsworthy & Noteworthy
>>>>>>> On November 3rd, Don & Debora Young gave a presentation about Tandy Hills tonight for the Oakleaf Garden Club in the Oakhurst neighborhood. About 30 very nice folks got to learn about the wonders of TH. Unfortunately...their video system did not allow us to screen our slideshow. But we winged it with words.
>>>>>>> The Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area wish to thank the North Central Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas for a very generous grant to aid our ongoing land management. We will put it to good use and guard every penny. We urge you to support their vital programs including their popular native plant sales.
>>>>>>> On November 7th at Tandy Hills, Suzanne Tuttle and Brent Franklin led the current, Cross Timbers Master Naturalist class of about 35 people were here to learn about "reading" the land and also hearing about the human impact, good and bad, on natural areas. Don & Debora Young gave a brief introduction about the history of Tandy Hills and its current needs.
>>>>>>> On December 6th, Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center, is having a Nature Art Show & Sale. Find nature-inspired artwork by local artists in mediums such as photography, paintings, wood carvings, pottery, books & more. Discount offered in Dogwood Canyon gift shop. Free admission. Details below:
>>>>>>> On November 16th, the Native Prairies Association of Texas (FW Chapter) held a Prairie Seekers training session at Tandy Hills. The main purpose was to make post-burn observations. The burn happened December 2024. The class got to observe, up close, how the burned areas adapted and adjusted. Suzanne Tuttle was the lead along with Michelle Villafranca. Don & Debora Young joined in to share our own observations over many years.
>>>>>>> Something other than wildflowers to look forward to next spring: HENRY DAVID THOREAU, a new, three-part, three-hour film directed by Erik Ewers and Christopher Loren Ewers, and executive produced by Ken Burns and Don Henley, will air on March 30 (Episodes 1 and 2) and March 31, 2026 on PBS. Narrated by George Clooney. Thoreau is voiced by, Jeff Goldblum. Other voices include, Meryl Streep and Ted Danson. Learn more HERE:
See a short video HERE:
6) Prairie Sky / Star Party report
The final star party of the 2025 season was scheduled for, November 29th, but was rained out. .
The Fort Worth Astronomical Society (FWAS) will be back in March 2025, for the 11th straight year at Tandy Hills. Until then, I will post sky-watching commentary every month from FWAS rep, John McCrea, for home use. (See below)
“During December our nights will be getting longer and colder. The Milky Way stretches from east to west instead of arching overhead as it did in the summer. We will have our familiar winter constellations. Among the fall/winter constellations visible will be, Orion (the Hunter) and Gemini (the Twins) rising in the east. Cassiopeia (Queen of Ethiopia). Pegasus (the Winged Horse) and Andromeda (daughter of Cassiopeia and Cepheus) will be high in the sky. Perseus (Rescuer of Andromeda), Pisces (the Fish), Taurus (the Bull) and our friend the Pleiades (the seven sisters). The summer triangle (Vega (25 LY), Deneb (1,411 LY), and Altair (17 LY)) will still be visible, but low in the west. Our circumpolar friend Ursa Major (the Great Bear) will be low over the northern horizon.”
7) Manly Men - Wild Women 17th Anniversary Hike
People get ready! It’s time once again to gird your loins for the 17th annual, Manly Men Wild Women New Year’s Day Hike. The hike was originally envisioned as a way to increase public awareness of Tandy Hills as a pushback to the fracking industry that was eyeing our beloved natural area.
This will be a group hike with an official start time of 10 AM on Thursday, January 1, 2026. The trail will be marked in PINK ribbons. The hike starts just north of the sidewalk circle at the main trailhead. Look for the MMWW sign on your left just past the trees.
We will NOT include the Broadcast Hill section this year since the trails have not yet been completed. Instead, we will take advantage of the relatively new trail system, at Tandy Hills proper, wherever it follows close to the park perimeter.
Be prepared with water, sturdy shoes/boots and dress for the weather. (In case of mud, it might be a good idea to bring an extra pair of shoes for after the hike.) All ages welcome. Leashed dogs are welcome. Certificates of Completion will be awarded to all who complete the hike. (It’s OK if you prefer to hike at a different time or day. Send me a photo of yourself hiking with name[s].)
<Rain and/or icy streets will cancel the event.> Check this LINK for updates as we get closer to the day: https://www.tandyhills.org/manly-men-and-wild-women-hike-hills
8) Prairie Proverb - Edward Abbey
“This is the most beautiful place on Earth. There are many such places. Every man, every woman, carries in heart and mind the image of the ideal place, the right place, the one true home, known or unknown, actual or visionary.”
Become a Friend HERE: https://www.tandyhills.org/donate
Prairie Notes© is the official newsletter of Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. All content by Don Young except where otherwise noted.
