Oak Cliff Earth Day

06/13/2026

We are 6 weeks away from our 6th Annual Moth Night! 🦋 Learn about the wonderful world of moths during a fascinating presentation from Texas Parks and Wildlife Urban Wildlife Biologist Sam Kieschnick, then experience the wetland after dark while you observe moths and other insects up close at mothing stations illuminated with black lights. 💡 This is one of our most popular events of the year, get your tickets now at https://givebutter.com/MothNightwithSam!

06/07/2026

Herb Workshop Postponed
Today's scheduled herb workshop at the Kiest Conservation Area Outdoor Classroom has been cancelled. The parking lot is a sea of mud. The class will be rescheduled for this fall. Sorry!

06/06/2026

Emerald ash borer has been detected in three additional Texas counties: Young, Montague and Clay.

The invasive insect was confirmed after adult beetles were captured in Texas A&M Forest Service monitoring traps. These detections help us track the spread of emerald ash borer and better understand where it is present across the state.

Emerald ash borer attacks and kills ash trees. Signs of infestation may include canopy thinning, increased woodpecker activity, bark splitting and D-shaped exit holes.

One of the best ways to help slow the spread of invasive insects is to buy and burn firewood locally and avoid moving untreated wood long distances.

05/29/2026

REMINDER……this Sunday
FOCP Wildflower Walk
When: Sunday, May 31st
Time: 10:00 - noon
Where: Kiest Conservation Area
3238 S Hampton, Dallas, TX 75224
Docent: Brian Halsell
Contact: [email protected]
Advanced Training: 2 hours

Join us for a walk through the native prairie meadow at the Kiest Conservation Area in Oak Cliff. Our guide is Master Naturalist, respected guest speaker on native plants and Studio Outside’s in-house horticultural expert, landscape architect Brian Halsell. The conservation area is an 88 acre tract of land with an island of native Texas prairie. Over 150 wildflower species were identified by master naturalist legend Jim Varnum nine years ago. While you’re there, visit the newly opened Creekside or Burr Oak Trail. Everyone is invited to attend, and there is no charge. Closed toed shoes are recommended. The parking area is in the field at the southeast corner of the intersection of Hampton Rd. and Keist Blvd. Park next to the kiosk. WE will meet in the outdoor classroom just up from the parking lot kiosk.

05/25/2026

Nature Walk at the Kiest Conservation Area, yesterday, 24 May 2026...lead by Chris Morris, Urban Biologist with Dallas Park and Recreation Department. Great walk! Thanks Chris.

05/23/2026

https://www.greensourcetexas.org/articles/tree-planting-program-college-station-aims-lower-temperature

The city of College Station is midway through its tree planting program, which aims to increase the city's tree canopy by nearly 4,800 trees.

05/23/2026

https://www.greensourcetexas.org/articles/coyote-country-tips-coexisting-texas-keystone-predator

Tips for reducing conflicts between coyotes, people and pets.

05/20/2026

Nature Walk
When: Sunday, May 24th, 2026
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Where: Kiest Conservation Area Outdoor Classroom
3238 S Hampton, Dallas, TX 75224
Docent: Chris Morris, Urban Biologist, Dallas Parks
Advanced Training: 2 hour
No charge. Orientation - outdoor classroom

Please join us as we explore the beauty of nature in the Kiest Conservation Area Sunday, May 24th at 10 am. Our adventure through the 79 acre Conservation Area will be lead by docent Chris Morris, parks department urban biologist for the city of Dallas. Chris graduated from Texas A&M University, College Station in 2008 with a BS in Zoology. He has volunteered with the Houston, Fort Worth and Dallas Zoos, as well as InSync Exotics working with Monitor Lizards, African Hoofstock, Aquatics, and Big and Small Cats. In May 2023, Christopher joined the City of Dallas Park and Recreation department, as the Urban Biologist. He will provide us with an insider’s glimpse of many of the unfolding natural wonders happening as summer approaches.

The conservation area is an 78 acre tract of land with an island of native Texas prairie. Over 150 wildflower and grass species were identified by master naturalist legend Jim Varnum ten years ago. While you’re there, visit the newly opened Creekside and Burr Oak Trails. These recently completed trails were made possible by a generous grant from WFAA Channel 8 and constructed by Greenspace Dallas. Everyone is invited to attend, and there is no charge. Closed toed shoes are recommended. The parking area is in far southeast corner of the field at the southeast corner of the intersection of Hampton Rd. and Kiest Blvd. Park next to the kiosk and join us for the orientation at the KCA outdoor classroom.

05/13/2026

FOCP Bird Walk
When: Saturday, May 16th, 2026
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Where: Kiest Conservation Area, 3238 S Hampton Rd (outdoor classroom)
Sponsored by: The Friends of Oak Cliff Parks
Contact: [email protected] (Jon Papp)
Website: friendsofoakcliffparks.org
Guide: Elizabeth Jensen, master birder
Cost: Free, no registration required

Join us for a walk through the woods and native prairie meadow at the Kiest Conservation Area in Oak Cliff. Our guide is Elizabeth Jensen. She is a certified North Central Texas Master Birder. With many years of experience and an inordinate fondness for nature in general, she will be sharing her wealth of knowledge on our walk through the Kiest Conservation Area.

The conservation area is an 78 acre tract of land with an island of native Texas prairie. Over 150 wildflower and grass species were identified by master naturalist legend Jim Varnum ten years ago. While you’re there, visit the newly opened Creekside and Burr Oak Trails. The parking area is in far southeast corner of the field at the southeast corner of the intersection of Hampton Rd. and Kiest Blvd. Park next to the kiosk and join us for the orientation at the KCA outdoor classroom.

04/28/2026

Friends of Oak Cliff Parks Bug Walk
When: Sunday, May 3rd, 2026
Time: 10:00 – 12:00
Where: Kiest Conservation Area, 3238 S. Hampton Rd., Dallas, TX 75224
Guide: John Watts, Entomologist, Texas Discovery Gardens
Contact: [email protected]
Advanced Training: 2 hours

FOCP Bug Walk

Join us for the Bug Walk at the Kiest Conservation Area in Oak Cliff. Our guide is John Watts, respected guest speaker on insects, and the man who keeps the Texas Discovery Garden’s Butterfly House stocked with beautiful butterflies. John was born and raised in Jacksonville Florida where, at the age of six, he developed an early interest in insects. He got his Masters Degree from the University of Florida in entomology where he specialized in insect husbandry. He has worked at the Cockrell Butterfly Center at the Houston Museum of Nature and Science and Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center in Westminster Colorado. With over 20 years of experience and an inordinate fondness for nature in general he will be sharing his wealth of knowledge on our walk through the Kiest Conservation Area.

The conservation area is an 88 acre tract of land with an island of native Texas prairie. Over 150 wildflower and grass species were identified by master naturalist legend Jim Varnum eight years ago. While you’re there, visit the newly opened mile long Meadow Loop Trail. Everyone is invited to attend, and there is no charge. Closed toed shoes are recommended. The parking area is in the field at the southeast corner of the intersection of Hampton Rd. and Keist Blvd. Park next to the kiosk.

Website: friendsofoakcliffparks.org