Days at Dogwood Canyon

Summary: Are you looking for a quiet place to spend some free time and contribute to your community? Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center would love to have you as a volunteer. Join Kiersten as she tells you all about the volunteer opportunities at the center. 
 
Show Notes:
Volunteer Applications can be found here: https://dogwood.audubon.org/volunteeropportunities
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org
 

Summary: This is a piece of legislation that many people have heard of but maybe don’t know exactly what it is or what it does. Join Kiersten as she looks at the past and future of the Endangered Species Act.
 
Show Notes:
“How to Fortify the Endangered Species Act for the Next 50 Years” by Rene Ebersole. Audubon Magazine Winter 2023, https://www.audubon.org/magazine/how-fortify-endangered-species-act-next-50-years?int_src=site_search&int_query=endangered%20species%20act
“A Force of Conservation, the Endangered Species Act Faces a Fraught Future” by Rene Ebersole. Audubon Magazine Winter 2023. https://www.audubon.org/magazine/force-conservation-endangered-species-act-faces-fraught-future
“The Power, Limits, and Evolving Uses of the Endangered Species Act” by  Paige Curtis, Audubon Magazine November 17, 2023. https://www.audubon.org/magazine/power-limits-and-evolving-uses-endangered-species-act
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: The Golden-cheeked Warbler is one of the birds you can find residing through the summer at Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center in Cedar Hill, TX. Join us to learn about them and find out where you can see them in our nature preserve.
* This is an archived episode, but has an update about the 2025 data from our Golden-cheeked Warbler studies at the end of the episode.
 
Show Notes:
Golden-cheeked Warbler Walks: https://dogwood.audubon.org/events
or check our Facebook Page.
https://dogwood.audubon.org/
https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
Song provided by National Audubon Society Bird Song Collection, Lang Elliot Music of Nature: https://musicofnature.com/audubon-bird-songs/
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org
 

Summary: It’s spring 2026, what plants should we be looking for? Join Kiersten to find out about an early spring bloomer.
Show Notes:
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – https://www.wildfower.org
Native Plant Sale is April 11, 2026! : https://dogwood.audubon.org/plantsale
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org
 

Soil Health and Birds
Summary: We often overlook the importance of our soil, but it has a huge impact on our birds and our own health. Join Kiersten and a special guest as they discuss this highly interesting and valuable topic.
 
Show Notes:
Louisa Kimmel, Range Ecologist with Audubon Rockies:  louisa.kimmell@audubon.org
Audubon Rockies: https://www.audubon.org/rockies
Conservation Ranching in the Rockies: https://www.audubon.org/rockies/projects/conservation-ranching-rockies
Soil Restoration: https://www.audubon.org/rockies/news/soil-restoration-rafter-w-ranch
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: Have you ever asked “What’s that tree?” Our Guided Tree ID Walks can help you answer that question!
Show Notes:
Link to sign up: https://tickets.audubon.org/events/019c6293-43d0-1eca-8d5b-741d1ac1198a
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: This plant episode is dedicated to an exotic invasive we want you to be on the lookout for, Sacred Bamboo aka Nandina.
Show Notes:
Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica): Native Plant Society of Texas, https://www.npsot.org
“Nandina: A Not So Heavenly Bamboo,” by Doug Lockard. South Carolina Native Plant Society, https://scnps.org
Native Plant Sale at Dogwood Canyon: https://dogwood.audubon.org/plantsale
Volunteer at Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center:  https://dogwood.audubon.org/volunteeropportunities
Habitat Workdays at Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center: https://dogwood.audubon.org/events
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center TikTok: @dogwood_canyon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: Who will we meet this year at Dogwood Canyon? Let’s start off the year with the Blackburnian Warbler.
Show Notes:
Blackburnian Warbler audio provided by Lang Elliot Music of Nature: https://musicofnature.com/audubon-bird-songs/
National Audubon: https://www.audubon.org
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center TikTok: @dogwood_canyon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: How do people become birders? You aren’t the first person to ask that question. Join Kiersten as she discusses a project looking at how people become birders.
Show Notes:
“On the Origin of Birders,” by Anna Gibbs. Audubon Magazine, Fall 2025.
The Spark Bird Project: https://www.spark-bird.org
Roger Tory Peterson Institute: https://rtpi.org
National Audubon: https://www.audubon.org
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org
 
 

Summary: Join Kiersten to find out about a Dogwood Canyon winter resident, the Hermit Thrush.
Show Notes:
Dogwood Canyon Events: https://dogwood.audubon.org/events
Audio provided by Lang Elliot Music of Nature: https://musicofnature.com/audubon-bird-songs/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: We have a native poinsettia? Yes, we do! Join Kiersten to learn a bit about the Green Poinsettia.
 
Show Notes: 
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – https://www.wildfower.org
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: What does Christmas, birds, and counting have to do with each other? Join Kiersten as she tells you the story of National Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count and explains how you can participate!
Show Notes:
National Audubon Christmas Bird Count: https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count
Local Texas Audubon Chapters: https://www.audubon.org/about/audubon-near-you?state=TX
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Registration for CBC: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/christmas-bird-count-tickets-1975579677998?aff=oddtdtcreator
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: Fall is here and the leaves are falling. What should I do with all those leaves? Join Kiersten to learn about the Leave the Leaves movement.
Show Notes:
“Removing autumn leaves in residential yards reduces the spring emergence of overwintering insects,” by Max Ferlauta and Karin T. Burghardt. Science of The Total Environment, Vol 970, 20 March 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.178821
Xerces Society: https://xerces.org
Bug Banter Podcast can be found anywhere you listen to your podcasts
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: With Thanksgiving on its way, we thought we would talk turkey, Wild Turkey!
Show Notes:
“Let’s Talk Turkey,” by Jessica Leber, Audubon Magazine Fall 2025
National Audubon: https://www.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: Join Kiersten to hear about the 2025 Texas Women in Conservation Honorees.
Show Notes:
More about Texas Women in Conservation: https://tx.audubon.org/conservation/celebrating-10-years-texas-women-conservation
More about 2025 Honorees:
https://tx.audubon.org/press-release/audubon-texas-announces-2025-texas-women-conservation-honorees
Do you know a woman striving to protect Texas lands and animals? Nominate them here: https://tx.audubon.org/conservation/2026-applications-texas-women-conservation-terry-hershey-award
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: Winter is on it’s way and we are waiting for the Brown Creeper to return to Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center. Join Kiersten to learn about the awesome winter resident.
 
Show Notes:
Pictures and more information: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide Search for Brown Creeper
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

We are reposting this episode because TWIC is coming up in November 2025. We will reveal the winners in a future episode. To learn more: https://tx.audubon.org/womeninconservation
Summary: Join Kiersten and a special guest for this bonus episode celebrating Women's History Month and Texas Women in Conservation!
Show notes:
Audubon Texas: https://tx.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: Join Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center to find out about some new strategies that Audubon has joined to protect birds throughout the Americas.
Show Notes:
Conserva Aves: https://conserva-aves.org
Audubon and Conserva Aves: https://www.audubon.org/our-work/americas/colombia/cpnserva-aves
Audubon Americas: https://www.audubon.org/our-work/americas
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: It’s that time of year, so let’s talk about owls! Join Kiersten as she talks about the Eastern Screech-Owl.
Show Notes:
Audio provided by Lang Elliot Music of Nature: https://musicofnature.com/audubon-bird-songs/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: Learn about the iconic flower symbol of Fall as Kiersten talks about the Common Sunflower.
Show Notes:
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – https://www.wildfower.org
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org