Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center at Cedar Hill (DCAC) will celebrate its grand opening with a free weekend of activities Saturday, September 10 and Sunday, September 11. It's only 16 miles south of downtown Dallas in Cedar Hill.
About Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center at Cedar Hill:
Dogwood Canyon contains the widest variety of rare species in North Texas as plants and animals from east, west and Central Texas converge there. Sustainably built, the Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center has miles of trails, nature-play areas, native gardens and educational programs that enables visitors to experience this “wild and special place.” The opening of the center makes Dallas County, which also has the Trinity River Audubon Center, the only county in the country served by two Audubon centers.
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center at Cedar Hill is focused on protection of a beautiful natural existing environment and enabling people to experience and interact with that environment. The founder, David Hurt, had hiked and found this area 12 years ago, which has some of the most unique ecological and environmental characteristics in Texas. At Dogwood Canyon, endangered birds, unique plants, trees and animals co-exist. For example, naturally occurring dogwoods, which are typically found in East Texas, were found growing in Dogwood Canyon.
Audubon’s goal is to offer 80% of its programs outdoors and to let nature be the playground for children of all ages. This is made real at DCAC in the Children’s Nature Play Area, which encourages free play and exploration using sticks, stones imagination and whatever else occurs naturally in the area.
For school children and teachers, this Audubon Center will also serve as a living laboratory to strengthen critical thinking skills, improve science literacy, and connect children to nature. The Center is laying the foundation for stewardship of Texas' wild places and wild things.
Grand Opening Event Information:
When: Saturday, September 10, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, September 11 from noon to 5 p.m.
Where: Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center at Cedar Hill, 1206 W FM1382, Cedar Hill, TX 75104. Entrance to the center is northwest of the driveway to Northwood University.
Parking/Shuttle Bus Service: Shuttle bus service is available at Uptown Village Mall at Cedar Hill. Park in the Dick’s Sporting Goods/Kirkland parking lot. Service will run regularly until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday the 10th and Sunday the 11th.
Activities:
Group Exhibitors scheduled to attend:
Food:
There will be light snacks, box lunches, beverages and snow cones available for purchase.
Trails:
The true “stars” of the center are the miles of trails that take visitors through the forest and throughout the canyon. At opening, the West Rim Trail, dedicated in honor of David and Kim Hurt, will run for approximately 1.5 miles along the west side of the Canyon and includes several scenic overlooks. A half-mile ADA accessible trail is opening soon. Long-term, DCAC plans to offer a total of more than four miles of trails. A paved county trail has also been restored, connecting the center with the Cedar Mountain Preserve next door.
More information: 469-526-1980 or Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center at Cedar Hill.
