Guided Walks in the Connemara Meadow Nature Preserve

The Connemara Meadow Nature Preserve exists to create opportunities for people to learn about and enjoy the natural processes found here. Although normally available to Members only, the Connemara Meadow Nature Preserve also has monthly Open Houses and Guided Walks that are open to the public free of charge. To minimize impact on nature no pets or bikes are allowed. Find out more about these activities below.

Open House and Guided Walks Schedule and Policy:

1. All Open Houses and Guided Walks are listed in the Event Calendar and the list of Upcoming Events.
2. All Open Houses and Guided walks are open to the general public. All ages are welcome but please follow our policies for everyone's pleasure.
3. Unless otherwise specified, all walks start at the parking lot off Alma and Bethany Drives in Allen -- (directions).
4. Because our trails are unpaved, we recommend long pants, closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, and insect repellant.
5. Although free of charge, please register by phone to 214-351-0990 or email so we can notify you of any changes in plans.
6. Photos from previous walks and other events can be found here. The events archive can be found here

Member Access
Who: Paid Members of the Connemara Conservancy Foundation - Become a member now
When: All year anytime from dawn to dusk but please wear your wrist bands and lock the gate behind you

Open House
Who: The General Public - no charge - all ages are welcome
When: Monthly on Sunday (usually the 4th Sunday from 1-5pm, but see our Calendar for specific dates and times)
Bring friends and family and experience what makes this natural oasis in the middle of suburbia so special, and always surprising.

Bird Walks with Gailon Brehm and Rodney Thomas
Who: The General Public - no charge - all ages are welcome
When: Monthly alternating between the first Saturday and the First Sunday - see our Calendar for specific dates and times
Bring your binoculars and field guides if you have them, and learn what to watch for in habits, characteristics and calls from Texas Master Naturalists Gailon Brehmand Rodney Thomas, both with Prairie and Timbers Audubon Society. You can expect to see about 30+ species. Each walk is planned to take about three hours. We recommend wearing long pants, closed-toed shoes, sunscreen, and insect repellant.

Habitat Walks with Rich Jaynes
Who: The General Public - no charge - all ages are welcome
When: Irregular - see our Calendar for specific dates and times
Join Texas Master Naturalist and Environmental Scientist, Rich Jaynes, to explore and understand the management plans for the four habitat areas of the Connemara Meadow Preserve - a riparian zone along Rowlett Creek that is important as a wildlife corridor; the floodplain grasslands and wetlands in the lower meadow, the hedgerows along perimeter and interior fence lines established during agricultural use, and upland grasslands are located in the upper meadow which has a terrace system from earlier agricultural use. The walk is planned to take about two hours.

Astronomy Walks with Clyde Camp
Who: The General Public - no charge - see Astronomy in the Meadow for details and the current status of the current walk
When: Saturday or Sunday closest to the New Moon - see our Calendar for specific dates and times
Join Texas Master Naturalist Clyde Camp to explore the stars from the Connemara Meadow Nature Preserve. Weather permitting, we'll leave at 9pm sharp from Suncreek Park in Allen and will take about 2 hours. The walk will be cancelled if there is inclement weather but if it's merely clouded over, there will be a Meadow Walk instead of an Astronomy Walk.

Special Walks by various subject experts
Who: The General Public - no charge
When: Irregular - see our Home Page and Calendar for specific dates and times
If you would like to lead a special walk for the public, you must be a Texas Master Naturalist or Educator. Please contact our Meadow Managerto schedule access.

        References for Other Ways to Enjoy Natural Places in North Central Texas