Tandy Hills Natural Area is not a regular public park. It is a protected natural area containing hundreds of native plant and animal species. Certain activities are not allowed to ensure the protection of this rare native landscape. Below are some general guidelines to ensure all photographers and visitors have an enjoyable expereince at Tandy Hills.
Earth Day has a double significance for Friends of Tandy HIlls. On April 22, 1960, exactly 10 years before the founding of Earth Day, the Fort Worth City Council and Mayor Tom McCann agreed to purchase the land now known as Tandy Hills Natural Area.
With more than 600 plant species, sweeping prairie views on 160-acres and located five minutes from downtown Fort Worth, the price of $138,320 was a steal.
PrairieSky / StarParty on November 11th will be an extra special 2-fer. Come for the moon & star gazing but stay for a LIVE performance storytelling of The Legend of the Tandy Hills Witchey Tree, a 2009 story by, Don Young. Come gather 'round the campfire with a cup of hot chocolate and hear the grisly tale come to life.
July 12 marks the 200th anniversary of Henry David Thoreau's birth, one of the patron saints of Tandy Hills. We salute the man whose writings have inspired millions of people to care for the Earth, to explore, pay attention to and document their observations in the natural world.
Working blindly, without knowledge of the 20 submitting architects, a blue ribbon panel of judges, has selected the submission of, Dennehy Architects, as the winner of the Tandy Hills Pavilion Design Competition.
We are proud to announce that Friends of Tandy Hills have won the 2016, Native Star Award, from the Native Plant Society of Texas. The award recognizes our work at hosting, co-organizing and co-sponsoring the Tandy Hills BioBlitz from last April. We are honored and grateful.
FOTHNA also won the first Native Star Award in 2014 for our Kids on the Prairie outdoor education program. I'm beginning to think we are doing something right.
On April 22 - 23, 2016, Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area hosted the most comprehensive bioblitz in Texas. Dozens of the top scientists across the state descended on Tandy Hills to conduct a biological diversity inventory of all living species. They were aided by area students, volunteers and citizen scientists. This video, directed by, John Tandy, encapsulates the preparations for the event with interviews, aerial footage and photos.
Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area are very pleased to announce a partnership with AIA Fort Worth for a Pavilion Design Competition. All entries will be evaluated for design excellence. The proposed budget is $100,000. The call for entries went out to AIA-FW members on October 12.
The project is a first for Fort Worth and will ultimately result in a unique, architect-designed shelter for use by all visitors to the park. The winner will be announced in early 2017.
Greetings Friends of Tandy Hills-
Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area has received word from Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. that Tandy Hills has been accepted for inclusion in the Great Texas Wildlife Trails – Prairies and Pineywoods West. The listing will be published in September on the TP&WD website and printed on Prairies and Pineywoods West maps.
In 2015, Bethy Young, organized a local group of home-school parents focused on holistic education ideas.
We received news that our dear friend, Jim Varnum, has passed away.
In preparation for the Bioblitz: Join us on March 10th at 12:15pm in Lou’s Place – 1204 Wesleyan St, Fort Worth – for iNaturalist training.
Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area are pleased and honored to announce that we are the recipient of a $5,000 grant...
What a great day for Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area! Debora and I were very proud to represent FOTHNA onstage and receive such a prestigious award from the American Institute of Architects for Excellence in Sustainable Development.
We just got official word from Texas Parks & Wildlife that FOTHNA has been awarded a nearly $10,000 grant to fund the BioBLitz in 2016.
On Thursday, October 8, 2015, Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area, celebrates 5 years of helping connect north Texas school children to the natural world via their award-winning outdoor education program, Kids on the Prairie.
June 9, 2015 was Kids on the Prairie - Awards Day at Morningside Elementary School. The award winners did an exceptional job of essay writing, poetry and art after their field investigation at Tandy Hills in May. Debora & Don Young judged the entries and selected winners in each category.
Tandy Hills Natural Area has been certified as a Monarch Waystation. Our certificate and brochures from Monarch Watch will be at Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area HQ at Prairie Fest April 25. While you're there, don't forget to get your game stamp... Its a monarch, in celebration!
The 7th annual Brush Bash was one for the record book. Two acres of Tandy Hills prairie were liberated from privet and other invasive woody species. Best news of all, the City has committed to 3 more Brush Bashes in 2015.
Prairie Fest is not JUST a festival. It is the primary fundraiser for our award-winning outdoor education and conservation programs. With your support we help connect the public with the natural world in one of the most beautiful natural settings in Texas and we do it greener than any other outdoor festival. Be a part of the magic!
Registration forms are now available. Find them HERE
"Prairie Fest, is truly education by osmosis." - from Dawn Hancock's Native Plant Society of Texas article
The Prairie Fest Arts team is looking for live pieces to be created at the Festival and we want you to be part of it!!!
Contact James Zametz at keepfortworthfunky@yahoo.com for more information
Nodding Ladies Tresses Orchid - 10/24/2014
A talk by Don & Debora Young
Monday, October 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fort Worth Chapter Meeting of the Native Prairie Association of Texas
http://tinyurl.com/nw3k5ng
The hike will be Saturday, October 25 at 5:30pm
Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area is very pleased to announce receiving the prestigious, 2014 Native Star Award from the Native Plant Society of Texas. The award recognizes our Kids on the Prairie program.
The Native Star Award is given for a specific act or program of conservation/public service by an organization or agency in the field of Texas native plants (previously included in the Nancy Benedict Memorial Award).
Wheels of positive change move slowly in what was once known as, Queen City of the Prairie, but signs of intelligent life are flickering.
from Meadowbrook Elementary School Spring 2014
Since 2012 there has been "a steady increase in the number of 5th grade students at Meadowbrook Elementary School who performed at the State recommended level in science."
Thanks to all the recycling attendees!
“This is the only place in Fort Worth you can find this sort of natural beauty smack-dab in the middle of the city,” said [Andrew] Postell, who lives in Fort Worth. “It’s pretty incredible.”
On April 22, 1960, the Fort Worth City Council made their most inspired decision ever!
from the article:
Autumn brings a cavalcade of color and beauty at Tandy Hills Natural Area, and the park’s number one supporter Don Young captured the season on his camera.
Read the whole article here: http://www.fwweekly.com/2013/12/02/tandy-hills-natural-area-closes-out-a...
Congratulations to the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge for winning, Most Awesome Family Hiking Trails, in the DFW region. Tandy Hills Natural Area came in a very respectable second place. Not bad a'tall! Thanks for your votes! See complete results HERE.
Our signature outdoor education program Beginning in 2010, FOTHNA teamed up with Fort Worth ISD, City of Fort Worth Parks & Community Services Department and Cross Timbers Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists program for field investigation trips at one of the few remaining native prairie habitats in Fort Worth.
Hundreds of dedicated volunteers participate in the annual Brush Bash and Litter Stomp, part of our ongoing work to preserve, protect and enhance this rare remnant of native Texas prairie. more info
