Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center to Open

National Audubon Society President David Yarnold, Dogwood Canyon "founder" David Hurt, local officials and guests will dedicate the new Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center at Cedar Hill (DCAC) on Friday, September 9, 2011, at 10:00 a.m., making Dallas, which already features the Trinity River Audubon Center, the only county in the country served by two Audubon centers.


The center and its beautiful 205-acre natural surroundings will then open for a free weekend of fun and festivities on Saturday and Sunday, September 10 and 11. The weekend will include workshops, tours, trail hikes, children's nature play, and other outdoor activities. Hours for the free weekend are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday the 10th, and 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday the 11th. Visitors should park in front of the Dick's Sporting Goods at Uptown Village Mall at Cedar Hill, and a free shuttle will transport them to DCAC.

Patty McGill, Ph.D., center director for DCAC, said, "Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center is a wild and special place, a unique convergence of east, west, and Central Texas ecosystems. We are excited to open and make available our wonderful programs, hiking trails, and serene environment."

Sixteen miles south of downtown Dallas in Cedar Hill, Dogwood Canyon is home to rare plant and animal combinations, such as the Black-chinned Hummingbird of west Texas nesting in the flowering dogwood tree of east Texas. Other unique wildlife found in the canyon includes the Painted Bunting, Black-capped Vireo and Golden-cheeked Warbler, the latter two of which are endangered.

DCAC is anchored by the 6,000-square-foot, sustainably built, C.E. Doolin Visitors Center, which features classrooms, a canyon viewing room, and rentable reception space.

After the free grand opening, admission will cost $6 for adults, $3 for children aged 3-12 (children under 3 are free), and $4 for seniors 60 and older. Membership levels begin at $75.

The Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center at Cedar Hill is located at 1206 W FM1382, Cedar Hill, Texas, 75104. Entrance to the center is northwest of the driveway to Northwood University. Complete ticket information, operating hours, and directions can be found by calling 469-526-1980 or visiting www.dogwoodcanyonaudubon.org.

Source: http://www.abc-of-hiking.com/news/201108/dogwood-canyon-audubon-center-to-open.asp

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