Quite some time ago I proposed an event to kickoff REAL activities within the Texas "region" of NANFA. Well, with all the reports coming in from around the country regarding other regions' activities, I guess it is time to unveil what I've got planned. All of the Texas members and a few other folks who expressed interest in attending will receive snail mail flyers on the event. I am also posting the invitation on the NFC list and inviting their membership as well. In addition, I am inviting members of the Texas Master Naturalists groups so that they can gain a greater understanding and appreciation of our native fishes.

A Note From Your Host: Some time ago, I was asked to serve as the North American Native Fishes Association (NANFA) Regional Representative for Texas. I've spent the past year trying to figure out how to get people from across the state together for some collecting, learning, and socializing and I've come up with the following idea:

What?: The Texas Native Fish Weekend

Who's invited?: All native fish enthusiasts are invited including NANFA and Native Fish Conservancy (NFC) members and anyone else interested in native fish. Spread the word!

Where?: The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge (FWNC&R) is located on the northwest side of Fort Worth, TX along the West Fork of the Trinity River between Eagle Mountain Lake (to the north) and Lake Worth (to the south). The FWNC&R is just 4 miles west of Interstate 820 off of Jacksboro Highway (Hwy 199).

Why?: Get a chance to meet other native fish enthusiasts from Texas (and maybe some other states as well!). Help survey the West Fork of the Trinity River's fish populations (information to be used by the FWNC&R in its education and conservation management programs). Learn something new. Have a bunch of fun.

Accommodations: This is really up to you as there are plenty of hotels in Fort Worth but if you let me know that you are coming, I can offer a place to pitch a tent at the FWNC&R. Sorry, no RVs allowed. This will be primitive camping without electricity or plumbing (port-o-lets will be available!) but the scenery will be great and you will be close to the action. And, the fee is up to you...make a donation to the FWNC&R.

Food: You are pretty much on your own in this area. The FWNC&R will provide some grills and a fire place for cooking; you supply the food. Anyone up for a potluck dinner?

Are you interested?: If so, here's the basic itinerary:


Friday, June 14


Arrival at the FWNC&R sometime before 9 p.m. The gates will be locked at that time and we will have the place to ourselves. The evening will be primarily social with an opportunity for making plans for the next couple of days.

Steve Campbell, Texas Parks and Wildlife Aquatic Education Specialist, will be talking about Cottonmouths, their life history and habits and avoidance techniques. Steve is a herper and fish guy as well as an entertaining speaker. Just about everyone who hangs around water in Texas meets up with a cottonmouth and Steve will help us gain a better understanding and appreciation for these interesting critters. Steve also promised to be around on Saturday for some fun in the water!

Saturday, June 15

Let's hit the water early! The FWNC&R has plenty of water access so we can spread out and get the seines and dipnets working. The FWNC&R will make canoes available for getting into some otherwise inaccessible areas of backwater. FWNC&R staff and volunteers will be available to help guide you into the various areas. If you get tired of the water, the FWNC&R's 25 miles of trails offer tremendous opportunities for hiking, birding, and just enjoying nature.

In the evening, we will have a speaker or two on some native fish topic(s):

Armin Karbach, former Curator of Fishes at the Fort Worth Zoo, will be describing some of his adventures in working with fish in public aquaria. Armin retired in January and is now working as a weekend naturalist at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge. Unfortunately, the Fort Worth Zoo has closed its aquarium and is currently in the process of demolition. Armin should also be around for the field activities on Saturday.

Dr. Tom Hellier, Aquatic Biology and Limnology professor at the University of Texas - Arlington, will be discussing the invasion of exotics and the extinction threat to our native fishes. Dr. Hellier has been conducting research in and around Texas for over 40 years and promises to be an enlightening speaker.

Sunday, June 16

We can get back on the water in the morning or we can venture out to other sites in the area. We will try to wrap it up and say our farewells around noon.

What about the family?: Bring 'em along. The FWNC&R is an amazing place for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. There are over 3,600 acres to explore, a bison herd, a prairie dog town, an interpretive center and all those trails! There's even some other stuff to do in Fort Worth if they would rather shop, go antiquing or to the zoo or museum, or whatever!

So that's it folks! You're invited. Let me know if you are coming by filling out this form and mailing it back to me at the address listed so that I get an idea of how many people to expect.

If you have questions, please feel free to call me at 817-237-1111 or email me at denkhar@ci.fort-worth.tx.us

Rob Denkhaus
Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge