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East Texas Arboretum announces Carl D. Frentress Hickory Loop trail renaming, guide - June 2020 East Texas Arboretum extends hours on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - May 2020 |
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June 2020 |
East Texas Arboretum announces Carl D. Frentress Hickory Loop trail renaming, guide
ATHENS, TX — The East Texas Arboretum is proud to announce the renaming of the Hickory Loop trail to the Carl D. Frentress Hickory Loop trail. The loop is a rugged one-mile hiking trail located on arboretum grounds.
The trail was named for former Texas Parks and Wildlife wetland and waterfowl biologist and longtime Athens resident Carl Frentress, who was instrumental in developing the arboretum’s natural areas. To commemorate his contributions, a specially chosen slab of naturally hardened sandstone from the Texas-Arkansas-Oklahoma region adorned with a bronze plaque has been placed at the trailhead.
“He was dedicated to conservation — that’s pretty much what he did,” said his son, Corey Frentress, who was present for the placement of the stone.
Carl Frentress planned and cleared the original Hickory Loop trail in the late 1990s. He also helped to improve the arboretum’s lowlands areas by removing brush and transplanting bog-adapted plants, effectively establishing an open wetland ecosystem.
Frentress passed away in 2019 after serving with TPWD for 32 years.
In an interview with the Conservation History Association of Texas in late 2000, Frentress told David Todd, “...My philosophy of things is that society tends to forget what a natural resource base means to our well being … I say that stewardship of natural resources is a component of citizenship.”
The 100+ acre East Texas Arboretum indeed continues to be a source of well being for people from all over Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the arboretum has managed to remain open throughout while following all city and state guidelines and order.
The arboretum has also released a companion online trail interpretation guide featuring more than 30 educational stations along the route. Stations include information about native tree, plant and fungi species, as well as general information about East Texas ecosystems and geology.
The new guide is the result of collaboration between naturalist Sonnia Hill and biologists Lucy Dueck and Jim Neal.
“Our intent is to further develop the signage along the trail which corresponds with the guide, moving from the small markers there now to larger interactive signs over time, but just having this guide is an amazing and long-needed education tool for the arboretum,” said Board President and Trail Committee chairperson Laura Smith.
The East Texas Arboretum is located at 1601 Patterson Rd. in Athens, TX. For more information about the trail, call (903) 675-5630 or visit our website at http://www.easttexasarboretum.org.
ATHENS, TX — The East Texas Arboretum is proud to announce the renaming of the Hickory Loop trail to the Carl D. Frentress Hickory Loop trail. The loop is a rugged one-mile hiking trail located on arboretum grounds.
The trail was named for former Texas Parks and Wildlife wetland and waterfowl biologist and longtime Athens resident Carl Frentress, who was instrumental in developing the arboretum’s natural areas. To commemorate his contributions, a specially chosen slab of naturally hardened sandstone from the Texas-Arkansas-Oklahoma region adorned with a bronze plaque has been placed at the trailhead.
“He was dedicated to conservation — that’s pretty much what he did,” said his son, Corey Frentress, who was present for the placement of the stone.
Carl Frentress planned and cleared the original Hickory Loop trail in the late 1990s. He also helped to improve the arboretum’s lowlands areas by removing brush and transplanting bog-adapted plants, effectively establishing an open wetland ecosystem.
Frentress passed away in 2019 after serving with TPWD for 32 years.
In an interview with the Conservation History Association of Texas in late 2000, Frentress told David Todd, “...My philosophy of things is that society tends to forget what a natural resource base means to our well being … I say that stewardship of natural resources is a component of citizenship.”
The 100+ acre East Texas Arboretum indeed continues to be a source of well being for people from all over Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the arboretum has managed to remain open throughout while following all city and state guidelines and order.
The arboretum has also released a companion online trail interpretation guide featuring more than 30 educational stations along the route. Stations include information about native tree, plant and fungi species, as well as general information about East Texas ecosystems and geology.
The new guide is the result of collaboration between naturalist Sonnia Hill and biologists Lucy Dueck and Jim Neal.
“Our intent is to further develop the signage along the trail which corresponds with the guide, moving from the small markers there now to larger interactive signs over time, but just having this guide is an amazing and long-needed education tool for the arboretum,” said Board President and Trail Committee chairperson Laura Smith.
The East Texas Arboretum is located at 1601 Patterson Rd. in Athens, TX. For more information about the trail, call (903) 675-5630 or visit our website at http://www.easttexasarboretum.org.
East Texas Arboretum extends hours on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
ATHENS, TX — The East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society in Athens, Texas, is announcing new, later business hours on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday — 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The arboretum is still open Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering a safe and tranquil space for DFW and East Texas residents to get outdoors — and out of the house.
“Visitor and staff safety are important to us during this current COVID-19 health situation,” said arboretum board president Laura Smith. “We hope that by remaining open daily, we can provide a calming sanctuary away from the concerning issues we are facing, but of course we request that visitors practice all CDC/WHO recommended social distancing and hygiene practices.”
Staff and volunteers continue to maintain the site’s expansive gardens. Plenty of soap and hand sanitizer are on hand, but those who are feeling unwell or are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms are asked to stay home.
The East Texas Arboretum is a sprawling, 104-acre nonprofit nature preserve located about one hour southeast of DFW. With two miles of natural trails, dozens of cultivated garden areas, historical structures and attractions like a bee hive and bat house, there is really something for the whole family to enjoy. Bring a picnic, a pet (on a leash) or fly solo with a camera or set of binoculars.
The arboretum depends on funding from admissions, memberships, donations and grants. More information about becoming a member can be found online at easttexasarboretum.org/membership. Admission is free for members and children under 3. Adult admission is $4, students and seniors pay $3 and kids 3-5 are just $1. East Texas Arboretum members are also eligible for special admission privileges and discounts at over 300 gardens in the U.S. through the Reciprocal Admissions Program, including the Dallas Arboretum, Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Texas Discovery Gardens and more.
The East Texas Arboretum is located at 1601 Patterson Road in Athens, Texas. For more information, call 903-675-5630. Find us online at http://www.easttexasarboretum.org and on Facebook.
ATHENS, TX — The East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society in Athens, Texas, is announcing new, later business hours on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday — 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The arboretum is still open Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering a safe and tranquil space for DFW and East Texas residents to get outdoors — and out of the house.
“Visitor and staff safety are important to us during this current COVID-19 health situation,” said arboretum board president Laura Smith. “We hope that by remaining open daily, we can provide a calming sanctuary away from the concerning issues we are facing, but of course we request that visitors practice all CDC/WHO recommended social distancing and hygiene practices.”
Staff and volunteers continue to maintain the site’s expansive gardens. Plenty of soap and hand sanitizer are on hand, but those who are feeling unwell or are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms are asked to stay home.
The East Texas Arboretum is a sprawling, 104-acre nonprofit nature preserve located about one hour southeast of DFW. With two miles of natural trails, dozens of cultivated garden areas, historical structures and attractions like a bee hive and bat house, there is really something for the whole family to enjoy. Bring a picnic, a pet (on a leash) or fly solo with a camera or set of binoculars.
The arboretum depends on funding from admissions, memberships, donations and grants. More information about becoming a member can be found online at easttexasarboretum.org/membership. Admission is free for members and children under 3. Adult admission is $4, students and seniors pay $3 and kids 3-5 are just $1. East Texas Arboretum members are also eligible for special admission privileges and discounts at over 300 gardens in the U.S. through the Reciprocal Admissions Program, including the Dallas Arboretum, Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Texas Discovery Gardens and more.
The East Texas Arboretum is located at 1601 Patterson Road in Athens, Texas. For more information, call 903-675-5630. Find us online at http://www.easttexasarboretum.org and on Facebook.
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